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    You are here: Home / Entrees / Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

    LAST UPDATED: March 21, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: March 21, 2022

    Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

    This vegan gnocchi is dressed in the richest, creamiest, zippy lemon sauce that just happens to be dairy-free! Served with hearty kale and seasoned with a garlic and a hint of thyme, this easy meal is pure vegan comfort food.

    Wooden surface set with skillet, cloth, and plate of vegan gnocchi and kale in creamy sauce.

    Gnocchi is my favorite comfort food. I mean, pasta potato dumplings(!)...does it get any better than that? Only if you smother those pasta dumplings in creamy sauce (spoiler: I did).

    What I really love about this particular vegan gnocchi recipe is that in addition to being super delicious and comforting, it's also really easy to throw together. Because how comforting can a meal really be if you have to spend the entire day working in the kitchen to enjoy it? We're not doing that here!

    I incorporated a few shortcuts that I think are pretty clever into this recipe. For one thing, the kale portion of this dish gets boiled right along with the gnocchi. This means you don't have to blanch it separately like you often do with veggies that get added to pasta dishes. I also decided to ditch the cashews I normally use for creamy sauces, along with all the required blending and soaking, and use coconut milk as the base. Easy!

    The result was a delicious skillet of vegan gnocchi that's both easy enough for a weeknight, but also fancy enough for company.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • How It's Made
    • Leftovers & Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Vegan Pasta Dinners
    • Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

    Ingredients You'll Need

    • Potato gnocchi. We're using shelf-stable gnocchi because in my experience it's more likely to be vegan than frozen. But you'll still want to check your ingredients to be safe. And if you can find vegan frozen gnocchi, feel free to use it!
    • Lacinato kale. This is the dark green variety of kale that has a bumpy surface. It might also be labelled Tuscan kale or dinosaur kale at the store. You can substitute curly kale (or pretty much any variety) if you can't find it.
    • Shallots. Red onion will work as a substitute if needed.
    • Garlic.
    • All-purpose flour.
    • Dry white wine. Not all wine is vegan. You can check to ensure yours is by running the brand through Barnivore.
    • Fresh thyme.
    • Coconut milk. We're using full-fat coconut milk from a can. Don't use the type sold in cartons.
    • Salt.
    • Lemon juice.
    • Lemon zest.
    • Black pepper.
    • Red pepper flakes. Skip these if you're not into heat.
    • Vegan Parmesan cheese. This is optional and for topping. I'm a big fan of homemade vegan Parmesan cheese, but store-bought is fine as well.

    How It's Made

    The following is a detailed photo tutorial on how to make this dish. Scroll all the way down if you'd like to skip right to the recipe!

    • Start by boiling your gnocchi according to the package directions. Set a timer for this, and when you've got about 30 seconds left, add the kale and boil it with the gnocchi.
    • Drain the kale and gnocchi together in a colander.

    Tip: This method works for just about any pasta and any veggie you'd add to pasta. I do it all the time, then add whatever sauce I've got on hand, and voilà: I've got a healthy dinner on the table that was super easy to make!

    Colander filled with cooked potato gnocchi and kale.
    • Heat up some more olive oil in a skillet and add finely chopped shallots. Cook them until they begin to soften up, then add the garlic and cook it with the shallots briefly.
    • Add some flour and stir to form a paste that coats the shallots, stirring constantly.
    • Stir in the wine and bring it to a simmer. Let the wine cook until it reduces by about half.
    Collage showing first two stages of cooking Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce on a stove.
    • Add the salt and begin stirring in the coconut milk, a bit at a time. You can use a whisk to mix the ingredients if you have trouble getting the lumps out.
    • Bring the liquid to a simmer and let it cook for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens up.
    • Stir in the lemon juice and zest followed by the gnocchi and kale. Cook everything very briefly, just to get the gnocchi hot again.
    Collage showing last two stages of cooking Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce on a stove.
    • Take the skillet off of the burner, give the sauce a taste test, and add black pepper, along with some additional salt if you'd like.
    Skillet of vegan gnocchi and kale with wooden spoon.
    • Divide your creamy vegan gnocchi onto plates and top each with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and vegan Parmesan.
    Plate of Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce with water glass and skillet in the background.

    Leftovers & Storage

    Leftover vegan gnocchi will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can this dish be made gluten-free?

    I think so! I haven't made a gluten-free version myself, but I think you'd be able to substitute a gluten-free flour blend for wheat flour to thicken the sauce. You'll also need to use a vegan gluten-free gnocchi (DeLallo makes one).

