Fall is here, and you know what that means: it's officially time to cuddle up with a cozy meal that requires minimal effort. If you're anything like me, you want the comfort of home-cooked food but have zero time (or energy) to spend hours in the kitchen. Enter: the Trader Joe’s Easy Fall Dinner Hack that’ll make you feel like a domestic god/goddess with half the effort.
Why You Need This Recipe in Your Life
This Autumnal Harvest Chicken Bake is the ultimate lazy fall dinner, and I mean that in the best way possible. You’re essentially throwing a few Trader Joe’s goodies together and popping them in the oven, but the result is a cheesy, creamy, pumpkin-filled delight that tastes like you slaved over it for hours. Spoiler alert: You didn’t.
We’re using Trader Joe’s famous Autumnal Harvest Soup as our sauce base (you know, the one with pumpkin, butternut squash, and tomato that everyone raves about). And the Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Strips? A total life-saver for when you just can’t be bothered to deal with raw chicken (because let’s be real, it’s the last thing you want to touch after a long day).
This meal is gluten-free, delicious, and comes together faster than you can binge-watch an episode of Great British Bake Off. So, let’s get into it!
The Ultimate Lazy Recipe: Autumnal Harvest Chicken Bake
Ingredients:
1 jar Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Soup
1 package Trader Joe’s Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Strips
1 bag Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Rice Penne Pasta
1 cup shredded Trader Joe’s Mozzarella
2 handfuls Baby Spinach (optional, because greens make us feel good)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (if you’re feeling fancy)
Directions:
Boil that pasta: Get your gluten-free penne cooked, drained, and set aside.
Combine the magic: Toss the pasta with the jar of Autumnal Harvest Soup and your chicken strips. Yes, it's that easy. Throw in some spinach if you’re feeling like a responsible adult.
Cheese, please: Transfer this masterpiece into an oven-proof dish, top with shredded mozzarella, and bake at 375 °F for 20 minutes. Pro tip: Broil it at the end to get that cheese all golden and bubbly.
Garnish and enjoy: Add fresh parsley or basil if you want to impress your Instagram followers. Or just dig in—no shame.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Fall
This Trader Joe’s easy fall dinner has all the flavors of autumn with none of the hassle. The Autumnal Harvest Soup is already packed with seasonal goodness—pumpkin, butternut squash, and tomatoes—so you don’t even need to make a sauce. It’s a one-and-done situation, people.
Plus, the Fully Cooked Chicken Strips make life SO much easier. You get all the protein without any prep work. Just chop them up and toss them in. The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy a cup of spiked apple cider (you earned it).
Make It Your Own
The beauty of this recipe is how customizable it is. Not into spinach? Leave it out. Want to get wild? Swap the mozzarella for Parmesan or add some spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken. The world is your (gluten-free) oyster.
Perfect for Meal Prep
This dish makes awesome leftovers, so be sure to store any extras in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It reheats like a dream, so whether you're packing it for lunch or warming it up for another lazy dinner, you're good to go.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Trader Joe’s Easy Fall Dinner
So, there you have it—the ultimate Trader Joe’s easy fall dinner hack that takes all the cozy flavors of the season and serves them up with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself (no judgment if you eat it straight from the dish), this Autumnal Harvest Chicken Bake is guaranteed to be your go-to fall comfort food.
Now go forth and be lazy—deliciously lazy.
Comments