Vegan Cauliflower Gnocchi with Pesto (2024)

Home » Main Dishes » Vegan Cauliflower Gnocchi with Pesto

by Rachel Conners on Jan 6, 2021 (updated Nov 15, 2023) 10 comments »

Jump To Recipe

ThisVegan Cauliflower Gnocchi with Pestoshows you how to make the best crispy cauliflower gnocchi using Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi! This quick and easy lunch or dinner comes together in about 20 minutes and with just FOUR ingredients.

Oh, Trader Joe’s, how I love thee. The king of delicious snacks released this cauliflower gnocchi a few years ago, and it’s been a HIT. It spent a long time constantly out of stock, but these days I’m always able to find it, and I always stock up so I can make this meal when I’m hangry and need food ASAP.

The best part? Their cauliflower gnocchi is low-carb, Whole30-approved, gluten-free, and made with just five ingredients. You can cook it straight from frozen too, making it such a perfect quick vegan dinner.

It’s about time I shared this recipe for Vegan Cauliflower Gnocchi with Pesto with you – it’s been my go-to quick and easy dinner for at least a few years now. It comes together so quickly, but there are some tips you need to make this the BEST version of cauliflower gnocchi you’ve ever had.

The key is in thecrispinessof the cauliflower gnocchi. Let’s get into my best cauliflower gnocchi cooking tips before we get into how to make this pesto cauliflower gnocchi dish.

How to make the crispiest cauliflower gnocchi

1. DON’T follow the directions on the Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi bag. I’m telling you this firmly. Just don’t do it. Pretend those instructions are not even there.
2. Use a non-stick skillet so they don’t stick to the pan! I love my ScanPan and always use it to cook my cauliflower gnocchi.
3. Heat oil in your skillet until it’s HOT and shimmering! I like using avocado oil here. A tablespoon or two will do the trick.
4. Put the frozen gnocchi straight from the freezer into the hot, oiled skillet, and then don’t touch them.
5. Cover with a lid and let them hang out for at least a few minutes to get the bottom nice and crispy, and the gnocchi softened all the way through.
6. When the bottoms are browned, use a spatula or tongs to flip them over. You want to get all the sides of your gnocchi nice and crisp.
7. Keep the heat on medium the whole time to make sure things get browned.
8. Don’t add the sauce too soon, or it won’t crisp up. Wait until all the gnocchi are golden to your liking before adding the pesto (or whatever sauce you’re using).

Okay – now that we know how to make our gnocchi, let’s talk about the other goodness that goes into this dish!

What ingredients do we need for this Vegan Pesto Cauliflower Gnocchi?

• Cauliflower Gnocchi:the Trader Joe’s version is my go-to, but other brands have come out with a similar product, and there are tons of recipes for cauliflower gnocchi online. Pick your level of work!
• Vegan Pesto:I typically use my homemade vegan pesto, but when I want a super quick meal, I’ll grab the premade Kale Cashew Pesto from Trader Joe’s which makes this recipereallyquick work.
• Broccoli:one of my favorite veggies, it always makes its way into this dish! I toss the broccoli with a bit of salt and oil and roast it while I make the gnocchi. Of course, if broccoli isn’t your jam, add whatever veggies you love. Mushrooms are another favorite of mine for this dish.
• Spinach, Baby Kale or Arugula: or really any other greens you love! I tend to have these on hand most often, but whichever greens you have/like/need to use up will work well here.

Once you’ve nailed the how-to-make-crispy-gnocchi part of the recipe, it’s easy peasy from there to make this vegan pesto cauliflower gnocchi. Just add in your greens and pesto to let it all wilt/heat together, toss in the broccoli, and serve immediately! YUM. I love garnishing with microgreens if I have them, and vegan parmesan.

This 20-minute vegan dinner simply cannot be beaten. Stock your freezer with cauliflower gnocchi (and maybe a container or two of the Trader Joe’s vegan pesto too) and you’ll be ready for a delicious dinner in no time. I hope you love this as much as I do!!

If you decide to try this recipe, please leave me a comment below and let me know what you think! I’d also love to see your pics! Tag me on Instagram @bakeritablog // #bakerita so I see your delicious meal!

Want more easy dinners?

• Arugula Pesto Pasta with Roasted Broccoli(Gluten-Free & Vegan)
• Vegan Mushroom Wild Rice Soup

Print

originally published on Jan 6, 2021 (last updated Nov 15, 2023)

10 comments Leave a comment »