Easy Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Dinner for Two
If you're like me and crave a stress-free holiday meal without sacrificing taste, then my Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Dinner for 2 is exactly what you need! When my husband and I first moved away from our families, I wanted to create a special Thanksgiving tradition that allowed us to spend more time together and less time in the kitchen. That's when I discovered Trader Joe's, and it's tasty and affordable ready-made options. This dinner for two is not only delicious but also completely hassle-free
Easy Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Dinner for Two
Make This Thanksgiving Stress-Free
Thanksgiving is a time for coming together with loved ones, giving thanks, and sharing a delicious meal. It's a holiday that holds a special place in our hearts, reminding us to appreciate the blessings in our lives and express gratitude for all we have. Traditionally, Thanksgiving involves hours of cooking and preparation, which can often be overwhelming, especially for those with busy schedules or smaller households.
But here's the thing - Thanksgiving shouldn't be about slaving away in the kitchen or stressing over elaborate recipes. It should be a time to truly enjoy the company of our family and friends, creating lasting memories and cherishing the moments together. That's why I've put together this guide to Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Dinner for 2.
Inspiration Behind This
When my husband and I got married, right away we moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. We were away from all of our family.
I wanted to create a fun Thanksgiving tradition for us without the blood, sweat, and tears that go into a gourmet Thanksgiving meal.
I wanted to spend more time hanging out with my partner vs. in the kitchen cooking.
I knew I wasn’t the only one to feel this way.
I wanted to create a stress-free dinner for those who wanted just to spend more time HANGING OUT vs. cooking. Hope you enjoy my easy take on a fun Thanksgiving meal!
Why I Like This Version
The best part of this meal is how affordable it is!
Making in the kitchen takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
No dishes. No cleaning up the next day!
It’s equally as great as homemade, a great option if you still want to taste the delicious flavors of traditional Thanksgiving meals.
It allows you to spend less time frantically working and more time with loved ones. No need to spend all day figuring out how to cook a whole bird!
It’s super delicious.
Price Is So Affordable
$43 for the entire meal!
Grass Fed Beef Sirloin Roast $13.99/lb
Four Cheese Scalloped Potatoes $5.99
Trader Joe’s Cornbread Stuffing $5.99
Roasted Vegetables $5.99
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese $3.79
Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes $3.99
Coconut Whipped Cream $3.29
Trader Joe's Items
All of the items I got are from Trader Joe's but I know you can find a lot of them at any other local grocery store. Just look in the ready-made area or the frozen section.
Don’t be afraid of using store-bought items to make your life easier!
Grass Red Beef Sirloin Roast
Where to find it: This can be found in the refrigerated meat section.
Price: $13.99/lb
What’s in it: Cooked beef sirloin, salt and pepper. Real simple.
Why I Like It:
I gave it a little more juice by adding some butter and thyme to the top while it baked in the oven.
The roast beef comes out juicy and tender. It is perfect as an easy protein source for Thanksgiving.
It’s made with great ingredients, simple and tasty.
It’s fully cooked, so you don’t have to worry about cooking it perfectly.
Directions
Bake at 375F for 15 minutes.
I like that it’s already sliced, so no steak knives are needed.
Finish with fresh parsley and more thyme on top.
Four Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
Where to find it: This can be found in the refrigerated section, next to the other ready-made meals.
Price: $5.99 for 17 oz.
What is it? Thinly sliced potatoes in a creamy sauce with parmesan, asiago, fontina, and provolone cheese.
Why I Like It:
It’s ready to be heated and served.
Flavored with garlic, leeks and a blend of cheeses.
So gooey and cheesy.
It’s a perfect side dish for holiday or non holiday meals in the fall and winter season.
Great for a last minute potluck.
Wonderful served alongside your favorite protein.
Tastes like it was made from scratch.
Very affordable.
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, black pepper and sage.
