Growing up, I couldn’t wait for the days when we’d have ravioli for dinner. In my mind, ravioli was the superior pasta, towering over spaghetti, macaroni, and even farfalle. My mom would pick up store-bought ravioli to serve with store-bought sauce (and a vegetable on the side). I liked this quick dinner so much that it’s become part of my grown-up dinner repertoire.
I have a must-purchase brand of pasta sauce, but when it comes to store-bought ravioli, I usually pick up whatever brand is on sale. To level up my ravioli with frozen vegetables, I decided to ask a handful of food professionals about their go-to store-bought brand.
The Food Experts Who Weighed In
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The Best Store-Bought Ravioli
The food experts agree that Trader Joe’s makes the best store-bought ravioli. “I don’t think anyone will disagree that the flavor options at Trader Joe’s are unmatched,” says Addison.
The refrigerated butternut squash ravioli is a must-try, according to Ramos: “I love the creamy, slightly sweet filling and how quickly it cooks up for a weeknight dinner,” she says. Castillo, better known as the Trader Joe’s aficionado, can’t help but agree. It’s “sweet, savory, and perfect with brown butter,” she says.
Though brown butter is a classic, the recipe developers I consulted had plenty of other ideas for serving this pasta. “My favorite unique ways to use these ravioli are adding them to a soup instead of dry pasta or substituting them in baked pasta recipes for a lasagna-type meal,” says Addison.
Ramos also uses ravioli in soup and lasagna recipes, and she’ll pan-fry it for a fun, crispy snack to dip in pasta sauce. She also uses the Trader Joe’s ravioli for a meal I can’t help but love. “When I want something lighter, I’ll toss this ravioli with lots of fresh greens, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Perfect for a work-from-home lunch,” she says.
When and Where To Find This Butternut Squash Ravioli
This ravioli isn’t seasonal—it’s an everyday product at Trader Joe’s. (And it’s been in stores since 2010, according to someone I emailed with at TJ’s.) You can find it near other refrigerated pastas, where it’s priced at $3.99.
If you can’t find the butternut squash flavor at your local store, Foster recommends the frozen mushroom ravioli at Trader Joe’s. She likes its rich, savory flavor and the hearty mushroom truffle sauce it comes pre-tossed in. No need to buy sauce! She serves this alongside a small side salad for a quick and easy dinner.
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Dining and Cooking