I tried 26 popular frozen meals from Trader Joe's, and would buy at least half of them again

I tried 26 popular frozen meals from Trader Joe's, and would buy at least half of them again
  • As part of an ongoing series, I reviewed 26 of Trader Joe's frozen entrées to find the best ones.

  • I absolutely loved the chain's chicken chow mein, garlic-and-pesto pizza, and mushroom ravioli.

  • Some meals, like the Cuban-style rice bowl and pad thai, left a lot to be desired.

From shareable snacks, like gyoza, to single-serve dinners, such as jackfruit curry, Trader Joe's wide selection of frozen foods has been a lifesaver.

I'm picky about instant meals, though, so I reviewed 26 of Trader Joe's frozen entrées.

Keep reading to find out which options I'll be purchasing again and the ones I'll skip next time.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in January 2022 and most recently updated on September 18, 2024. Product availability may vary by location and time of year.

Trader Joe's riced-cauliflower bowl is a blend of filling, fresh-tasting ingredients

Blue package of Trader Joe's riced cauliflower bowl on wood table
Blue package of Trader Joe's riced cauliflower bowl on wood table

The riced-cauliflower bowl had chickpeas, potatoes, and tofu.Savanna Swain-Wilson

This veggie bowl had a lot going on. It consists of seasoned chickpeas, tofu, and sweet potatoes, all tied together by cauliflower rice and a flavorful tahini sauce.

My mouth was treated to a symphony of textures and flavors with every bite.

The vegetables got to be the star of the show without feeling overly wholesome, but the meal also didn't taste like convenient, frozen food.

Interior of Trader Joe's riced cauliflower bowl, with tofu, chickpeas, and veggies
I thought Trader Joe's riced-cauliflower bowl was a solid vegan dish.Savanna Swain-Wilson

The tofu and vegetables were perfectly cooked, with a slightly crispy exterior and tender center. Remove them from the tray, and you could probably convince me they were roasted in the oven.

Plus, every flavor component was a perfect complement to the others.

I enjoyed the soy-like marinade on the tofu, especially paired with the mild cauliflower rice. The tahini dressing's slightly nutty sesame flavor contrasted with the mellow sweet potatoes, while the onion and spiced chickpeas added an understated kick.

I can see this making a great filling for a wrap with a bit of tzatziki on the side.

This dish could've omitted the kale, as it didn't add much flavor and seemed a bit out of place. But there was so little of it that I didn't mind.

VERDICT: If you're looking for a vegan dish to add to your dinner rotation that isn't pasta or fried, this bowl is your answer.

The mushroom risotto would work as an easy side

Trader Joe's mushroom risotto in original red bag
Trader Joe's mushroom risotto in original red bag

I wasn't sure what to expect from Trader Joe's mushroom risotto.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I'm fully convinced magicians work for Trader Joe's because there's no reason this bagged, frozen mix should've transformed into something this good.

I specifically bought this risotto because it was the last one available in my store, and an associate told me it's one of the chain's most popular items.

Now that I've had it myself, I get why it's constantly selling out.

Trader Joe's mushroom risotto in a brown bowl with a spoon beside it
Trader Joe's mushroom risotto was pretty good.Savanna Swain-Wilson

At a glance, this risotto's texture seemed slightly less thick and creamy than some homemade versions I've tried, but that wasn't a total dealbreaker. The rice was still pillowy, soft, and yummy.

It didn't have an overly salty or processed flavor and tasted like the ingredients had been freshly chopped and thrown into the mix. It even included real mushroom pieces.

Although the simple combination of rice, onions, white wine, and mellow porcini mushrooms with a touch of garlic was yummy, the overall taste was boring.

No one component stood out enough to consider this anything more than a side dish.

VERDICT: I can't see myself buying this all the time, but I'd snag it to serve alongside a meal.

Even though it made for a simple and satisfying meal, the penne arrabbiata wasn't very memorable

Trader Joe's penne arrabiata in original red and orange bag
Trader Joe's penne arrabiata in original red and orange bag

Trader Joe's penne arrabbiata seemed pretty basic.Savanna Swain-Wilson

This was a basic, no-frills pasta dish. There wasn't anything wrong with it, but it also didn't quite live up to my expectations.

The tomatoes dominated the dish, though it had a faint kick of a piquant, peppery flavor.

Trader Joe's penne abriatta cooked and served on a white plate
The sauce in the penne arrabbiata didn't have much to it.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Based on the package's photo, I had anticipated that the sauce would be chunky, but it was thin and broth-like, sliding off the penne a little too easily and leaving behind a soupy pool.

