23 Mouthwatering Vegetarian Meals You Can Get At Trader Joe's

Twohy’s been a TJ’s fan ever since she was little, where she remembers joining her mom on grocery trips to the very first Trader Joe’s store in Pasadena, California. Since then, her love for the Trader Joe’s ‘treasure hunt’ (AKA finding fun, new products to try) hasn’t wavered.

In developing The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook: 15th Anniversary Edition, Twohy said crafting the collection of 150 recipes took years.

“Many were tested and debuted when I had a cooking school in CA,” she said. “Now that I live 3 hours round-trip from the closest Trader Joe's, the drive can take longer than the recipe testing! I don't pay much attention to the clock when honing a recipe, because it's so much fun.”

When asked about her favorite items to pick up from TJ’s Twohy was quick to give her best recommendations! Some of her go-to’s include: puff pastry, fennel, the Umami Seasoning Blend, the Corn and Chile Tomato-less Salsa, frozen garlic cubes, creme fraiche, and 10 Minute Farro – and, of course, the entire cheese section.

“If you are a ‘can of this, package of that’ sort of cook, TJ's products are great because they don't use artificial colors, preservatives and all that stuff,” Twohy offered. “Not only [are they] time saving, but good for you, too.”

We were lucky enough to get a peek at some recipes from Twohy’s cookbook: One-Pot Pesto Pasta, Potatoes, and Green Beans and Linguini with Leeks, Shrimp, and Arugula. Scroll on for the deets!

Recipe: One-Pot Pesto Pasta, Potatoes, and Green Beans

"The first time I heard of this classic Ligurian dish, I thought it sounded so strange," Twohy writes. "Talk about carb overload! But the flavors, textures, and colors couldn’t be more perfectly paired, and you’ll be converted to the pasta-and-potato combination with the first bite."

Ingredients:

• 1 large boiling potato (or two small ones)
• 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-inch lengths
• 1/2 (16-ounce) bag thin pasta, such as capellini or spaghetti
• 1/2 cup Trader Joe’s Pesto alla Genovese (in the refrigerated section)
• 2 ounces Trader Joe’s Chevre Goat Cheese, softened
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, scrub the potato and cut into 1-inch cubes. Place the potato cubes in the boiling water and cook until barely tender, about 7 minutes. Scoop the potatoes out of the water with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Add the green beans to the same water and cook until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the potatoes.
3. In the same water, cook the pasta until tender. When you drain the pasta, reserve 1⁄2 cup of the cooking water.
4. In the pasta pot, combine the pesto, goat cheese, and 1⁄4 cup of the water, then add the cooked pasta and toss. Add the potatoes and green beans.
5. If a saucier consistency is desired, add a bit more of the reserved pasta water. Adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper.

Recipe: Linguini with Leeks, Shrimp, and Arugula

"I’m a sucker for the pink-and-green look of this dish," Twohy writes. "The leeks, arugula, and shrimp get all tangled up in the long pasta strands, and the grated Parmesan provides a nutty saltiness I just love."

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 leeks, cleaned and thinly sliced
• 2 cubes frozen crushed garlic
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 (16-ounce) bag linguini (or another long pasta), cooked and drained
• A handful of arugula
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium sauté pan, heat the olive oil and butter. Sauté the leeks over medium-high heat until tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and sauté 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
3. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sauce is slightly reduced.
4. Add the shrimp and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until pink.
5. Toss the leek-shrimp mixture with the cooked pasta. Add the arugula and toss.
6. Add the grated Parmesan, toss, and adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper.

1. Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones

These coffee-flavored, chocolate-covered, mini-sized ice cream cones are a total hoot. Their small size makes 'em unbelievably easy to snack on, though, so it may take some restraint to not eat the whole box in a single sitting (speaking from experience). You get a little bit of creaminess and crunch with each piece, which is insanely satisfying – and something you don't get too much of – from a frozen treat!

2. Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream

These addicting little pockets of blood orange-flavored ice cream wrapped in sweet mochi dough are super nostalgic, especially for someone like me who practically grew up on Flintstone's Push-Ups! They're the ideal finger food, and though you might assume eating each piece is messy, the snackin' experience is anything but. With just enough zing from the blood orange and plenty of sugary goodness, you're definitely going to want to buy at least three boxes at a time during your TJ's runs.

3. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

These ice cream sammies are simply a modern take on a beloved classic. They're just like those popular treats you can pick up at the gas station, but with tons more chocolate chips. TJ's says they've perfected the best "crunchy-chewy ratio" possible for the duo of chocolate chip cookies involved, both of which hug a thick dollop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet summertime – or anytime, really – refreshment.

4. Macaron Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches

This brand-new Trader Joe's frozen dessert already has fans going crazy, and I get it – it's basically two of the best desserts in one! Surrounded by a pair of "delicate" macaron shells, these chocolate ice cream sandwiches are totally chocolated out. I'm certain any fan of chocolate will adore them.

A TJ's fan on Reddit noted that the macaron component of this treat is "perfectly cooked, sweet and chewy," while the ice cream "tastes premium... and has a lot of chocolate flavor."

"It’s like they made these just for me," someone else chimed in on the thread. Same here!

5. Chocolate Croissants

If you didn't know Trader Joe's carries frozen croissants by now, you've truly been missing out. No more paying $5 per pastry at your local cafe! These bake-and-eat goodies are crafted with high-quality butter and semisweet Belgian chocolate for a deliciously sweet balance – all without having to laminate the dough yourself (amen)! I love treating myself to this box to enjoy on a lazy Sunday morning alongside some fresh coffee.

6. Lemon Bars

As fun as they are to make yourself, these frozen, ready-to-eat lemon bars erase the need for you to drag out all of your bakeware! Also – oven, who?! After thawing out at room temp a bit, these truly taste just as fresh as they would if you DIY'ed them. These are my go-to Trader Joe's frozen dessert if I'm attending a party and need to bring something to share... but don't necessarily have all the time in the world to whip something up.

7. Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Die-hard TJ's fanatics might already know the pure magic that is their Speculoos Cookie Butter, but not many know that the grocer's incorporated it into a deliciously creamy pint of ice cream! This frozen find is swirled with the famous butter and packed with pieces of cookie for extra Speculoos oomph. I like to add some chocolate chips to mine (like a total chocolate fiend), but I also think TJ's Teensy Candy Bars or crushed Chocolate Vanilla Creme Joe-Joe's would work wonderfully as toppings.

8. Brownie Crisp Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate and coffee is a top-tier food combo, and it's downright irresistible if it comes in a frozen form like this. While traditional ice cream sandwiches typically come with cookies as the top and bottom layers, this TJ's dessert comes complete with a duo of brownie crisps to provide a unique bite. Eat them on their own, or dare to go bold and try one affogato-style!

Outlawed by Anna North

Lone Women by Victor Lavalle

The Bullet Swallowerby Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Esther's on the run for two reasons: she wants revenge for the brutal murder of her best friend and she wants nothing to do with marrying the man her best friend was formerly promised to. In her mind, there's no better way to right wrongs than by hiding out in the back of a Librarian's book wagon so she help dismantle those who seek to accept one written form of truth.

If we didn't know any better, we'd say that Upright Women Wanted sounds oddly similar to the fight against banned books.

Inland by Téa Obreht

The Sisters Brothersby Patrick DeWitt

The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin