Busy days call for simple solutions, and Trader Joe’s offers plenty of quick and tasty options. Here’s a roundup of 12 super simple meals you can whip up using just three ingredients each, available at your favorite grocery spot. Get ready to simplify your meal prep and still enjoy delicious results!
1. Mandarin Orange Chicken With Vegetable Fried Rice
Combine Trader Joe’s famous Mandarin Orange Chicken with their Vegetable Fried Rice for a flavorful, easy meal.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 320
- Fats: 5g
- Carbs: 53g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 14g
Ingredients:
- Mandarin Orange Chicken
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- Optional: Green onions (for garnish)
Preparation Instructions:
Bake the Mandarin Orange Chicken according to package instructions.
Heat the Vegetable Fried Rice in a pan.
Combine both in a dish and garnish with green onions if desired.
2. Calabrian Chili Pasta With Burrata
Spicy, creamy, and utterly satisfying, this dish combines the heat of Calabrian chilis with smooth burrata over pasta.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 410
- Fats: 22g
- Carbs: 40g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 18g
Ingredients:
- Calabrian Chili Tomato Dumpling Sauce
- Linguine or your choice of pasta
- Burrata cheese
Preparation Instructions:
- Cook pasta as per package instructions.
- Heat the Calabrian chili sauce and pour over the pasta.
- Top with burrata cheese and let it melt slightly before serving.
3. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Spicy, tangy, and refreshing, this pasta salad is a delightful twist on your usual lunch fare.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 350
- Fats: 17g
- Carbs: 32g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 20g
Ingredients:
- Buffalo Style Chicken Dip
- Cooked pasta (preferably penne or fusilli)
- Celery, chopped
Preparation Instructions:
- Cook the pasta, drain and let it cool.
- Mix in the Buffalo Style Chicken Dip thoroughly.
- Add chopped celery for crunch and serve chilled or at room temperature.
4. Sriracha BBQ Meatballs
Sweet, spicy, and perfect as a main dish or a party appetizer, these meatballs are sure to be a hit.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 280
- Fats: 18g
- Carbs: 12g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 17g
Ingredients:
- Turkey Meatballs
- Sriracha BBQ Sauce
- Sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
Preparation Instructions:
- Heat the turkey meatballs as instructed on the package.
- Toss in Sriracha BBQ Sauce until well-coated.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot.
5. 1-Minute Lentil Salad
A healthy, fiber-rich meal that’s ready in a snap, perfect for quick lunches or a side dish.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 230
- Fats: 7g
- Carbs: 30g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Dietary Fiber: 16g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 12g
Ingredients:
- Steamed Lentils
- Bruschetta Sauce
- Crumbled Feta Cheese
Preparation Instructions:
- Mix steamed lentils with bruschetta sauce.
- Top with crumbled feta cheese and serve cold or at room temperature.
6. Chana Masala Tomato Soup
A comforting and hearty meal with the flavors of India, perfect for chilly evenings.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 210
- Fats: 9g
- Carbs: 27g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Dietary Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 7g
Ingredients:
- Tomato soup
- Chana Masala
- Cilantro (for garnish)
Preparation Instructions:
- Warm the tomato soup and Chana Masala together in a pot.
- Serve garnished with fresh cilantro.
7. Pico de Gallo Egg Salad Bagel
A fresh take on breakfast, combining spicy pico de gallo with creamy egg salad on a toasted bagel.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 360
- Fats: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 18g
Ingredients:
- Egg Salad
- Pico de Gallo
- Plain bagels
Preparation Instructions:
- Toast the bagel to your liking.
- Mix the egg salad with pico de gallo.
- Spoon the mixture onto each bagel half and serve.
8. Southwestern Chopped Salad With Avocado
A crunchy, zesty salad that’s as nutritious as it is delicious, perfect for a quick lunch.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 250
- Fats: 20g
- Carbs: 17g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Dietary Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 5g
Ingredients:
- Southwestern Chopped Salad Kit
- Ripe avocado, diced
- Lime juice (optional)
Preparation Instructions:
- Assemble the salad according to the kit instructions.
- Add in diced avocado and a squeeze of lime juice for extra zest.
9. Cheesy Chive-y Biscuits
Fluffy, cheesy, and packed with the flavor of chives, these biscuits are ideal for breakfast or as a side.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 180
- Fats: 9g
- Carbs: 20g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
- Buttermilk biscuit mix
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chives, finely chopped
Preparation Instructions:
- Prepare the biscuit mix as directed, adding in the cheddar cheese and chives before baking.
- Bake as per package directions until golden.
10. Sweet & Spicy Whipped Brie
A delectable blend of sweet and spicy flavors, this whipped brie is perfect for spreading on crackers or toast.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 110
- Fats: 9g
- Carbs: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 6g
Ingredients:
- Brie cheese
- Hot honey
- Walnut pieces
Preparation Instructions:
- Whip the brie cheese until smooth.
- Drizzle hot honey over the whipped brie and sprinkle with walnut pieces.
11. Aglio Olio Bread Dip
Simple yet stunning, this garlicky dip is perfect for any bread-lover’s table.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 150
- Fats: 14g
- Carbs: 5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Preparation Instructions:
- Mix olive oil with garlic powder and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Serve with warm, crusty bread for dipping.
12. Maple & Brown Butter Salmon
Sweet maple and rich brown butter give this salmon a decadent twist, perfect for a quick gourmet meal.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories per serving: 250
- Fats: 15g
- Carbs: 7g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 23g
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Maple syrup
- Brown butter
Preparation Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place salmon on a baking sheet, drizzle with maple syrup and spoon over brown butter.
- Bake until salmon is cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
Conclusion
Enjoy these delightful three-ingredient meals from Trader Joe’s, proving that great flavor doesn’t have to be complicated!
