10 Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods That Make Weeknight Dinner So Much Easier

Whether you’re new to Trader Joe’s or an experienced shopper, one thing you learn quickly is that it’s a little harder to acquire a full range of grocery essentials than it is at your average grocery store. And while for some that might be a deal breaker, if you look at Trader Joe’s as a way to complement your weekly grocery haul rather than as a one-stop shop, there’s actually a world of grocery staples you’ll end up not wanting to live without. 

For myself, the freezer section at Trader Joe’s has always been a reliable destination for discovering both new and returning mealtime favorites. With the majority of items retailing for $10 or less, it offers an endless stream of affordable freezer finds that can make weeknight dinners a whole lot easier. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, there are plenty of items worth trying that help streamline the process while still producing a near restaurant-worthy meal.

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To help guide you toward your own weeknight mealtime awakening, we drummed up 10 Trader Joe’s frozen foods worth keeping on your radar this September. Split among Asian-inspired favorites and quick-and-easy frozen pastas, each item serves as either a reliable base to a larger meal or a delicious addition that helps bring an idea together. Follow along for a little inspiration, and let us know which of your favorites we left out.

Trader Joe’s Frozen Asian-Inspired Favorites

My general rule of thumb? Totally judge a book by its cover and snatch up anything that catches your attention. When it comes to Trader Joe’s freezer finds, it’s almost always worth taking the risk, and even if you end up not loving it, chances are it didn’t break the bank in the first place.

1. BBQ Teriyaki Chicken

Boasting a 21-ounce bag for just $6.49, Trader Joe’s BBQ Teriyaki Chicken is an easy first choice for a reliable weeknight meal. This classic Japanese-inspired freezer find features marinated BBQ dark chicken meat and a traditional soy-based sauce perfect for incorporating into a larger family meal. Fully cooked and ready to heat and eat, all you need is a side of white or brown rice, sautéed veggies and a side salad or egg rolls, and suddenly you’ve got a complete Asian-inspired meal that comes together in minutes.

2. PaJeon Scallion Pancakes

PaJeon Scallion Pancakes are Korean-style pancakes that come packed with scallions, onions, leeks, carrots and king oyster mushrooms. Sold in a 4-pack for roughly $4, they’re designed to be pan-fried until golden brown and crispy, offering a satisfying texture and flavor that feels a bit more substantial than your traditional scallion pancake. Delicious on their own with a dipping sauce or alongside other favorites like fried rice, kimchi, fried eggs and sautéed veggies, they come together in minutes and will never let you down.

3. Pad See Ew

Sold in a 10-ounce box for $3.99, Trader Joe’s Pad See Ew turns a traditional Thai street food into an easy mealtime puzzle piece. Translating to “fried with soy sauce,” Pad See Ew is made with wide, flat rice noodles that are fried in a wok with carrots, Chinese broccoli and tofu before being finished with a splash of light and dark soy sauce for a bold, savory, umami-rich flavor. Able to be microwaved in minutes, this totally vegan dish is perfect as a work lunch, dinner entrée or savory side dish, with a world of flavor and texture in every bite.

4. Cha Siu Bao

A longtime freezer favorite retailing for $4, Cha Siu Bao is one of Trader Joe’s most reliable Asian-inspired picks. These fluffy, steamed parcels come stuffed with Cantonese-style barbecue pork that’s been doused in a savory-sweet oyster sauce. Light and airy while still surprisingly dense and full of flavor, these tasty buns come fully cooked and flash frozen so that they can be heated in a pinch either in the microwave or a steamer.

Easy to eat on their own but also the perfect side dish to a larger savory meal, all you need is a little crunchy chili onion and your favorite sauces to turn these buns into your go-to freezer meal.

5. Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers

New to Trader Joe’s and totally worth stocking up on, Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers come in a 16-ounce bag for just $3.49. Featuring a flat, envelope-like shape, they are designed to be pan-fried to a satisfying golden-brown crisp and come stuffed with spicy Kimchi and glass noodles to create an easy mealtime solution.

