If you marry a BLT sandwich with a bowl of gnocchi — and veganize it — you’ll get this super tasty plant-based BLT gnocchi dish! Or at least I did! So, now there’s no need to make decisions … you get to indulge in both comforting foods at once. And this is one indulgence that you’ll want often. I do!
Choose your gnocchi
First, pick your favorite plant-based fresh or frozen gnocchi — or make your own if you’re a make-from-scratch kind of cook! You can even go non-traditional by using cauliflower, sweet potato, or almond gnocchi. And, if for some reason you’re in more of a regular pasta or whole grain mood, know that this recipe is really versatile — it works with pasta shapes, like farfalle or fusilli, or with whole grains, like farro or freekeh.
Make your gnocchi
Gnocchi only takes a few minutes to prepare, so be sure all of your ingredients are prepped and ready to go! Once you’ve drained your gnocchi of choice, you’ll simply toss it together in a skillet for a couple minutes with olive oil, nutritional yeast (aka “nooch”!), baby spinach, lemon zest, sea salt, hot pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Now, all that’s left to do is add toppings!
Top your gnocchi
This is where you can have lots of fun with add-ons, choosing those that offer sooo much flavor, texture, color and, of course, nutrition. Try my picks — but know that you can play around with toppings next time! What are my picks? Pan-toasted pine nuts, sliced grape tomatoes (for a pop of color!), plant-based bacon, microgreens or fresh basil and an optional drizzling of garlic, basil, or truffle oil for extra luxuriousness.
For the vegan bacon, you can go with your personal favorite, like THIS. Or prepare one of my two variations on it in advance: plant-based portabella bacon strips (I used 20 strips in this recipe!) or baby bella bacon bits. And FYI, this mushroom-based bacon becomes chewier as it sits on the steamy gnocchi, so plan to serve it quickly after adding the bacon to enjoy a hint of crispness.
Now, go get a big bowl and get ready for a wowza for your tastebuds!
If you marry a BLT sandwich with a bowl of gnocchi — and veganize it — you’ll get this super tasty plant-based BLT gnocchi dish! Or at least I did! So, now there’s no need to make decisions … you get to indulge in both comforting foods at once. And this is one indulgence that you’ll want often. I do!
Ingredients
UnitsScale
16ounces fresh or frozen cheese-free gnocchi of choice*
1/2ounce fresh arugula microgreens or small fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons garlic, basil, or truffle oil (optional)
Instructions
Prepare gnocchi in boiling salted water; drain.
Transfer gnocchi to a large skillet over medium-low heat. Gently stir with the olive oil, nutritional yeast, spinach, lemon zest, salt, hot pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes until spinach just wilts, about 2 minutes.
Transfer to a serving bowl, top with the remaining ingredients, and serve.
Notes
This recipe is high in sodium. Simply use less or no added salt if you’re following a sodium-conscious eating plan.