Posted on by Jenna

Fettucine Alfredo

Another day, another dump-and-go dinner!

As you know by now, if you’ve read any of my blogs, Trader Joe’s frozen pasta has a special place in my heart. My day job requires both early mornings and long days, so I don’t have much time and patience to cook elaborate meals during the week.

That brings us to today’s review: Fettucine Alfredo.

This is a pretty basic meal, and it follows the same pattern as other TJ’s frozen pasta:

  • Put a bit of water in a pan
  • Dump in the pasta and sauce
  • Cook until the sauce is melted and the pasta is warmed through. 

It takes less than ten minutes, usually.

I will say this Alfredo is pretty plain. It’s more buttery than cheesy, and while that’s not bad, it does beg to be tarted up. It could really benefit from some cooked chicken or peas or even leftover roasted broccoli. It’s a nice blank slate you could really play with.

The serving size says three servings, but I think by itself, it’s just enough for two adults with healthy appetites. You could get three servings as a side, or with some additions.

Price: $3.99
Seasonal: No
Buy again: Yes

Posted on by Jenna

Honey Mustard Pretzel Pieces

Thank goodness Trader Joe’s listens to their customers, because otherwise, we wouldn’t have these excellent Honey Mustard Pretzel Pieces.

These snackable bites came in one of the snack mixes they put out around the holidays, I believe, and people loved them so much that they begged TJ’s to put them out in a bag of their own.

And here we are!

These are pretty much a dupe for a well-known brand, but they’re delicious. They have a nice crunch and just enough tang from the honey mustard coating.

I plan to always keep a bag on hand.

Thanks for listening, Trader Joe’s!

Price: $2.99
Seasonal: Hopefully not!
Buy again: Yes

Posted on by Jenna

Chicken Piccata

If you’ve read my blog, you know I’m a big fan of Trader Joe’s ready-made meals. Whether it’s frozen pasta or the famous Mandarin Orange Chicken, I know I can always have a wholesome meal on the table no matter how busy I am.

In addition to their more well-known freezer meals, Trader Joe’s also has some fantastic ready-made meals in the refrigerated section. These tend to be entrees, like lasagna or chicken.

My favorite, by far, is the Chicken Piccata.

This is really an entree and not a full meal, though I won’t judge you if you eat it by itself. It comes with three large, breaded chicken breasts and a bag of lemony, tart piccata sauce with capers.

You simply heat up the chicken breasts in the oven and warm the sauce in hot water for a few minutes. Just like that, dinner is ready.

Just a note: There are instructions for heating it up in the microwave, and I’ve tried that so you don’t have to. The chicken breasts are much better when heated in the oven, and it takes no extra effort. You pop it on a sheet tray in the container it comes in, and 20 minutes later, they’re ready. It’s worth the time.

There are three large chicken breasts, but if you cut it in slices, there’s plenty for four people with a side of pasta and some salad.

This is a great meal, even if you have to provide the sides yourself. Do yourself a favor one weeknight and make this delicious Chicken Piccata.

Price: $6.49
Seasonal: No
Buy again: Yes

Posted on by Jenna

Mushroom Risotto

I work long hours, so I appreciate Trader Joe’s frozen meals, especially their frozen pasta bags.

These make dinner simple: You usually add a couple of tablespoons of water to a skillet, dump in the contents of the bag, and dinner’s on the table in less than ten minutes.

Trader Joe’s Mushroom Risotto is in this same vein.

It’s a blend of frozen rice and hearty mushroom sauce that you add to the skillet and warm through.

One note here: You do have to stir this one while you’re waiting, or the sauce will scorch before the rice is thawed. But it’s done in about six minutes, so that’s a small price to pay.

The sauce definitely has a rich mushroom flavor and lots of chunks of mushrooms, so if you’re not a fan, this one isn’t for you.

To me, this is a little on the bland side and would be livened up with shards of Romano cheese on top. But all told, this is a great and easy dish that will make my regular weeknight line up.

Price: $3.29
Seasonal: No
Buy again: Yes

Posted on by Jenna

Movie Theater Popcorn

It takes a lot of guts to call your snack: “Movie Theater Popcorn.”

Everyone has their own memory of the buttery, salty aroma wafting through the movie theater lobby, and memories are tricky things. It’s hard to replicate that particular smell and taste in a packaged snack.

One way Trader Joe’s attempts that Herculean task is to start with real, clarified butter. They actually use the butter for popping the kernels, just like they do at the theaters (though I doubt they use real butter there) to lock in that buttery flavor.

So, do they succeed? Kinda, though there’s no replacing the greasy, butter-like topping from the concession stand. But here’s what I mostly taste over the mild and sophisticated buttery corn:

Salt.

Lots and lots of salt. This is one of the saltier snacks I’ve tried, and it overwhelms nearly everything else. I could still enjoy it over the saltiness, but it may be hard for others to get past.

One other warning: Some of the kernels were burnt. Personally, I adored that occasional burnt flavor popping up; it made it more authentic. But if you don’t like that flavor, it may turn you off.

All in all, this is a serviceable – but not perfect – snack for movie night.

Price: $1.99
Seasonal: No
Buy again: Maybe

Posted on by Jenna

Pound Plus Bar

Have you ever just thought to yourself: “I could really use a chocolate bar the size of my head.”

Well, look no further, my friend. Trader Joe’s has you covered.

The Pound Plus chocolate bars are a little over a pound (see what they did there?) – or 17.6 ounces – of creamy, rich, delicious Belgian chocolate.

They come in dark, milk, and with almonds, though I usually choose the milk.

Now, a pound of chocolate is a lot of chocolate, I know. But the bars are already divided into reasonable pieces.

They can be eaten straight up as a snack, or used in baking. A lot of people buy these bars and break them up themselves for cookies and such, rather than pay inflated prices for chips or “baking chocolate” at other stores.

And how do they taste? Not bad, actually! Is it the best chocolate in the world? No, but it’s worlds better than most American chocolate bars that you’re used to. It is real Belgian chocolate, after all.

And for the price point and size, it’s definitely a bargain.

The Pound Plus bar is available year round, which makes it great for keeping on hand for cookie baking or to satisfy the odd chocolate craving. You can find it with the candy, usually above the freezer aisle.

Price: $4.99
Seasonal: No
Buy again: Yes