Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake
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This Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake takes one of TJ’s most popular items and turns in into a full dish. With a little bit of prep and some added ingredients, you have yourself a delicious and complete meal.
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake
We can’t deny Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi has been a very trendy item lately. When Trader Joe’s first came out with with this gnocchi it was even hard to find sometimes. The popular grocery store would be sold-out of Cauliflower Gnocchi by the morning. Nevermind if there was a snow storm coming. No chance to get your hands on it unless you made it to Trader Joe’s right when they opened.
The craze may have settled down a bit by now. However, that doesn’t been this cauliflower gnocchi is not still one of Trader Joe’s most popular items. It’s also delicious, inexpensive, and makes for a quick and simple dinner
By now there are many ways to prep this cauliflower gnocci. One thing everyone seems to agree on is to not follow the package instructions. It ends up being too mushy. This Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake is a great way to make it. It’s cheesy and decliocious and makes for a quick meal.
Ingredients needed to make Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake:
- Trade Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi– You can also use homemade cauliflower gnocchi or traditional potato gnocchi.
- Spices and Herbs– Fresh basil, garlic, Italian seasoning, pink sea salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.
- Baby Spinach– Adds some greens and nutrients.
- Tomato Sauce– Either homemade or store bought.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese– Use fresh mozzarella.
- Avocado Oil– For cooking.
Equipment needed to make Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake:
- 12 inch Cast Iron Skillet– The only pan you will need to make this whole cauliflower gnocchi bake.
How to make Treader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake:
- Step 1– Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
- Step 2– In a large cast iron skillet, heat up avocado oil on medium-high heat. Toss in garlic and sauté until it starts to get toasty. About 1-2 minutes.
- Step 3– Toss your TJ’s Cauliflower Gnocchi carefully in to the skillet. Sauté until gnocchi starts to get golden on both sides. It’ll take about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 4– While gnocchi is sautéing, sprinkle Italian seasoning, pink sea salt, black pepper, oregano and basil. Add baby spinach and continue to cook until it is wilted. Stir in tomato sauce and turn heat off.
- Step 5– Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over gnocchi. Place cauliflower gnocchi in oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Step 6– Remove from oven and serve immediately while still warm. Enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Do not follow the bag directions on how to make Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake– It comes out mushy and not so good.
- Use other gnocchi– You can either use homemade cauliflower gnocchi or traditional potato gnocchi to make this recipe.
- Substitute for baby spinach– You can use kale.
- Use fresh mozzarella cheese– Pre-packed shredded cheeses come with added starches to keep them from going bad. This prevents the cheese from melting like fresh cheese does.
How to serve Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake:
This cauliflower gnocchi bake makes for a filling and satisfying meal all on its own. However, you can always serve it with a green salad or some steamed broccoli or green beans. Garlic bread also makes for a great side to serve with the bake.
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake FAQ’s:
What is the best way to cook Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi:
To be honest, since I first gave TJ’s Cauliflower Gnocchi a try I never followed the directions on the bag. I’ve always cooked it my own way. However, it seems the popular consensus is to not follow those directions. It seems like everyone, or at least everyone I’ve heard say they’ve made this gnocchi by following the package directions are not happy with the results. They all seem to agree that it comes out mushy and way to soft.
The way I would recommend cooking it is by first heating up about one tablespoon of oil. Add some minced garlic and sauté until garlic starts to toast and give that delicious garlicky aroma. Usually takes about 1-2 minutes. Trow in your cauliflower gnocchi (don’t thaw out), pan fry it for 3-4 minutes then stir and continue to pan fry on the other side. Add some tomato sauce and simmer for another 4-6 minutes. Top with some cheese if you wish.
To make this Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake you start off the same way. Then just add some baby spinach and cook until it wilts. Then Add some cheese and pop in the oven. Nice and easy and makes for a delicious dinner.
Is Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Healthy?
There’s no doubt that this cauliflower gnocchi is one of Trader Joe’s most popular items. When they first rolled it out it was even hard to get. Every time I would go to my local Trader Joe’s it would be sold-out. Yes crazy! But there’s a good reason why there has been such a craze over this popular food item TJ’s has to offer.
This cauliflower gnocchi is easy to prep, has a great flavor and makes for an easy and quick dinner. It also has pretty clean indredietns. It’s a healthier option to having pasta or even traditional potato gnocchi. It contains a variety of vegetables them being cauliflower, yuka and potato. Aside from the cauliflower, the ingredietns are also cassava flour (which comes from yuka) and potato starch. Can’t say it has less starch than potato gnocchi but can have more fiber.
How much is Cauliflower Gnocchi at Trader Joe’s?
Another great attraction about TJ’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is that it’s pretty inexpensive. One bag costs $2.69 USD and it has a pretty decent serving amount. The price may vary depending on where you live. For the most part, I believe a bag is less than $3 USD nation wide.
Meal Prepping it:
This Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake is great for meal prep. It calls for a few ingredients and doesn’t require much prepping. No chopping, dicing, etc. You can add this recipe to your meal plan for the week. Make it ahead of time and keep it ready on your fridge for up to four days. It’s also great to make on a busy weeknight when you don’t have much time to cook. It’s a great vegetarian dish to enjoy on a meatless Monday.
How to store your Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake:
If you’re making this bake ahead or if you have any leftover just place in any Tupperware dish. You can keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. Keep in your fridge for up to four days. To reheat pop back in the oven in an oven safe dish for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F. You can reheat in the microwave but the gnocci will probably get a bit mushy.
Like this Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake recipe? You may also like these other comfort food recipes:
- Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs (Gluten-Free)
- Baked Vegetarian Meatballs
- Spaghetti Squash Boats
- Classic Shepherd’s Pie
- Philly Cheesesteak Zucchini Boats
- Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake
This Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake takes one of TJ's most popular items and turns in into a full dish. With a little bit of prep and some added ingredients, you have yourself a delicious and complete meal.
Ingredients
- 2 bags TJ's Cauliflower Gnocchi
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp pink sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cup baby spinach
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Instructions
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
In a large cast iron skillet, heat up avocado oil on medium-high heat. Toss in garlic and sauté until it starts to get toasty. About 1-2 minutes.
Toss your TJ's Cauliflower Gnocchi carefully in to the skillet. Sauté until gnocchi starts to get golden on both sides. It'll take about 5-7 minutes.
While gnocchi is sautéing, sprinkle Italian seasoning, pink sea salt, black pepper, oregano and basil. Add baby spinach and continue to cook until it is wilted. Stir in tomato sauce and turn heat off.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over gnocchi. Place cauliflower gnocchi in oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and serve immediately while still warm. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
- Do not follow the bag directions on how to make Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Bake– It comes out mushy and not so good.
- Use other gnocchi– You can either use homemade cauliflower gnocchi or traditional potato gnocchi to make this recipe.
- Substitute for baby spinach– You can use kale.
- Use fresh mozzarella cheese– Pre-packed shredded cheeses come with added starches to keep them from going bad. This prevents the cheese from melting like fresh cheese does.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