Not all pasta dishes need to be elaborate, but this certainly wasn't one to write home about. Even though topping it with cheese definitely helped, this desperately needed some salt and herbs.

VERDICT: Although Trader Joe's penne arrabbiata could make for a satisfying, last-minute dinner, it wasn't memorable enough for me to buy again.

But if you're looking to feed some picky mouths or children, this could be good to have on hand.

The kung pao tempura cauliflower had great flavor but could've been crispier

blue original package of Trader Joe's kung pao tempura cauliflower
Trader Joe's kung pao tempura cauliflower tasted yummy.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I was very excited to try Trader Joe's cauliflower tempura since I'm always down for anything shareable that can double as an entrée or side.

Making this couldn't have been easier. I poured the florets directly onto a pan, cooked them for 20 minutes, and then tossed them in the sauce. Some of the edges developed brown tips, which I assumed indicated crispness. They looked like boneless chicken wings.

Cooked Trader Joe's Kung Pao tempura cauliflower in a white bowl
Trader Joe's kung pao tempura cauliflower was pretty satisfying.Savanna Swain-Wilson

This meal had potential but wasn't quite there yet. I liked how each cauliflower floret was quite large, making nearly every chunk two bites instead of one.

Plus, the ratio of tempura crust to floret was on point since there was just enough of it on each piece to notice it was there without being overly bready.

The main issue was the texture. Although the batter around each piece was nice and crispy, the cauliflower florets were too soft, even bordering on mushy in some bites.

I've made cauliflower wings in the oven plenty of times and had them crisp up just fine, but maybe the sauce was too heavy.

Despite all this, I kept popping these morsels into my mouth. Once I stopped thinking about them as tempura and instead as their own unique dish, the soft texture became more appealing.

The kung pao sauce had a clearly detectable tang and just the right amount of sweetness, with notes of ginger and spicy soy. It was the definition of lip-smackingly good.

VERDICT: Although the cauliflower tempura could've been a lot crispier, the kung pao sauce was out of this world and made this totally worth the buy.

Next time, I'll prepare this in the air fryer to see if that helps the texture.

Trader Joe's cheese enchiladas would satisfy a craving for a spicy, cheesy meal

bright Yellow package of Trader Joe's cheese enchiladas on a wooden table
bright Yellow package of Trader Joe's cheese enchiladas on a wooden table

Trader Joe's cheese enchiladas were made with Monterey Jack.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Trader Joe's enchiladas can be cooked in the microwave or oven, but the latter takes 25 minutes, which is far too long to wait for a frozen meal.

I went with the easiest route, and it didn't seem to have much of a negative impact on the texture. The tortilla edges were less crunchy, but there wasn't any kind of gummy or processed mouthfeel.

Before cooking, the frozen enchiladas had a crumbly cheese, corn, and cilantro topping, but after a few minutes in the microwave, those components completely vanished. Tiny bits of red and green bell peppers were the only noticeable contrast to the pool of sauce.

Trader Joe's cheese enchiladas cooked in white microwaveable container
The toppings got lost in the mix when I cooked Trader Joe's cheese enchiladas.Savanna Swain-Wilson

There were no meat or beans in sight, so it sort of felt like eating a baked cheese roll-up doused in red sauce — but not in a bad way. A river of gooey Monterey Jack oozed out of the tortilla seams when my fork touched them.

I would've preferred more bell peppers or onions. The red sauce was far from the best I've had, but it got the job done with a strong presence of cumin.

These weren't really spicy and left a lingering onion taste in my mouth for several minutes.

VERDICT: Overall, these enchiladas were about as basic as frozen food gets, though they could likely be improved with some additional toppings, like sour cream. I don't see myself buying them regularly, but if I ever crave an enchilada and don't want to make an entire tray, I may throw these in my cart.

The vegetable pad thai was an OK substitute for takeout but could've used more spice

Trader joe's vegetable pad thai in original beige box
Trader joe's vegetable pad thai in original beige box

Trader Joe's vegetable pad thai was fine.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Many Trader Joe's customers love this pad thai, but I just didn't see the hype.

I'm not sure why it used cashews instead of peanuts. I understand the desire to be allergy-friendly but that crunchy texture is the key to a good pad thai. Instead, the nuts got buried under everything else.

Also, why did this single-serving dinner have so many bean sprouts? There was no reason for Trader Joe's to give them a starring role when they're clearly supposed to be a supporting character.

