Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

Introduction

Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese is a comforting twist on classic Italian flavors, combining tender potato gnocchi with a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce. This hearty dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a special weekend meal with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 4 ounces diced pancetta
• 8 cloves of garlic, minced or 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 lb lean ground beef (grass-fed recommended)
• 1 lb ground pork
• Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup dry red wine (Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot)
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire roasted tomatoes
• Herb blend: 3-4 sprigs each fresh rosemary & thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups chicken or beef broth
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 32 ounces potato gnocchi (shelf-stable recommended)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add carrot, celery, and onion, sautéing the mirepoix until tender and golden, about 6-7 minutes while stirring often.
2. Step 2: Add diced pancetta to the pot and cook until golden and fat is rendered, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Create a well in the center and add ground beef and pork. Break meat into pieces and combine with the vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 8-9 minutes.
4. Step 4: Season the meat mixture with salt, pepper, chipotle powder, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
5. Step 5: Increase heat to medium-high and pour in red wine to deglaze. Stir and scrape up browned bits from the bottom. Cook until wine is mostly absorbed, about 4-5 minutes.
6. Step 6: Add diced tomatoes, fresh herbs, bay leaves, and broth. Stir well to combine.
7. Step 7: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and develop flavor.
8. Step 8: After simmering, skim off excess fat if needed and remove herb stems and bay leaves. Stir in parmesan cheese and heavy cream. Remove from heat and set aside while cooking gnocchi.
9. Step 9: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi according to package directions, slightly undercooking by about 1 minute. Reserve 1/2 cup of gnocchi cooking water before draining.
10. Step 10: Transfer gnocchi with a slotted spoon into the bolognese sauce. Gently toss to coat. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved gnocchi water if needed, or sprinkle more parmesan to thicken.
11. Step 11: Serve immediately in bowls, topped with extra parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your cozy meal!

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of ground beef and pork for richer flavor and better texture in the sauce.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with mushrooms and lentils, and use vegetable broth.
• Fresh gnocchi can be used in place of shelf-stable if you prefer a softer texture.
• Simmering the sauce longer will deepen the flavors even more.
• If you want extra creaminess, stir in a bit more heavy cream just before serving.

Storage

Store leftover gnocchi bolognese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze the bolognese sauce?

Yes, the bolognese sauce freezes well. Store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How do I prevent gnocchi from sticking?

Cook gnocchi in plenty of salted boiling water and avoid overcrowding the pot. Drain carefully and toss gently with your sauce immediately to prevent sticking.

Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 58 reviews

Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese is a rich, comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender potato gnocchi enveloped in a deeply flavorful, slow-simmered meat sauce. Made with a blend of ground beef, pork, pancetta, and fresh vegetables, this flavorful bolognese is finished with parmesan and cream for a luscious texture. Perfect for a hearty family meal or a cozy dinner on chilly nights.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tablespoon garlic paste

Meats & Proteins

• 4 ounces diced pancetta
• 1 lb lean ground beef (grass-fed recommended)
• 1 lb ground pork

Spices & Seasonings

• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Liquids & Broth

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup dry red wine (Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot)
• 2 cups chicken or beef broth

Canned & Jarred

• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

Herbs

• 3–4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves

Dairy & Cheese

• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Pasta

• 32 ounces potato gnocchi (shelf-stable recommended)

Instructions

1. Sauté the mirepoix: Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. When shimmering, add the chopped carrots, celery, and onions. Sauté, stirring frequently, until tender and golden, about 6-7 minutes.
2. Add the flavor agents: Add the diced pancetta to the pot and cook with the mirepoix until golden and the fat renders, 2-3 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
3. Brown the meat & season: Create a well in the center and add ground beef and pork. Break meat into pieces and stir to combine with vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 8-9 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, chipotle powder, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to blend flavors.
4. Deglaze the pot: Increase heat to medium-high and pour in red wine. Stir and scrape bottom of pot to incorporate browned bits. Cook until wine mostly absorbs, around 4-5 minutes.
5. Build the braise: Add diced fire-roasted tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, and broth. Stir thoroughly to combine.
6. Slow simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let sauce simmer gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Finish bolognese sauce: After simmering, skim off any excess fat from the surface. Remove herb stems and bay leaves. Stir in parmesan cheese and heavy cream until combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
8. Cook gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi according to package instructions, slightly undercooking by about 1 minute. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water before draining gnocchi.
9. Assemble gnocchi bolognese: Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi into the bolognese sauce pot. Gently toss to coat all gnocchi with sauce. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved gnocchi water to thin or sprinkling more parmesan to thicken as desired.
10. Serve: Serve gnocchi bolognese immediately in pasta bowls, topped with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your cozy, hearty meal!

Notes

• Use a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot for optimal browning and slow simmering.
• Undercooking the gnocchi slightly prevents them from becoming mushy when added to the sauce.
• Skimming excess fat after braising keeps the sauce rich but not greasy.
• Shelf-stable potato gnocchi work well for convenience, but fresh gnocchi can be substituted.
• The slow simmer time develops deep flavors, so don’t rush the braising step.
• If preferred, you can substitute ground veal or lamb for a different meat blend.

Keywords: Gnocchi Bolognese, Italian pasta, Slow simmered meat sauce, Potato gnocchi recipe, Comfort food, Hearty dinner