# Low-Carb Cauliflower Gnocchi Dishes Noodles & Co is Introducing Two New Menu Items By Riley von Niessen | Published 2021-01-28 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cauliflower-gnocchi-dish References: [fastcasual](https://www.fastcasual.com/news/noodles-co-debuts-cauliflower-gnocchi/) & [noodles](https://www.noodles.com/) [Noodles & Co.](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noodles-cos-chicken-parmesan), an American fast casual restaurant chain that's known for its pasta, salads, and other lunch staples, has announced that it will be adding two [cauliflower gnocchi](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olivieri-skillet-gnocchi) dishes to its menu. The two new dishes include a Cauliflower Gnocchi with Roasted Garlic Cream and Cauliflower Gnocchi Rosa, both of which include about one half of the carbs that a traditional pasta dish would. The use of cauliflower in place of typical pasta also makes the dishes well-suited to diners with gluten sensitivities, as well as those looking to include more vegetables in their diets. [Noodle & Co.'s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meatless-orange-chicken) Executive Chef and VP of Culinary Nick Graff spoke to the launch, stating "Gnocchi is a classic Italian pasta that I have long enjoyed, and we've elevated it from a dish that most people view as an occasional indulgence and transformed it into a healthy and flavorful option that our guests will feel good about eating any day." Image Credit: Noodles & Co ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Low-carb Dishes:** The rise in popularity of low-carb diets presents an opportunity for restaurants to add new menu items catering to this trend, such as Noodle & Co.'s new cauliflower gnocchi dishes. - **Vegetable-based Substitutes:** Replacing traditional ingredients with vegetable-based substitutes, such as cauliflower gnocchi, presents innovation opportunities for food companies looking to cater to health-conscious and gluten-sensitive diners. - **Innovative Pasta Alternatives:** The creation of innovative pasta alternatives, like Noodle & Co.'s cauliflower gnocchi, presents an opportunity for food companies to diversify their offerings and appeal to a wider customer base. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast Casual Restaurants:** Fast casual restaurants can take advantage of the low-carb trend and offer healthier, vegetable-based alternatives to traditional pasta dishes, like Noodle & Co.'s cauliflower gnocchi. - **Health and Wellness Food Products:** Health and wellness food companies can explore the use of vegetable-based substitutes, such as cauliflower, in creating low-carb and gluten-free pasta alternatives to cater to health-conscious diners. - **Gluten-free Products:** The rise in popularity of gluten-free diets presents an opportunity for food companies to create gluten-free pasta alternatives, such as cauliflower gnocchi, to cater to this growing market. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Low-Carb Linguini Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leanguini.md) - [Vegetable-Powered Gnocchi](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunny-luna.md) - [Savory Stuffed Pasta Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noodles-company-stuffed-pasta.md) - [Zesty Shrimp Scampi Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lemon-garlic-shrimp-scampi.md) - [Cheesy Parmesan Pasta Bakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicken-parmesan-1.md) - [Plant-Based Breaded Chicken](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-impossible-panko-chicken.md) - [Indulgent Quad-Cheese Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baked-4cheese-chicken-alfredo.md) - [Broth-Less Ramen Noodle Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chili-garlic-ramen.md) - [Comforting Cauliflower Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweetgreen-late-fall-menu.md)