I'm not exaggerating either. They're the first ingredient listed on the side of the box. The ratio of noodles to sprouts was a near-even split.

Cooked TraderJoe's pad thai is microwaveable black container
I wondered why there were so many bean sprouts in the pad thai.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Meanwhile, the tofu suffered from a lack of seasoning, but there was so little of it that I barely noticed it was there.

The rice noodles also had an inconsistent texture. Some parts were crunchy, while others clumped into gummy piles.

But this pad thai had one redeeming quality — its sauce. It was far from perfect but darn good.

It had a nice sweet-and-sour profile with a faint touch of chile that was genuinely enjoyable. Though, it was noticeably sweeter than most pad-thai sauces I've had. Had the other components of the dish tasted better, I might've scraped the sides of my tray for it.

VERDICT: I'll always appreciate Trader Joe's for offering vegan versions of popular dishes that can be easily customized with the addition of meat and hot sauce.

If you're new to Thai food and want to try something that doesn't contain any fish sauce and isn't particularly spicy, this might be a good entry point.

But between its textural inconsistencies and good-but-not-great sauce, this frozen rendition was mostly disappointing. I won't be purchasing it again.

These stuffed shells would be perfect for anyone who wants a simple, cheesy dinner

Trader joe's yellow box of frozen stuffed shells on wooden table
Trader joe's yellow box of frozen stuffed shells on wooden table

Trader Joe's stuffed shells were hearty.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty these shells were.

They perfectly captured everything I crave in pasta — an ample presence of gooey cheese, plenty of yummy, luscious tomato sauce, and an al-dente carb to hold it all together.

I would've been fine if these shells contained just cheese on the inside, but I appreciated how the spinach made them a bit more sophisticated. Plus, I certainly won't complain about any dish that helps me to sneak extra greens into my diet while still tasting like a comfort meal.

The filling had a slightly bitter, earthy taste, but the yummy tomato sauce and cheese did an excellent job of masking it.

Cooked Trader Joe's stuffed shells in black microwaveable container
I'd buy Trader Joe's stuffed shells again.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Overall, these shells made for a satisfying dinner, and I loved that I didn't need to turn on my stove or oven to make them.

Unfortunately, some of the sauce-and-cheese mixture solidified into a thick ring of burnt crust that clung to the sides of the tray, rendering it totally inedible. I didn't microwave it any longer or less than instructed, so be mindful of your appliance's strength when consulting the cooking time.

VERDICT: Although I could've done without the dieting lingo on the label — "Reduced-guilt" pasta? C'mon, Trader Joe's — I thought these stuffed shells were worth the buy.

The mushroom ravioli was a dream come true

Bag of trader joe's mushroom ravioli beside cooked white plate of it
Bag of trader joe's mushroom ravioli beside cooked white plate of it

Trader Joe's mushroom ravioli was stuffed with ricotta.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Unlike the fresh options, this ravioli comes with the sauce in the frozen mix, which I've found can be a hit or miss. As a result, I lowered my expectations.

Turns out, I seriously underestimated Trader Joe's.

This ravioli was unbelievably delicious. Between its soft mushroom-ricotta filling and rich yet amazingly not heavy truffle sauce, this meal felt far more luxurious than a frozen entrée.

The sauce was like a thick gravy, with tiny bits of mushroom speckled throughout that accentuated its savory flavors. It seeped into the ravioli pockets and gave them an irresistibly buttery, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

An inside look at the filling of Trader Joe's mushroom ravioli
I was a fan of the sauce in the mushroom ravioli.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Each bite boasted an earthy, umami truffle flavor that balanced out the saltiness in the sauce. The only thing missing was the presence of an herb.

Overall, this was pure comfort food in less than seven minutes. 

VERDICT: If you're a fan of mushrooms — and particularly, the taste of truffle — this is an absolute must-buy.

Although the Cuban-style rice bowl had some good qualities, it didn't blow me away

Trader joe's cuban-style rice bowl in blue packaging on wooden table
Trader joe's cuban-style rice bowl in blue packaging on wooden table

Trader Joe's Cuban-style rice bowl looked promising.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Based on the box's picture, I believed this bowl would contain a vibrant, colorful medley of ingredients, but I found a muted, yellow palette.

Most notably, there was no green to be found, as the cilantro is not included.

Unfortunately, the lack of color seemed to be a good indicator for what was to come, since this rice bowl left a lot to be desired.

