Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto

Name: Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 tbsp butter; 1/2 medium onion (chopped); 1/4 cup sliced almonds; 1/2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 tbsp vegetable stock base; 2 mini red bell pepper (sliced ); 1/2 yellow squash (cut inch 1/2 inch chunks ); 1/2 zucchini (cut inch 1/2 inch chunks ); 1/2 lb Asparagus (cut into 1/2 inch pieces); 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes; 2 small eggs; 1 1/2 cup flour (plus some for rolling); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup fresh Italian Parsley; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 clove garlic; 1 1/2 tbsp orange zest; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 cup sliced almonds; salt (to taste)

April 3, 2018 · Leah Ashley 45 Comments

Two things I am passionate about when it comes to cooking! First, of course being, well balanced healthy meals that are indulgent and satisfying. The second, using what you got to minimize food waste by transforming leftovers, whether it be a leftover dinner or just leftover ingredients. Which helps save money and the environment. That is why this Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto is one of my family’s favorite dishes!

Whoever said vegetation meals are expensive, take lots of time, is bland, and lacks in protein has never really made a vegetarian meal. Take this full of flavor, healthy, protein-packed Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto for example. Made with leftover ingredients, only takes 40 minutes start to finish, loaded with protein, and flavor. Don’t believe me? I will prove it to you!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Like most moms, I am always trying to get my kids to eat more veggies. However, I must admit my kids are awesome foodies and have never fought me when it comes to what’s on their plates. Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto has become one of their new favorite meals ever since I had a fridge full of halved veggies I had to use before they turned toxic.

Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto Dough Prep — Make your Gnocchi Dough in a Ninja Blender on Dough setting for easy cleanup!

This year I decided not only to do meatless Mondays but to attempt to eat 2-3 meatless meals a week.

Okay, I know what you are thinking! To tell you the truth the adjustment has not been too difficult and has saved me so much time because most meatless meals take less time to cook! Oh, and another bonus is this Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto is it was made with leftovers and leftover ingredients which saved a trip to the grocery store and money!

Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto Prep — Pesto comes together easily in my ninja chopper

Other than time and money, one of the biggest concerns I hear from people is what about the protein? There is no meat or beans in this recipe so wouldn’t you consider this a side dish? When I say there is protein in this dish, I get that look, you know, the one that says, “Your crazy lady.” So, here is the breakdown of all the proteins in Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto.

1 cup chopped zucchini = 1.5 grams of protein
2 cups Mashed Potatoes = 8 grams of protein
2 egg = 12 grams protein
1 cup chopped yellow squash = 1.4 grams of protein
1 cup asparagus = 2.9 grams of protein
1 cup sliced almonds- 20 grams of protein
½ cup chopped red peppers =0.6 grams of protein
1 clove garlic =0.2 grams of protein
1 cup chopped parsley= 1.8 grams of protein
½ cup parmesan cheese = 19 grams of protein

Total Protein is an estimated 67.4 grams of protein in the entire dish. Divided by 4 servings is 16.85 grams protein proteins per serving. This does not include any parmesan cheese you may sprinkle on top of the dish.

It is roughly estimated that:

Children 1-4-year-old need 14-16 grams of protein a day
Children 5-18 years old need 20-45 grams of protein a day
Adult women need 25-45 grams of protein a day
Adult males need 30-55 grams of protein a day

Wondering exactly how much protein you should be consuming each day? The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which is the minimum amount you need to be healthy, 0.36 grams per pound of body weight per day.

An example: I’m 113lb’s so 113 X 0.36 = 40.68 grams is my RDA of protein

Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto Full — Complete Dish

Therefore, this Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto has enough protein to help keep me on track to meeting my RDA of protein. Especially after you add in breakfast, lunch, snacks, and let’s not forget dessert!

So next time you hear vegetarian meal and get worried about the amount of protein you will be getting remember even vegetables have protein plus extra vitamins and minerals! You also don’t have to worry about breaking the bank, extra trips to the grocery store, or it is tasting bland and boring!

I hope you like this bright, flavorful, healthy, vegetarian, protein-packed Veggie Loaded Parmesan Gnocchi with Citrus Garlic Pesto. For more ways, you can use leftovers head over to the leftover tab at the top of the page, and remember, it is not only good for your pocketbook to use leftovers but also to the environment!