Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a frozen Italian entrée made with soft potato gnocchi tossed in a tomato-based sauce with mozzarella cheese. Imported from Italy and sold in a 16-ounce bag, it's meant to channel the spirit of Naples, minus the airfare and three-hour dinner reservations.
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Review
Let's be honest: frozen gnocchi can be a gamble. But this one starts off strong. You open the bag and think, "Okay, this looks like a pizza exploded and froze itself into chunks." You're not wrong. What you'll find inside are icy pucks of tomato sauce, discs of mozzarella, and potato gnocchi that look like they're mentally preparing for their hot bath.
Once it hits the pan (or microwave), it turns into a surprisingly cohesive meal. The gnocchi come out tender and pillowy-no gumminess or weird chew. The tomato sauce is bright and a bit sweet, and the mozzarella melts into that perfect cheesy cling that sticks to your fork and your dignity. It's the kind of meal that makes you go back for seconds, not because you're still hungry, but because your taste buds started chanting, "Again! Again!"
Is it restaurant-level Italian? No. Will Nonna be offended? Probably. But if you're looking for a midweek pasta hug that costs less than your iced coffee habit, this is it.
A few notes: if you cook it on the stovetop, it gets nicely saucy. In the microwave, it works too-but the cheese can separate slightly and the gnocchi texture gets softer. Add some fresh basil or a sprinkle of grated parm if you want to impress yourself. Or anyone watching.
How to Serve
- Best method: Sauté in a pan with a splash of water and a drizzle of olive oil for a better texture and richer flavor.
- Top it off: Add more mozzarella, grated Parmesan, or fresh herbs.
- Serve with: A simple green salad, garlic bread, or a glass of red wine that costs less than $10 but tastes like it doesn't.
Creative Uses
- Serve it over a bed of wilted spinach to pretend it's healthy.
- Bake it in a ramekin with more cheese for a personal-size gnocchi gratin.
- Use it as a filling for a "lazy lasagna" with layers of spinach and extra sauce.
- Toss in pre-cooked sausage or roasted veggies for a more complete meal.
Cooking Directions
This can be made in two ways:
- Stovetop- Place 2 tablespoon of water in a skilled on medium heat. Stir gently until sauce and gnocchi melt together and warm through in about 7 minutes.
- Microwave- Heat on high for 4 minutes. Stir. Microwave in 1 minute increments until heated through (about 3 minutes longer)
FAQs about Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
The following are commonly asked questions about Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina:
Yes, it contains no meat-just tomato sauce, cheese, and gnocchi.
I found it was edible as is, but could absolutely benefit from some extra seasonings.
Two normal humans or one person with Netflix, sweatpants, and zero shame.
If you overcook it or microwave it too long, yes. Stovetop method gives the best texture.
After coming out of the microwave:
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is one of those rare freezer finds that delivers more than just convenience. It's a cozy, cheesy dish that hits all the comfort food notes without trying too hard. While it won't blow you away with complexity, it's got just enough flavor and texture to keep you coming back. Dress it up with extra cheese, herbs, or a side of garlic bread and you've got yourself a satisfying, no-stress meal. It's not just good "for frozen food"-it's just plain good.
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Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
Product Name: Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
Product Description: Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is gnocchi in a tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese.
Price: $2.99
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is gnocchi in a tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Comfort food classic: Warm, cheesy, and tomatoey in all the right ways.
- Fast and easy: On the table in under 10 minutes with minimal effort.
- Freezer staple: Imported from Italy and tastes better than most frozen pastas.
- Vegetarian-friendly: No meat, and still super filling.
Cons
- Could use more cheese: It’s good, but mozzarella lovers may want to add extra.
- Mild flavor: Not bland, but not bold—some may want to dress it up.
- Microwave texture: Gets a little soft if overdone.
- Smallish portions: One bag won’t cut it for two very hungry people.
Alek says
I think that they could had done similar to baked ziti. Call it baked gnocchi.
Dagmar says
I think I tried this a long time ago and wasn't impressed. I've had handmade gnocchi several times at high end Italian restaurants and I've virtually never had a frozen or dried gnocchi that comes close to freshly made. Gnocchi should be light not dense, pillowy and fluffy. It should literally melt in your mouth. I actually have an interesting recipe for spinach and ricotta gnocchi that is pretty darn good. PS- I was at TJ's tonight and they had just gotten in a big batch of the sweet potato gnocchi with sage butter!
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! Yeah, this one was underwhelming for me too. And I agree with you totally. At the end of the day all it is a freezer meal. I had the sweet potato gnocchi for dinner tonight. I'm curious to hear what you think. Thanks as always for stopping by!
Ttrockwood says
Haven’t tried this one or the frozen sweet potato gnocchi because of the dairy (ugh) but i do love the dry gnocchi and buy it often. I wish they sold the sweet potato gnocchi plain! I think i would love it.
Those trader joe’s meatless balls are a freezer staple for me! I actually made a tomatoey bean soup the other night and used some of the meatless balls crumbled into it.
The heating instructions are crazy- 7 min on the stove or 7min in the microwave?? Huh?
becomebetty says
Hey Ttrockwood! They do have a dried gnocchi so you can be dairy free if you want. And yes, those meatless meatballs are a staple in my household too. Thanks so much for stopping by!