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Cool nights call for something bubbling, cheesy, and wildly comforting. This gnocchi Bolognese checks every box—rich, saucy, and baked until the top turns golden and gooey.
It all happens in one skillet: a simple Bolognese, soft gnocchi, and a blanket of mozzarella and provolone. Light a candle, pour a little red, and let the oven do the cozy work.
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.
Why You’ll Love This
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One-skillet, minimal cleanup.
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Bakes for that irresistible cheesy top.
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Flexible: beef, sausage, or poultry; wine or no-wine.
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…
FAQ:
Can I use fresh gnocchi instead of shelf-stable?
Yes. Fresh cooks a bit faster and can release more starch. Watch the sauce; if it thickens quickly, loosen with a splash of water.
What if I don’t cook with wine?
Use water or low-sodium beef/chicken broth. Taste after simmering; if it’s a touch sharp, a pinch of sugar or extra splash of milk balances it.
How do I prevent a greasy sauce?
If your meat renders a lot of fat, spoon off excess after browning before adding liquids. Simmer until emulsified and glossy before adding gnocchi.
Can I assemble earlier in the day and bake later?
You can hold the sauce, but add gnocchi right before baking so they don’t over-soften. If assembling ahead, expect to add a splash of water before the oven.
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 post was originally published on September 28, 2017
I’m stuck in the house due to a snowstorm and happen to have all the ingredients except the tomatoes. I do, however, have a can of marinara. Can you tell me how to use this as a replacement? (I’m new to cooking so forgive me if this is an easy-peasy question)
Hey Leah,
I would just use the marinara in place of the tomatoes, that should be perfectly okay to do.
I hope you love this recipe! Stay safe!
I would like to make your Sunday Night Gnocchi Bolognese Bake for guests for after church on Christmas Eve. I really need something I can just heat or reheat quickly (30 min. max). That said would it be ok for me to do the sauce ahead of time (adding everything but the mill and gnocchi) then place in a crock pot to keep warm……then add the milk and put the mixture in a casserole dish with fresh gnocchi and bake when I get home? Do you think that would work? I plan to use the cheese filled skillet gnocchi from Costco so they don’t really need to be boiled. Thank you for any guidance you can give me on this. Christmas Eve dinner and appetizers are always tricky since everyone wants to come and partake but not stay late. Happy Holidays to you.
Hey Sheryl,
Totally! I think that would work quite nicely for you!
Thanks for choosing to make this recipe, I hope you love it!
This recipe misses a very important step. You need to add the milk FIRST before the wine and tomatoes. I’ve got curdled bolognese because I followed the directions.
Hey Jill,
Thanks for sharing your feedback! I’ve never had this happen before, so I apologize for that! I hope it is enjoyed!
This was excellent. I made homemade gnocchi the night before, boiled it and put it in the fridge. Truly delicious.
Hey Shalini,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! xx
Just came across this recipe and tried to tonight- SO GOOD! We’re no stranger to HBH recipes, and this one is definitely going into the rotation. The gnocchi is such a unique choice and the sauce was so rich and creamy. Perfect for a cozy night in while enjoying the rest of that bottle of wine 😀 Thanks Tieghan!
Hey Briana,
Fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Thanksgiving! xxT
Hi! If my gnocchi is frozen do I need to do anything differently?
Thanks!
Hi Lainey,
You should be just fine to follow the recipe as written:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
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!
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
Delicious, warm, and comforting.
Hey Elizabeth,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a hit! xx
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.
Hey Heather,
Awesome!!🌼 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! xT
What kind of tomatoes? Sauce? Diced?
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
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.
Hey Kaylee,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
This is excellent and a favorite of my family. I make it using spicy Italian turkey sausage. Easy and delicious!
Hey Mary Beth,
Happy Monday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it:) xTieghan
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.
Hi Leslie,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
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. ?
Thanks so much for your kind message Susan! I hope your family loves this recipe! xTieghan
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!
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:)