Delicious and comforting spinach and artichoke baked gnocchi casserole recipe made with Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi! It’s vegan and paleo, and tastes creamy and incredible.
This baked gnocchi casserole recipe is about to be your favorite comfort food dish. It combines two of my favorite foods together: dairy free spinach and artichoke dip + paleo and vegan cauliflower gnocchi. It’s honestly my new obsession and I can’t stop eating it.
Spinach and Artichoke Baked Gnocchi Casserole Recipe
This vegan and paleo cauliflower gnocchi casserole is made using Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi, which is in their frozen section. It’s one of their products that I didn’t like at first until I figure out how to cook it properly.
In this recipe, gnocchi is baked together with a paleo and vegan spinach and artichoke dip base that’s so creamy and amazing. Don’t worry, you won’t even notice that the whole thing is dairy free!
How to Cook Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi
If you’ve never tried it before, this product is a bag paleo and vegan cauliflower gnocchi that’s frozen and made with clean, real food ingredients:
CAULIFLOWER, CASSAVA FLOUR, POTATO STARCH, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, SEA SALT.
If you follow the instructions on the packaging, you’ll end up with a mushy mess that sticks together. Instead, here’s how to cook Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi for the best texture:
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add a generous amount of oil.
- When the pan is sizzling hot, add the cauliflower gnocchi FROZEN in a single layer.
- Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until there’s a golden crispy crust and the inside is soft and pillowy.
Ingredients in Dairy Free and Paleo Spinach and Artichoke Dip Base
Even though the creamy base for this cauliflower gnocchi casserole recipe is dairy free, it still tastes like the real deal and the flavor is just so amazing and addicting. Here are the ingredients in the dairy free spinach and artichoke dip base:
- raw cashews – Plan ahead and make sure these are soaked for at least 1 hour, but overnight is best.
- mayonnaise – I use this brand. If you want to make this recipe vegan, you can use this egg-free version.
- garlic
- arrowroot starch – This is used to thicken the base. If you don’t have it on hand, tapioca starch or cornstarch (not paleo) will work as well.
- onion
- artichoke hearts
- frozen spinach – Plan ahead and make sure it’s thawed.
- salt and pepper
Helpful Tips for Making Spinach & Artichoke Paleo Cauliflower Gnocchi Casserole
- Check that the cashews are soaked and the frozen spinach is thawed before starting the recipe.
- If you don’t have access to Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi, you can use my homemade version from this recipe. Just follow those instructions to make the gnocchi, and then use this recipe to follow the instructions for cooking them. Just a note – that paleo cauliflower gnocchi recipe is NOT vegan.
- When blending the dairy free spinach and artichoke dip, it’s best to use a high powered blender for the creamiest texture.
If you enjoyed this spinach and artichoke baked gnocchi casserole, you might also like:
- Gnocchi Bolognese
- Paleo Cauliflower Gnocchi with Spinach and Mushrooms
- Cauliflower Gnocchi with Avocado Pesto
- Paleo Creamed Spinach with Bacon (Whole30, Keto)
- Shrimp Alfredo with Artichokes Hearts (Whole30, Keto, AIP)
Spinach and Artichoke Baked Gnocchi Casserole (Paleo, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coconut oil or your favorite cooking oil
- 2 bags Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi or 24 oz of raw homemade gnocchi
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked for at least 1 hour, then drained
- 1 cup paleo mayonnaise or egg-free mayo, for vegan
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 14 oz can of artichoke hearts drained and roughly chopped
- 16 oz frozen spinach thawed and squeezed to remove liquid
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- OPTIONAL: crushed red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat coconut oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium high heat.
- Once the pan is sizzling hot, add the FROZEN gnocchi in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from heat and leave the gnocchi in the pan.
- In a high powered blender, combine cashews, mayonnaise, water, garlic cloves, and arrowroot starch. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the creamy mixture in a large bowl, then add onion, artichoke hearts, spinach, salt, and pepper. Mix together to combine.
- Make sure the gnocchi is evenly dispersed in skillet in a single layer (or use a baking dish), then pour the spinach and artichoke mixture on top evenly. Flatten out the top.
- Bake for 15 minutes, until golden. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately as the main dish, or as a side to chicken or pork.
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This was great!! Flavor is perfect, even with leaving the red pepper out. Will definitely make it again.
Amazing! Thank you so much.
We absolutely LOVE TJ’s gnocchi. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I love that cauliflower gnocchi and it was so good with the artichokes and cashew sauce!
This has to be the ultimate comfort food! Delicious creamy sauce and that yummy gnocchi!
This delicious gnocchi is going to be on heavy rotation at our dinner table! Every bite is so full of yummy goodness!
I actually didn’t know there WAS cauliflower gnochi! This looks so comforting!
So creative. I love artichokes so much, and in this cashew base, SO delicious!!
Wow! This is the yummy comfort food I need in my life right now.
This was tasty. My whole family loved it. I never knew about cauliflower gnocchi but now I am hooked. I was afraid it was going to have a heavy mayonnaise taste to it, but my husband never knew it was there.
Thanks so much! Love the cauliflower gnocchi as well. So glad you enjoyed it!
Incredibly decadent and delicious without the guilt. Made the homemade cauliflower gnocchi option. Easy and delicious.
Yay! I’m so glad. Thank you!!
My daughter has a tree nut allergy so I won’t be able to use cashews. What else could I use? Thanks!
I have never tried but you could try sunflower seed butter for a similar texture!
Yum! This will be made on repeat! Made for great meal prep. I actually put cooked shredded chicken in it before putting in the oven (between the gnocchi and the sauce) and it was perfection!