Cooked Trader Joe's Cuban-style rice bowl in black microwaveable container
I wanted more from Trader Joe's Cuban-style rice bowl.Savanna Swain-Wilson

The rice tasted fine and had a subtle lime flavor, but the chicken was dry. The beans had a decent, albeit boring, profile.

On top of that, there were only three plantain chunks in the entire bowl, which I found super disappointing since they added a unique sweetness that paired well with the citrusy component.

The hot sauce I added improved the meal, but this dish wasn't worth it.

VERDICT: This could've been great with a few minor tweaks, but it was pretty lackluster as is and not worth buying.

Trader Joe's garlic-and-pesto pizza was one of the most amazing frozen pizzas I've ever made at home

dark-colored box of Trader Joe's roasted garlic and pesto pizza on wood table
dark-colored box of Trader Joe's roasted garlic and pesto pizza on wood table

Trader Joe's garlic-and-pesto pizza was made with four different cheeses.Savanna Swain-Wilson

This pizza's strength was in its simplicity.

The crust was the star of the show, with just the right balance of buttery and salty flavors. I loved how it had some puffy, airy pockets and crunchy thin sections, giving me the impression of freshly baked dough.

I was initially skeptical about the lack of tomatoes or sauce, but this was loaded with so much scrumptious flavor that I didn't even miss it.

The combination of four luxurious cheeses — mozzarella, Parmesan, burrata, and provolone — along with the garlic bits, mouthwatering crust, and dollops of smooth, nutty pesto was otherworldly.

cooked Trader Joe's garlic and pesto pizza on cutting board with pizza slicer beside it
Trader Joe's garlic-and-pesto pizza blew me away.Savanna Swain-Wilson

But this pizza's brilliant construction was what really set it apart. The dollops of pesto around the surface accentuated the other flavors rather than overpowering them, so every ingredient had time to shine.

VERDICT: As someone who has eaten plenty of frozen pizzas in my life, I can confidently say this may be one of the best. Between the fresh-baked taste of its crust and scrumptious, cheesy pesto topping, it's yummy enough to keep me from ordering delivery.

For instant vegan comfort food, look no further than this yellow jackfruit curry

Trader Joe's box of jackfruit curry beside bowl with cooked entree
Trader Joe's box of jackfruit curry beside bowl with cooked entree

Trader Joe's yellow jackfruit curry was one of the best foods I tried.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Jackfruit is the true MVP of plant-based protein, and the stringy, meaty fruit has become one of my favorite meat replacements.

This meal took over five minutes to make in the microwave but was well worth the wait — it was easily one of the best foods I've tried from Trader Joe's frozen section.

The rice and curry are separated, which is nice since I could alternate bites. However, I mixed mine together in a separate bowl to get the full effect.

Cooked Trader Joe's yellow jackfruit curry in black microwavable package
The yellow-curry sauce was really flavorful.Savanna Swain-Wilson

In addition to jackfruit, this curry boasted a delicious melange of colorful bell peppers, onions, and eggplant, which didn't develop a rubbery texture in the microwave. The rice also turned out perfectly fluffy and yummy.

The sauce really won me over with its complex combination of aromatic spices, like coriander and turmeric, and the rich coconut milk was absolutely amazing. It also had a decent amount of heat, about on par with a medium salsa.

Plus, the meal kept me full for hours without feeling heavy.

VERDICT: I highly recommend adding this jackfruit curry to your list. It was easy to throw together and incredibly delicious.

Trader Joe's French onion soup tasted much better than it looked

Trader Joe's package of french onion soup beside cooked bowl of it
Trader Joe's package of french onion soup beside cooked bowl of it

Trader Joe's French onion soup looked unappealing.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Straight out of the package, this entrée comes as two frozen masses of broth, onion, and cheese about the height of a small coffee mug.

I liked that it came with two individually wrapped servings, so I didn't have to worry about cooking everything all at once.

Per the instructions, this soup can be prepared in the microwave or oven, but I opted to cook it the fastest way possible.

Unfortunately, the soup looked pretty mediocre out of the microwave. Clumps of cheese separated into tiny bits, giving the broth a chunky and murky brownish-white appearance that was anything but appetizing.

Trader Joe's cooked french onion soup scooped in a bowl with a spoon
The French onion soup had good flavor.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Thankfully, this meal tasted better than it looked. I wouldn't call it amazing, but it totally satisfied my craving for French onion soup.

The broth was decent, though noticeably less salty than restaurant versions, and the onions were definitely the dominant flavor, giving it a more mellow, earthy taste rather than a savory, beefy one.

