Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower Gnocchi with Crispy Prosciutto
Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower Gnocchi with Crispy Prosciutto is an easy, cheese dish made with fresh Parmesan, pecorino, cauliflower gnocchi, and crispy prosciutto.
Is there ever a wrong time for butter and cheese?
I think not.
What’s even better is when you add pasta to that butter and cheese combo. BUT! If you are trying to be a smidge healthier than this Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower Gnocchi will hit the spot.
Trader Joe’s famous frozen cauliflower gnocchi gets all dressed up with a few simple ingredients like Parmesan, Pecorino, butter, black pepper, and crispy prosciutto. Just be warned that when you make this comforting meal it will go fast!
Ready to see what all the fuss is about?
What’s in this Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower Gnocchi?
The wonderful thing about Cacio e Pepe is that you only need a few ingredients to make this dish. You will need:
- Butter
- Parmesan
- Pecorino
- Black Pepper
- Frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi
- Prosciutto
How to Cook Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi:
Trader Joe’s is famous for their frozen cauliflower gnocchi. However, spoiler alert: you don’t follow the package instructions. Instead follow these steps:
- Place the gnocchi on a microwave safe plate lined with a paper towel. Microwave the gnocchi for about four minutes.
- Pat the gnocchi dry with a paper towel to get rid of any moisture.
- Preheat a skillet to medium heat and add olive oil.
- Add the gnocchi and sear on one side for about two to three minutes or until golden brown.
- Flip to the other side and repeat. Just be sure to not over cook because they will become rubbery!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use regular gnocchi for this instead of cauliflower?
Absolutely! I would try regular potato gnocchi or even sweet potato!
Can you make this vegetarian or vegan?
You bet! Simply omit the prosciutto to make it vegetarian. If you want to make this dish vegan I would use vegan butter and cheese!
Besides Trader Joes, where can you find cauliflower gnocchi?
I know Green Giant makes cauliflower gnocchi as well as Target brand. Both are located in the freezer section.
More Delicious Gnocchi Meals to Enjoy:
- Cauliflower Gnocchi Mac & Cheese
- Chicken Shawarma Bowls
- French Onion Gnocchi Casserole
- Gnocchi-Topped Chicken Pot Pie
Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower Gnocchi with Crispy Prosciutto
Ingredients
- 2 bags Trader Joes Cauliflower Gnocchi (or you can use regular gnocchi)
- 1/4 cup Olive oil, divided
- 5 slices Prosciutto
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan + more for garnish
- 1/4 cup Freshly grated Pecorino
- Fresh Black Ground Pepper
- Chicken stock, as needed
Instructions
- Place the gnocchi on a microwave safe plate lined with a paper towel. Microwave the gnocchi for about four minutes on high. I would do one bag at a time.
- Once thawed, pat the gnocchi dry with a paper towel to get rid of any moisture.
- Preheat a skillet to medium heat and add olive oil. In batches sauté the gnocchi until crispy about two to three minutes per side adding more olive oil as needed. Just be sure to not over cook because they will become rubbery! Place the cooked gnocchi in a large bowl.
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Place the prosciutto slices on the baking sheet. Cook the prosciutto for about 5 minutes or until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large non-stick skillet preheated to medium heat, melt the butter. Using a slotted spoon, add cooked gnocchi into melted butter. Season with several cranks of black pepper. Next, add the Parmesan and Pecorino and toss until melted and pepper is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock, a couple tablespoons at a time to help sauce come together, as needed.
- Serve the gnocchi on a plate with more Parmesan, crispy prosciutto, and black pepper.