Cheesy Tuscan Beef Gnocchi

Another from Nadia's bargain box, cooked by Lottie. Similar to our bolognaise but it made a tasty change. Harry wasn't keen on the courgettes though!!

600g minced beef

1tsp salt

15g Italian mixed herbs (Tuscan herb mix: oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, dried parsley, lemmon pepper)

1 can cherry tomatoes (or chopped tomatoes works fine too)

2 courgettes, diced 2cm (or 1 courgette, diced and 1 carrot, grated - works well)

500g gnocchi

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1 cup milk

75g spinach

1 cup cheese, grated (or 50g parmesan grated)

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Bring a pot of salted water to the boil.

Heat a little oil in an oven-proof fry-pan on high heat and cook beef with salt for 5 mins until browned. Add herbs and cook for a further 2 mins until fragrant. Add canned cherry tomatoes and courgettes, bring to a simmer and cook for about 4 mins, until thickened and reduced. Season to taste.

Make the sauce. Melt the butter in a small pot on medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 mins, until sandy in texture (roux). Whisk in the milk, half a cup at a time, and keep whisking vigourously until smooth. Cook, stirring for another 2 mins until thickened. Remove from heat , stir through spinach and season to taste. Cover and set aside.

Cook the gnocchi in the pot of boiling water for about 3 mins, until tender and put the grill on to heat up. Drain and stir through beef. Pour sauce over the beef and sprinkle with the cheese. Grill until golden.

Yum!