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I live on these 9 frozen dinners from Trader Joe's — and they're all under $6

I live on these 9 frozen dinners from Trader Joe's and they're all under $6

Kiersten Hickman

I like to stock up on frozen meals when I visit Trader Joe's. Kiersten Hickman

When I'm tired after a long day at work, I don't usually feel like cooking dinner.
Instead of ordering takeout, I started stocking up on frozen meals from Trader Joe's.

When I'm wiped out at the end of a long workday, I usually don't feel like cooking. I end up ordering far too much takeout and paying more than I should for a simple meal.

But recently, I started stocking my freezer with delicious frozen meals from Trader Joe's that I can rotate through.

Each of them is less than $6 each at my local Trader Joe's, much cheaper than my usual go-to takeout order.

I’m a big fan of meals I can pair with a side salad, like these potstickers.

Trader Joe's pork gyoza potstickers work well as either an appetizer or a meal. Kiersten Hickman

I found many Trader Joe's appetizers can also work well as dinners if you pair them with a simple side salad.

I'll usually toss together a salad while these pork gyoza potstickers are heating up.

The spicy pumpkin samosas are a must-have.

Trader Joe's spicy-pumpkin samosas are a seasonal item. Kiersten Hickman

I grab the seasonal spicy pumpkin samosas whenever I see them at Trader Joe's.

I love pairing them with a salad, and if I'm feeling extra ambitious, I roast some vegetables in the oven while heating the samosas up.

Trader Joe's channa masala is easy to serve with rice or toasted naan.

I can make two meals out of one container of Trader Joe's channa masala. Kiersten Hickman

Although I could technically eat Trader Joe's channa masala on its own, I like to make two meals out of it by pairing it with microwavable rice or toasted naan.

I save the leftovers in a container for the next day's lunch.

Quiche is the perfect meal at any time of day.

Although quiche is typically seen as a breakfast food, I love eating it for dinner. Kiersten Hickman

Most people associate a quiche with breakfast or brunch, but I find it works well at any time of day.

In fact, I love pairing Trader Joe's broccoli and cheddar quiche with a side salad and a glass of red wine at the end of the day.

I love dipping the chain's mini chicken tacos in salsa verde.

Mini chicken tacos are one of my favorite meals from Trader Joe's. Kiersten Hickman

These mini chicken tacos are a lifesaver when cooking even the simplest meal feels too strenuous at the end of the day.

I love to dip the tacos in Trader Joe's salsa verde.

Trader Joe's frozen pizza satisfies my cravings when I don’t feel like waiting for delivery.

I like pairing a frozen pizza with a side salad. Kiersten Hickman

I keep frozen pizzas from Trader Joe's on hand for when I don't feel like venturing to a restaurant or waiting an hour for delivery.

Like the dumplings, I pair the pizza with a side salad and save the rest for a future meal.

I roast turkey meatballs on a pan with some veggies.

The turkey meatballs taste great with roasted vegetables. Kiersten Hickman

Frozen meatballs are usually paired with pasta, but I love to use them to make a sheet-pan dinner instead.

I'll toss together any fresh or frozen vegetables I have with some olive oil and seasoning, and roast them alongside the turkey meatballs.

My husband hates fish, so this single serving of salmon is perfect for me.

Trader Joe's Atlantic salmon comes with a lemon-herb butter. Kiersten Hickman

When my husband is out and I'm having a cozy night in, this single serving of salmon is the perfect size for one.

It cooks with lemon-herb butter on top to give it a bright, fatty flavor with practically zero effort. I like to pair this with a salad, roasted vegetables, or microwavable rice.

Trader Joe’s pasta kits always have the best sauce.

Pasta kits make for a quick and delicious meal. Kiersten Hickman

I'm always mesmerized when I toss one of Trader Joe's pasta kits in a skillet, watching the tasty, velvety sauce melt in the pan. I like to go for either the rigatoni alla contadina or the mushroom ravioli.

I find the mushroom ravioli to be filling enough, but if I'm feeling extra hungry, I toss in some chicken for a boost of protein.

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

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