Thyme or a splash of red wine could've added some depth, but since this soup came together in less than five minutes in my microwave, I leveled my expectations.

VERDICT: If convenience is your priority, this is worth having on hand. I'll keep this in the back of my freezer, especially during winter.

The vegetable gyoza is worth having on hand at all times

Green package of Trader Joe's frozen veggie gyoza behind chopsticks holding a dumpling
Green package of Trader Joe's frozen veggie gyoza behind chopsticks holding a dumpling

Trader Joe's Thai vegetable gyoza was yummy.Savanna Swain-Wilson

This gyoza has been my jam for several years now. I've tried many other frozen options from different brands, but none have held a candle to this one.

Each dumpling tasted light and fresh, like a spring roll, but it was flavorful enough to satisfy a savory craving. Its yummy vegetarian filling of scallions, cabbage, and carrots paired with bold notes of garlic and ginger satisfied a savory craving.

I say this as someone who loves sauce on everything: These dumplings are yummy enough to eat plain.

If you're interested, Trader Joe's sells gyoza sauce, but these only need a bit of plain soy sauce, if any.

Quick, convenient, and delicious, these gyoza are hard to beat as far as frozen foods go. They retain their firmness even after being microwaved, which makes them a great meal to throw together in a time crunch.

If you like your dumplings to have a crispier bite, you can cook them in a pan with some oil.

VERDICT: Great as a last-minute dinner or on a platter for groups, this easy-to-cook vegetarian gyoza hits all the right notes. It's a repeat purchase in my house.

The hatch-chile chicken wraps exceeded all of my expectations

Trader Joe's hatch chili burritos in original clear packaging
Trader Joe's hatch chili burritos in original clear packaging

Trader Joe's hatch-chile chicken wraps were delightful.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Until these wraps, I'd never found a frozen meal that was so yummy it stopped me mid-bite. I immediately had to text my friend, "Hey, next time you go to Trader Joe's, you've got to try this."

Trader Joe's frozen section offers many different Tex-Mex and Mexican-inspired dishes, but I noticed these because of the "hatch chile" description.

The hatch chile is a green pepper from the Southwest part of the US known for its bold, spicy, and smoky flavor. It's slightly sweeter than its cousin, the chipotle chile, so it's great for giving dishes an obvious yet not overpowering kick.

cooked Trader Joe's hatch chili chicken wrapped cut in half on white plate
Trader Joe's hatch-chile chicken wraps were made with a great combination of vegetables and meat.Savanna Swain-Wilson

The package has two separate wraps, so you can turn it into two light meals.

Each wrap contained several chunks of juicy chicken, mildly spicy green chiles, jalapeño, black beans, gooey mozzarella, and Monterey Jack cheese. These flavors formed an incredible combination.

On the outside, the folds of the flour tortilla provided a nice backdrop for all this savory, salty, and spicy goodness.

VERDICT: Even though I've only tried this wrap once, I can easily see it becoming my newest obsession. I don't know how I'll ever return to regular frozen burritos after this.

The vegan Bolognese was so delicious that it gave the meat version a run for its money

Original package of trader joe's vegan pasta bolognese on wood table
Original package of trader joe's vegan pasta bolognese on wood table

Trader Joe's vegan Bolognese was made with red-lentil pasta.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Even though I'm no longer a full-time vegetarian, I'm grateful that I live in a time when there are so many delicious meatless options. And this Bolognese marks another addition to my ever-expanding list.

I'm still amazed by how well the mushrooms mimicked sausage's texture, flavor, and scent. Had you served this to me without saying anything, I would've assumed it was meat.

cooked Trader Joe's vegan pasta bolognese in clear microwaveable container
Trader Joe's vegan Bolognese was pretty good.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Overall, this vegan bolognese was pretty good. It boasts twisted lentil pasta and a thick, chunky tomato sauce with strong notes of rosemary.

I'm not sure why Trader Joe's used lentil pasta since it didn't make this meal gluten-free, but the added kick of fiber and protein was still nice.

However, after a few bites, I quickly got bored of this dish. I couldn't quite put my finger on what was missing, but it lacked something crucial to make me want to keep eating it.

It may have needed some cheese, which defeats the purpose of it being vegan, but this was begging for an added kick of salty Parmesan or creamy mozzarella, at the very least.

VERDICT: Overall, this was a pretty decent-sized vegan meal with plant-based protein.

