The frozen aisle’s love letter to Sicily, ready in minutes
Price: $4.49 for 13.05 oz (two trays)
Confession time: I bought this because “3 Cheese Pasta with Eggplant” sounded fancy enough to make me feel sophisticated, but the frozen section location confirmed I wouldn’t actually have to try. And here’s the plot twist that caught me off guard: this actually tastes like someone’s Italian grandmother made it and stuck it in my freezer for emergencies.
After demolishing both trays in one sitting the other day (don’t judge, we’ve all been there), I can confidently say this might be TJ’s sneakiest comfort food win of the year.
The Bottom Line
Rating: 9/10 – Tastes like you slaved over a hot stove when really you just pressed microwave buttons while answering emails.
Best for: Work lunches, easy dinner for two, anyone who thinks eggplant can’t be delicious
Skip if: You need gluten free or vegan options
Quick Dietary Detective Work
❌ NOT vegan (three cheeses plus bechamel are very committed to the dairy team)
❌ NOT gluten free (durum wheat pasta and wheat flour say absolutely not)
❌ NOT kosher (no certification spotted on this one)
✅ IS vegetarian (eggplant is doing the protein heavy lifting here)
⚠️ Contains milk and wheat (plus may contain egg and soy from facility sharing)
✅ Actually contains real vegetables (the eggplant is legit, not just decorative)
The Portion Reality Check
Here’s what nobody tells you: each tray is 270 calories. That’s not quite a meal for most humans. TJ’s is gently suggesting you have self control, which is adorable but unrealistic when cheese and tomato sauce are involved.
The honest math:
- One tray (270 cal) = side dish or light snack
- Both trays (540 cal) = actual satisfying lunch
I ate both for lunch and felt perfectly satisfied. The two tray setup is genius for flexibility, just be realistic about whether you’re feeding yourself or yourself and a very small bird.
What You’re Actually Getting
This is TJ’s take on Pasta alla Norma, a classic Sicilian dish. The original features pasta with eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and cheese. TJ’s version cranks up the cheese situation to three kinds and adds a bechamel layer that makes everything extra creamy.
The breakdown:
- Penne pasta that stays almost al dente (not mushy microwave sadness)
- Mozzarella, smoked provola, and hard grating cheese doing the stretchy gooey thing
- Creamy bechamel layered throughout
- Real fried eggplant chunks that add actual substance
- Tomato sauce with basil and garlic keeping things authentically Italian
The smoked provola adds unexpected depth, and the eggplant earns its spot instead of being decorative. This tastes like pasta you’d order at a nice Italian restaurant, not something you’re settling for because cooking felt impossible.
How to Cook It
Dead simple. Pop the paper trays in the microwave for a few minutes and what comes out is this incredible gooey, cheesy situation that has no business tasting this good.
The paper trays are a nice touch because you’re not dealing with plastic weirdness, and the pasta doesn’t dry out or get overcooked. Someone at TJ’s actually tested this.
Pro tip: Let it sit for a minute after microwaving. Molten cheese doesn’t respect your schedule or your tongue.
Why This Works for Busy People
This is perfect for office lunches. The two separate trays mean you can bring one for Monday and Tuesday, or accept that both are Monday’s lunch because portion control is a suggestion.
- Microwave ready with zero prep
- Paper trays that don’t stink up the break room
- Looks impressive when coworkers peek
- No sad desk lunch energy despite being frozen food
This is the kind of lunch that makes people ask “what are you eating?” instead of giving you sympathetic looks.
The Value
At $4.49 for two trays, you’re paying for three cheese bechamel pasta with real fried eggplant. That would easily cost $15+ at any Italian restaurant. About $2.25 per tray if you’re portioning, or $4.49 for a full satisfying lunch if you’re being realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Pasta with Eggplant good? Yes, genuinely. The three cheese bechamel creates real richness, the eggplant adds substance, and the whole thing tastes like restaurant quality Italian food.
How many calories in TJ’s 3 Cheese Pasta with Eggplant? Each tray is 270 calories. The package contains two trays for 540 calories total.
Is Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Pasta with Eggplant vegetarian? Yes, it’s vegetarian. However it’s not vegan (contains three cheeses and bechamel) and not gluten free (contains wheat pasta).
How do you cook Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Pasta with Eggplant? Microwave in the paper tray according to package directions. It also works in the oven. Let it cool for a minute before eating.
The Final Verdict
Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Pasta with Eggplant is the kind of frozen meal that makes you question why you ever thought you needed to cook from scratch. The three cheese bechamel creates legitimate richness, the eggplant makes you feel like you ate a vegetable, and the whole thing comes together beautifully.
Yes, each tray is only 270 calories, but that’s what the two tray format is for. Accept that you’re eating both and move on with your life.
Final Rating: 9/10 – Rare frozen pasta that actually delivers on its Sicilian promises
Perfect for: Work lunches, emergency dinners for two, anyone who wants to feel fancy without trying
Bottom line: Sometimes the best lunch requires nothing from you except pressing microwave buttons. This pasta understands that completely, and I’m stocking up.
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