This “Creamy” Trader Joe’s Frozen Pasta Is the Best $5 I’ve Spent All Month
Each year when fall rolls around, I throw on my flannel and take my ceremonial walk to Trader Joe’s to behold the autumnal glory. For the last five or so years, I’ve been looking forward to stocking up on boxes upon boxes of the store’s iconic Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, with its creamy béchamel sauce and a blend of Gouda, cheddar, and Parm (plus, plenty of butternut squash to add some sweetness to cut the rich cheeses).
This year, though, I’ve discovered a new favorite frozen meal: Butternut Squash Italian Lasagna. It’s packed with a sweet-savory-creamy flavor that I like even better than the mac and cheese kind!
What You Should Know About Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Italian Lasagna
The butternut squash lasagna made its debut to the freezer aisle in 2023, but this is the first year I’ve tried it — and ever since, I can’t get enough! It’s sold seasonally in a 16-ounce box for $4.49. You can either heat it in the oven for 45 minutes to make it golden-brown and ultra-decadent. Or, if you’re in a rush like I often am, pop it in the microwave for five minutes (and it still tastes great).
This lasagna is made with a creamy béchamel sauce (that’s reminiscent of the butternut squash mac and cheese) and features egg pasta layers that are full of butternut squash, puréed carrots, butter, and plenty of warm spices before being topped with Provola cheese, breadcrumbs, pumpkin seeds, and chives. It’s cheesy, plenty creamy, and absolutely delicious.
My Honest Review of the Butternut Squash Italian Lasagna
I used to think that I ate the Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese too much (at least once a week from September to November), but I now know there’s no such thing. I’ve been consistently enjoying two to three boxes of this lasagna each week since earlier this month — and I can’t wait to keep that streak going all fall long.
As much as I love a tomato, ricotta, and meat-based lasagna, this slightly sweet, creamy version is incredible in its own right. TJ’s lasagna is slightly sweet from the butternut squash and features a creamy béchamel sauce that coats each veggie-forward layer. Plus, it’s got an added crunch from the breadcrumbs that balance the creaminess. It’s hands-down the best thing I’ve bought all month.
Find it at Trader Joe’s: Butternut Squash Italian Lasagna, $4.49 for 16 ounces
What is your favorite Trader Joe’s fall item? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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