Can I make this Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble everything up to the baking step, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.

What can I substitute for ground beef?

Ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage all work wonderfully. You can also use half beef and half sausage for extra flavor, or make it vegetarian with plant-based crumbles or extra vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.

Why is my gnocchi bake watery?

This usually happens if the bolognese sauce wasn't simmered long enough to thicken, or if the gnocchi released too much starch. Make sure to drain the gnocchi well and let your sauce reduce slightly before mixing everything together.

Easy Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe - Delicious Comfort Food Dinner

Name: Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce; 1 (17.5 oz) package potato gnocchi; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake

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Comforting baked gnocchi with rich bolognese sauce and melted cheese. Perfect family dinner ready in 45 minutes.

Author: James Carter Jr
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Bake
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
1 (17.5 oz) package potato gnocchi
1 cup ricotta cheese
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef for 6-8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in marinara sauce, season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Simmer 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
Meanwhile, cook gnocchi according to package directions (2-3 minutes). Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine cooked gnocchi with bolognese sauce. Stir in ricotta cheese and 1 cup mozzarella until well mixed.
Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish.
Top with remaining ½ cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Use 85/15 ground beef for best flavor balance. Ground turkey or Italian sausage work as alternatives.
Don’t overcook gnocchi in boiling water since they continue cooking in the oven.
Can be assembled 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking. Add 5-10 extra minutes to bake time if cold.
Freezes well for up to 3 months. Freeze before adding final cheese layer for best results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 485 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 820 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/cheesy-bolognese-gnocchi-bake/