If Trader Joe’s Spicy Farfalle Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage were a dinner party guest, it would show up late, slightly underdressed, and carrying a bottle of “spicy” marinara that turns out to be mild at best. It’s bold in name but let’s see if it actually brings the heat—or if it’s just here to crash the carb party with a whisper of sausage and a wink of chili flakes.
Let’s talk about the actual product here: Trader Joe’s Spicy Farfalle Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage in a Spicy Tomato Sauce with Parmesan Cheese (whew, that’s a mouthful—unlike the pasta itself). Straight out of the frozen section, this Canadian creation gives you a full meal for $3.49. Not a bad deal, right? At 420 calories per container, it feels like a guilt-free option for a quick dinner. But as I dove in, I couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly makes this “spicy”? Spoiler alert: not much.
The chicken sausage? Let’s just say it’s trying its best, bless its rubbery little heart. Maybe chicken sausage is the healthier alternative, but it’s also the textural equivalent of chewing on an eraser. It’s there, it’s edible, but is it enjoyable? Not so much. And then there’s the sauce—oh, the sauce. It’s not bad, but it’s a bit on the wetter side, like the pasta got caught in a drizzle and hasn’t dried off yet. For something that’s supposed to be hearty and spicy, it felt more like it was just trying to tread water.
I made this by the microwave directions as will 99% of you since who has time to turn on an oven, let it warm up for like 15 minutes and then bake it for another 35 minutes. Not me and I don’t think it would make a difference with this frozen pasta dish.
Now, I will give credit where it’s due: the farfalle itself holds up decently well for a frozen pasta. It’s not mushy, and the Parmesan cheese adds a nice touch of richness. But does it all come together as a cohesive, satisfying meal? Ehh, not quite. It’s like the ingredients showed up to the same party but forgot to coordinate outfits, leaving you wondering why the vibe feels just a little off.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Trader Joe’s Spicy Farfalle Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage gets a solid 6 out of 10 stars. It’s super convenient, affordable, and perfect for those nights when cooking from scratch feels like a personal attack. The farfalle holds its shape, and the Parmesan adds a nice, cheesy bonus. But for something touting “spicy” in its name, the flavor barely registers a tingle. And let’s not ignore the oddball chicken sausage—rubbery and underwhelming, it left me wishing for its porkier, juicier cousin. It’s a decent quick meal, but it’s not exactly knocking on the door of Italian grandmothers everywhere.
I actually find it quite spicy, for my taste. The sausage is what one can expect from frozen food, it’s okay, I think I enjoyed it more than the reviewer. The biggest problem I have is that it’s way too salty. Granted, most frozen food relies too much on sodium to give it taste but this is even saltier than acceptable.
I was kind of underwhelmed by this, though it wasn’t terrible. I actually found it to be rather spicy. I agree that the sausage wasn’t great, and there was A LOT of it. In its favor, it was pretty filling for 420 calories. I’m not sure if I will buy it again.