Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake – Comfort Food Recipes That Warm the Soul
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.
Servings: 4 servings
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
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften—about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Mix in the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, oregano, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the gnocchi and chicken broth to the skillet, stirring gently to coat everything in the sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.