RECIPE | Parmesan-Lemon Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi (2024)

RECIPE | Parmesan-Lemon Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi (1)

04/23/201902/18/2020

Healthier Dinners, Healthier Lunches, 5 Comments

I know, I know. I’m WAYYYYY late to the cauliflower gnocchi party, but I finally jumped on the bandwagon the other day and holy cow. Why did I wait this long?!?

I see recipes all the time on Instagram for cauliflower gnocchi and they always look delicious. However, I was inspired by @kalejunkie and how she pan fried the gnocchi to get it cooked to perfection. Then you add in the fresh flavors of lemon, garlic and spinach to really bring it home. I swear, you’ll taste this and wonder to yourself, “is this stuff made with crack. Why am I addicted?”

You will understand when you make this why I only managed to get one photo of how this turned out. Once it is done cooking, you will want to eat it IMMEDIATELY. I’ll work on more photos to include soon, but I wanted to get this amazingly delicious and super simple recipe up in a permanent spot here on the blog.

RECIPE | Parmesan-Lemon Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi (2)

Here’s what you will need to make this recipe:

  1. A non-stick skillet (because these little gnocchis will stick like a mother to a pan that isn’t non-stick. Trust me, I’ve tried to use my all-clad skillet and it ended in disaster.
  2. A good pair of metal tongs that will help you gently flip each gnocchi
  3. Fresh parmesan is key
  4. Fresh lemon is also key
  5. Last, but not least, you will have to have a Trader Joe’s near by to stock up on this cauliflower gnocchi because this meal will be in your weekly rotation
Yields2 Servings

I N G R E D I E N T S //

2 tbsp avocado oil, split between the first & second 5-min fry times

1 bag Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp lemon pepper (optional)

1 tbsp minced garlic

½ a lemon, juiced

2 cups fresh spinach

¼ cup fresh grated parmesan

D I R E C T I O N S //

1

First, set out the bag of gnocchi on the counter for about 5 minutes. Pick it up and drop it to try and break up the gnocchi. (like you would do to a bag of ice). That way the gnocchi are not in clumps when you pour them in the pan.

2

Over medium heat, add 1 Tbls. of your avocado oil to your non-stick skillet (do it in a non-stick skillet or these delicate little clouds of cauliflower will stick like crazy)

Next Add in the entire bag of Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi. Give them a little stir and allow them to sit there for a solid 5 minutes to crisp up one side. Then, scoot them all to one side of your pan, add in the remaining 1 Tbls. of avocado oil and then flip them onto the other side. Don't worry if you can't get them all to perfectly flip. I use metal tongs to quickly grab each one and flip.

Then allow them to sit for another 5-6 minutes.

3

Finally, add in the minced garlic, lemon juice and fresh spinach. Stir all this together until the spinach starts to wilt. This should take 2 - 3 minutes. Then you can season with salt and lemon pepper; top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1/2 bag

Servings 2

Amount Per Serving
Calories 424
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 28g44%
Saturated Fat 3.6g18%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 665.2mg28%
Total Carbohydrate 30g10%
Dietary Fiber 8.3g34%
Sugars 1g
Protein 7.3g15%
Vitamin A 38%
Vitamin C 21%
Calcium 8%
Iron 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

xoxo Ashley

Ingredients

I N G R E D I E N T S //

2 tbsp avocado oil, split between the first & second 5-min fry times

1 bag Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp lemon pepper (optional)

1 tbsp minced garlic

½ a lemon, juiced

2 cups fresh spinach

¼ cup fresh grated parmesan

Directions

D I R E C T I O N S //

1

First, set out the bag of gnocchi on the counter for about 5 minutes. Pick it up and drop it to try and break up the gnocchi. (like you would do to a bag of ice). That way the gnocchi are not in clumps when you pour them in the pan.

2

Over medium heat, add 1 Tbls. of your avocado oil to your non-stick skillet (do it in a non-stick skillet or these delicate little clouds of cauliflower will stick like crazy)

Next Add in the entire bag of Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi. Give them a little stir and allow them to sit there for a solid 5 minutes to crisp up one side. Then, scoot them all to one side of your pan, add in the remaining 1 Tbls. of avocado oil and then flip them onto the other side. Don't worry if you can't get them all to perfectly flip. I use metal tongs to quickly grab each one and flip.

