The Viral Recipe That Has Us Rushing to Get Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion Dip

Trader Joe’s is truly a magical place. Every time we're there we fill our carts with our favorite snacks and dinner shortcuts and always find lots of new products that we can't wait to try. It's the place to go for seasonal treats and we love checking out the TJ's recipe shortcuts that are all over social media.

Recently, a social media hack starring Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes caught our attention. The sweet shortcut is definitely going to come in handy for fall parties. But, as we know, social media trends are fleeting, so we knew there would be a new TJ's trick in our FYP soon. And we didn't have to wait long.

TikTok creator Gracey Mathi recently shared a video in which she tried the viral Trader Joe’s Pasta recipe and we were instantly intrigued. The star of the recipe? A 10-ounce container of Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Dip . As we watched the video we couldn't tell if this one would be a hit or a miss, so there was only one thing to do: try it in our kitchen. Here's what happened.

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What is the Trader Joe’s Viral Caramelized Onion Dip Pasta?

To make this dish, you need one 10-ounce container of Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Dip , finely chopped garlic, some TJ's Crunchy Chili Onion and some pasta water to create a creamy sauce. In her video, Mathi adds the cooked pasta to the sauce and garnishes it with parmesan cheese and parsley before serving.

“The recipe called for the entire container but it definitely did not need it,” Mathi cautions in the caption. “I’ll probably add kale or spinach next time.” Personally, we see nothing wrong with either making a bigger batch or snacking on some of the dip with some chips as we make dinner.

Related: Wait, What Does the Trader Joe's Bell Mean?

How to Make the Trader Joe’s Viral Caramelized Onion Dip Pasta

For starters, go ahead and get your choice of pasta boiling and think about whether you’d like to add any extra ingredients, such as chicken, shrimp, kale, spinach etc. The sauce comes together quite quickly, so you’ll want to have your pasta and other ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and empty the entire container of TJ’s Caramelized Onion Dip into it (add less if you're making a smaller batch). Add the minced garlic and stir well, then pour in ½ to 1 cup of pasta water and mix until the dip is smooth and sauce-like. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in more pasta water. As the sauce simmers over low heat, add a spoonful of crunchy chili onion crisp. Mathi uses Trader Joe’s brand but any brand will do the trick.

When the sauce is ready, turn off the heat and add in the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to taste. Give the mixture a good stir, making sure all of the pasta is coated in sauce before serving. Garnish with parsley, thyme or oregano and enjoy.

Related: 'I'm Never Making Pasta Another Way After Trying Martha Stewart's One-Pan Pasta Recipe'

My Thoughts About the Trader Joe's Viral Caramelized Onion Dip Pasta

I must admit that I was on the fence going into this recipe. I personally love onion dips of all kinds, but I was skeptical that onion dip could be transformed into a great pasta sauce. To my surprise, after the first bite, my doubts disappeared.

If you had served me this dish and not told me anything about the ingredients, I would have been none the wiser. The sauce was creamy, sweet, rich and savory and the chili onion crisp gave it the perfect hint of spice. I added grilled chicken to mine and it paired beautifully.

Sometimes it takes a little out-of-the-box thinking to get you inspired and this recipe is an example of just that. When I think of Trader Joe’s magic from now on, this dip glow-up will definitely be top of mind.

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