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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.
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.
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.
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
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
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef or spicy Italian sausage
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs fresh oregano
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, torn
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- fresh basil, for topping
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!
The perfect cheese pull. Get’s me every time.
ps. I will be on Hallmark Home and Family tomorrow at 10am EST/9am C.
This was absolutely delicious! Just made it last night, and my boyfriend was still talking about it today. The perfect comfort food. I used a cast iron skillet. Used fresh mozzarella and ricotta as the cheeses, and while the fresh mozzarella was a little thicker than I’d wanted, it did lend the entire dish a bit of the flavor of a baked lasagna. I also used hot Italian sausage, as you suggested. Perfect! I could see this working as a bake with many different kinds of pasta, as well, including mini filled ravioli. Also left out the wine and wouldn’t have noticed – added a little less than 1/3c additional water. Thank you!
I am so happy you and your boyfriend loved this Rachel! Thank you!!
Teigan, thanks for this delicious recipe. My family has just finished eating and everyone is talking, laughing and hanging out. We got a new kitchen table today, after 13 years with our old small, mediocre one. Our new table is big and beautiful,, this recipe was the first to be eaten around it. Everyone loved the food and the good time. Thanks for another perfect recipe. 🙂
Sounds like an amazing dinner Kim! I am so happy you all enjoyed this recipe, thank you!
This sounds amazing! I bought all the ingredients to make this. But I’m wondering if the tomatoes you used were whole? The can of San Marzano tomatoes I got are whole so should I chop them up a bit?
Hi! Just crush them with you hands or chop them. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love this recipe! 🙂
Excellent recipe! I made this for my boyfriend’s birthday dinner last night and he loved it! Thank you,Tieghan for another delicious recipe!! Will make again.
Awh that is so awesome! I am so glad this turned out amazing for you Christina! Thanks!
This recipe is AMAZING! I made this last Sunday and everyone said it is their new favorite Italian recipe 🙂 Will be making this for many years… Thank you!
Awh that is amazing Jackie!! Thank you!
I can’t get enough gnocchi. excited to try!
Question, If you were to make this vegetarian, would you just cut the beef? Or would you add extra veggies? maybe minced mushrooms and peppers? thanks for any suggestions.
Hi Jess! I would cut the beef and add 8 ounces mushrooms and 1 bell pepper. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love this recipe! 🙂
I made this last weekend and it was just so filling and warming – proper comfort food. My partner was pretty sceptical about having Gnocchi rather than pasta but he really enjoyed it! x
That’s amazing! So happy you both enjoyed this Lesley!
Hi, can’t wait to make this for Sunday dinner tomorrow, my husband and I are gnocchi obsessed. I never thought I would say this, but I don’t have any wine in the house, we just moved and I’m 8 months pregnant (so ready to be done and for a glass of wine ha!), can I just leave it out or should I sub something else in? Thank you so much, Tieghan!
Hi Michelle! Sorry, I am a little late to reply, but chicken broth would be a great sub or in a pinch water. Hope you loved this recipe and congrats on the new baby! 🙂
I made this last night. Used Italian sausage and a merlot. Let the sauce simmer down for longer than suggested (had the time). Perfection. Knocked my socks off!!
Will make again – with and without the gnocchi. That sauce. Dang!
It’s 6:30AM and I’m already thinking about leftovers.
Thank you for another great recipe!!
I am so happy this turned out perfect for you + you loved this Jackie! Thank you so much! ?
Would this work well with pappardelle or other noodles? Currently have all the ingredients except the gnocchi. Thanks!
Hey Lara! I think pappardelle would be amazing, as would any pasta really!! Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you!
My whole family gobbled this up! Delicious! Even my husband, who isn’t a huge gnocchi fan, loved it!
I am so glad to hear that! Thank you!
This looks incredible! I’m making two versions of this recipe for a pretty big crowd: one with all of the ingredients listed, and another that is gluten free. Do you know if there is any gf gnocchi on store shelves? or would you recommend an alternative? maybe a vegetable, or another noodle type? would love your thoughts!
HI TARA! Delallo brand sells a delicious GF gnocchi, so I recommend that! Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe! Thank you!
This looks delicious, and I’m going to make it this week. However, “none the less” is spelled “nonetheless”. Just thought it would be good for you to know for your future posts 🙂
Oops, thank you Kayla!
I’m going to make my own gnocchi for this recipe. Should I cook it before adding to the other ingredients? Thanks…waiting to hear before I get started.
Hi Vera! I don’t think you need to cook the gnocchi before adding it to the sauce. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe! Thank you!
Hi! I’m making this for dinner tonight!! Did you use fresh mozzarella?? Thank you!
HI deb! I did use fresh mozzarella. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe! Thank you!