16 Fan-Favorite Trader Joe’s Recipes to Make This Winter

In the winter (and all year round), we’re always looking for low-effort recipes that yield cozy, nourishing, meals. However, it’s not always easy to come up with ideas that fit the bill. Thankfully, Trader Joe’s exists, and the supermarket chain stocks a wide range of affordable, innovative products to simplify your cooking process. With the help of Trader Joe’s, you’ll be able to get satisfying meals on the table in a half hour or less. Whatever you do, don’t skip the freezer aisle, which contains amazing prepared ingredients like hash browns, naan, and breaded shrimp. We gathered a variety of recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all of which are made with ingredients you can pick up at TJ’s. So, what are you waiting for? Make your winter meal prep infinitely easier by utilizing the following Trader Joe’s recipes.

Winter Breakfast Recipes

Winter breakfasts should be hearty, packed with satiating protein, and delicious. Thankfully these easy recipes fit the bill.

Strawberry cream cheese-stuffed challah French toast

For this epic take on French toast, you’ll start by whipping up some homemade strawberry cream cheese. To do this, blend together a container of TJ’s Whipped Cream Cheese and a cup of hulled strawberries. Set the cream cheese aside and make the French toast as you normally would, using two slices of the Trader Joe’s Challah Braided Egg Bread instead of your typical bread choice. Once the French toast is done cooking, move both slices to a plate and spread some of the strawberry cream cheese on one or both slices. Close the French toast as you would a sandwich, drizzle some maple syrup on top, and dig in.

Vanilla overnight oats parfait

Treat yourself to a healthy, picture-perfect parfait that includes alternating layers of vanilla overnight oats, TJ’s Greek yogurt, banana slices, and spoonfuls of crunchy almond butter. We love a healthy breakfast that comes together in under five minutes!

The ultimate breakfast burrito

These epic breakfast burritos come together quickly, and will keep you full and energized all morning. Bake hash browns according to the package instructions, and fry bacon in a skillet on the stovetop. Remove the bacon from the skillet, and put it on a plate with a paper towel to absorb extra grease. Discard any excess fat from the skillet. Whisk eggs with salt, pepper, and a splash of milk, then scramble them in the same skillet and cook until done. Transfer eggs to a clean plate. Next, assemble the burritos by laying out flour tortillas on a flat work surface, then adding eggs, hash browns, and bacon to each one, with shredded cheese, hot sauce, and any other desired toppings. Finally, fold up the burritos for serving.

Ricotta-fig butter toast

This toast tastes and looks fancy, but couldn’t be easier to prepare. Start by toasting some bread. On the toasted bread, spread a layer of ricotta (which you can also make at home), then spoon some fig butter on top. Finish with grated lemon zest, drizzled honey, and a pinch of flaky salt. 

Cinnamon roll waffles

These waffles were made for a special occasion breakfast. Preheat a waffle maker and lightly grease it. Place a cinnamon roll in the center of the waffle maker, then close the lid and cook for about 4 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Continue cooking the cinnamon roll waffles one at a time. Serve with fresh berries and maple syrup.

Everything bagel avocado toast

Healthy and super-savory, this avocado toast is a weekday winner. Toast some bread. In a small bowl, mash an avocado (these avocados are perfect for a single serving of two slices of bread) with the back of a fork, and season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread an even layer of mashed avocado on the toasted bread, then sprinkle with a generous amount of Everything But The Bagel Seasoning. 

Winter Lunch Recipes

Whip up lunch in a matter of minutes thanks to these comforting recipes that feature some of Trader Joe’s best products.

Smoked pulled BBQ chicken sandwich

Do yourself a favor and pick up a package of Trader Joe’s new Hardwood Smoked Pulled Chicken. The flavorful protein, which can be popped in the microwave or oven to be reheated, is very versatile. We love it as a sandwich filling, especially when it’s tossed with a few tablespoons of TJ’s Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce and piled high between two pieces of a buttery Brioche bun.

Pesto pasta with shrimp

This pasta dish calls for very few ingredients, and can easily be scaled up to serve a crowd. Boil pasta, and while you wait, sauté some thawed shrimp in a pan with a splash of olive oil until pink and cooked through. Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot. Add the cooked shrimp to the pasta, along with plenty of pesto, and stir to combine.

Lentil salad with bruschetta and goat cheese

This viral recipe couldn’t be easier; just combine pre-cooked lentils with store-bought bruschetta and crumbled goat cheese. If you’re not a goat cheese fan, salty feta works too. Either way, the result is a hearty, flavorful salad that works on its own, as a dip, or on toast, perhaps with a thin slice of prosciutto draped on top.

Naan pizza

For homemade pizza on any old weeknight, top defrosted naan with tomato sauce and mozzarella. Just preheat the oven to 425 degrees, assemble your pizza, and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden. Finish with some fresh basil, a flurry of Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for an added kick.

Winter Dinner Recipes

When it’s cold and dark outside, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen making dinner. Luckily, these easy dinner recipes starring some Trader Joe’s greats come together in about 30 minutes or less.

Brown rice & quinoa pasta with Calabrian chili sauce and shredded cheese

If you follow a gluten-free diet, we’ve got the cozy pasta dish for you. Cook a package of TJ’s Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli Pasta according to the package instructions, drain the pasta and discard the pasta water. Then, add the cooked pasta back to the pot, toss it with as much Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce as your heart desires, and mix in a handful of Shaved Parmesan, Romano & Asiago Cheeses. Top with an extra shower of cheese and serve!

Smoked pulled pork tacos with habanero ghost pepper salsa

Like the smoked chicken, TJ’s Hardwood Smoked Pulled Pork that’s flavored with light brown sugar, maple syrup, and coffee, simply needs to be reheated to be enjoyed. Heat it up and try it in Organic Stone Ground Yellow Corn Taco Shells with Extra Hot Habanero Ghost Pepper Salsa, sour cream, and any other taco fixings you fancy.

Ravioli with Boursin, peas, and greens

Make a package of ravioli, and toss some frozen peas into the boiling water just before the pasta is done cooking. Drain, return to the pot, and stir in a generous spoonful of Boursin cheese and olive oil. Wilt a handful of spinach into the pasta for some extra greens, and finish with torn basil. This dish works equally well as a low-key solo meal, as it does a dinner party main.

Quick shrimp tacos

Shrimp tacos taste like summer, but they make for a satisfying meal at any time of year. These frozen breaded shrimp come fully cooked, so you just need to heat them up before serving. We like the crispy shrimp tucked into warm tortillas with cilantro, sliced avocado, and a bright, crunchy slaw.

Chicken curry

For a speedy chicken curry, heat up a bottle of Thai Style Red Curry Sauce, then add cubed boneless, skinless chicken breast to the pot. Cover the pot with a lid, and cook on low until the chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Tortellini en Brodo

Tortellini en brodo is a Bolognese classic, and this version couldn’t be easier. Bring chicken stock to a boil, and season it to your liking. Add tortellini to the stock, and cook it according to the package instructions. Serve hot, with plenty of freshly ground pepper.