    Can I substitute light coconut milk or another variety of non-dairy milk?

    You can, but I haven't tested the recipe this way, so I'm not sure how it will turn out.

    Does the sauce taste like coconut?

    Not to me, but if you absolutely can't stand the taste of coconut you may want to skip this one, or attempt it with another type of non-dairy milk (which I haven't tested).

    Where can I buy vegan gnocchi?

    I've found that most supermarkets carry it! Many popular shelf-stable brands of gnocchi are accidentally vegan.

    More Vegan Pasta Dinners

    • Vegan Stuffed Shells
    • Vegan Pasta Puttanesca
    • Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
    • Vegan Lasagna
    • Vegan Spaghetti Carbonara

    Like this recipe? If so, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter. And please stop back and leave me a review and rating below if you make it!

    Plate of Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce with fork and spoon.
    4.69 from 16 votes
    Print

    Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

    This vegan gnocchi is dressed in the richest, creamiest, zippy lemon sauce that just happens to be dairy-free! Served with hearty kale and seasoned with a garlic and a hint of thyme, this easy meal is pure vegan comfort food.

    Course Entree
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings 3
    Calories 610 kcal
    Author Alissa Saenz

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound shelf-stable potato gnocchi
    • 1 small bunch (6-8 ounces) lacinato kale, torn into small pieces
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus a dash
    • ½ cup finely chopped shallots (1-2 shallots)
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup dry white wine
    • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
    • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (from a can)
    • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • Black pepper, to taste
    • Red pepper flakes, for serving
    • Vegan Parmesan cheese, for serving

    Instructions

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 

    2. Add the gnocchi to the pot and cook it according to the package directions. When you've got about 30 seconds of cook time left, stir in the kale and continue cooking until the gnocchi float the kale is bright green.

    3. Drain the gnocchi and kale into a colander, return them to the pot, and toss them with a dash of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

    4. Coat the bottom of a large skillet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and place it over medium heat.

    5. When the oil is hot, add the shallots. Sweat the shallots for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become soft and translucent.

    6. Add the garlic and cook it with the shallots for about 30 second more, until it becomes very fragrant.

    7. Stir in the flour. Continue cooking and stirring the mixture for about 2 minutes, until the flour forms a smooth paste and coats the shallots.

    8. Stir in the white wine and thyme, and bring the liquid to a simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 4 minutes, until the liquid reduced by about half.

    9. Stir in the salt, then add the coconut milk, a bit at a time in order to smoothly incorporate it with the flour.

    10. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes smooth and thick.

    11. Stir in the lemon juice, zest, gnocchi and kale. Cook everything for about 30 second more, stirring to coat the gnocchi and kale with the sauce.

    12. Remove the skillet from heat and season the gnocchi with black pepper and additional salt to taste.

    13. Divide onto plates and serve with red pepper flakes and vegan Parmesan cheese.

    Recipe Notes

    Check the ingredients on your gnocchi package to ensure that the brand you're buying is vegan. 

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Gnocchi with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 610 Calories from Fat 262
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 29.1g45%
    Saturated Fat 18.3g92%
    Sodium 875mg36%
    Potassium 677mg19%
    Carbohydrates 77.2g26%
    Fiber 4.3g17%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 12.4g25%
    Calcium 110mg11%
    Iron 4.1mg23%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    About Alissa Saenz

    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors! You can read more about me here.

    I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nina Javez says

      December 10, 2018 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      What a lovely and simple recipe. My husband also curses when Ive made an incredible dish hahaha

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 13, 2018 at 4:32 pm

        Lol! Thanks Nina! I hope you give this a try, and your husband curses. :)

        Reply
    2. Julie Paulston says

      December 10, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      Hi Alissa,

      What could you substitute for wine? Vegetable broth? Also which gnocchi do you recommend?

      This looks SO yummy!!!

      Thank you!!! :)

      Julie

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 13, 2018 at 4:31 pm

        Hi Julie! Vegetable broth should work just fine as a substitute! I used DeLallo gnocchi, and they were great. :) Enjoy!!

        Reply
    3. Ana María de js. Rodríguez Meléndez says

      December 10, 2018 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      La prepárate para probar porque con la leche de coco debes saber rico

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 13, 2018 at 4:26 pm

        I hope you enjoy it!!