Needing only a few minutes on each side in a hot pan with a bit of oil, they truly fit the mold as a reliable weeknight dinner option on their own or paired with rice and stir-fried veggies for an even more authentic Korean-inspired experience. Add a side mix of soy sauce and rice vinegar for dipping, or douse them in Sriracha for an extra-spicy kick.

Related: 5 Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods That Make Back-to-School Nights So Much Easier

Quick & Easy Frozen Pastas

Sure, boiling water for pasta isn’t hard, but making a full meal out of pasta takes more time, and we know weeknights can get hectic real quick. Luckily, Trader Joe’s has some fun, savory, cheesy options in its frozen section. These frozen pastas are the ultimate dinner hack when you need a hearty meal on the table fast.

1. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Another longtime favorite that won’t ever let you down, Trader Joe’s Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is an easy $4 pickup imported directly from Italy. Featuring a tasty potato gnocchi doused in a creamy tomato-based sauce with mozzarella cheese, it comes together quickly and offers roughly three 1-cup servings per 16-ounce bag.

Perfect for one or two people to enjoy alongside a side salad and toasted bread, it can be prepared either on the stove in less than 10 minutes or even faster in the microwave. Top it off with oregano and grated Parmesan, and you’ve got the start of a hearty Italian meal.

2. Pasta Primavera

A new arrival that hit shelves this summer, Trader Joe’s Pasta Primavera comes in a 16-ounce bag for $4.49. Designed to heat and eat in minutes, this fully-cooked pasta blend comes with long, thin, zucchini pieces, ribbons of red bell peppers and bite-sized broccoli florets to create a hearty, satisfying meal.

Paired with Strozzapreti pasta, which serves as a thin, elongated vessel to soak up all the creamy butter-cheese sauce, it’s just the kind of one-pan meal you can turn into a no-fuss weeknight dinner with ease. Whether you enjoy it on its own or pair it with Italian sausages, grilled chicken or garlic bread, you really can’t go wrong with this popular pasta pick.

3. Mushroom Ravioli with Mushroom Truffle Sauce

Truly a gem of a freezer find, Trader Joe’s Mushroom Ravioli retails for $3.49 and produces a creamy, restaurant-worthy meal with almost zero effort. Featuring frozen ravioli imported directly from Italy, each piece is stuffed with a mushroom filling and paired with a delicious mushroom truffle sauce.

Offering an earthy yet rich and flavorful experience, it packs notes of garlic, spices and cream into every bite, beautifully balancing the truffle flavor. Designed to heat in a skillet with just a little bit of water in a few minutes, this freezer staple is a level up from your traditional ravioli, and one you’ll likely be surprised by its wealth of flavor and ability to pair well with your favorite sides.

4. Rigatoni alla Contadina

A personal freezer favorite that I stock up on every time I make a trip, Trader Joe’s Rigatoni alla Contadina is the perfect base to an easy weeknight meal. Sold in a 16-ounce bag for $4.49, I’m usually able to get two meals out of each bag, especially when paired with grilled chicken or some form of Italian meatballs. Needing only about 10 minutes to cook in a skillet, the bag comes packed with rigatoni pasta, creamy sauce pucks, asparagus, broccoli and green peas, all combining to create a super satisfying and easy meal.

5. Penne Arrabbiata

Rounding out the list with another fan-favorite staple, Penne Arrabbiata is one of Trader Joe’s most reliable mealtime picks. It’s a plant-based dish featuring penne pasta and a spicy tomato sauce, packaged in a 16-ounce bag for just $3.49. Brought to life with notes of garlic, chili pepper and white pepper, it features a mild-to-moderate spice that is not at all overwhelming while serving as a savory base for an easy weeknight meal. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly, this dish is wonderful all on its own, but it’s also ripe for upgrades like freshly grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, veggies or your favorite protein.

Now that you have a solid list to start exploring, use these freezer staples as a blank canvas to inspire your own easy weeknight meals. With a little bit of experimentation and an open mind, you might even stumble upon a new favorite you never thought of trying before.

Related: Trader Joe’s Limited-Time $4 Breakfast Staple Is a Must-Try Addition to Your End-of-Summer Grocery List