Between its solid protein content and savory meaty taste, I can totally see this dish winning over even the most devout carnivore.

The gluten-free chickenless riced-cauliflower stir fry wasn't my favorite, but it made a great base

Trader Joe's chickenless riced cauliflower stir fry
Trader Joe's chickenless riced cauliflower stir fry

Trader Joe's riced-cauliflower stir fry was made with plant-based chicken.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Though I'll give Trader Joe's props for providing enough vegetables in the chain's chickenless stir fry to distract from the fact that it uses cauliflower rice, I thought it was lacking in the flavor department.

The bag says it's seasoned with ginger and tamari but to me, it literally just tasted like a cooked bag of plain vegetables with a hint of stir-fry sauce mixed in.

I thought the plant-based "chicken" morsels didn't add much, other than an awkwardly chewy texture. More than anything, I was disappointed by the amount of pineapple. I had to dig through a mountain of peas and carrots before I found the measly two pineapple pieces in the mix.

Trader Joe's chickenless riced cauliflower stir fry in a pan
I wished the chickenless riced-cauliflower stir fry had more pineapple pieces.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I ended up topping the stir fry with every possible chile sauce I had on hand to make sure it didn't go to waste. But by the time I finished eating, I wished I had just made my own stir fry.

VERDICT: Unless you're really trying to commit to a low-carb diet, I think you're better off buying instant rice and frozen veggies for your own stir fry.

The vegan Thai green curry had great flavor, but I wasn't impressed by the tofu

Trader Joe's vegan Thai green curry box next to tray of curry
Trader Joe's vegan Thai green curry box next to tray of curry

Trader Joe's vegan Thai green curry had too much rice.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Trader Joe's vegan green curry contained tofu sheets rather than cubes, which, after microwaving, turned into fibrous and overly chewy rectangles that took up the bulk of the limited tray space. I was also caught off guard by a lime wedge buried in the mix.

I wish the valuable tray space had been used to hold more vegetables, like bell peppers, instead of the lime wedge. There were maybe two pieces of actual vegetables in the entire meal.

Trader Joe's vegan Thai green curry in a tray after microwaving
I wasn't a fan of the tofu but I really enjoyed the green-curry sauce.Savanna Swain-Wilson

It's a pity because, in my opinion, the green-curry sauce was fantastic. It was spicy and aromatic, with notes of fresh lemongrass and Thai basil coming through on the nose and palate. I ended up spooning the soupy mixture over the rice and eating that, which was great. Unfortunately, there was double the amount of rice than curry in the tray, so I had a lot of extra rice.

VERDICT: I applaud Trader Joe's for giving customers a vegan curry dish that can be whipped up in minutes, but I'll stick with takeout.

Trader Joe's outside-in stuffed gnocchi was like a grown-up take on pizza rolls

Trader Joe's outside-in stuffed gnocchi package
Trader Joe's outside-in gnocchi was stuffed with tomato sauce and cheese.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Historically, I haven't been a huge fan of Trader Joe's frozen gnocchi, so it almost seems silly that I bought the chain's outside-in stuffed version. But this gnocchi is the first one I'm giving a positive review for.

After cooking on the stove per the instructions, the gnocchi developed slightly browned edges and a soft, doughy, dumpling-like texture. The flavor was reminiscent of pizza rolls but far less salty.

Trader Joe's outside-in stuffed gnocchi in a bowl with shreds of Parmesan on top
I topped Trader Joe's outside-in gnocchi with more cheese.Savanna Swain-Wilson

To be honest, the tomato sauce and mozzarella-cheese filling didn't pack as much flavor as I hoped, but its presence was still welcome. Adding a few shakes of red and black pepper and grated Parmesan really made the gnocchi pop.

As with most frozen gnocchi, I'm sure it would greatly benefit from being served in a creamy sauce.

VERDICT: If I ever buy a frozen gnocchi again, it'll be Trader Joe's outside-in stuffed one.

The chicken chow mein was one of the best frozen meals from the chain's Chinese-inspired lineup

Trader Joe's chicken chow mein package
Trader Joe's chicken chow mein package

Trader Joe's chicken chow mein had lots of vegetables and noodles.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Don't get me wrong, I love the frozen orange chicken as much as the next person, but to me, Trader Joe's chicken chow mein works much better as a stand-alone meal. It's got some carbs from the noodles, protein from the chicken, and fiber from the vegetables.

Each component is tied together by a delicious, slightly sticky sauce that has the right balance of soy and hoisin for a touch of sweetness. Despite all the flavor, it somehow tasted quite light with no weird artificial aftertaste.