        Reply
    4. Little Plastic Footprint says

      December 11, 2018 at 10:13 am

      This looks delicious. We are planning on making some home made gnocchi over the xmas holidays so might well try this recipe! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 13, 2018 at 4:20 pm

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    5. Katie says

      December 11, 2018 at 2:47 pm

      5 stars
      This was dinner last night and it was delicious!!

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 13, 2018 at 5:07 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks so much Katie!

        Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 22, 2020 at 6:36 pm

        Hi there, this looks amazing! I’m wondering if the coconut flavor comes through? Thanks :)

        Reply
        • Alissa Saenz says

          May 23, 2020 at 10:18 am

          Thank you! I couldn't taste the coconut. I think you'll be fine unless you're super sensitive to the flavor.

          Reply
    6. Jess says

      December 25, 2018 at 11:32 pm

      5 stars
      I never comment on recipes but this is literally
      One of the best things I have ever made and tasted. Thank you, thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 30, 2018 at 6:41 pm

        Woo hoo!! I'm so happy to hear that! Thanks Jess!

        Reply
    7. Tracey says

      January 18, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      My husband made this last evening - it was simple enough that he not only could make it - but he didn't complain about cooking or eating a meatless dinner. It was delicious and he said it was filling. We added it to our "make again recipe" binder.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        January 20, 2019 at 3:25 pm

        I'm so glad it was a hit!! Thanks Tracey!

        Reply
    8. Jordan says

      March 02, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious and so creamy! I substituted vegetable broth for the wine, and spinach for the kale. So good! I think I'm going to play around with the base with different flavours and add ins, but it was so good! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        March 03, 2019 at 4:36 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it! And spinach sounds delicious - you can definitely switch this one up in lots of ways and have it turn out delicious. Thanks so much Jordan!

        Reply
    9. Pati says

      May 05, 2019 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      Amazing thank you! It's hard finding dairy free Good creamy recipes. So when I seen this I had to try it! Awesome thank you

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        May 05, 2019 at 2:05 pm

        I'm glad you like it! Thanks Pati!

        Reply
    10. Shane says

      May 15, 2019 at 10:47 am

      The coconut milk is way too sweet. It clashes with the acidity of the lemon and results in a pretty off-putting sauce. I would recommend soy milk instead. Otherwise, it's a solid recipe

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        May 19, 2019 at 5:17 pm

        Did you happen to use sweetened coconut milk? Soy should work as a substitute, but you won't get quite the same richness that you will with coconut milk.

        Reply
    11. Clare Munro says

      August 07, 2019 at 5:29 am

      4 stars
      So yummy and easy. Substituted spinach and vege broth

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        August 10, 2019 at 4:39 pm

        Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    12. Tiffany says

      February 07, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      it looks amazing! how strong is the coconut milk taste?

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        February 08, 2020 at 10:38 am

        If you're super sensitive to the taste of coconut you might be able to detect it, but neither my husband nor I could!

        Reply
    13. Kasey says

      April 24, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      1 star
      Not a fan it's too much lemon in my opinion

      Reply
    14. Sandra Hogan says

      June 03, 2020 at 8:32 am

      This has become a family favourite, it is so delicious!! And with a vegan & a vegetarian in the house, it's wonderful. Also quick to prepare. I add sliced mushrooms & zucchini, saute with the shallots, works well. Thank you so much!

      Reply
    15. Kari Lannan says

      August 05, 2020 at 12:29 pm

      What could you substitute for coconut milk if you have an allergy?

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        August 05, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        Try cashew milk!

        Reply
    16. Sandy R says

      September 04, 2020 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious!! What a hit in my home, everyone loved it! Is packed with flavor and so healthy as well. Will definitely be bookmarking this recipe for future uses. Thank you for sharing with us :)

      Reply
    17. Nicole Lang says

      December 05, 2020 at 11:13 am

      This recipe is a GEM. I tried it when I was trying out vegan recipes for a few weeks and it has become part of my rotation- have made it over 10 times! I would highly recommend to anyone- even those who are weary of coconut milk (FYI you don't taste it lol).

      Reply
    18. Kate says

      September 24, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      I like that there weren't too many steps. It was flavorful. I appreciated not having to puree cashews for a cream base.

      Reply
    19. Michelle says

      November 14, 2021 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious but just a note it wasnt obvious at first read that you need to set the gnocchi aside when its drained and save for later. Still delicious though!! Will do it correctly next time :)

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        November 15, 2021 at 9:34 am

        Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for your feedback - I just added some language to the instructions that will hopefully clarify this step. :)

        Reply

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