This recipe for Trader Joe’s Kale Gnocchi with Spinach Avocado Sauce is healthy + creamy + so delicious! A super green + yummy pasta sauce without the guilt! No cooking, no stirring, no fuss! Avocado + Spinach + lemon + garlic + a blender! That’s it!!! Pour it over your kale gnocchi and there you have it!
As I sit and write this post, I want to make another batch of this sauce immediately! It was just that good! I absolutely love when something is equally as healthy as it is delicious! This spinach avocado sauce is simply that. A few simple ingredients whirled in your blender and poured on top of gnocchi! YUM! You could pour it over a different pasta if that is what you are into but I chose green on green. I’m not sorry I did.
I am no stranger to a big bowl of Trader Joe’s gnocchi. We regularly make Cauliflower Gnocchi Garlic Knots as a snack on weekends, or toss a bag in the air fryer for Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi. When I am feeding a crowd for breakfast, lunch, or brunch, Cauliflower Gnocchi Waffles make me look like the ultimate kitchen rock star. This recipe will not disappoint. If you aren’t into the whole green gnocchi thing, use the cauliflower ones! Similar to my other Trader Joe’s gnocchi recipes, forget what it says on the package! DON’T cook them in a pan on the stove-top! They will be very mushy 😝.
Tara’s Tips for BAKING Your Trader Joe’s Kale Gnocchi:
First: Thaw gnocchi. Either by leaving the bag out at room temperature for a few hours or by placing your gnocchi on a microwaveable plate (make sure they aren’t touching each other). Microwave for one minute, flip them all over, microwave one more minute.
Second: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Once preheated, place thawed gnocchi in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone liner.
Third: Give your gnocchi a quick spray with olive oil spray (if you use oil, if not omit).
Fourth: Put your gnocchi in your 425 degree oven. Set a timer for 10 minutes. When your timer goes off, flip each gnocchi so that another side browns. Set timer for another 10 minutes.
Fifth: After 20 minutes of baking, carefully transfer your kale gnocchi from the baking sheet to a bowl, pour sauce on top + give them a gentle stir until each one is coated with the sauce.
Tara’s Tips for AIR FRYING Your Trader Joe’s Kale Gnocchi:
Step One: Thaw gnocchi. Either by leaving the bag out at room temperature for a few hours or by placing your gnocchi on a microwaveable plate (make sure they aren’t touching each other). Microwave for one minute, flip them all over, microwave one more minute.
Step Two: Preheat your Air Fryer to 390. Once preheated, place thawed gnocchi in the frying basket. Optional but yummy: give the gnocchi a light spray or drizzle of olive oil. If you don’t use oil, simply omit. Set a timer for 10 minutes. When your timer goes off, shake the basket or give the gnocchi a good stir to make sure they are not stuck together and that all sides get good air frying. Set timer for another 5-10 minutes.
Step Three: Gnocchi are done when slightly golden brown. Carefully transfer your crispy air fryer kale gnocchi from the basket to a bowl or plate, pour sauce on top + give them a gentle stir until each one is coated with the sauce.
Tara’s Tips For Perfect Creamy Spinach Avocado Sauce:
- Use fresh spinach! Frozen spinach will absolutely not work here. Save the frozen spinach to sauté it! (How To Saute Frozen Spinach)
- Make sure your avocado is ripe enough. If your avocado is too hard, it will not blend correctly!
- Adjust salt + pepper when done blending to your taste. I like things a little spicy, so I add extra red pepper flakes at the end. You do you!
- Blend with HOT water. The makes the sauce just the right temperature to pour right onto your pasta without having to heat it up.
- If you have any leftovers (if!), they will only be good for one day. Remember, this sauce is made with an avocado so it will brown.
- Want to make this more like a pesto? Toss in 1/4 cup of walnuts or pine nuts + 2 tbsp nutritional yeast.
- Need a cold avocado sauce for a salad? Try this recipe: Creamy Vegan Avocado Dressing (No Oil!).
Trader Joe's Kale Gnocchi with Creamy Spinach Avocado Sauce
This Trader Joe's Kale Gnocchi with Spinach Avocado Sauce is healthy + creamy + so delicious! A yummy pasta sauce without the guilt! So green + nutritious!
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bag Trader Joe's Kale Gnocchi
- avocado or olive oil spray
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 avocado
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red chili pepper flakes (more to taste)
- 3/4 tsp salt (more to taste)
- 1/4 cup hot water
Directions
- Step 1 If air frying gnocchi: Preheat your Air Fryer to 390. Once preheated, place thawed gnocchi in the frying basket. Optional but yummy: give the gnocchi a light spray or drizzle of olive oil. If you don’t use oil, simply omit. Set a timer for 10 minutes. When your timer goes off, shake the basket or give the gnocchi a good stir to make sure they are not stuck together and that all sides get good air frying. Set timer for another 5-10 minutes or until slightly golden brown. After air frying, carefully transfer your kale gnocchi from the air fryer basket to a bowl.
- Step 2 If cooking gnocchi in oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Once preheated, place thawed gnocchi in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone liner. Give your gnocchi a quick spray with olive oil spray. Put your gnocchi in your 425 degree oven. Set a timer for 10 minutes. When your timer goes off, flip each gnocchi so that another side browns. Set timer for another 10 minutes. After 20 minutes of baking, carefully transfer your kale gnocchi from the baking sheet to a bowl.
- Step 3 While gnocchi cook, make the sauce by placing all remaining ingredients in a blender, blend on high until desired consistency is achieved. Add additional water as needed to thin our your sauce. Pour over gnocchi, stir until well coated, adjust salt and peppers to taste. Enjoy!
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