Hey foodies! Today I’m excited to share with you a recipe that has truly changed my life – Gnocchi Bolognese made in the air fryer! If you saw my last post on gnocchi, you know how much I love cooking gnocchi in the air fryer. It’s a total game-changer, and when combined with a rich, flavorful bolognese sauce, it’s nothing short of amazing. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and definitely a family favorite. Let’s dive in!
Method
Prepare the Bolognese
Start by preparing the vegetables for the bolognese sauce. Heat some fry light spray in a frying pan over medium heat, and add the chopped onion, peppers, carrot, and celery. Sauté the veggies for about 5 minutes or until they begin to soften. Once they are softened, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, allowing the garlic to release its aroma. Afterward, add the 500g of beef mince into the pan. Use a spoon to break up the mince and cook it until it turns brown. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to stir the mixture to avoid any burning or sticking to the pan.
Make the Sauce
Next, it’s time to turn those veggies and mince into a hearty bolognese sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of tomato purée to the pan and stir it in well. This will deepen the flavor and give the sauce a rich color. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oregano. Then, pour in 1 tablespoon of Worcester sauce for an added depth of flavor. Add 1 tin of tomatoes and pour in ¼ tin of water to help loosen the sauce. Finally, crumble in 1 beef stock pot to bring extra richness to the sauce. Stir everything together to combine, then reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will become, so if you have time, let it cook for longer, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking. The sauce should thicken and develop a deep, savory taste.
Cook the Gnocchi in the Air Fryer
While your bolognese sauce is simmering, it’s time to get your gnocchi crispy. Place 500g of gnocchi into the air fryer basket. Make sure to spread them out evenly for even cooking. Lightly spray them with olive oil (around 20 sprays should be enough). Set your air fryer to 180°C and cook the gnocchi for approximately 12 minutes. After 6 minutes, open the air fryer and shake the basket to ensure the gnocchi cooks evenly on all sides. Once they are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside for assembly.
Assemble the Dish
Now, it’s time to bring the crispy gnocchi and the savory bolognese sauce together. Take your air-fried gnocchi and gently toss them into the simmering bolognese sauce, ensuring each piece is coated in that delicious tomato-meat sauce. Once combined, transfer everything into a baking dish, and sprinkle the grated 30g of 50% fat cheddar and 40g of mozzarella evenly over the top. The cheeses will melt and become golden during the final step. Place the dish back into the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 180°C, or until the cheese has melted, turned bubbly, and become a beautiful golden color.
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer
- Frying pan
- Knife and chopping board
- Spoon for stirring
- Measuring spoons
- Tin opener
Gnocchi Bolognese A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dish
Cuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy3
servings10
minutes30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
For the gnocchi
500g gnocchi
Olive oil spray (about 20 sprays – probably equivalent to 1 tsp)
30g 50% fat cheddar
40g mozzarella
For the bolognese
1 onion, chopped
2 peppers, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
500g 5% fat beef mince
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp Worcester sauce
Salt + pepper, to taste
1 tbsp oregano
1 tin of tomatoes
1/4 tin of water
1 beef stock pot
Directions
- Prepare the bolognese
Start by cooking the chopped veggies (onion, peppers, carrot, and celery) in a frying pan with some fry light spray until softened. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Next, throw in the beef mince and cook until browned. - Make the sauce
Add the tomato purée, salt, pepper, oregano, Worcester sauce, stock pot, and tinned tomatoes to the pan. Pour in 1/4 tin of water to get the sauce going. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes (the longer, the better!). Stir occasionally. - Cook the gnocchi in the air fryer
While your bolognese is simmering, pop the gnocchi into the air fryer basket. Spray them with a little olive oil and cook at 180°C for about 12 minutes or until they’re crispy and golden. Don’t forget to shake them halfway through! - Assemble the dish
Once the gnocchi is crispy, toss it with the bolognese sauce. Then sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella on top. Pop it back into the air fryer for a few more minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
- Air fryer tip Be sure to shake the gnocchi halfway through the cooking process to make sure it crisps up evenly. It’s easy to forget, but trust me – it makes a big difference in texture!
- Simmering the sauce The longer you let the bolognese sauce simmer, the more flavorful it will get. But if you’re in a rush, 20 minutes will still give you a delicious result. If you want a thicker sauce, you can let it cook for a little longer to reduce.
- Cheese melt Keep an eye on the gnocchi as it’s finishing in the air fryer to avoid burning the cheese. You want it golden, but not too crispy.
Serving Suggestions
This gnocchi bolognese is so filling on its own, but you can serve it with a simple side salad or a crusty garlic bread to make it even more satisfying. It’s also perfect for meal prep – make extra and enjoy it the next day for lunch!
Fun Fact
Did you know that gnocchi is actually one of the oldest types of pasta? It’s been around for centuries, and in Italy, it’s often served as a side dish or with hearty sauces like bolognese!
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of comforting, flavorful meals, you need to try this gnocchi bolognese. The combination of crispy gnocchi, hearty bolognese sauce, and melted cheese is just pure bliss. Plus, the air fryer makes cooking the gnocchi so easy and quick – it’s a total game-changer! Whether you’re feeding the family or just treating yourself, this dish is sure to become a go-to in your kitchen. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out! Happy cooking!
