Name: Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake – Comfort Food Recipes That Warm the Soul
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 medium carrot, diced; 1 celery stalk, diced; 500g lean ground turkey; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 400g canned chopped tomatoes; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; Salt and pepper, to taste; 500g gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated); 120ml chicken broth; 60g light mozzarella cheese, grated; Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

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You know those nights when all you want is something cozy and cheesy, but you still kinda want to feel like you’re eating a grown-up meal? That’s where this Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake comes in. We’re talking soft, pillowy gnocchi swimming in a healthy bolognese sauce recipe made from lean turkey, with just the right touch of melty mozzarella on top. It’s like your favorite Italian comfort food took a spa day and came back all refreshed. We’ve taken a classic bolognese sauce recipe and lightened it up, keeping all the flavor without weighing you down. Whether you’re hunting for new gnocchi recipes or craving a healthy comfort food recipe that hits every warm-and-fuzzy note, this dish has your name written all over it. I make this when I want to impress my family with something hearty but still secretly healthy. With just a few pantry staples and some sneaky veggie action, this turkey bolognese recipe checks all the boxes. So if you’re after healthy gnocchi recipes that don’t skimp on taste, go ahead—grab that casserole dish. We’re making comfort food that’s good for the soul *and* the jeans.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake
4) How to Make Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake
5) Tips for Making Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake
6) Making Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake
8) Try these comfort foods next!
9) Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

A comfort food recipe with light and healthy swaps that still delivers all the flavor.
Uses pantry staples and lean turkey for a satisfying and guilt-free dinner.
Perfect for make-ahead meals or freezer-friendly prep.
Melty cheese, soft gnocchi, rich bolognese – this bake hits every craving.

2) Easy Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe

When I need something warm and filling, but I’m not trying to undo a week of decent choices, this cheesy bolognese gnocchi bake saves me. It’s the kind of dinner that checks every comfort food box, yet it still feels balanced. We’re layering soft gnocchi with a bolognese that swaps beef for lean turkey, and then melting just enough cheese on top to make it feel like a little reward at the end of a long day.

Comfort food recipes like this one remind me why I love cooking on cold nights. You can do everything in one pan, then finish it off in the oven. It makes the house smell incredible. It’s got that rich, meaty taste you want in a bolognese, but without feeling too heavy. It’s perfect if you’re feeding kids or just yourself and want leftovers tomorrow that don’t feel like punishment.

This one’s in our regular dinner rotation. I think once you try it, it’ll earn a permanent spot in yours too. Whether it’s a Monday slump or a Sunday slow night, this recipe shows how comfort food doesn’t have to mean a food coma.

3) Ingredients for Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake

Olive oil: Just a couple teaspoons to sauté everything, but it gives great flavor. I use regular, not extra virgin for cooking here.

Onion: Go for a small one and chop it fine. You want it to melt into the sauce, not dominate it.

Garlic: Two cloves, minced. I keep mine in a little jar of olive oil in the fridge. Makes prep so much faster.

Carrot: Diced small, it adds sweetness and texture. You won’t even know it’s in there, but it balances the acidity.

Celery: Another base flavor. Chopped finely, it adds depth without standing out.

Ground turkey: Use lean, but not fat-free. The little bit of fat helps keep the sauce from drying out.

Tomato paste: Just one spoonful. It builds a deeper, richer base when you cook it with the meat.

Canned tomatoes: I use chopped tomatoes, nothing fancy. The sauce thickens as it bakes, so no need for puree.

Dried oregano and smoked paprika: These give the bolognese that extra flavor punch.

Worcestershire sauce: Just a splash, and yes, I still have to Google how to spell it every single time.

Salt and pepper: Don’t skip this. Season in layers. Taste as you go. Always.

Gnocchi: I use shelf-stable. You don’t have to boil it. It cooks in the sauce and soaks up all that flavor.

Chicken broth: Adds moisture and helps the gnocchi cook through evenly in the oven.

Light mozzarella cheese: Just enough to cover the top. It melts beautifully and pulls the whole dish together.

Fresh parsley: Optional, but it gives a little color and a touch of brightness.

4) How to Make Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake

Step 1: Heat oil in a big skillet. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook everything until it’s soft and smells good.

Step 2: Toss in the turkey and break it up with your spoon. Cook until it’s brown and there’s no pink left.

Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste. Give it a minute to coat the meat and start to caramelize.

Step 4: Add in the chopped tomatoes, oregano, smoked paprika, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 15 minutes uncovered so it thickens up a bit.

Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F. While that’s happening, add the gnocchi and broth into your skillet. Mix it gently to coat all the gnocchi in sauce.

Step 6: Pour everything into a greased baking dish. Top with mozzarella. No need to overthink it. Just spread it around.

Step 7: Bake for 20 minutes. Cheese should be melted and bubbly. If you like a golden top, broil it for the last 2 minutes.

5) Tips for Making Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake

Let your sauce simmer. Don’t rush that 15 minutes. It thickens the sauce and lets all the flavors come together. If you skip that, your bake may turn out watery.

Don’t boil the gnocchi first. I know it feels weird, but it cooks perfectly in the oven with the sauce. No soggy mess. Just tender and flavorful bites.

Use freshly grated cheese. The pre-shredded stuff works, but freshly shredded melts smoother and gives you more stretch and flavor. Plus, it’s usually cheaper by weight.

6) Making Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Ahead of Time

If I know I’ve got a packed evening ahead, I prep this dish the night before. Make the sauce and layer it all in your baking dish. Cover and pop it in the fridge. The next day, pull it out while the oven preheats. Add an extra five minutes to the baking time if it’s still cold when it goes in.

This is one of those comfort food recipes that actually gets better the next day. The flavors deepen and the gnocchi soaks up even more of that bolognese magic.

It also freezes well. Let it cool completely, wrap it tightly, and stash it in the freezer. Then pat yourself on the back because future-you just dodged takeout.

7) Storing Leftover Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake

I keep leftovers in a covered glass container. They’ll last in the fridge for about four days. Just reheat in the microwave or the oven. Add a little splash of broth if it looks dry, and cover it with foil in the oven to prevent the cheese from drying out.

If I’m freezing it, I portion it out first. That way I’m not thawing a whole pan when I just want one serving. Label the containers with the date so you’re not playing freezer roulette three weeks from now.

It reheats beautifully, and it makes a great work lunch. Comfort food recipes that travel well? That’s a win.

8) Try these comfort foods next!

9) Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake