Trader Giotto's (Joe's) Gnocchi al Gorgonzola

October 22, 2007 | Reviewer: Adina

Trader Giotto’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola Price: $2.99
Serving: ¾ cup, 4 oz.
Calories: 230
Fat: 17%, 11g
Cholesterol: 10%, 30mg
Sodium: 18%, 440mg
Protein: 7g
Carbs: 9%, 25g
Fiber: 4%, 1g
WW Points: 5 Points per Serving
20 Weight Watchers Points per Bag

Trader Joe says: There was no bag blurb and no product description on TJ’s site.

Adina says:

Pro: This meal was like eating little tender bites of heaven covered in gorgonzola cheese. It is heaven in a bag. If I worked for Trader Joe’s, that is how I would describe this product. “Try heaven in a bag. You may need a coronary angioplasty after you’re through with it, but it’s worth it!”

I cooked this in a skillet for 7 minutes. I know that is pseudo-cheating since it has microwave oven heating instructions, but I didn’t want to risk sacrificing delicious gnocchi dinner for HER purity. Sorry, Abi. To be honest though, I think it is worth it. Considering it adds only one extra piece of cookware to the post-dinner clean up and all it involves is emptying the bag into a skillet and then watching the frozen chunks of gorgonzola melt evenly over the ever expanding gnocchi, I say take the plunge. Pseudo-cook a real meal tonight. Your taste buds will love you.

Anyway, as far as taste goes, this was a 5 star meal. The gnocchi were tender but not chewy and definitely not mushy. The cheese was flavorful and the sauce was rich and creamy. I will never order gnocchi out again because now I know I can get the same delicious meal for 9 dollars cheaper.

The best part was that I never felt like someone was trying to feed me gravy covered cardboard. A novelty, I know!

Con: One bag is 4 servings. Getting me to stop after a quarter of the bag would require a locked muzzle and handcuffs. And a tranquilizer. Because I just plowed through the entire 4 servings and now I cannot so much as look at any more saturated fat until after dinner tomorrow. Seriously, eat the whole bag and you will have accounted for 140% of your daily saturated fat intake, assuming you are (trying to stay) on a less than 2,000 calorie diet. Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth it. HEAVEN IN A BAG. I’m just saying, be ready to sacrifice the next 2 days of office birthday cake for it.

Therefore, this meal weighed in at a 4, since eating this meal means that I probably will have to at least pass the gym on my way home from work tomorrow. Because walking past the gym is half the battle.

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comments

16 Responses to “Trader Giotto's (Joe's) Gnocchi al Gorgonzola”

Tiff on October 22nd, 2007

I feel the same way about the TJ’s Gnocchi alla sorrentina, definitely give that a try. It is so delicious, I made the same promise to never buy gnocchi at a restaurant again. I prepared it in the microwave and it was great, don’t be afraid to try it. I have a bag of the gorgonzola kind in the freezer at home, and after reading this review I will have it tonight!
Crow on October 22nd, 2007

Looked at the picture, was hoping it was scallops…
Abi Jones on October 22nd, 2007

I agree that this is marvelous. I also sautee some chicken sausage and green beans (in separate pans) for a complete (and delicious meal). I also agree that if it is 4 servings, it is four minuscule servings.

Two servings is more realistic.
Angie on October 23rd, 2007

Oh dear lord. I MUST have this. And I live nowhere near Trader Joe’s.
No Pasa Nada » Blog Archive » The Pot Licker: Penne with Roasted Tomatoes on October 24th, 2007

[...] gnnochi with gorgonzola, they have it there. Frozen and ready to pop into a microwave and make genuine deliciousness. Also all of their rice comes in packages and takes no longer than three minutes to cook. Which [...]
craig on October 26th, 2007

“tender bites of heaven covered in gorgonzola cheese.”

yep, exactly!
zee on November 7th, 2007

I agree, This stuff is incredible, and oh so addictive! Sadly, I had to share a bag with my husband. It really does make only two decent sized servings, but I could have happily polished off the bag by myself. Heaven indeed!
Liz on January 22nd, 2008

People are not lying about the following:

1. Heaven in a bag. Yes, yes it is! This reminded me of the alfredo sauce at Olive Garden which is one of my guilty pleasures, especially because I always ask for tons of fresh parmesan on top of the sauce. I have no idea how many calories are in OGs sauce, but this is a knock-off that must be just a fraction of it.

2. Serving size. I feel so glad that I’m not alone in polishing off the whole bag. Four servings is complete insanity. That will never happen. If you are cooking for 2, they’re two smallish sized servings. Make a salad. If you are cooking for one, you might think that you can just put half of it in a tupperware container. I’m sure many have thought that. But I can’t imagine anyone ever doing that. If they do, they have no heart.
Kimberly on June 17th, 2008

It’s so true! it’s so good! And I did put half in a tupperware container but then took it out of the fridge because it was just too good to pass up. This stuff rocks! Except for the fact that you have to spend the next two days working it off..
Tracy on June 24th, 2008

I found this to be pretty darned good… for frozen food. And I, too, had trouble stopping myself from eating the whole thing. At least I made myself leave some for my husband. Portioned out half, took mine and ate it. Then came back and took a bite from his (he wasn’t home yet). And another bite. Then he came home and I cried “Eat this before I do, please!!”

I’m biased, however, because I’ve had fresh home-made gnocci in Italy, with a 4-cheese sauce made from fresh italian cheeses, from a recipe handed down for at least two generations. I think this stands up remarkably well in comparison.

Last time I made it, I added some garlic and oregano, because I just felt like I needed more than just the cheese sauce flavor. I don’t know that it improved it, but it didn’t make it any less good.
Samantha on June 27th, 2008

Just finished off the bag. Each bit was indeed a little morsel of heaven.
Natalie on February 20th, 2009

This contains animal rennet, so it is not vegetarian. I wish I hadn’t read the ingredients, because the husband is cooking it right now, and it looks and smells amazing.
Julie on June 2nd, 2009

This is the most delicious meal that could ever come out of a frozen bag. Yes, unfortunately it’s high in fat and calories and the portion size is ridiculously small. If you’re going to break the diet, do it with this.
Eat them up yum on June 22nd, 2009

This makes me ooze with happiness
Katie on August 18th, 2009

Read the review, just HAD to try it. Almost wish I didn’t, because now I want to go back to TJ’s and get more. It was fantastic – rich and satisfying, something that would classify as comfort food to this Italian!
Trish on January 5th, 2010

I love this as well! There is actually plenty of sauce to add some plain gnocchi and bulk it up a little without adding more fat. i also add some sundried tomatoes when i make it- yummy!