Italian Food at Trader Joe’s That’s Better Than a Restaurant's (For a Fraction of the Cost)

Craving marinara and meatballs or a refreshing mozzarella-topped salad? Trader Joe’s has you covered — and at a fraction of the cost you'd pay at most restaurants.

From pasta to pizza, Trader Joe’s has some of your favorite meals for less, helping you keep more money in your wallet .

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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4 Cheese Ravioli

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Price: $2.99

Pair the refrigerated ravioli with pesto, alfredo, or meaty marinara sauce to make your own Italian meal at home.

Each delicate pasta pouch comes with a flavorful filling of ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and hard-grating cheese.

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Mozzarella and Tomato Salad

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Price: $3.99

While the grocery retailer is better known for its frozen food, the prepared salads are fresh and low-cost.

This mozzarella and tomato salad includes more than cheese and veggies. It also has pine nuts, olives, and plenty of tangy balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Gnocchi Alla Romana

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Price: $4.49

Looking for something different? This gnocchi doesn’t look like the classic teeny tiny spheres. The larger dumpling-style pasta is made from semolina flour instead of potatoes.

Each frozen pack comes with four cheese-packed gratins. Heat this Italian favorite in the microwave or oven-bake the gnocchi.

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Outside Inside Stuffed Gnocchi

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Price: $3.49

As the name implies, this frozen gnocchi has what you would usually put on the outside stuffed neatly inside.

Made from wheat flour and potato, this under-$4 meal is filled with tomato sauce and rich mozzarella cheese. The toppings are in the center, so you save even more on the cost of sauce.

Cauliflower Gnocchi

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Price: $2.99

Carb counters can enjoy this veggie-packed pick. Trader Joe’s sources this gnocchi straight from Italy.

Instead of wheat and potatoes, this filling favorite is made from 75% cauliflower. This gnocchi is also dairy, sugar, and egg-free.

Fiochetti with Pink Sauce

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Price: $4.49

The bow- or knot-like egg pasta is filled with three types of cheese. But that’s not all. This Italian freezer meal also includes pink cream and tomato-based sauce.

Microwave the pasta-sauce combo for a quick bite after a busy day, or, if you have more time, cook the fiochetti on the stove.

Ricotta and Spinach Filled Ravioli

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Price: $4.29

Get everything you need for dinner in one bag. This bargain buy includes decadent ricotta, spinach-stuffed ravioli, and savory tomato basil sauce.

Garlicky Pasta

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Price: $4.29

Garlic fans will get a kick out of this perfect pasta creation.

Instead of buying garlic, sauce, and everything else you need to smother a pasta meal, Trader Joe’s puts everything you need in one bag — and at one low price.

Mushroom Ravioli

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Price: $3.99

This is more than just regular ravioli. The mushroom-filled pasta is pure perfection — especially when paired with a lux truffle sauce.

You could pay four or more times as much for a similar entree at a dine-in Italian restaurant.

Asparagus Risotto

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Price: $3.79

The creamy rice dish is a classic Italian favorite. If you’re looking for a way to save on the price of takeout, this TJ’s frozen meal is a budget-friendly option.

The 16-ounce bag of asparagus-packed risotto is a bargain for less than $4.

Family Style Meat Lasagna

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Price: $6.99

Need to feed your family? This meat lasagna is less expensive than what you might pay for a restaurant-made meal.

The two-pound package includes layers of egg pasta, ricotta cheese, tomato sauce, and a seasoned ground beef-pork combo.

Italian Style Meatballs

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Price: $4.99

If you want a restaurant-worthy meal at a low-cost price tag, these Trader Joe’s Italian meatballs are the way to go.

Microwave or oven-bake the ground beef balls and coat them in your favorite tomato sauce. Add them to a plate of pasta, stuff them into a parm-topped sandwich, or eat them as-is.

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Pizza Parlanno

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Price: $5.49

A top choice among Trader Joe’s shoppers, this frozen pizza includes a blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano cheese and plenty of tasty toppings.

Each wheat flour crust pie comes with roasted bell peppers, onions, Italian sausage crumbles, and uncured pepperoni.

Focaccia Bread

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Price: $4.99

The in-store Italian feast doesn’t end at the frozen foods aisle. Trader Joe’s also has fresh focaccia in the bread/bakery section.

Made with extra virgin olive oil, roasted tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, this ready-to-heat bread can be eaten alone or served as a side with your next meal.

Organic Garlic Bread

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Price: $3.99

Take-and-bake bread just got even better. You’ll find this bargain in the store’s bakery section.

The pre-sliced loaf is seasoned to perfection with a garlic Parmesan spread. Just warm the bread in your oven until it gets crispy.

Limone Alfredo Sauce

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Price: $3.99

Add some zest to your pasta with this dairy-based lemony sauce.

Parmigiano Reggiano, whipping cream, butter, and whole milk give this Trader Joe’s sauce its rich, dreamy texture. Pour it over pasta or spread it on crusty Italian bread.

Bottom line

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Trader Joe’s has the foodie finds you may not see at other similar retailers. The brand’s Italian cuisine features favorites from ravioli to gnocchi — and almost everything in between.

Along with affordable Italian lunch and dinner options, Trader Joe’s is the go-to grocer for low-cost everyday essentials and pantry products. Try these popular shopping hacks to save even more.

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