As a professional meal planner, I shop primarily at Trader Joe’s for a wide variety of affordable ingredients that simplify meal prep.
The store’s array of pre-seasoned and pre-prepared ingredients for every cuisine and diet makes it easy to create delicious and inventive family meals — even on busy weeknights.
These five dinners are some of my favorites, as they use only a few ingredients from Trader Joe’s, require minimal prep, and are easily adaptable for both plant-based and omnivore eaters.
This chopped falafel salad is my new go-to meal
Ingredients: two heads of romaine lettuce, two Roma tomatoes, an English cucumber, ½ cup of kalamata olives, 7 ounces of Trader Joe’s tabbouleh, ½ cup of Trader Joe’s Goddess dressing, and 12 frozen Trader Joe’s falafel
Main-event salads are one of my favorite ways to feed my mixed-diet family.
This easy Greek-inspired version starts with a bag of frozen Trader Joe’s falafel. While they’re baking, I chop the romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Then, I add them to a large serving bowl.
Next, I stir in Trader Joe’s prepared tabbouleh — an easy addition that adds texture and more Mediterranean flavor.
Once the falafel is cooked, I quarter each one and toss them into the bowl, along with a drizzle of Trader Joe’s Goddess dressing.
When my kids need a little extra motivation to eat their greens, I serve the salad with pita halves so they can turn it into fun, customizable pita pockets.
Skillet lasagna makes for an easy weeknight meal
Ingredients: a tablespoon of olive oil, half of an onion, 24 ounces of Trader Joe’s marinara sauce, two packages of Trader Joe’s vegan ravioli, 2 tablespoons of chopped basil, 6 ounces of vegan Boursin cheese, and a cup of vegan mozzarella shreds
With all the flavors of homemade lasagna, this version requires virtually no prep and is on the table in under 30 minutes.
I start by sautéing the onion and garlic until fragrant. Then, I stir in Trader Joe’s marinara sauce and let it simmer.
Next, I add two packages of ravioli — Trader Joe’s vegan spinach and cashew is my go-to — and cook them for about five minutes.
After removing the skillet from the heat, I add dollops of vegan Boursin cheese and sprinkle on shredded dairy-free mozzarella. A quick broil melts everything to perfection. I finish the meal with fresh chopped basil.
This meal is cozy, comforting, and easy to pull off on a busy weeknight.
You don’t need to be a seasoned chef to serve up this ramen recipe
Ingredients: 2 quarts of Trader Joe’s ginger miso broth, a tablespoon of toasted sesame oil, 14 ounces of Trader Joe’s organic baked teriyaki tofu, four packages of Trader Joe’s miso ramen, 2 cups of chopped napa cabbage, four heads of baby bok choy, and a cup of shiitake mushrooms
Using a few of my favorite Trader Joe’s ingredients, I can easily make a hearty, flavorful bowl of miso ramen.
I start by bringing the ginger miso broth to a boil in a large stockpot.
While it heats, I cube and sauté organic baked teriyaki tofu. Once the broth is ready, I add the noodles and the seasoning from a Trader Joe’s miso ramen cup.
To finish, I stir in chopped bok choy, sliced shiitake mushrooms, and the cooked tofu.
In just 20 minutes and with only a few ingredients, this plant-based ramen delivers great comfort and flavor.
These easy meatball subs are a family favorite
Ingredients: 28 ounces of San Marzano tomatoes, a tablespoon of Italian seasoning, 12 frozen vegan meatballs, 4 ounces of vegan mozzarella shreds, a tablespoon of garlic olive oil, ¼ cup of basil leaves, and four Trader Joe’s sandwich rolls
This meal is almost embarrassingly simple to make, but it’s one my kids request on repeat.
I start by baking the meatballs — meatless for me and beef for the rest of the family. Trader Joe’s has both types in the freezer section.
Once they’re cooked, I slice open sandwich rolls, spread on the marinara, and tuck in the meatballs. I add more marinara on top, sprinkle some shredded cheese, and pop them under the broiler until the cheese melts.
Dinner doesn’t get easier than this family-favorite meal.
This pizza/salad mashup is my favorite dinner shortcut
Ingredients: a package of Trader Joe’s pizza crust, a tablespoon of garlic olive oil, four garlic cloves, ½ cup of vegan mozzarella shreds, and a bag of Trader Joe’s lemony arugula basil salad kit
Trader Joe’s has a great lineup of salads that pair perfectly with pizza, but I like to skip the side dish and serve my salad right on top.
Trader Joe’s precooked pizza crust makes this recipe easy. I start by brushing it with garlic olive oil and layering on fresh garlic slices. Then, I sprinkle it with dairy-free mozzarella and bake for five minutes.
While that’s in the oven, I toss together the ingredients from my favorite lemony arugula basil salad kit. Once the crust is golden, I spoon the salad on top.
It’s a quick, satisfying way to level up pizza night with almost no extra effort.
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