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- I rely on Trader Joe’s frozen and refrigerated sections for quick, easy meals. Here are 10 premade items that taste homemade. (businessinsider.com)
Local Mom Shares Top Trader Joe’s Picks for Stress-Free Dinners
In the whirlwind of carpools, sporting events, and robotics practices, local mom Jennifer Richmond has discovered a secret weapon for serving up healthy, hearty family meals: Trader Joe’s premade options. For busy parents juggling countless responsibilities, finding the time and energy to cook from scratch can feel like an impossible feat. But Richmond has cracked the code, transforming her kitchen into a haven of quick, delicious dinners thanks to the popular grocery store.
“When I’m craving a homemade meal but just don’t have the time or energy to cook one, Trader Joe’s always comes to the rescue,” Richmond shares. With a wide array of refrigerated and frozen dishes, she’s able to keep her family satisfied throughout the week without the usual culinary chaos.
Richmond has generously shared her top 10 favorite quick and tasty Trader Joe’s dinner solutions. Here’s a peek at some of her standouts:
- Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Quiche: A personal favorite for “fend-for-yourself night,” this quiche bakes up with a flaky, buttery crust and a delicious broccoli and cheddar filling, making it hard to believe it started as a frozen meal.
- Mushroom Risotto: For those chilly evenings, this risotto offers a rich, creamy, restaurant-quality experience in just about 10 minutes on the stovetop, saving precious time typically spent stirring.
- Italian-Style Meatballs: A freezer staple, these fully cooked meatballs are incredibly versatile. They can be tossed into simmering tomato sauce for pasta, or thawed for meatball subs, pizza toppings, or even lasagna.
- Chicken Parmigiana: Richmond credits this dish with getting her through a kitchen remodel, highlighting its ability to deliver tender chicken, crispy breading, and gooey mozzarella, whether microwaved or oven-baked.
- Chicken Marsala with Mashed Potatoes: The rich, perfectly prepared Marsala sauce is the star here, coating the chicken and creamy mashed potatoes for a truly mouthwatering meal.
- Meat Lasagna: This flavorful lasagna tastes like hours of effort, boasting a rich, spicy sauce and tender pasta that holds its form. It’s substantial enough to feed at least three, making it an ideal family meal when paired with a salad and a glass of red wine.
- Asian-Style Vegetables with Stir-Fry Sauce: When dinner ideas are scarce, this bag of pre-chopped vegetables-including carrots, baby corn, and broccoli-saves significant prep time. For added protein, Richmond often incorporates Trader Joe’s grilled-chicken strips.
- Grilled-Chicken Strips: A true workhorse in her fridge, these strips are perfect for quick chicken sandwiches, salads, or even added to chicken soup and quesadillas.
- Roasted-Rosemary Boneless Chicken Breast: While the chicken is delicious, Richmond raves about the flavorful brown-and-wild-rice blend that accompanies it, noting it could be a satisfying meal all on its own.
- Chicken Piccata: The tangy white wine, lemon, and caper sauce in this dish brings a delightful brightness to the breaded chicken, making for a sophisticated, restaurant-worthy dinner at home with the simple addition of a salad.
Richmond’s insights prove that delicious, convenient, and family-friendly meals are well within reach, even for the busiest of schedules, thanks to smart shopping at Trader Joe’s.