Name: Gnocchi Bolognese - Perfect Comforting One-Pot Dinner!!
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h 30 min
Total time: 4 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons butter; 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped; 1 celery stalk, roughly chopped; 1 carrot, peeled and roughly chopped; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend); ½ pound ground turkey; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ½ cup chicken broth; 1 cup whole milk; 1 (28-ounce) can whole San Marzano tomatoes in juice; 2 cups beef or chicken broth; 3 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 16 ounces gnocchi; Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional, use a halal-certified brand or omit)

A hearty and comforting Bolognese sauce made with ground beef and turkey, simmered with vegetables, broth, and aromatic spices, served over soft, pillowy gnocchi. A perfect one-pot meal for a wholesome and satisfying dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Gnocchi Bolognese combines the rich, deep flavors of a traditional Bolognese sauce with the pillowy softness of gnocchi for an unforgettable meal. The slow-simmered sauce develops complex layers of flavor as it cooks, creating a luxurious texture that clings perfectly to each gnocchi. This dish strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated comfort food and accessible home cooking. While it does require patience to develop those amazing flavors, the actual hands-on time is minimal, making it perfect for weekend cooking or special occasions when you want to impress without spending hours actively in the kitchen.

Gnocchi Bolognese - Perfect Comforting One-Pot Dinner!!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Extra virgin olive oil provides a fruity foundation for the sauce and helps develop rich flavor as you sauté the vegetables.

Butter adds silky richness and depth to the sauce, working in harmony with the olive oil to create a more complex flavor profile than either would alone.

Yellow onion brings essential sweetness and aromatic foundation to the Bolognese sauce as it cooks down and caramelizes slightly.

Celery contributes subtle flavor and aromatic qualities that help build the classic mirepoix base for this sauce.

Carrot adds natural sweetness and a touch of earthiness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes in the sauce.

Tomato paste is a concentrated flavor bomb that adds intensity and umami depth to the sauce when properly cooked out and caramelized.

Ground beef (80/20 blend) provides the perfect balance of lean meat and fat for a flavorful, juicy Bolognese with excellent texture.

Ground turkey lightens the sauce slightly while still maintaining rich meaty flavor, creating a more balanced sauce overall.

Red pepper flakes add a subtle, warming heat that enhances the other flavors without making the dish spicy.

Chicken broth helps deglaze the pan and adds another layer of savory flavor to the sauce.

Whole milk is a traditional ingredient in authentic Bolognese that tenderizes the meat and adds creaminess while reducing acidity.

San Marzano tomatoes are prized for their sweet flavor, low acidity, and few seeds, making them ideal for a slow-cooked sauce like Bolognese.

Beef or chicken broth adds depth and richness while providing the necessary liquid for a long, slow simmer.

Bay leaves infuse the sauce with subtle herbal notes during the long cooking process.

Kosher salt enhances all the flavors in the dish and helps break down the vegetables for better texture.

Gnocchi serves as the perfect pillowy vessel for the rich Bolognese sauce, catching all the meaty goodness in its ridges.

Parmesan cheese offers a salty, nutty finish that complements the rich sauce beautifully.

Directions

Prepare the Vegetables:
In a food processor, pulse the onion, celery, and carrot until finely chopped.
Cook the Vegetables:
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden, about 5–7 minutes.
Prepare the Tomatoes:
In the food processor, pulse the tomatoes with their juice until smooth. Set aside.
Cook the Tomato Paste:
Stir the tomato paste into the sautéed vegetables. Cook for about 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until the paste deepens in color and becomes aromatic.
Cook the Meats:
Add the ground beef and ground turkey to the pot, along with the red pepper flakes. Break up the meat using a wooden spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Deglaze with Broth:
Pour in ½ cup of chicken broth and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes.
Add the Milk:
Stir in the milk and cook gently until it has evaporated, around 30 minutes, continuing to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Simmer the Sauce:
Add the pureed tomatoes, 2 cups of beef or chicken broth, bay leaves, and kosher salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 2½ to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until it thickens beautifully. Add a splash of water or broth if it gets too thick. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Cook the Gnocchi:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, typically until they float to the top, plus an extra minute. Drain well.
Combine and Serve:
Gently toss the gnocchi into the rich Bolognese sauce and cook together for 1–2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Plate and top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 8 generous servings, making it perfect for family dinners with leftovers or entertaining guests. Preparation takes about 30 minutes, while the cooking time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, for a total time of 4 hours. Each serving contains approximately 610 calories.

