This New $3.79 Trader Joe's Freezer Find Tastes as Good as Homemade

If you’ve ever had the Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip, I don’t have to explain how absolutely crushable that frozen packet of creamy, cheesy deliciousness is. Now, what if I told you the grocer has turned that cult classic dip into a pasta dish? You’d say it’s too good to be true, and yet, true it is! 

TJ’s recently released a frozen 3 Cheese Spinach & Artichoke Pasta that’s made of pasta, artichokes, spinach, and, of course, three cheeses: Swiss, mozzarella, and Parmesan. When I discovered this new drop, I had to try it immediately. Could the hype of the beloved dip be seamlessly translated into pasta? The answer is yes, but with a few caveats.

Why I Love Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Spinach and Artichoke Pasta

Trader Joe’s suggests two possible preparation instructions: Puncture the plastic film covering the frozen tray and microwave for four to five minutes, or place the tray (with the film removed) on a baking sheet, and bake for a total of 28 to 32 minutes, stirring at 20 minutes before returning to the oven. 

After trying both reheat methods, I suggest you skip the microwave. This pasta is not meant to be reheated quickly, even if we love a quick and easy meal ready in five minutes. I wound up with a very loose sauce that failed to hold onto overly chewy bites of orecchiette and harder-than-I'd-like artichoke pieces. 

What was lacking in the microwave reheat was more than made up for by using the oven. I followed the reheat instructions, resulting in a total bake time of approximately 30 minutes. After letting the hot pasta sit for a minute post-bake, I was delighted to find pillowy forkfuls of pasta, which left behind trails of stringing cheese and creamy, melt-in-your-mouth hints of artichoke that really rounded out the whole experience. 

Honestly, this pasta was good on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side salad (my choice was arugula and Parmesan, dressed with olive oil, pepper, and lemon). I also wouldn’t be mad about the addition of turkey sausage or small chicken meatballs, both of which would complement the dish’s buttery richness.

Whether you choose to riff on it or enjoy it as is, you can’t go wrong—so long as you avoid the microwave!

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