Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi with Kale and Tomatoes

Not to toot my own horn…..but, when it comes to this cauliflower gnocchi recipe, I’m gonna toot it just a tiiiiiiiny little bit! 😂  This Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi is crispy fluffy perfection!  And the sautéed kale and tomatoes level up the flavor and double down on the veggies. This easy recipe is a great way to incorporate more veggies into your weeknight meals!

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My biggest tip when cooking Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi is to ignore the directions on the back of the bag.  If you follow the package directions you’ll get mushy, glumpy, and very unappetizing cauliflower gnocchi.  For gnocchi that will get your family to clear their plates and go back for seconds, you need to use the pan fry method.  I’ve tried a whole variety of methods and, by far, the pan fry method works the best and is my favorite way to make them. 

Why use the pan fry method? 

Cooking cauliflower gnocchi isn’t like cooking regular gnocchi.  So don’t expect to get the same light, fluffy pillowy gnocchi as classic potato gnocchi. Instead of boiling the gnocchi in salted water, as you do with traditional gnocchi and pasta, you will be pan-frying it. This method is what creates a gorgeous golden brown crispy outside, but keeps the inside soft and fluffyish.  

There are 3 crucial steps to making the most insanely delicious cauliflower gnocchi dish EVER!! 

• A non-stick skillet (this is one of my favs!)
• Butter or ghee (I highly recommend ghee for this!)
• Patience (it takes a bit to get going, and, just when you’re ready to give up, the magic happens!)

How to make the gnocchi:

The way to transform tj’s cauliflower gnocchi into the most perfectly cooked cauliflower gnocchi is to cook it in a non-stick skillet. This part is SUPER important. I’ve tried multiple ways to cook this and, as much as I’m not a fan of the non-stick skillet, it’s INTEGRAL to cooking the gnocchi and getting it a little crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Once you have your non-stick skillet, you’ll need to get it warm, over medium-high heat.  Then you’ll add ghee, or butter or olive oil and let it melt in the pan.  Next up is the frozen gnocchi.  Add the bag of cauliflower gnocchi to the skillet (no need to thaw which makes this a great option for dinner when you need something easy peasy) and spread it out in a single layer.  You don’t want them to get bunched up.  This pan-fry method is the best way to get a gorgeous golden brown crust. 

You will need to be patient.  Whatever you do, don’t move the gnocchi around the pan until they release easily.  You don’t want to force them.  The first time I pan-fried them, I rushed the process and tried to flip them before they were ready.  A whole bunch of them ended up sticking to the pan.  So, trust me, don’t rush this part. 

Once you can easily move the gnocchi, use a large spatula to flip them over in the pan.  You want them nice and golden brown and crispy on both sides. 

You want there to be plenty of fat in the pan, so you might need to add extra ghee, butter or extra virgin olive oil.

This recipe calls for kale and tomatoes, but you can easily just add a good squeeze of lemon juice, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and your favorite sauce (marinara sauce would be delicious!).

For extra flavor add some fresh basil and a sprinkle of sea salt to the finished dish. 

Other vegetables to add:

You can add any veggies you like that get tender quickly.  I’d stay away from carrots (which really don’t go with gnocchi anyway!) and add mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, kale, asparagus, or peas.  

To level up the flavor even more:

Add sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Add cooked italian sausage

Add fresh herbs — parsley, chives, or oregano

Stir in your favorite pasta sauce  — tomato sauce, marinara sauce, or pesto would all be delicious!

ARE YOU COOKING FOR 1 OR 2 PEOPLE?

This recipe is SUPER easy to cut in half! If you’re not a fan of leftovers, use 1 bag of gnocchi, about half a bunch of kale and a handful or two of tomatoes, depending on how much you like tomatoes. My husband isn’t a huge fan, but I still add a couple of handfuls……it just means more tomatoes for me! 😂

If you don’t have time to make homemade cauliflower gnocchi, this elevated Trader Joe’s version is an incredibly easy weeknight meal.  Whether you’re looking for a satisfying and filling recipe in place of pasta, or you’re a lover of all things cauliflower looking to level things up, this recipe will be your new weeknight go to! 

If only you could smell this!!!

I can’t wait for you to try this!! Let me know what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate and comment — it’s so helpful to other readers looking for tasty recipes!

Other Tasty Kale Recipes

Grilled Kale Salad with Bacon and Lemon Vinaigrette

Winter Kale Salad with Orange and Pomegranate

Other Tasty Tomato Recipes

Sweet and Smokey Roasted Tomato Spread

Stuffed Tomatoes with Provolone