Gnocchi with Quick Meat Sauce

(54)
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4

This hearty meal is ready in just 30 minutes. Store-bought gnocchi (Italian for "dumplings") cook in just a few minutes, so they're faster than pasta. You'll have extra meat sauce left over to make Summer Beef-and-Rice Casserole later in the week.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 3 pounds ground chuck (80 percent lean)

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced small

  • 3 carrots, shredded

  • 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

  • Salt and pepper

  • 2 cans (28 ounces each) whole peeled tomatoes, pureed in a blender

  • 1 pound fresh or frozen gnocchi, cooked according to package instructions

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)

  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Directions

  1. In a large heavy pot, heat oil over high. Add meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add onion, carrots, and garlic and cook until meat is browned and onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, add tomato puree, and bring to a rapid simmer.

  2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; transfer 5 cups meat sauce to an airtight container, let cool, then refrigerate for Summer Beef-and-Rice Casserole. Serve remaining sauce over gnocchi, topped with Parmesan and basil, if desired.

    grocery-bag-med108749-002b.jpg
    Andrew Purcell
Originally appeared: Everyday Food, September 2012

Related Articles