If you love easy dinners and spend way too much time wandering the aisles at Trader Joe's, this one's for you! This Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi sheet pan dinner with chicken sausage is the kind of recipe that feels like a shortcut but still tastes like a real meal. It's simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights when you don't want to think too hard about dinner. Gluten free, dairy free, paleo and Whole30 friendly!

Have you heard all the rage about Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi?
If not, get prepared to hop on the bandwagon!
This healthy alternative to traditional wheat gnocchi is made with about 75% cauliflower- no gluten, dairy, grains or eggs! It's found in the freezer section of Trader Joe's, and at under $3 a package, it quickly became one of my favorite Trader Joe's gluten-free finds!
I've used this gnocchi a zillion times, and I can honestly say that this cauliflower creation tastes just like traditional gnocchi. Pillowy soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Just don't follow the package instructions! Trust me on this one, mine turned to mush. I've successfully cooked it in a stovetop skillet with some butter, on a sheet pan like this recipe, or I've heard that the air fryer works great too!
So, whether you're in love with Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi or just jumping on the train, this meal is the perfect way to use it. It doesn't even need to be defrosted! Just toss it with your veggies, chicken sausage, and seasonings then it's ready to pop in the oven. Super simple!
Looking for more healthy recipes using your Trader Joe's finds? Check out these recipes!

Combining everything on one pan always makes for an easy weeknight meal. If you love a good sheet pan meal as much as we do, check out our recipe for Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Dinner or this Fall Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner. Make sure you use a large sheet pan so your foods aren't overlapping and cook evenly. I always recommend using this mega 15x21 inch pan for any of my sheet pan recipes.
What ingredients do I need to make this Cauliflower Gnocchi Sheet Pan Dinner?
Here's what you'll need:
- Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi. Two bags, because one just isn't enough!
- Chicken Sausage. I used Aidells in this recipe, but you can stick with whatever flavor you like.
- Vegetables. Long cooking vegetables work best for this recipe. Think broccoli, brussels sprouts, onions, etc.
- Seasonings: garlic powder, salt & pepper.
- Pesto for dipping.
How to Make Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi on a Sheet Pan
If you've only ever cooked cauliflower gnocchi in a skillet or air fryer, baking it on a sheet pan is about to be your new favorite method.
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven and line a large sheet pan with parchment procaper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Step 2: Add Everything to the Pan
Spread the frozen cauliflower gnocchi directly onto the sheet pan-no thawing needed. Add sliced chicken sausage, broccoli, and red onion.
Step 3: Season Well
Drizzle everything with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss everything directly on the pan until evenly coated.
Step 4: Roast Until Crispy
Bake until the gnocchi is golden and slightly crispy on the outside and the sausage is heated through. Stir halfway through to ensure even browning.
That's it. No boiling, no extra pans, and no complicated steps.
In order to keep the gnocchi crispy while cooking, I kept the oil and seasonings to a minimum in this recipe. Once the dinner is cooked, we love topping this meal with our homemade dairy-free pesto or keep it simple with your favorite marinara or balsamic glaze.
Storage & Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back some of the crispiness.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights
This is the kind of dinner that works whether you're cooking for one, feeding a family, or meal prepping for the week. Everything reheats well, and leftovers make a great lunch the next day.
Serve it as-is or add a simple side salad for a complete meal.
If you're always looking for new ways to use Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi, this recipe deserves a spot in your regular dinner rotation!
Let's Eat!
Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi Sheet Pan Dinner
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 bags Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi frozen
- 4 Chicken Sausage Links sliced ¼ inch thick
- Veggies of choice: broccoli florets cauliflower, brussels sprouts(halved), onions
- 2 tablespoon Avocado Oil
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- Pepper to taste
Optional For Drizzling
- Pesto
- Marinara
- Balsamic Glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°, prepare pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking & for easier clean up.
- In a small bowl, stir together the oil, garlic powder, salt & pepper
- Spread frozen gnocchi, chicken sausage and veggies evenly across baking sheet. If the gnocchi pieces are stuck together, let thaw for a few minutes and then gently break apart before baking.
- Pour the oil mixture over everything and toss until well combined.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Serve with pesto for dipping.






Jen says
This is in the regular rotation in our home! It’s simple and delicious. I make it vegan by using Beyond Italian sausage and Trader Joe’s kale pesto. I sometimes use TJ’s kale gnocchi as well.
ThrivingGlutenFree says
So happy to hear that! Love those easy swaps!
Heather Hollister says
Mine always stick to the pan. Any tricks on getting the gnocchi to crisp instead of stick?
Thriving Gluten Free says
Hey there, so sorry I missed your comment. Are you using a non-stick pan?