Bean Gnocchi Bake with Mozzarella Meatballs
The Bean Gnocchi Bake with Mozzarella Meatballs is a delicious dish that serves two. It begins with a base of bean puree, mixed with egg yolk and flour to form a soft dough for the gnocchi. These homemade gnocchi are then baked until just set, ensuring they keep their shape in the sauce. The sauce itself is a simple yet flavorful mix of roasted cherry tomatoes, seasoned beef or pork mince formed into meatballs, and a rich tomato paste, all baked together to meld the flavors. The final touch is buffalo mozzarella, torn and scattered over the top, which melts into a gooey. Garnished with fresh basil or oregano, this dish is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a visually appealing meal that combines the classic tastes of Italy with a hearty, rustic twist. Perfect for a cozy night in, it's a recipe that brings comfort food to a new level, with each component.
- Sea salt and freshly ground Black Pepper
- 2 x 400 g tins Butter or Cannellini Beans
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 100 g Plain or ‘00’ Flour
- Olive Oil
- 300 g Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 200 g Beef or Pork mince
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 3 tbsp Tomato Paste
- A pinch of Sugar
- 300 g Buffalo Mozzarella
- Fresh Basil or Oregano Leaves
- Preheating the Oven and Preparing Gnocchi Dough:
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Purée the beans until smooth, then pass through a sieve. Combine purée, egg yolk, salt, and sifted flour to form a dough.
- Shaping Gnocchi:
Dust a clean surface with flour. Divide dough into 4 balls. Roll each ball into a rope, then cut into gnocchi pieces.
- Baking Gnocchi:
Arrange gnocchi on a lined baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 20 minutes. This sets the gnocchi.
- Preparing Tomato Sauce:
Reduce oven temperature to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2. Place cherry tomatoes in an ovenproof dish, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 20 minutes until softened.
- Making Meatballs:
Combine meat with dried oregano, salt, pepper, and cold water. Form mixture into meatballs. After 20 minutes, add meatballs to the dish with tomatoes and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Creating Sauce and Assembling Dish:
Squash roasted tomatoes to make a sauce. Add tomato paste and sugar, stir gently. Nestle gnocchi among meatballs and tomatoes. Ensure enough liquid covers gnocchi, adding more tomato paste or passata.
- Adding Cheese and Baking:
Top with torn mozzarella and bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and golden, and gnocchi are cooked through.
- Serving:
Serve baked gnocchi with basil or oregano on top.
