Trader Joe’s has become my best place to look around and find new things, especially seasonal and everyday items. Now that fall is here, the store has put out some delicious fall goods that capture the cozy feel of the season. Trader Joe’s has pumpkin sheet cake, ice cream, and more for everyone who loves fall.
I found some new things on a recent trip that was the perfect, easy dinner. It only took three things to make and twenty minutes to do, which is a huge plus in my book. If you like quick, tasty meals that still fill you up, you should try this one.
Discovering a New Favorite: Trader Joe’s Ricotta & Lemon Zest Ravioli
I like smaller meals because I cook for myself most of the time. That’s why Trader Joe’s is my go-to for quick dinners. One thing I love about this store is its many pre-packaged meals in smaller portions that are great for nights when I’m busy. I saw Trader Joe’s Ricotta & Lemon Zest Ravioli while walking through the store. It was something I had never seen before.
As someone who loves pasta, I was interested right away. Mixing ricotta with lemon peel for a summery, fresh taste seemed like a fun twist. If lemon tastes make you think of warm foods, I knew I could pair them with something that screamed “fall.”
What I Always Buy at Trader Joe’s in the Fall
Then I went to Trader Joe’s and bought seasonal things like butternut squash and Autumnal Harvest cream sauce for pasta to finish the dish. These items have warm, rich fall tastes that I knew would go well with the lemon ravioli’s lightness.
The butternut squash is already cut up, making it easy to add to a recipe. The Autumnal Harvest sauce is a tasty mix of pumpkin, tomatoes, and butternut squash. It’s smooth and warm and the ideal sauce for pasta recipes that taste like fall.
I rushed home to make this easy meal, and I have to say, it was even better than I thought it would be. This is how I put it together!
Go-To Trader Joe’s Fall Ingredients
Butternut squash already cut up from Trader Joe’s Ricotta and Lemon Zest Ravioli.
- Trader Joe’s Ricotta & Lemon Zest Ravioli
- Pre-cut Butternut Squash
- Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce
Before I did anything else, I boiled the ravioli according to the directions on the box. This normally only needs to boil for 4 to 5 minutes. After the ravioli, drain it and set it aside while you make the sauce.
Instructions:
- Cook the Squash and Sauce: I heated a pan over medium heat and added the pre-cut butternut squash with a little olive oil while the pasta was cooking. I cooked the squash for five to seven minutes until it was soft and browned.
- Cook the Squash and Sauce: Once the squash was soft, I added the Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce to the pan. I let the squash and sauce cook together for a few minutes, which made a rich, tasty base for the pasta.
- Mix Everything: When the ravioli was done, I put it in the pan with the squash and sauce and stirred Everything together. To let the flavors blend, I lowered the heat to low and let the dish boil for about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese: To finish, I sprinkled a lot of cheese over the ravioli. It melted into the dish, giving it that gooey, cheesy finish that makes any pasta dish appealing.
The Taste Test: A Balance of Fall and Summer Flavors
The food was filling, with the bright, sour taste of the lemon going well with the rich, creamy harvest sauce. With each bite, the lemon zest in the pasta balanced out the heavy sauce, making it taste light and fresh. The soft, creamy butternut squash gave the dish a hint of sweetness that went well with the pasta.
My favorite thing about this dish was how the taste changed as I ate it. After the bright lemon notes, the squash and sauce added deep, warm flavors that made every bite interesting and tasty.
The Parmesan cheese made it taste even better by adding the right amount of creaminess to tie Everything together. Every time I took another bite, my mouth watered.
Why I Love Trader Joe’s for Quick Dinners
It is an art for Trader Joe’s to sell handy and delicious items. Just three ingredients made this dinner taste like it took much longer than that twenty minutes.
The pre-cut squash and pasta saved me a lot of time in the kitchen, so I could make a meal that looked like it came from a restaurant on a busy evening.
This store also has great serving sizes for people like me who only cook for one or two people. You don’t have to worry about throwing away food or dealing with leftovers for days. The amount of food I bought was just right for one meal, plus a little extra for lunch the next day.
More Dinner Ideas from Trader Joe’s to Try
You should check out Trader Joe’s ready-made or pre-packaged things if you like easy, tasty meals that don’t need a long list of ingredients. There are a few more easy dinner ideas below that you can make quickly:
- Gnocchi with Autumnal Harvest Sauce: If you don’t want to use ravioli, use Trader Joe’s frozen cauliflower or sweet potato gnocchi instead. Pair it with the same Autumnal Harvest sauce. This is another great fall meal that only takes minutes to make.
- Butternut Squash Mac and cheese: When you want something really comfortable, get a box of Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac and cheese. This dish is smooth and cheesy, and it tastes just like fall. As an extra vegetable, you can add some sautéed spinach or mushrooms.
- Mushroom and Truffle Flatbread: If you want an easy dinner, grab one of Trader Joe’s frozen flatbreads, like the Mushroom and Truffle flavored. This gourmet pizza tastes like it came from a fancy diner. Just put it in the oven and wait less than 15 minutes.
Conclusion
I really think this three-ingredient dinner is the best way to enjoy the tastes of fall quickly and easily. Trader Joe’s Ricotta & Lemon Zest Ravioli, butternut squash, and Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce go together like peanut butter and jelly. The flavors are both bright and warm. One of the best things about it is that it’s quick and easy to make.
You can get these things at Trader Joe’s the next time you’re there and try this recipe. It might become your new favorite fall dinner, too!
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