Description
This Easy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake is a comforting and hearty casserole combining savory ground beef, a flavorful vegetable-infused tomato sauce, tender gnocchi, and a cheesy golden topping. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s simple to prepare with everyday ingredients and bakes to bubbly perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 cup diced onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
- 1 cup shredded carrot (about 1 medium carrot)
- 1 cup diced celery (about 2 medium celery sticks)
Meat & Seasonings
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste (approximately ¾ teaspoon salt and a few pinches of pepper)
Tomato & Cheese
- 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes (not drained)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Pasta
- 2 (16-oz) packages gnocchi
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, shredded carrot, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Cook beef: Add 1 pound of lean ground beef to the skillet along with Italian seasoning, dried garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat while stirring frequently to break up the meat until it is browned and crumbly. Remove from heat once cooked through.
- Assemble casserole: Stir in the entire cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes (with liquid) into the skillet with beef and vegetables. Then add the gnocchi packages directly into the skillet and mix well to combine everything evenly. Transfer this mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle evenly with grated parmesan cheese followed by shredded mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the bake is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and dish to set.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a spicier bake, add red pepper flakes when cooking the beef.
- Feel free to use fresh herbs instead of dried Italian seasoning for a fresher taste.
- Gnocchi does not need to be pre-cooked as it cooks in the tomato mixture during baking.
- Make sure to let the bake rest after removing from oven to avoid burning your mouth on hot cheese and sauce.
