This creamy Marry Me Baked Gnocchi is a Tuscan-inspired dish made 100% plant-based. The rich cashew cream makes the sauce ultra-lush and velvety, and the gnocchi turns perfectly tender and pillowy. It’s loaded with garlic, Italian herbs, cherry tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes for that rich Tuscan-flavors. Easy to make and very budget-friendly.
INGREDIENTS
Cashew Cream
¾cupplant milkI use soy milk from Trader Joe's
¼cupcashews raw and unsalted
1tablespoonwhite miso paste
1tablespoonnutritional yeast
2teaspoongarlic powder
Baked Gnocchi
2cupsgnocchiuncooked
1cupvegetable brothlow sodium
1tablespoonvegan butteror avocado oil
1tablespoongarlic minced or paste
1tablespoontomato paste
1cupsun-dried tomatoes not oiled
2cupcherry tomotoes
2teaspoonItalian seasoning
1teaspoonred pepper flakes
1teaspoonsalt
Garnish
fresh basil leaves
red pepper flakes
vegan parmesan cheeese
METHOD
Preheat the oven at 350℉.
In a small pot, submerge cashews in water and boil for 5 minutes on medium heat. Once they soften, then drain cashews.
Add the softened cashews in a high speed blender along with the soy milk, miso paste, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder. Blend till smooth like heavy cream. Set aside.
Next, melt butter in a medium size pot or Dutch oven over low heat. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and continuously stir for a minute to avoid burning.
Add in the tomatoes and letting the tomatoes soften on low heat for a few minutes. You can add a 3-4 tablespoon of broth or water to avoid burning, if needed. Once softened, then smash them using your spatula.
Then add the sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, salt and give it a good stir.
Remove from heat. Pour in the cashew cream along with the gnocchi, and toss together till well combined.
Bake at 350℉ for 20 minutes until gnocchi is tender, then remove from oven.
Garnish with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and vegan parmesan cheese before serving with toasted baguette slices.
NOTES
Bake Uncovered: This allows moisture to reduce slightly and gives the top a golden, slightly crisp texture without drying out the dish.
Use a Non-Stick Baking Dish: This helps the gnocchi cook evenly and prevents the sauce from sticking to the sides or burning at the edges.
Add Herbs After Baking: Fresh herbs lose their flavor and vibrancy when overcooked. Add them right at the end for a fresh, bright finish.