Trader Joe's chicken chow mein in a bowl
I was a fan of Trader Joe's chicken chow mein.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I thought it tasted even better the next day after all the flavor soaked into the noodles. Best of all, everything is cooked together in a single pan, so no veggie-chopping or noodle-boiling is required.

VERDICT: Trader Joe's chicken chow mein is a keeper.

Add some salsa to the cheese-and-chile tamales for an easy, delicious vegetarian meal

Trader Joe's cheese and green chile tamales
Trader Joe's cheese-and-green-chile tamales had a weirdly sweet flavor to me.Savanna Swain-Wilson

The exterior of Trader Joe's cheese-and-chile tamales was soft and fluffy, with a mild corn flavor I found unexpectedly sweet — like cornbread. The tamales were filled with mild, creamy cheese, which made the sweetness even more apparent.

Unwrapped and plated Trader Joe's green chili tamales
I'd add hot sauce or onions and cilantro to the tamales next time.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I wondered if the meatier varieties have a more savory flavor to counteract the sweetness. The green chiles were a nice touch, but to me, they got buried under the sweetness.

Overall, the tamales weren't bad. They were just a little one-note. I'd buy them again and top them with hot sauce or chopped onions and cilantro to make them more savory.

VERDICT: I prefer the frozen bean and cheese burritos, but this is still a great way to enjoy tamales without all the prep work.

I thought Trader Joe's vegetable-and-cheese enchiladas were a disappointing, soggy mess

A black package with green and yellow letters spelling out "Vegetable and cheese enchiladas" and a two-pack of enchiladas covered with a red sauce next to the package
Once cooked through, Trader Joe's vegetable-and-cheese enchiladas didn't impress me.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Each vegetable-and-cheese enchilada contained chunks of nopal cactus and peppers, but they were indistinguishable under all the cheese and sauce. Unfortunately, the soupy red sauce wasn't anything to write home about, either.

A brown plate with two enchiladas stacked on top of each other with a mound of avocado on top
I was hoping Trader Joe's vegetable-and-cheese enchiladas would have more flavor, but they were kind of bland.Savanna Swain-Wilson

To me, the enchiladas tasted mainly like tomato sauce that was heavily seasoned with chile powder.

I wasn't expecting frozen enchiladas to be mind-blowing, but they took 40 minutes to fully cook in the oven — just 20 minutes shy of what it would take to make this dish from scratch. Though they can also be prepared in the microwave, I still don't think this is worth making again.

VERDICT: Thankfully, topping the dish with avocado helped add more flavor. But otherwise, these enchiladas were very underwhelming.

In my opinion, the chicken-shawarma bowl was forgettable

A bright-yellow box with an image of a bowl of rice, peppers, a white sauce, and chicken pieces with a white label saying "chicken shawarma bowl"
A bright-yellow box with an image of a bowl of rice, peppers, a white sauce, and chicken pieces with a white label saying "chicken shawarma bowl"

For me, there wasn't anything special about Trader Joe's chicken-shawarma bowl.Savanna Swain-Wilson

The picture on the box promised a generous dollop of luscious, creamy garlic sauce over fluffy, herby, golden rice, juicy chicken bits, pickled onions, and red peppers.

However, the finished dish I pulled from my oven had sad-looking, barely flavorful toppings that almost disappeared when I moved my fork over the rice.

A white bowl filled with rice, herbs, and peppers with a forkful of the food in front of the bowl
Trader Joe's chicken-shawarma bowl looked disappointing when I took it out of the oven.Savanna Swain-Wilson

The dish didn't impress me even after going the extra mile to bake the chicken shawarma rather than cook it in the microwave. It had a dull note of savory garlic without any other distinct taste or seasoning. By the third bite, I was bored and ready to order something else.

VERDICT: Overall, I don't think the chicken-shawarma bowl is worth picking up from the store.

I hoped Trader Joe's spicy peanutty noodle bowl with chicken would be good

A box with a red label and white letters spelling out "Peanutty noodle bowl with chicken" and an image of a bowl of noodles with a red sauce
A box with a red label and white letters spelling out "Peanutty noodle bowl with chicken" and an image of a bowl of noodles with a red sauce

I enjoyed Trader Joe's spicy peanutty noodle bowl with chicken.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I had high hopes for this dish after the Trader Joe's cashier raved about it, and I'm happy to report my expectations were exceeded in every way.

