Gnocchi Bolognese

So a couple years ago I was watching a vlog and this yummy looking meal showed up.  I am a total sucker for those Weekly Meal vlogs, I just enjoy watching what people are eating and it gives me tons of ideas when I'm menu planning.

I've been menu planning for over 20 years but here's the thing, you kind of go through phases where you draw a total blank and have no clue what to make......that's when I need all the help I can get.

I do have a few criteria I go by and if you've been reading my blog long enough you know what they are.  No gourmet, nothing that I can't make myself or find in my pantry, nothing that I need to go to a specialty store for and it must be pretty inexpensive, easy, quick to make and filling.

Those may seem like a lot of things to check off the list, but I learned how to cook with my greatgrandmother and she was all about feeding a big family, without breaking the bank and filling tummies with delicious food.

Thank you Bio Ema :)

Anyway, this recipe came up and I saved it and never got around to making it until tonight, and the only reason that even happened is because I was reorganizing and cleaning out my computer and the bookmarks and found it just sitting there, waiting patiently since 2013.  Poor thing.

I made it tonight and it was amazing, the family went crazy over it and it's been requested to be put on my MUST MAKES list. 

Give it a try and let me know what you think.  By the way, you can make your own gnocchi or use your favorite brand.  If you want to make your own, I do have a recipe for you :)

Gnocchi Bolognese

Gnocchi (the amount depends on you, but I find that one package is enough, or if making fresh, then about 3 cups)
1 pound ground beef
Spaghetti sauce (again, homemade or your favorite brand)
Spinach
Fresh Mozzarella

In a skillet, brown the ground beef, then drain.  Pour in the spaghetti sauce, simmer for a few minutes, then add in a bunch of spinach, I just use a handful.  Cook for a minute or two more until it wilts down.  Take off heat.

Cook Gnocchi according to package directions, or if you are making it homemade, place in a pot of boiling water and cook until it floats to the top.  Don't overcook or it will fall apart.

Mix the gnocchi and the meat mixture, spoon into a casserole dish and add pieces of fresh mozzarella on top.  Bake in a 425 degree oven until cheese is melted.

I served mine with a salad and garlic bread.

Pasta Bolognese

This was tonight's dinner, I was in the mood for something comforting and filling but I didn't want to make something that would take too long.

The beauty of this recipe is that it's delicious and it tastes like you've been cooking it all day when in fact, it's only been about 15 minutes.

Pasta Bolognese

Credit:  Cooking Light

1 (13.25 ounce) package whole-grain linguine
2 (4 ounce) links hot turkey Italian sausage
Olive oil-flavored cooking spray
1 pound 93% lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 (8 ounce) package button mushrooms, chopped  (I used a small can)
1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary
1 (28 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Cook pasta in a large Dutch oven according to package directions, omitting salt and fat:  drain, return to pan, and keep warm.

While pasta cooks, remove casings from sausage.  Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Add sausage, beef and onion;  cook 2 minutes, stirring to crumble;  drain, if necessary.  Add mushrooms and rosemary.  Cook 5 minutes or until browned.

Stir in tomatoes;  reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 3 minutes.  Stir in milk, pepper, and salt;  cook 2 minutes.  Add sauce to pasta, tossing well.  Sprinkle with cheese, if desired.

Yield:  8 servings (serving size 1 1/2 cups) 
Calories 324 per serving

This says it's 8 servings, but honestly, we're a family of four and it was just WAY too much, so I was able to halve the recipe, half for dinner and the other half went into a casserole pan that is going to be frozen for another meal.