I'm a busy dad of 2 who shops at Trader Joe's. Here are 17 things I love to buy for easy meals during the school year.

Andrew FlanneryJan 13, 2024, 00:41 IST

Trader Joe's has a wide variety of snacks and easy meals for my busy family of four.Andrew Flannery

I'm a busy father of two teenagers who shops at Trader Joe's for easy snacks and meals.
The chain's frozen Margherita pizza and steak-and-stout pies taste like they're from a restaurant.

I started shopping at Trader Joe's long before my wife and I had kids.

But now that we have two hungry high-school students — a vegetarian daughter and a son who loves meat— the store has played a huge role in getting food on the table.

Here's what I get from Trader Joe's for quick, easy meals during the school year.

I opt for plain organic yogurt to make easy and healthy smoothies.

My family uses Trader Joe's European-style organic yogurt for smoothies.Andrew Flannery

My daughter absolutely loves the chain's rice crackers with soy sauce.

Trader Joe's savory thin crackers are a tasty snack when we're on the go.Andrew Flannery

She also really likes the store's vegetable pad Thai.

Trader Joe's vegetable pad Thai is one of my daughter's favorites.Andrew Flannery

On the other hand, my son's go-to lunch is a turkey sandwich.

Columbus Craft Meats' turkey breast is a staple for my son.Andrew Flannery

For a hearty dinner after sports practices, the steak-and-stout pies work wonders.

Trader Joe's steak-and-stout pies taste like they could've been made in a restaurant.Andrew Flannery

The Greek feta block is crucial to my wife's weekly salads.

The block of feta lasts a week in my household.Andrew Flannery

Not everybody likes beets, but my wife loves the ones from Trader Joe's.

Baby beets are another healthy addition to my family's salads.Andrew Flannery

We use eggs for way more than just breakfast, so they're worth the price.

We buy eggs to use for tons of meals, especially for my vegetarian daughter.Andrew Flannery

Cereal is a big hit in our house, and Trader Joe's has a good selection.

My family prefers the strawberry-yogurt O's.Andrew Flannery

Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend is a flavor game changer.

My family uses the bagel-inspired seasoning blend on so many different meals.Andrew Flannery

The chain's Margherita pizzas are a life-saver.

The frozen Margherita pizzas are as quick and easy as they are tasty.Andrew Flannery

The frozen rainbow cauliflower is amazing.

The bag of organic rainbow cauliflower is a hidden gem in Trader Joe's.Andrew Flannery

My family loves the penne arrabbiata for an easy late-night snack.

The arrabbiata sauce tastes professionally made.Andrew Flannery

I'm grateful that Trader Joe's doesn't limit these maple-flavored cookies to just the fall.

Although they seem to be meant for fall, these cookies are fortunately sold year-round.Andrew Flannery

My whole family loves Trader Joe's paneer tikka masala.

Trader Joe's paneer tikka masala is a great, quick dinner option.Andrew Flannery

Frozen bulgogi-beef fried rice with kimchi is probably our son's favorite product.

The Korean-inspired fried rice with kimchi is jam-packed with flavor.Andrew Flannery

I love the peanut-butter-filled pretzels.

Trader Joe's nailed sweet and savory with its peanut-butter-filled nuggets.Andrew Flannery

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