Vegan Cauliflower 'Cheesy' Gnocchi with a Crispy Crumb, Zesty Pea Salad

Serving size

Vegan New 7 plants Low sat fat Family-friendly

Vegan Cauliflower 'Cheesy' Gnocchi with a Crispy Crumb, Zesty Pea Salad

Prep time: 15 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Cuisine: British
Food group: Vegan

This vegan take on a crowd-pleasing cauliflower cheese will go down a treat with the whole family. Starring pillowy gnocchi for added comfort, you'll bake together with delicate cauliflower and nutty broccoli, alongside swirls of a decadent cashew 'cheesy' sauce. Top with a crispy crumb and bake until golden. Serve alongside a zesty pea salad, for a splash of colour. Clean plates guaranteed!

Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we've revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • Boil a half-full kettle
  • Pull out a large baking dish, a small saucepan, a medium bowl & a measuring jug

Prep the veg & start baking

  • Remove the leaves from the cauliflower, then cut into small florets, along with the broccoli, then roughly cut into small 3cm chunks. Halve the lemon
  • Add the gnocchi and veg to the large baking dish, drizzle with 1/2 tsp olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 8-10 mins, until the veg is tender and the gnocchi is golden

Make the sauce & assemble

  • Dissolve half the cornflour in the measuring jug with 100ml cold water. Stir in the mustard, nutritional yeast, cashew cream and 250ml boiling water. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper
  • Roughly chop the cashew nuts
  • After 10 mins, add the sauce to the baking dish. Stir well, then sprinkle over the pea crumb and cashew nuts, drizzle with 1/2 tsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Return to the oven for 15 mins, until the sauce is bubbling and the crumb is golden

Make the zesty pea salad

  • Add the peas to the small saucepan with a splash of water. Warm over a medium heat for 2 mins until tender. Season with salt and pepper
  • Add the salad leaves to the medium bowl. Toss in the peas (kid friendly tip: serve the peas separately on the side). Add a squeeze of lemon (or to taste). Season with salt and pepper

Plate up

  • Allow the cauliflower gnocchi bake to cool for 2 mins, before serving onto plates. Serve the salad alongside, with the remaining lemon, cut into wedges

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