- Olive oil → Avocado oil, or a light cooking spray for a lower-fat option
- Tomato paste → Canned crushed tomatoes or a spoonful of marinara
- Vegetable broth → Water plus a pinch of salt
- Dried oregano → Italian seasoning or dried thyme
- Garlic → Garlic powder
- Red onion → Yellow onion or shallots
- Carrot → Sweet potato or butternut squash
- Zucchini → Yellow squash or extra eggplant
- Eggplant → Mushrooms
- Bell pepper → Any color pepper or jarred roasted red peppers
- Cherry tomatoes → Grape tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes
- Gnocchi → Shelf-stable, refrigerated, or cauliflower gnocchi
- Parsley → Basil, dill, or mint
- Feta → Greek yogurt, Skyr, or cottage cheese - just add a dollop on your portion without broiling.
- Cut evenly: Keep veggies in similar bite-size pieces; make carrot and eggplant slightly smaller so they cook through.
- Use uncooked gnocchi: Shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi roast perfectly—no boiling needed.
- Spread it out: Don’t crowd the pan or everything will steam instead of roast.
- Don’t skip the oil: A little olive oil helps caramelize veggies and keeps gnocchi tender.
- Check for doneness: Gnocchi should be soft with lightly crisp edges; add a few more minutes if needed.
- Season at the end: Taste after roasting and adjust salt, pepper, or chili flakes.
- Add something creamy: Finish with Greek yogurt, feta, or low-fat Skyr for balance.
- Brighten with acid: A squeeze of lemon makes the whole dish taste fresh.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.




