Trader Joes Hacked Up No-Boil Sheet Pan Gnocchi

The most famous TJ's hack: roast frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi directly from the freezer until crispy, then toss with chicken sausage, broccoli, and pesto for a complete sheet pan meal.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 28 min
Total Time: 43 min
Servings: 4
AmericanSheet PanShellfish-FreeFish-FreeSesame-FreeHigh-Protein

Ingredients

  • 2 12 oz bags Trader Joe's Frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi
  • 12 oz Pre-cooked Chicken Sausage
  • 1 lb Broccoli Florets
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Pesto
  • 2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
  • 2 tbsp chopped Fresh Basil (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan (or two smaller ones, if needed, to avoid overcrowding) with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  2. 2.

    If using fresh broccoli, wash and cut into bite-sized florets. If using pre-cooked chicken sausage, slice it into 1/2-inch thick rounds.

  3. 3.

    On the prepared sheet pan, combine the frozen cauliflower gnocchi, sliced chicken sausage, and broccoli florets. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper.

  4. 4.

    Toss all ingredients together directly on the sheet pan until evenly coated. Spread everything out into a single layer, ensuring the gnocchi has space to crisp up and is not piled on top of each other.

  5. 5.

    Roast for 15 minutes. Then, remove the sheet pan from the oven, flip the gnocchi and stir the sausage and broccoli to ensure even cooking and browning.

  6. 6.

    Return the sheet pan to the oven and continue roasting for another 10-13 minutes, or until the gnocchi is golden brown and crispy, the chicken sausage is slightly caramelized, and the broccoli is tender-crisp.

  7. 7.

    Carefully transfer the roasted gnocchi, sausage, and broccoli to a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto and toss gently until all ingredients are well coated.

  8. 8.

    Serve immediately. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Tips

  • 💡Do not thaw the gnocchi! Roasting directly from frozen is key to achieving that crispy exterior.
  • 💡Avoid overcrowding the sheet pan. If you have a smaller pan or a lot of ingredients, use two pans to ensure everything roasts evenly and gets crispy, rather than steaming.
  • 💡For extra crispy gnocchi, preheat the sheet pan in the oven for 5-10 minutes before adding the ingredients. This creates an immediate sear.
  • 💡Customize your veggies: Feel free to swap broccoli for other quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes (add tomatoes during the last 10 minutes of cooking).
  • 💡Adjust pesto to your taste. You can add more or less depending on your preference. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can also brighten the flavors.

Recipe from TheCookbook.ai

Created by Shannon Williams