Skip to main content

5 Trader Joe’s recipes for $99 (recipes and grocery list!)

5 Recipes
Print
5 Trader Joe’s recipes for $99 (recipes and grocery list!)

Grab my meal plan! This is what I made my family of 4 this week using Trader Joe’s items! So many good meals so I’m having a hard time picking a favorite. Check your fridge, freezer and pantry for what you already have at home, then grab this printable grocery list below! 🛒

Produce

  • 1 yellow onion, diced

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes

  • Fresh, frozen, or canned bell peppers and onions (14 oz Trader Joe’s frozen mix, or ~2 cups fresh sliced)

Dairy and Cheese

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese total (sliders, queso rice and chicken)

  • 2 ounces garlic herb Parmesan butter (or 2 tbsp melted butter + 1-2 tbsp shredded Parmesan)

  • 2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend, enchiladas)

  • Half cup grated Parmesan cheese (orzo)

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (queso dish)

  • 2 cups cottage cheese

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Meat

  • 2 pounds shredded chicken, rotisserie, cooked, grilled, whatever you have (lazy chicken enchiladas, swim cottage cheese queso rice and chicken)

  • 4 ounces pancetta

  • 2 packages (24 oz) cheddar chicken sausage

  • 2 bags sweet pull apart Hawaiian rolls, 24 ounces total

  • 12 small tortillas or 6 large tortillas

Pantry/Refrigerated

  • 1 bottle vodka sauce, 25 ounces

  • One 24 ounce bottle enchilada sauce

  • 4 ounces pesto, refrigerated or shelf stable

  • 16 ounces salsa

  • Half a can of corn

  • Half a can of black beans

  • 3 3/4 to 4 cups chicken broth total

  • 1 cup dry orzo

  • 2 1/2 cups basmati rice total (queso rice and chicken, skillet)

  • 1 packet taco seasoning

  • Olive oil

Note: Meal prices reflect the portion used in each recipe. Buying the full grocery list may cost more.

Vodka Pizza Sliders

1. Vodka Pizza Sliders

I was so thrilled when I realized Trader Joe’s carries sweet pull apart buns, because they make the perfect base for a simple slider or sandwich. I topped these with vodka sauce, a flavor I love, and mozzarella cheese, because honestly, this is the cheese I think works best over pizza cheese. I finished it off with an amazing herb butter I love using, but you can easily swap that for regular melted butter with some herbs mixed in. My whole family devoured these, and that’s exactly why I’m making them again.
View Recipe

Lazy Chicken Enchiladas

2. Lazy Chicken Enchiladas

I recently made a ground beef deconstructed enchilada bake and it was incredible. Obviously after making that, I had to try it with chicken, and this is the result. It’s equally as good and follows the same idea, layering your enchiladas like lasagna instead of the traditional rolled up tortillas. This is such an easy dish to make. It comes together in five or ten minutes, and I always seem to have these ingredients on hand already. You can easily customize it too, add more of whatever you love, or swap in something new. I hope you give it a try.
View Recipe

One Pan Tomato Orzo

3. One Pan Tomato Orzo

Orzo goes well with almost anything! In this one pot meal I made it with cheese, tomatoes and chicken sausage. So good and so easy!
View Recipe

Swim Cottage Cheese Queso Rice and Chicken

4. Swim Cottage Cheese Queso Rice and Chicken

Tonight for dinner I made this swim queso chicken and rice, made with my own queso from cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning. This dip is so delicious, and I get why it’s been trending all over Instagram. It’s great with chips, but it’s incredible spooned over a casserole like this one. The dish comes together with almost no effort, all you need is rice and chicken (rotisserie, shredded, grilled, whatever you have on hand), topped with salsa, broth, and cheese. Bake it until golden, then finish it with that silky, cheesy queso. It holds up great in the fridge too, and it’s a fun one to make with your kids, or just by yourself on a Tuesday night.
View Recipe

Creamy Chicken Sausage & Rice Skillet

5. Creamy Chicken Sausage & Rice Skillet

Calling this a recipe feels generous, but here we are and it’s delicious. Been cooking this for years and it heats up great for leftovers. If you want to you can sub the cream for another cup of broth. 💛
View Recipe

New recipes, straight to your inbox. Every Thursday.

Join home cooks who get new dishes every week. No spam.