Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi with Spinach

Trader Joe’s frozen cauliflower gnocchi pan-fries golden in olive oil before mushrooms, red onion, garlic, and fresh spinach build a creamy coconut milk sauce. The gnocchi returns to the sauce to finish, and the whole dish comes together in 25 minutes. One package serves 2.

Pan-frying the gnocchi directly from frozen, rather than following the package directions, is what gives it the golden crust that holds up in the sauce. The package directions call for boiling, which leaves the gnocchi gummy. A hot oiled pan sets the exterior fast and keeps every piece intact when the coconut milk sauce goes in.

Using the same pan to build the sauce after the gnocchi comes out means the browned oil stays in play. The fond left by the gnocchi combines with the mushrooms, onion, and stock and deepens the sauce without any extra steps. Switching to a separate pan throws that flavor away entirely.

Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi with Spinach

Recipe by Nate CollinsCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Calories

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kcal

Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe pan-fried golden, then tossed in a creamy coconut milk sauce with mushrooms. Gluten-free, vegan, serves 2v

Ingredients

• Gnocchi and Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

• ½ cup diced red onion½ cup diced red onion

• 2 cups sliced baby bella mushrooms

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup fresh spinach

• ⅓ cup vegetable stock

• 1 tablespoon dried basil or oregano

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (or heavy cream for non-vegan)

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional, skip for fully vegan)

• ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley (optional, for serving)

Directions

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the frozen cauliflower gnocchi in a single layer and cook, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same pan. Once hot, add the diced red onion, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden brown.
• Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the vegetable stock and dried basil or oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in the coconut milk and cook for 2 more minutes. Return the gnocchi to the pan and toss to coat. Cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese if using and adjust seasoning.
• Divide into bowls and top with fresh parsley and extra grated parmesan

FAQs

Should the gnocchi be thawed before cooking?

Thawing the gnocchi before cooking releases extra moisture that creates steam in the pan instead of a sear. Steam prevents the golden crust from forming and leaves the gnocchi wet and sticky rather than golden and firm. Starting from frozen gives the exterior time to dehydrate against the hot pan before it softens.

Can fresh refrigerator gnocchi replace the frozen Trader Joe’s package?

Refrigerated gnocchi from the fresh pasta section works but cooks about 2 minutes faster than the frozen version. It is already soft, so it only needs 1 to 2 minutes in the pan to pick up color on the outside. The sauce, spinach, and mushroom steps remain identical.

Does this recipe scale up for more than two servings?

One Trader Joe’s package yields exactly 2 servings, which is the full recipe yield. Scaling up requires a second package and doubled sauce ingredients. Pan-fry the extra gnocchi in batches to avoid crowding — a packed pan steams rather than sears.

What other Trader Joe’s pasta dish fits naturally into the same weekly dinner plan?

A creamy gnocchi bowl fits into a weekly plan alongside a lighter TJ’s pasta option. A Trader Joe’s spinach tortellini on this site uses spinach inside the pasta rather than in the sauce, making it a distinct dish from the same freezer aisle. Together the two cover two different TJ’s pasta dinners in one weekly rotation.

What Trader Joe’s pasta recipe completes the plan when a lighter dinner is needed?

Not all Trader Joe’s pasta nights call for a thick sauce and mushrooms. A Trader Joe’s lemon pasta on this site uses a bright citrus cream sauce that comes together in 15 minutes with three main ingredients. Together the two cover a weekly plan with one rich, vegetable-heavy bowl and one light, citrus-forward plate.