Trader Joe’s has a wide selection of Italian Cuisine. Most of their items are delicious, especially the Gnocchi. Trader Joe’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola comes in a 16 oz. bag and can be found in the frozen section of the store.
At the time of writing this article, the price was $3.49 per bag at the Rancho Cucamonga location in California.
Overall, we gave these Gnocchi’s a 4/5. Preparation is simple. It cooks in about 7 minutes either in the microwave, or on the stovetop using a skillet. Gnocchi works well when eaten as a side dish, main dish, or appetizer.
Continue reading for our full review.
Trader Joe’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola Quick Look
Where to Find | Frozen Food Aisle |
Price | $3.49 |
Cook Time | 7 Minutes |
Food Allergens | Contains Wheat, Milk |
Our Rating : 4/5 | 1- Bad 2- Tolerable 3- Good 4- Love it 5- Must Try It |
What Does Gorgonzola Gnocchi Taste Like?
In the first bite, we made sure to have a good amount of sauce to Gnocchi ratio so we could get the best bite possible. The sauce has a nice creamy texture and is somewhat comparable to a thin alfredo sauce in both texture and taste.
However, there is a slight blue cheese flavor on the aftertaste which gives it a nice kick. The blue cheese flavor is not overpowering, but it is there.
Blue cheese is naturally salty, but I found this dish to be seasoned well and could actually benefit from a little pinch of salt. If you are not a fan of regular bleu cheese, you may still possibly find this dish delightful.
The gnocchi was soft, and had a nice moist middle. The texture of the gnocchi while chewing is pleasant. It was soft and moist, and seemed to have been cooked almost perfectly. Its texture is similar to a small pasta shell that has been stuffed.
Since gnocchi is made of potato, the taste is highly dependent on the sauce it is cooked in since it has a bland flavor when it is eaten plain. However, the gorgonzola sauce pairs really well with it.
To check the current price and availability of Trader Joe’s Trader Giotto’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola, click here to view the product on Amazon.
How Do You Cook Trader Giotto’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola?
Per the cooking instructions on the back of the package, there are two preferred ways to cook the gnocchi. It can either be cooked in the microwave, or on the stovetop in a small or medium sized skillet.
One downside to gnocchi is that it can become overcooked very easily. If you cook the gnocchi too long, the middle can become chewy and have a very dry and bland flavor.
For the sake of time and ease, we decided to cook them in our microwave oven. We have prepared these a number of times both in the microwave and the stovetop.
Microwave Instructions
Simply open the package and pour the contents onto a microwave safe plate. You will be left with the gnocchi pieces, along with rectangular chunks of the gorgonzola cheese sauce.
It’s best to evenly spread out the chunks of cheese sauce all around the plate so it can cook as evenly as possible in the microwave.
The initial microwave instructions are for a 1,200 watt microwave, if you have a weaker microwave then you may need to add an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute to each of the cooking times.
After the initial heating, you will need to remove the plate from the microwave and stir the food before adding the it back to the microwave for additional cooking.
This step is very important. It will help keep the cheese and gnocchi from overcooking, and will also help evenly distribute the cooking.
Stovetop Instructions
Grab a small to medium sized skillet and use one tablespoon of the oil of your choice. While on a medium heat, add the gnocchi and cheese to the skillet.
Simply stir the gnocchi every so often to prevent it from burning or overcooking on one side. After 7 minutes, remove the cheese and gnocchi from the skillet and serve.
We believe that you will get a more crisp outside on the gnocchi, as well as a creamier and thicker sauce if you cook it using this method.
Trader Joe’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola Nutrition Information
Each package of Gnocchi al Gorgonzola contains about 3 servings. A serving size is 1 cup, or 140g. Each serving contains 250 calories, 8g of total fat, 36g of total carbohydrates, and 8g of protein.
This food also contains a moderate amount of sodium at 400g per serving, as well as 3g of fiber and 170mg of potassium.
Overall, the nutrition content of this gnocchi dish is well balanced in terms of macronutrients.
Trader Joe’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola Ingredients
- Gnocchi (water, durum, wheat semolina, dehydrated potatoes, salt)
- Rehydrated Whey (milk), Cream (milk), Water, Hard Grating Cheese (pasteurized milk, salt, animal rennet)
- Wheat Flour, Gorgonzola Cheese (cow’s milk, salt, animal rennet), Butter (milk)
- Emmental Cheese (cow’s milk, salt, animal rennet)
- Sunflower Seed Oil, Salt, Garlic, Basil Extract, Black Pepper, Nutmeg
Contains Wheat, Milk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi is an Italian pasta. The most common form of gnocchi is made out of potato. They are made up of cooked mashed potatoes, flour, and eggs.
The shape of gnocchi’s consist of a small shell with little ripples in the dough.
What is Gorgonzola Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese is a cow’s milk blue cheese made in Lombardy, Italy. The cheese has a soft texture and when cooked, is creamy and buttery.
The colors of this cheese can range from white, to a pale yellow and may have specks of blue to green mold which is unique to this cheese.
What Does Gnocchi Go Well With?
Gnocchi can be eaten by itself as a main dish, appetizer, or as a side. There are many different foods that pair well with gnocchi.
Some examples include: Sautéed Asparagus, French Dimple Rolls, Italian Peas with Mushrooms, Parmesan Herb Stuffed Tomatoes, and many more foods which can be found here.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we gave the Trader Joe’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola a 4/5 rating.
It is one of our favorite gnocchi dishes to buy from Trader Joe’s. It has a rich and creamy texture, with a moist and tender bite from the gnocchi.
It can also be served in a matter of minutes which makes this a quick and convenient meal to prepare.