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I know it’s only Thursday, but this Sunday night gnocchi Bolognese bake needs to be on your dinner menu for this weekend.

Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

And hey, we all know it’s never too early to start planning the weekend!

So here’s the deal. I am in comfort food mode (as if you haven’t figured this out) and this gnocchi bake is all things comforting. As you guys know it’s been a little busy around here, with multiple things happening behind the scenes. And then you know, launching the cookbook! It’s been a roller coaster of anticipation, fun, stress, and um tiredness…tons of different emotions. Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving every minute of this ride (ok, well most of it), but some of the stress has just left me craving all the comforting things I love. Things like my favorite pumpkin candle, fuzzy sweaters, and cheesy gnocchi.

Plus, as mentioned earlier this week, the weather in Colorado at night has definitely gone from chilly to just cold, and that means cheesy gnocchi is just what needs to happen for Sunday night dinner this week. I mean, obviously.

Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

I first had the idea for this recipe a few weeks back, but waited until the end of September to tell you guys about it because it just feels like the most perfect autumn Sunday night dinner.

Sunday night dinners have always been my favorite, which is kind of odd since I used to hate Sundays. It’s a long story, but in short, Sundays just meant back to school the next day, which for me was a pretty big issue.

Anyway, dinners on Sunday were always special. My mom would make a point to make a good meal (probably her Potato Chip Chicken, which is a recipe in the cookbook), bake a loaf of bread, and bake fresh cookies. The entire family, meaning all eight or nine of us (depending on the year and who had been born…) would actually sit at the same table and all eat together at the same time. If you’re a Gerard family member then you know this kind of thing definitely did not happen every night of the week, but when it did happen it was always a nice thing. Sometimes football would be playing in the background, but most of the time it was just the family. It was loud and a little chaotic, but it was always the best.

Sunday nights are not quite the same over here since we’ve all gotten older, moved out of our parent’s house, and you know, grown up. But I still love making a good dinner and lighting a candle or two, especially during the fall and winter months…

Which brings me to this gnocchi Bolognese bake. It’s the perfect dinner to simmer on the stove and let your house fill with delicious smells, then bake and eat.

Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Like a lot of recipes I’ve been creating these days, this dish is made all in one pot. Make the Bolognese sauce in a large skillet, then stir in the gnocchi, add some cheese and bake.

So simple, but yet the most amazing dish. Almost like in Italy…but then what do I really know, I’ve never been there. Someday though!

A few notes. My recipe calls for ground beef or spicy Italian sausage. I like to use spicy Italian sausage for an extra layer of spice and flavor. You could also use ground chicken or turkey if you prefer. To make the sauce rich but flavorful, I use a mix of red wine and milk. The wine adds a fruity flavor while the milk keeps the sauce creamy and rich. If you don’t drink wine or prefer not to use it in your sauce, just use an equal amount of water.

And lastly? The cheese! Mozzarella and provolone are my favorites with this type of Italian meal, but you could also use ricotta, maybe even cheddar or really whatever you love that melts well. Then top with basil and all will be good.

It’s a pretty simple and straight forward recipe, but delicious none the less! Excited to make this on Sunday for a cozy night back home after traveling. I am off again on Monday morning, so a good dinner is totally needed.

Kind of already dreaming about it…

Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 729 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
    2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onions and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beef and garlic and cook until the beef has browned all over, about 8-10 minutes. 
    3. Stir in all of the tomatoes, wine, and milk. Add the bay leaf and oregano and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes or until it has thickened slightly. 
    4. Stir in the gnocchi and 1/3 cup water. Bring the sauce to a boil and cook another 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the bay leaf and oregano. Top the dish with cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has melted. Top with fresh basil. Enjoy!
View Recipe Comments

Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

The perfect cheese pull. Get’s me every time.

ps. I will be on Hallmark Home and Family tomorrow at 10am EST/9am C.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Omg can I just say how heavenly this was?! I came here searching for an Italian-inspired recipe and found this. I made it last night for an “Italian Christmas” dinner at our house. I was extremely pleased with this dish both esthetically and for its yumminess. It was very flavorful and had all the right texture. I followed the recipe exactly as written. I kept getting more servings even though I was full. It was so delicious that we couldn’t stop eating it!

    1. Hey Elizabeth,
      Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a hit! xx

  2. This got a 10/10 from my 3 teens and husband. Wow! So comforting and full of flavor. Bravo. We used ground Turkey and it was a hit.

    1. Hey Heather,
      Awesome!!🌼 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! xT

    1. Hey there,
      I used whole tomatoes for this recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this turns out well for you! xx

  3. 5 stars
    Made this with Trader Joe’s mozzarella and sauce stuffed gnocchi which made it extra cheesy! My husband loved it! I did have to simmer longer to get a thick sauce.

    1. Hey Kaylee,
      I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄

  4. 5 stars
    Two words – comfort food! Yummmm! I made this for my husband and college-age son this past week, and we loved it. Serve it with crusty garlic bread and a salad to round out the meal or just put it on the table and remind yourself it has veggies already in it. 😉 This reheats well too. I used Delallo gluten free gnocchi.

    1. Hi Leslie,
      Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan

  5. This looks amazing! I am pinning “Sunday Dinner” recipes for me and my family to enjoy after church. I am so excited to introduce them to this skillet full of loveliness. Thank you for sharing, I will be looking at your other recipes in your blog as well with great anticipation. ?

  6. I loved the recipe! Easy, tasty, and the kids ate it too!

    Question: how big is your skillet? My 10 inch skillet was way too small, and I want to be sure the next one I buy is big enough! Thanks!

    1. Hey Liz,
      Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! I used a 12 inch skillet. Have the best weekend:)