Slow Cooker Hearty Bolognese-Style Gnocchi with Ground Turkey
An easy hands-off meal using your favorite jarred marinara sauce
This is the definition of a low-effort, high-reward meal. You literally dump everything in the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to dinner. No browning meat, no standing at the stove, no complicated steps. The eggplant practically melts into the sauce during cooking, adding nutrition and depth without distinct vegetable pieces. The gnocchi makes it feel special and comforting without any extra work. This is ideal for days when you need dinner handled but have zero energy to actually cook.
Serves: about 6 hearty portions | Prep Time: 5-10 minutes | Ready in: 4-8 hours
Ingredients:
½ onion, diced
1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced
1 lb ground turkey (93/7 lea)n or ground beef
1 (24-25 oz) jar of your favorite marinara sauce (choose one made with whole peeled tomatoes - check ingredient list)
2 packages gnocchi (about 2 lbs total)
4 cups fresh spinach
Optional Toppings:
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, torn
Red pepper flakes
Extra black pepper
Drizzle of olive oil
Instructions:
Place onion, eggplant, ground turkey and marinara sauce in a slow cooker. Make sure all of the vegetables and turkey are covered with sauce.
Heat on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
After timer goes off, use a wooden spoon to break any chunks of turkey into smaller pieces.
Stir in gnocchi and fresh spinach. Continue to cook on low for 5-10 minutes, or until gnocchi is tender.
This meal is best served right away. Otherwise, gnocchi can get mushy if left on low for too long (we learned the hard way)!