Better than takeout, fluffy pillows of cauliflower gnocchi coated with flavorful tikka masala sauce, filling your craving for Indian food has never been easier or more delicious! My Vegetarian Tikka Masala Recipe made with Cauliflower Gnocchi is a quick meal that your whole family will enjoy.

Here’s how things happen. I get stuck on a theme, on an ingredient or product and I just can’t stop myself.

This week I was working on my Easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe, which wasn’t enough Indian deliciousness to curb my cravings. Without any local Indian restaurants I got busy in the kitchen!

How could I resist making a Vegetarian Tikka Masala Recipe with the Cauliflower Gnocchi that I had in my freezer?

This Vegetarian Cauliflower Gnocchi Tiki Masala only takes 3 ingredients for the perfect meat-free meal! Yep that’s it. Ghee, the BEST Tikka Masala Curry Sauce Kit and the famous Trader Joes Cauliflower Gnocchi. (you could also use avocado oil or olive oil, if desired)

Oh, you might need a pinch of sea salt, too.. but honestly that’s it.

But before you get started, a word of caution you CANNOT follow the instructions on the back of the Tikka Masala kit. The gnocchi will be mushy and gross, trust me, I have come up with the perfect cooking technique!

How to make Vegetarian Tiki Masala with Cauliflower Gnocchi

In a large skillet, over medium heat, lightly heat the ghee and the spice pack from your Tikka Masala kit for about 30 seconds. Then add 2 packs of frozen cauliflower gnocchi.

When it comes to pan frying cauliflower gnocchi, less is more. You want to let your gnocchi sauté without stirring them too much. Let them get nice and brown on one side before stirring occasionally. Add more ghee if you need to. Carefully break apart any gnocchi that stick together.

By browning the gnocchi (with the Indian spice mix) it prevents the delicate pillows of deliciousness from becoming mush in the sauce.

After the gnocchi are lightly browned, remove them from the pan and set them aside while you make the sauce. Then add the browned cauliflower gnocchi back on top of the sauce!

I honestly felt like a cooking genius when I tasted this vegetarian tikka masala recipe. The sauce was delicious, thanks to the 3 step kit! And the texture of the gnocchi was perfection; still fluffy but not soaked in sauce and mushy.

By sautéing the gnocchi with the Indian seasonings they were very flavorful and held together perfectly. Where as raw gnocchi just tossed into a sauce would be a melted, gross mess.

You would also follow the same sauté first advice if you wanted to swap in potato gnocchi or if you wanted to use my Grain Free Ricotta Gnocchi. But if you want to make chicken tiki masala, follow the chicken tikka masala recipe on the 3 step packaging.

Serve your Vegetarian Cauliflower Gnocchi Tiki Masala with garbanzo beans for an extra protein punch and traditional naan bread on the side.

Instead of rice, I added some fresh kale from our garden, since the cauliflower gnocchi already provided ample starch.

Even though it’s well into fall here in Pennsylvania our garden is still full of kale and other fall crops.

When you top the fresh kale with hot tiki masala sauce and cauliflower gnocchi it will wilt just enough to be tender and delicious.

Tips for serving Vegetarian Tiki Masala made with Cauliflower Gnocchi

For a creamier sauce you can add a dollop of greek yogurt as a garnish or which cooking stir a little coconut milk or heavy cream into the tomato sauce.

If you want to kick it up to be spicer, add a few pinches of cayenne pepper.

Here’s more CURRY-GOOD deliciousness for you!