Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi With Onions, Peas and Turkey Bacon
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Published Mar 29, 2019, Updated Mar 20, 2023
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Looking for more ways to turn the Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi into a meal? Try this pan roasted cauliflower gnocchi with onions, peas and turkey bacon.
I think I’ve found my new favorite way to eat TJ’s cauliflower gnocchi. It’s a super simple combo, so flavorful and easy peasy to whip up. What more could you ask for?
A little backstory… last year around this time Trader Joe’s launched their cauliflower gnocchi and the world has become obsessed. I’m honestly not a huge gnocchi person so this product didn’t excite me much, plus it was always sold out at my local store so I was super late to the cauliflower gnocchi scene.
Don’t Follow the Package Instructions!
Yes, you read that right, disregard the package instructions! They say to boil or microwave the frozen gnocchi and they say to add water if you pan-sauté them. You’ll end up with a mushy, sticky cauliflower gnocchi which, to be honest, is super disappointing! Thankfully, I had the warning from other cauliflower gnocchi fanatics so I had to spread the message to you to.
Cooking Cauliflower Gnocchi
So far the best way I’ve found to cook Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi is to pan roast it in a little olive oil or butter.
The first time I made the cauli gnocchi I pan roasted it with butter and served it with Rao’s homemade pasta sauce. It tasted totally fine, but I wasn’t blown away. Isaac on the other hand LOVED it and couldn’t stop raving about how much it tasted like regular, potato gnocchi. Needless to say, I knew I needed to find a way to cook cauliflower gnocchi that both Isaac and I would enjoy. This pan fried cauliflower gnocchi with onions, peas and turkey bacon totally fits that bill!
I love the combo of the pan-roasted gnocchi with the caramelized onions, sweet peas, savory and crisp bacon and the parmesan cheese. These things are all great on their own, but they’re so amazing together. Now that I’ve found one way that I really enjoy the cauliflower gnocchi, I’m excited to experiment and try some different gnocchi recipes. I’m thinking I might try a cauliflower gnocchi sheet pan dinner next! My local Trader Joe’s better stock up!
If you make this Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how they turn out. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi With Peas and Turkey Bacon
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bag frozen Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi
- 3 slices cooked + crisp turkey bacon
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- sea salt and black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan + more for serving
Instructions
- Cook turkey bacon using instructions in the notes. Once cooked, chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they begin to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and almost caramelized, about 10 minutes more. At this point, stir in the frozen peas and Italian seasoning and transfer to a small bowl.
- Using the same skillet, add the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add the frozen cauliflower gnocchi and cook, tossing occasionally, until they’re golden brown on all sides, about 5-10 minutes. Gently add in the onion mixture, chopped bacon and parmesan. Serve warm, sprinkled with additional parmesan.
Video
Notes
- To cook turkey bacon: Microwave: place slices on a paper towel lined microwave-safe place. Cover with another paper towel and cook on high in the microwave for 2-4 minutes, using 1 minute increments. Every microwave is different so you'll have to experiment with the timing for this. You want the bacon to be cooked through and crispy enough that it snaps when you chop/break it into pieces. Of course, you can also cook the bacon the stove-top using the package instructions. I like cooking bacon in the microwave because it's fast and I hate bacon grease being popped all over my stove.
- Inspired and adapted from Fine Cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for this recipe! So easy and delicious. I’m not a fan of cauliflower and I usually have to drown it in sauce, but this was a whole different experience.
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Heather!! I’m glad you tried this recipe and it turned out for you. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
This is SO good! My husband who is a meat and potatoes kind of guy loves it too and wants to make it all the time! It is so easy to make while the kids play after school. A quick, delicious meal!
Brittany, I can’t thank you enough for this recipes. Easy enough my husband can make it so I can go to the gym in peace and have dinner waiting when I get home. Delicious!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Megan!! I’m glad this recipe is a hit. Thanks for giving it a try and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating! I so appreciate it. <3
This was my first time cooking the cauliflower gnocchi. This was an amazing recipe! So easy, perfect for a weeknight dinner!! So filling! Thank you!
Ahh! I love hearing that, Michelle! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it!
Incredible GF recipe. The texture is perfect. May be my new favorite!
Yay!! I’m so glad you tried and enjoyed this recipe, Rachel. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. It means the world to me! <3
Great recipe! So delicious and easy to make! Thanks for sharing!
Woo-hoo! I’m so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Dianna. And thank you for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. The ratings are super helpful, so I appreciate it! <3
Our first time eating cauliflower gnocchi, huge fan! This is delicious!!!!
Woo!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Nicole. And thank you so much for taking the time to come back here to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it!
First time trying cauliflower gnocchi.Flavor turned out really well. Will definitely be adding this into the weeknight menu options!
The gnocchi came out amazing!! Can’t wait to see your other recipes
I’m so so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Melissa. Thank you for coming back to leave a star rating as well. I really appreciate it.
This is the only recipe I’ve used so far for cauliflower gnocchi, and I’m not sure I’ll find anything that compares! So good!