Then allow them to sit for another 5-6 minutes.

3

Finally, add in the minced garlic, lemon juice and fresh spinach. Stir all this together until the spinach starts to wilt. This should take 2 - 3 minutes. Then you can season with salt and lemon pepper; top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and ENJOY!

RECIPE | Parmesan-Lemon Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi

IngredientsDirections

RECIPE | Parmesan-Lemon Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi (2024)

FAQs

What sauce to eat with cauliflower gnocchi? ›

We like to pair them with TJ's bruschetta sauce, which claims to be a “topping”—but we think actually makes a really nice pasta sauce. Loaded with fresh basil and garlic, it makes a super fresh, bright-tasting sauce for a big, easy skillet dinner of cauliflower gnocchi with sausage and arugula.

Is cauliflower gnocchi actually healthy? ›

Yes, cauliflower gnocchi can be a healthier choice because it uses a vegetable that's less starchy than potatoes, says Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "Non-starchy veggies are lower in carbs but often higher in fiber, which can help you stay fuller, longer," she says.

How to cook frozen Trader Joe's gnocchi? ›

Method: Preheat oven to 425 degrees then line a half sheet pan with a silpat or parchment paper. Pour frozen gnocchi onto the pan then spread into an even layer and mist with nonstick spray. Roast for 20 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring halfway through.

Do you have to boil Trader Joe's gnocchi? ›

Trader Joe's provides three methods for cooking the gnocchi: in a pan cooked with a little water and then browned with oil or butter, boiled, or microwaved.

What do Italians eat with gnocchi? ›

Roasted potatoes and polenta are perfect to serve alongside this dish. The trick for making this is to prepare it the day before, then let the meat rest overnight so that the oil softens its fibers even more.

Is Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi low carb? ›

Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi Nutrition

Compared with traditional potato gnocchi, Trader Joe's frozen cauliflower gnocchi shaves off almost 90 calories per cup (140 vs. 227) and has less than half the carbs (22 vs. 48) and 2 grams more fiber (6 grams).

Why are my cauliflower gnocchi mushy? ›

The directions on the back of the bag instructs you to either boil or saute your gnocchi which does not work with the cauliflower version – it leaves you with very mushy gnocchi. One day I decided to try and roast it instead to get a crisp on it (the way I love my gnocchi).

Should I defrost frozen gnocchi before cooking? ›

Do not thaw them before cooking or they will stick together. To cook them, throw the frozen gnocchi directly into the boiling salted water without thawing. Their cooking time will be slightly longer than unfrozen but their preparation should be completed in the same manner as with fresh gnocchi.

Is it better to pan fry or boil gnocchi? ›

Boiled gnocchi can be a bit stodgy, a bit slimy, a bit heavy… fried gnocchi is perfectly crispy and fluffy and light and toasty and all sorts of other lovely adjectives.

Does cauliflower gnocchi taste good? ›

The taste is very clearly a cauliflower but the added potato starch makes it finish in your mouth as a type of potato product. Next time I would like to try them with some fried or scrambled eggs for a weekend breakfast. Overall this product is a great addition to your freezer as a back up to fresh food.

How to make store-bought gnocchi taste better? ›

So instead of boiling or baking a package of gnocchi on a Wednesday night and wishing it tasted more like the pillowy homemade version, I broil it. Yep, that's right: I rip open one of those shelf-stable packages, toss the gnocchi with a tablespoon of olive oil, a lot of grated Parmesan cheese and a little bit of salt.

Are you supposed to eat gnocchi with sauce? ›

Like pasta, gnocchi is the perfect vessel for a variety of delicious sauces, from tomato, bolognese and quick butter sauce with sage to creamy gnocchi sauces.

Does cauliflower gnocchi taste like potato gnocchi? ›

This gnocchi can absolutely stand alone as a side dish on your plate and replace potato or pasta. They would also be great in a tomato based sauce to replicate a traditional gnocchi. The taste is very clearly a cauliflower but the added potato starch makes it finish in your mouth as a type of potato product.

Does Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi have carbs? ›

Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi (1 cup) contains 22g total carbs, 16g net carbs, 3g fat, 2g protein, and 140 calories.

Is Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi celiac safe? ›

This Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi Sheet Pan Dinner is a quick, family-friendly one pan meal! Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and whole30.

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