Easy Gnocchi Recipe with Bolognese Sauce and Ground Turkey

This easy gnocchi recipe includes ground turkey and a Bolognese sauce, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make!

Why I like this Easy Recipe 

If you like to wash pots and pans, please raise your hand?  I don't see any hands raised. Okay, granted I can't visually see my readers but I am pretty sure there are not many hands in the air. Maybe a few people do like to wash pots and pans as exercise. You know..... put a little elbow grease into what you're doing......get out some frustrations for the day. 

But that is not my kind of fun. If I wanted to get out some frustrations, I'd more than likely be chopping a bunch of vegetables or kneading dough. So to make sure I don't wash pots, I married a man that doesn't mind cleaning the pans. I cook, he cleans up. Great agreement. But if he is taking the kids to soccer or baseball, I make one dish meals like this easy gnocchi recipe. The less pots for me to wash, the better!

If you are a busy person, packaged gnocchi can be your friend. Of course, I love homemade gnocchi but lets look beyond that fact. By having these little potato pillars in your pantry, dinner can be prepared quickly. I buy my gnocchi at Trader Joe's. They come in a dry package and don't have to be refrigerated. They even sell whole wheat gnocchi. I've tried these and they are very light and tasty. Most grocery stores will have a few brands in the pasta aisle that come in 16 to 17 ounce packages. If you can't find them in your store, you can always purchase them on Amazon.

Many gnocchi recipes instruct you to boil them before mixing them with a sauce. I didn't boil them. I made this easy meat sauce, added the gnocchi and some extra liquid. After simmering for a few minutes, they were perfectly cooked. I tend to use ground turkey in many recipes but beef or some other ground meat is perfectly fine.

The other thing I want to mention is that I love my gnocchi saucy. I prefer to eat them with a spoon and get extra sauce in every bite. You can always cut down on the sauce and liquid if you like your pasta a little drier.  This is a great dish to have for leftovers the next day.

FAQ

Can I make this easy gnocchi recipe ahead of time?

• Yes, this is a great recipe to make large batches of and store in the fridge or freezer for a later meal, and the leftovers are great!

How long will my gnocchi bolognese last?

• If stored properly in an airtight container your gnocchi will last for 2-3 days. Ensure that the dish cools before transferring it to a container in order to give it longer in the fridge.
• To extend the life even further, you could also freeze this gnocchi recipe. It should last up to 2 months in the freezer.

What's the best way to reheat my gnocchi?

• You could transfer some of the gnocchi to a bowl or plate that's microwave safe and then give it a good zap, about a minute or so, until it's heated through. If a minute isn't enough, try another 30 seconds.
• Another way to heat up your gnocchi is to throw it in a pan or skillet over medium heat and allow it to heat up, stirring occasionally.
• From frozen, allow the gnocchi to thaw overnight in the fridge and then follow one of the above methods.

Gnocchi Bolognese Variations

• I used a pre-made pasta for this easy gnocchi recipe, but you could definitely make your own! Use a classic family recipe or try this one from Jo Cooks.
• If ground turkey isn't your favorite, you could also make this recipe with ground beef, chicken, or pork. You could even try some ground Italian sausage. Any ground meat is fine!
• Add more vegetables in to increase the nutrition factor for this easy gnocchi recipe. Spinach or kale, carrots, or some onion would be great additions to this dish.
• Top your gnocchi with parsley, basil, or oregano, and sprinkle with Parmesan or mozzarella cheese for some extra creaminess.

More Pasta Recipes

1. Pappardelle Pasta with Bacon, Egg, and Cheese
2. Cheese Tortellini with Sausage and Mushrooms
3. Sausage and Pepper Pasta
4. Stovetop Mac and Cheese
5. Penne alla Vodka from Dinner at the Zoo

If you like this easy gnocchi recipe, please give it a 5-star rating below!

Original Published September 2011; Updated November 2020

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