In winter (and all year round), we’re always looking for low-fuss recipes that make meals both cozy and nutritious. However, it is not always easy to come up with an idea that meets your requirements. Thankfully, the supermarket chain Trader Joe’s has a wide range of affordable, innovative products to simplify your cooking process. With the help of Trader Joe’s, you can have a satisfying meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. Whatever you do, don’t skip the freezer aisle, which is filled with great prepared foods like hash browns, naan bread, and breaded shrimp. We’ve collected a variety of recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner using ingredients available at TJ’s. So what are you waiting for? Make winter meal prep as easy as possible with these Trader Joe’s recipes.
winter breakfast recipes
Winter breakfasts should be hearty, filling, full of protein, and delicious. Thankfully, these easy recipes are perfect for that purpose.
Chara French Toast Stuffed with Strawberry Cream Cheese
For this epic French toast, start by whipping up homemade strawberry cream cheese. To do this, mix together a container of TJ’s whipped cream cheese and 1 cup of peeled strawberries. Make the French toast as usual, setting the cream cheese aside and using two slices of Trader Joe’s Challah Braided Egg Bread in place of the regular bread. Once the French toast is done baking, transfer both slices to a plate and spread strawberry cream cheese on one or both slices. Close the French toast like a sandwich, drizzle with maple syrup, and stuff your mouth with it.
vanilla overnight oat parfait
Alternating layers of vanilla overnight oats, TJ Greek yogurt, banana slices, and spoonfuls of crunchy almond butter make this a healthy and picture-perfect parfait. I love healthy breakfasts that are ready in less than 5 minutes.
ultimate breakfast burrito
These epic breakfast burritos come together in no time and will keep you full and energized until the morning. Bake the hash browns according to package directions and fry the bacon in a skillet on the stove. Remove bacon from skillet and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess fat. Remove excess fat from skillet. Mix the eggs with salt, pepper and a little milk, then scramble and fry in the same skillet until done. Transfer the eggs to a clean plate. Then, assemble the burrito by rolling out the flour tortillas on a flat work surface, adding eggs, hash browns, and bacon to each, then adding shredded cheese, hot sauce, and other toppings. Finally, fold the burrito and enjoy.
ricotta cheese butter toast
This toast tastes and looks gorgeous, but it couldn’t be easier to prepare. Start by toasting the bread. Spread ricotta cheese (you can also make it at home) on the toasted bread and spoon some fig butter on top. Finally, add grated lemon zest, honey, and a pinch of flaky salt.
cinnamon roll waffles
These waffles were made for breakfast on special occasions. Preheat a waffle maker and lightly oil it. Place the cinnamon rolls in the center of the waffle iron, close the lid, and bake for about 4 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Continue baking cinnamon roll waffles one at a time. Serve with fresh berries and maple syrup.
Everything Bagel Avocado Toast
Healthy and super delicious, this avocado toast is a popular weekday dish. Toast the bread. In a small bowl, mash the avocado (this avocado is perfect for two slices of bread) with the back of a fork and season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread the mashed avocado evenly over the toasted bread and sprinkle generously with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning.
winter lunch recipes
Make lunch in just minutes thanks to these comforting recipes featuring some of Trader Joe’s best products.
Smoked pulled BBQ chicken sandwich
Be sure to pick up a package of Trader Joe’s new Hardwood Smoked Pulled Chicken. The flavorful protein can be reheated in the microwave or oven, making it extremely versatile. We love it as a sandwich filling, especially tossed with a few tablespoons of TJ’s Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce and heaped between two slices of buttery brioche bread.
shrimp pesto pasta
This pasta dish has very few ingredients and can easily be bulked up to serve a crowd. While you’re waiting for the pasta to boil, fry the defrosted shrimp in a frying pan with olive oil until they turn pink. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the cooked shrimp to the pasta with a generous amount of pesto and stir to combine.
Lentil salad with bruschetta and goat cheese
The recipe for this virus couldn’t be simpler. Just mix together cooked lentils, store-bought bruschetta, and crumbled goat cheese. If you don’t like goat cheese, you can also try salted feta cheese. Either way, the result is a hearty, flavorful salad that can be eaten alone, as a dip, or on toast, perhaps with thin slices of prosciutto on top.
naan pizza
For a weeknight homemade pizza, serve with tomato sauce and mozzarella on thawed naan bread. Just preheat your oven to 425 degrees, assemble your pizza, and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Finally, add fresh basil, lots of Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for an accent.
winter dinner recipes
When it’s cold and dark outside, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen preparing dinner. Luckily, these easy dinner recipes starring Trader Joe’s greats come together in about 30 minutes or less.
Brown rice and quinoa pasta with Calabrian chili sauce and shredded cheese
For those following a gluten-free diet, we offer comforting pasta dishes. Cook a package of TJ’s Organic Brown Rice and Quinoa Fusilli Pasta according to package directions, drain the pasta, and discard any pasta water. Next, return the cooked pasta to the pot, toss with as much of the Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce as you like, and stir in a handful of shaved Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese. Top with a shower of extra cheese and enjoy.
Smoked pulled pork tacos with habanero ghost pepper salsa
Like our smoked chicken, TJ’s Hardwood Smoked Pulled Pork is seasoned with light brown sugar, maple syrup, and coffee, and is ready to serve just by reheating it. Heat up and try our Organic Stone Ground Yellow Corn Taco Shells with Extra Hot Habanero Ghost Pepper Salsa, sour cream, and your favorite taco fillings.
Ravioli with boursin, peas and vegetables
Make a package of ravioli and add the frozen peas to the boiling water just before the pasta is cooked. Drain and return to the pot, stir in a spoonful of Boursin cheese and a generous amount of olive oil. Boil a handful of spinach and add the vegetable to your pasta, finishing with some torn basil. This dish works not only as the main dish for a dinner party, but also as a modest solo meal.
quick shrimp tacos
Shrimp tacos are a taste of summer, but they make a satisfying meal any time of the year. These breaded frozen shrimp are fully cooked, so they only need to be heated before eating. We love the crispy shrimp sandwiched between warm tortillas with cilantro, sliced ​​avocado, and bright, crunchy coleslaw.
chicken curry
To make a quick chicken curry, heat up a bottle of Thai red curry sauce and add diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pot. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat until the chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Tortellini en broad
Tortellini en brodo is a traditional dish from Bologna, and this version couldn’t be simpler. Bring chicken stock to a boil and season to taste. Add the tortellini to the stock and cook according to package directions. Serve hot with plenty of freshly ground pepper.