Variations

Vegetarian Bolognese: Replace the meat with 2 cups of finely chopped mushrooms and 1 cup of cooked lentils for a hearty vegetarian alternative with similar texture and umami flavor.

Spicy Gnocchi Bolognese: Double the red pepper flakes and add 1-2 diced fresh chilies with the vegetables for a version with significant heat.

Herbed Bolognese: Add 1 tablespoon each of fresh chopped rosemary and thyme during the last hour of simmering for a more aromatic sauce.

Creamy Bolognese: Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream just before serving for an extra luxurious sauce.

Alternative Proteins: Try using ground lamb, veal, instead of beef and turkey for different flavor profiles.

Homemade Gnocchi: For a truly special meal, make your own potato gnocchi from scratch to pair with the sauce.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerating: The Bolognese sauce can be refrigerated separately from the gnocchi in airtight containers for up to 4 days. For best results, store any leftover gnocchi separately from the sauce to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Freezing: The Bolognese sauce freezes beautifully for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. It’s recommended to freeze just the sauce and prepare fresh gnocchi when ready to serve, as gnocchi doesn’t freeze well once cooked.

Reheating Sauce: Reheat the sauce gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth or water if needed to reach desired consistency.

Reheating Gnocchi: Briefly reheat leftover gnocchi by dropping them in boiling water for just 30 seconds, or gently warm them in the sauce as it heats.

Make-Ahead Option: The Bolognese sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, which actually improves the flavor as it sits. Simply reheat and prepare fresh gnocchi when ready to serve.

FAQs

Can I make this Bolognese sauce in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Complete steps 1-7 as written, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Add the pureed tomatoes, broth, bay leaves, and salt, then cook on low for 6-8 hours. Cook the gnocchi separately just before serving.

Why does authentic Bolognese include milk?

Milk serves several purposes in Bolognese sauce. It helps tenderize the meat, adds richness and creaminess to the sauce, and helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. The calcium in milk also enhances the natural umami flavors in the meat.

Can I use dried herbs instead of bay leaves?

Yes, if you don’t have bay leaves, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or oregano. However, bay leaves have a unique flavor that’s difficult to replicate exactly.

Is it necessary to simmer the sauce for the full 3 hours?

The long simmering time is what gives Bolognese its distinctive rich flavor and texture. While you could reduce the time to about 1 hour for a quicker version, the depth of flavor won’t be the same. The magic happens during that slow, gentle simmer.

Can I use store-bought gnocchi for this recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought gnocchi works perfectly in this recipe and is a great time-saver. Look for refrigerated gnocchi for the best texture, though shelf-stable varieties also work well.

How can I tell when the gnocchi is done cooking?

Gnocchi typically floats to the surface of the boiling water when it’s done. Once they float, let them cook for one additional minute to ensure they’re thoroughly cooked throughout.

What can I serve with Gnocchi Bolognese?

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette makes a perfect accompaniment to cut through the richness of the dish. Garlic bread or a crusty Italian loaf also pairs beautifully to soak up any extra sauce.

Is there a shortcut version for busy weeknights?

For a quicker version, you can reduce the simmering time to 45 minutes and use pre-chopped vegetables. While it won’t have the same depth of flavor as the long-simmered version, it will still be delicious.

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken can be substituted for ground turkey with very similar results. Both offer a lighter alternative to using all beef while still contributing good flavor to the sauce.

What’s the best way to store leftover Bolognese sauce?

Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The flavor often improves after a day as the ingredients have more time to meld.

Conclusion

This Gnocchi Bolognese recipe exemplifies the beauty of slow, intentional cooking. While it requires time and patience, the rich, complex flavors that develop are well worth the wait. The combination of the hearty, deeply flavored Bolognese sauce with pillowy soft gnocchi creates a dish that’s both comforting and impressive. The recipe stays true to traditional techniques while incorporating a few modern twists, like the addition of ground turkey for a slightly lighter profile.

What makes this dish special is how the sauce coats each piece of gnocchi, creating perfect bites of flavor in every mouthful. Whether you’re preparing it for a casual family dinner or a special occasion with friends, this Gnocchi Bolognese is certain to become a treasured recipe in your collection. The leftovers, if you’re lucky enough to have any, are even more flavorful the next day as the ingredients continue to meld.

Gnocchi Bolognese – Perfect Comforting One-Pot Dinner!!