Chris and I cook the exact same meals day after day… it’s easy to get caught in a recipe rut when you don’t have a whole lot of time to prepare and cook dinner in the evenings. Last week we got a little fed up (lol) with our repeat recipes and decided to get creative and try out some new ones – hence a trip to Trader Joe’s! All of these meals are SUPER easy and we usually had enough left over for at least one lunch portion the next day. They each take less than 30 minutes to make, and they’re surprisingly tasty, too!
Caprese Ravioli
This was probably mine and Chris’s favorite recipe out of all three – we both agreed that it needed to make it’s way into our weekly rotation! It’s soooo good and decadent and fresh. You will love it!
Ingredients:
- 1 package of Trader Joe’s Chicken & 4 Cheese Ravioli
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 oz. Trader Joe’s Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Balsamic Glaze to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Directions:
- Cook ravioli according to the package instructions.
- In a large skillet or pan over medium heat, add olive oil and cherry tomatoes. Let blister for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked ravioli to the skillet with the tomatoes.
- Top with the mozzarella balls. You can also spoon on some of the marinade for extra flavor. Cover and let cook for 2 minutes (not too long or the mozzarella will melt!).
- Top with balsamic glaze and fresh basil, and enjoy!
Chili Lime Chicken Fajitas
Chris and I love a good chicken fajita recipe! This one is especially nice because it’s ready in under ten minutes. I still like the taste of my sheet pan fajitas a little better, but these are ready in much less time. You save a lot of time by not having to cut up all those veggies! Oh and definitely do yourself a favor – don’t buy the “healthier” tortillas – flour is the way to go!
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 package of Trader Joe’s Frozen Fire Roasted Peppers and Onions
- 1 package of flour tortillas (at first we tried a healthier option, but I definitely prefer the flour tortillas!)
- 2 Tbsp Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Seasoning
- Olive oil
- Optional: fresh limes, fresh cilantro, Greek yogurt or shredded cheese for topping
Directions:
- Toss chicken breasts strips in olive oil and chili lime seasoning until they are well coated. Heat on a skillet until cooked through.
- In a separate skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil and then pour desired amount of frozen peppers and onions. Heat on high, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until done.
- Toss together the chicken breast strips and veggies.
- Garnish with cilantro leaves and squeeze lime juice all over the chicken and peppers mixture.
- Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brussel Sprouts & Chicken Sausage
This next recipe is an unexpectedly delicious dish. I wasn’t sure how all three of these ingredients (gnocchi, Brussels sprouts and sausage) would all taste together, but I really loved it. And another win: it takes less than 15 minutes to prepare!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag Trader Joe’s Frozen Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- 1 package of Trader Joe’s Smoked Apple Chardonnay Chicken Sausage
- Brussels sprouts (To save time you can buy Trader Joe’s Shaved Brussels Sprouts. My TJ’s was sold out so I just got regular and they worked too!)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Directions:
- Chop Brussels sprouts if you aren’t using the shaved ones.
- Slice chicken sausage into coins.
- In a large pan over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp olive oil.
- Add chicken sausage coins and cook for 4 minutes on each side or until each side is browned. Set aside.
- Add Brussels sprouts to the pan and cook for 2-3 or until softened. Set aside.
- Add the other 1 tbsp. olive oil and frozen sweet potato gnocchi to the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until softened and warm.
- Add sausage and Brussels sprouts back to the pan and cook everything for another 2 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Let me know if you try them and what you think!
Thank you for sharing these! I especially want to make the chicken sausage recipe.
I am totally going to make the gnocchi recipe with the cauliflower gnocchi!!!
I make similar meals, I’ll h a to try every product you used from Traders Joe’s, they all look so yummy!
I am definitely going to traders joe tomorrow. Lol thanks for sharing your recipe. Now Im hungry haha
Can you please share a link for the plates?
They’re from Pottery Barn!
These all look bombbbb!
I LOVE Trader Joe’s easy dinner hacks. I will definitely try these! Here are a few of mine:
1) Roast cauliflower florets on a sheet pan and stir into Trader Joes Gorgonzola gnocchi (as prepared).
2) Throw a few Trader Joe’s chicken Gyoza (prepared as you like) onto a bed of Trader Joe’s Veggie Fried Rice. I sometimes add a handful of baby spinach or steamed broccoli for more vegetables.
3) Any boring salad tastes great with a Trader Joes “Quinoa Cowboy” veggie burger on top.
Yum! Thanks for the inspiration. And I can’t WAIT for pumpkin season.
Yum! The first one looks delicious, I’ll have to try~
These recipes look delicious – especially the fajitas! Thank you for sharing. I definitely want to give everything a try at least once!
xoxo,
Sydney
http://www.thelotuslist.blogspot.com
Loved the sweet potato dish! Thanks for sharing. Made it this weekend.
Our first Trader Joe’s is opening soon. I will definitely try the sweet potato gnocchi recipe!
All of these looks so easy and delicious! I think my hubby would love the fajitas!
Hope you have a fantastic week, Caitlin!
Make Life Marvelous
Hi!
I tried the Caprese Ravioli & the Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Chicken Apple Sausage & Brussel Sprouts! The Caprese Ravioli was my favorite & will be making regularly!!
Thanks for sharing these quick & easy recipes !
Yummy!
These all look so good! I’ve been making my way over to Trader Joe’s more often lately and love it so much. Just as you mentioned, it’s so easy to make the same thing day after day. That’s how it goes for my husband and I as well. I’d love to try these recipes out though! I’m always down for things that don’t take long to make and require few ingredients, so thank you for sharing! 🙂
Key
https://storiesbysuddreth.com/
OMG! I made the Caprese Ravioli …Delicious. This recipe will definitely go in my cook book. Thank you
So far I have made the ravioli and let me tell you it did not disappoint. SO easy. That marinated mozz from Trader Joe’s! Wow. Tonight will be the fajitas. Thanks for the easy recipes.
Thank you for sharing these!