Fall is in the air — and in Trader Joe’s frozen foods section. TJ’s has everything you need to fill your freezer for less this October.
Keep your budget on track with these genius hacks for Trader Joe’s shoppers. From creamy mac and cheese to savory stout pies, we’ve rounded up the best bargain buys of the season.
Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Butternut Squash Lasagna
Price: $4.49
Swap out the usual lasagna you serve and try this fall flavor. This foodie find features butternut squash-based sauce, Provola cheese, smoky bechamel sauce, Italian egg pasta, breadcrumbs, pumpkin seeds, and chives.
Pair this pick with a loaf of rustic bread, green beans, or a bowl of TJ’s Autumnal Harvest Soup for a perfect, hearty weeknight meal.
Salted Maple Ice Cream
Price: $3.79
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this limited-time seasonal ice cream that tastes like fall. Eat the frozen treat by the scoop, drizzle caramel sauce on top, or sandwich it between Trader Joe’s Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies.
Fans are raving about this affordable autumn option on Reddit. Additional_Umpire_41 wrote, “It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, maple goodness! Prob my fave TJ’s ice cream!”
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Price: $3.79
Classic comfort food just got a fall makeover. A rich, creamy bechamel sauce, butternut squash puree, and a blend of parm, gouda, and cheddar make this mac and cheese an annual must-have for Trader Joe’s shoppers.
A four-pound serving of Williams Sonoma’s version costs almost $50. TJ’s may only give you 12 ounces of mac and cheese, but it only costs $3.79 per box.
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Savory Squash Pastry Bites
Price: $5.49
Prep for a party and fill your freezer with these autumn-inspired apps. Mascarpone, ricotta, parmesan, feta cheese, and a pumpkin/butternut squash filling give this ready-to-heat-and-eat buy a flavor you’ll savor.
Save money on the cost of takeout. Each box includes 12 delicate, flakey bites for less than $5.50. That’s a fraction of what you could pay for a catered starter.
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Price: $4.99
It’s that time of year again. Pumpkin everything is everywhere — including the frozen dessert aisle.
TJ’s beloved pumpkin ice cream is back, and you can get one quart of the sweet spiced treat for under $5. Target sells half a quart of Ben and Jerry’s Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream for the same $4.99 price.
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Pumpkin Cheesecake
Price: $7.99
You don’t have to pay specialty store or bakery prices to get a fall-flavored cheesecake. Trader Joe’s limited-time pumpkin buy is rich, creamy, and priced just right. For $7.99, you’ll get over one pound of this frozen dessert.
Turkey Meatballs
Price: $4.99
Add protein to your favorite pasta recipe, make a cheese-smothered sandwich, or serve these turkey meatballs on toothpicks as a party starter. This under-$5 bargain buy is fully cooked and ready for you to heat and eat.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Price: $3.49
It may seem like a fall food, but this frozen pasta is a year-round staple at Trader Joe’s. A butter and sage sauce makes this potato-packed pick a winner. Serve it with crispy balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts or TJ’s pumpkin bisque.
Hot and Spicy Chicken Wings
Price: $6.99
Why pay takeout prices for wings when you can heat this spicy selection from Trader Joe’s?
Plan a game day buffet for less this year. You’ll get one pound of 100 percent antibiotic-free chicken for less than $7. Pair this pick with a side of Ranch dressing, blue cheese, or TJ’s carrots of many colors.
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Steak and Stout Pie
Price: $7.49
Warm up on a chilly fall night with this hearty comfort food. Each 20-ounce pack includes two decadently rich meat pies for under $7.50.
Redditor Thayerphotos praised the pies, “Seriously, these things are like eating happiness. So flaky, savory, and just perfect.”
Beef Sheperd’s Pie
Price: $5.49
Trader Joe’s steak and stout pie isn’t the only option in the store’s freezer section. Fans of shepherd’s pie will enjoy this meaty meal. Made with beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, and veggies, the one-pound, ready-to-bake frozen find will fill you up.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Price: $2.99
Serve a sweet side for less this fall. You don’t have to waste time peeling, mashing, and cooking your own recipe. Trader Joe’s frozen sweet potato pucks are an affordable and easy-to-make alternative.
Compare Trader Joe’s $2.99 price for 18 ounces of mashed sweet potatoes to Bob Evans' $4.99 price for 22 ounces.
Rustic Apple Tarte
Price: $5.49
This gourmet goody is a fall must-have (and a total bargain for less than $5.50).
Redditor btrd_toast had only good things to say about this store-bought frozen dessert: “I bake a lot at home, so I have high standards for baked goods, but I was pleasantly surprised by this tarte! The filling was not too sweet, with a good amount of apple pieces.”
Caramel Apple Mochi
Price: $4.99
Are you tired of the same old, boring caramel apples you get every autumn? Try this frozen treat instead.
TJ’s added apple puree, apple juice concentrate, and creamy caramel to the rice dough-covered ice cream balls. The result is pure perfection.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Bites
Price: $3.99
Up the ante on your appetizer game with this seasonal selection. It's a party starter with plenty of fall-inspired flavor. The lightly fried spheres feature a rich cheddar-gouda sauce, roasted butternut squash macaroni, sage, nutmeg, thyme, and other autumn spices.
Bottom line
Trader Joe’s has unbeatable deals on frozen food this month. Snag budget-friendly bargains on desserts, sides, starters, and more right now.
The savings don’t stop at TJ’s freezer section. Visit around the whole store for great prices and simple ways to save money on your groceries.
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