potato gnocchi: $2.99 vs $13.00 across stores

Gluten free pasta products have a reputation for being pricey, and gnocchi even more so. So when a 500g bag of decent imported gnocchi sits under $3.00 at two of the big four supermarkets, it's genuinely worth flagging.

La Molisana is an Italian brand with a solid following among gluten free shoppers. Their potato gnocchi is made without wheat flour, holds its shape when boiled, and doesn't turn to mush if you blink at the wrong moment. That last part matters more than people give it credit for.

Where to buy it cheapest right now

Woolies has it for $2.90 this week, which puts it fractionally ahead of both Aldi ($2.99) and Coles ($3.00). The difference between Woolies and Coles is ten cents, which won't change your life, but Woolies is the pick if you're already there.

IGA is a different story. It's listed at $5.25 this week, marked down from $5.75, which is technically a sale but still nearly double what you'd pay at Woolies. That $2.35 gap on a single product adds up fast if you're buying for a household where someone eats gluten free regularly.

The cross-store average across all four retailers works out to around $3.04, so Woolies is coming in below that. Not dramatically, but below it.

Is $2.90 actually a good price?

For a gluten free product from a name-brand Italian manufacturer, yes. Gluten free pasta and gnocchi have historically commanded a premium because the production process is more involved and the ingredients (rice flour, potato starch, and so on) cost more than standard semolina wheat. A lot of that premium has compressed over the past few years as the category got more competitive, but you still see plenty of gluten free gnocchi sitting at $5 or $6 without blinking.

At $2.90, this is about as cheap as you'll find a branded gluten free gnocchi from a reputable producer. It's not a clearance price or a short-dated special. Aldi is right there at $2.99, which is a good signal that this is roughly the real market price right now rather than a temporary loss-leader situation at Woolies.

Coles at $3.00 is essentially the same price. If you're a Coles shopper and don't want to change your routine, the ten-cent difference doesn't justify a separate trip.

How to cook it so it actually tastes good

Gnocchi is one of those things that goes wrong quickly if you're not paying attention. The number one mistake is overcooking. You bring a pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil, drop the gnocchi in straight from the bag, and pull them out about 30 seconds after they float to the surface. That's it. They should be tender but still have a little bite.

From there, a brown butter with sage is the classic pairing and takes about three minutes in a pan. Gnocchi also works well tossed through a simple tomato sauce, or even pan-fried after boiling if you want them crispy on the outside. That second method takes an extra few minutes but is worth it on a weekend.

Because this is a potato-based gnocchi, it's naturally quite mild in flavour. The sauce does most of the heavy lifting, so don't hold back on seasoning.

Smart shopping tips for gluten free gnocchi

If you're not specifically loyal to La Molisana, it's worth knowing that both Woolies and Coles carry their own private-label gluten free gnocchi. These tend to sit at a similar or slightly lower price point and are worth trying if you want to compare. Quality varies and it comes down to personal preference, but they're a reasonable option and often on special independently of the branded products.

Aldi also rotates a few gluten free pasta products through their regular range, and the pricing tends to be competitive. The catch is that stock can be patchy at some stores, so if you find something you like there, it's worth grabbing a couple of bags.

If you're buying for meal prep or stocking the pantry, gnocchi keeps well in a cool dry spot and the 500g bag is a good size for two adults as a main with leftovers, or four people as a side. Buying two or three at the current Woolies price makes sense if you have the shelf space.

One more thing: gluten free shoppers often get stung by inconsistent pricing at IGA, particularly in smaller or regional stores where the range is thinner and the prices don't move as much with the broader market. If your main shop is at IGA out of convenience, the La Molisana gnocchi is one to price-check before you grab it off the shelf.

What makes this week's pick worth your attention

Gluten free products are often the easiest place to accidentally overspend on a grocery run, particularly if you're not checking unit prices. The $2.90 at Woolies and $2.99 at Aldi represent genuine value for a product that would have cost $5 or more not that long ago, and the quality is consistent enough that you're not taking a risk.

If you're cooking for someone who eats gluten free and you've been avoiding gnocchi because it seemed complicated or expensive, this week is a good time to give it a go.