From the sauce's layers of umami, salty-peanut flavors to the varying textures of slightly chewy udon noodles, tender chicken chunks, and crunchy-nut topping in each bite, this was seriously impressive for something out of a box.

A black bowl filled with noodles, green vegetables, sliced carrots, and a red-orange sauce
Trader Joe's spicy peanutty noodle bowl with chicken was very flavorful.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I smacked my lips and marveled at the combination of ingredients, like brown sugar and hoisin sauce, listed on the package.

VERDICT: If I worked in an office, this would be a repeat lunch for me.

Trader Joe's green-chile chicken bowl contained great-tasting ingredients, but the rice was pretty lackluster

A box showing a picture of a chicken and chile bowl with a green label over part of the bowl
A box showing a picture of a chicken and chile bowl with a green label over part of the bowl

Trader Joe's green-chile chicken bowl packed lots of flavor.Savanna Swain-Wilson

For this meal, I followed the box's suggested oven preparation and baked it for 45 minutes.

It heavily smelled and tasted of cumin and green chiles, further enhanced by the melted cheddar cheese and pepper pieces. But don't worry — this meal was only mildly spicy.

The shredded chicken was well-seasoned and offered a surprisingly tender mouthfeel. I added a few splashes of hot sauce to bring out the spice even more.

A white bowl filled with shredded chicken, green chiles, and beans with a black fork sticking out of it
I wasn't a fan of the rice in Trader Joe's green-chile chicken bowl.Savanna Swain-Wilson

In my opinion, the only problem with this meal was the rice.

Even after the suggested 45 minutes in the oven and stirring the contents with a fork, the rice was mushy and clumped together. But, given how much flavor was packed into this meal, I'd say it was a flaw worth overlooking.

Next time, I'd throw avocado and a squeeze of lime on this to add a touch of brightness.

VERDICT: Despite the less-than-stellar rice, I'd buy this again.

The kimbap must be one of the tastiest options in Trader Joe's freezer section

An orange package of kimbap with pieces of kimbap, including seaweed, tofu, and rice
An orange package of kimbap with pieces of kimbap, including seaweed, tofu, and rice

I was excited to see what Trader Joe's kimbap would taste like.Savanna Swain-Wilson

The kimbap has been consistently out of stock at my Trader Joe's since it dropped, and I can see why. This product is delicious.

The package consisted of nine generously sized rolls of seaweed filled with rice, tofu, and an impressive array of veggies.

Thanks to ingredients like carrots and pickled radish, each roll offered a good balance of salty-umami flavors and a faint hint of sweetness.

A white plate filled with kimbap, with the fillings facing the camera. The kimbap is filled with pieces of tofu, pickled radish, and carrots
Trader Joe's kimbap was delicious.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I'd even say this kimbap was on par with some versions of the dish I've had as takeout.

Overall, it had a surprisingly complex flavor profile for a microwavable meal. It didn't need any condiments, but I dipped a few pieces in soy sauce just to make the flavors pop more.

VERDICT: I'd recommend this to anyone that's tired of salads and pasta and looking for an easy, meat-free dinner option.

Trader Joe's linguine with pesto and tomatoes yields a classic Italian dinner in just a few minutes

A bag with a large image of pasta with pieces of tomatoes and herbs on it
A bag with a large image of pasta with pieces of tomatoes and herbs on it

I wasn't sure how good Trader Joe's linguine with pesto and tomatoes would be.Savanna Swain-Wilson

Straight out of the bag, the frozen clumps of pesto, linguine, and tomatoes that came with this meal looked questionable.

But after five minutes of pan-frying each component in some oil, they transformed into a decent pasta dish that didn't taste too far off from what I'd get if I boiled the noodles and added a jarred sauce myself.

Bird's-eye-view of a brown bowl containing pasta with pesto and pieces of tomatoes
Trader Joe's linguine with pesto and tomatoes was pretty tasty and easy to make.Savanna Swain-Wilson

I appreciated the inclusion of cherry tomatoes, as they added a subtle touch of sweetness that complemented the salty pesto.

Nothing beats a homemade sauce with fresh basil, but this wasn't bad for something out of a bag. Flecks of dried herbs, along with a noticeable presence of dried garlic, did most of the heavy lifting flavor-wise.

Yes, the pesto was quite oily and lingered in the mouth for a while after eating. However, it clung well to the stringy linguine, so I don't have too many complaints.

VERDICT: Because of how much time and effort this frozen meal saves, I'd say it's worth buying.

Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series.

Read the original article on Business Insider