Trader Joe’s Cornbread Stuffing
Where to find it: This can be found in the refrigerated section, next to the other ready-made meals. It's ready to be heated and served.
Price: $5.99 for 17 oz.
What is it? The cornbread stuffing is made with roasted apples, dried cranberries, and savory herbs.
Why I Like It:
It’s ready to be heated and served.
Cornbread is one of my favorite sides. Stuffing is also one of my favorite holiday side dishes. So this pairs them both together, making it a bang of a flavor explosion.
It has savory flavors and tons of herbs.
It’s made with cornbread croutons, seasoned with parsley, sage.
Then they add apples, cranberries to brighten it with some sweetness.
Great for an easy side dish.
You can add cranberry sauce or gravy on top.
Great to make your holiday cooking easier!
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and sage.
For added sweetness, add dried cranberries on top.
Roasted Vegetables
Where to find it: This can be found in the refrigerated section, next to the other ready-made meals. Its already ready to be heated and served.
Price: $5.99 for 16 oz.
What is it? Sweet potato, Yukon gold potato, brussel sprouts, red onion, zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, olive oil, salt, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and pepper.
Why I Like It:
Ingredients are simple.
It’s how I would make them at home, but all of the washing, chopping, seasoning, and cooking has already been done for me.
It’s earthy and delicious.
The garlic and herbs are a perfect way to make this a delicious, healthy thanksgiving side dish.
No seasoning is required; just heat and serve.
You can also use this in sandwiches or wraps. Just add your favorite meat & it’s a complete meal.
Leftovers are great paired with your favorite pasta and sauce.
Finish with the Trader Joe’s balsamic glaze on top.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Where to find it: This can be found in the freezer section. It's ready to be heated and served.
Price: $3.79 for 12 Oz
What is it: Mezzi Rigatoni Pasta with butternut squash puree blended with creamy gouda, cheddar, and parmesan cheese.
Why I like it:
Butternut squash is a staple flavor in holiday cuisine.
It’s a great way to make Mac & cheese really creamy by incorporating butternut squash into the sauce.
The spaghetti is short and thick, making it perfect for the sauce to get into.
Made with the classic béchamel sauce ingredients (Cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan).
Finished with nutmeg and sage for a classic holiday taste.
It’s seasonal.
I found that it’s best with a sprinkle of fresh sage on top.
Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes
Where to find it: The pumpkin sticky toffee cakes an be found in the freezer section.
Ready to be heated and served.
Price: $3.99 for 9.8 oz
What is it: It’s a pumpkin toffee cake flavored with pumpkin, dates, brown sugar and sticky caramel sauce.
Why I Like Them:
You can make them in the microwave if you want!
It’s a blend of toffee and pumpkin in a bundt cake shape.
It’s soft and moist on the inside and sweet and sticky on the outside.
It has cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove in it.
Perfectly paired with coconut whipped cream for a light and tasty, easy dessert.
This is by far my favorite dessert that Trader Joe’s carries. It’s moist, delicious and sweet.
Coconut Whipped Cream
Where to find it: It's in the dairy section, by the other whipped cream and milks.
Price: $3.29/can
What is it: It’s a lighter version of whipped cream, totally dairy-free!
Why I Like It:
It’s a staple in my house this time of year.
Has a slight coconut taste, very fresh and light.
It’s creamy, with just enough sweetness.
It’s vegan, great for those non-dairy friends.
It’s low calorie.
Great for on top of pies, cakes, hot chocolate, waffles or pancakes.
Shake before you serve!
Alternatively, you can use any whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
How to Make Trader Joe's Thanksgiving for 2
Begin by preheating your oven to 375F.
Grab 2 large sheet trays and unbox scalloped potatoes, cornbread stuffing, and roasted vegetables. Place them on the baking sheet next to each other. Place that in the oven for 25 minutes.
To the other baking sheet, add the butternut squash Mac and cheese. Remove the plastic wrap from the pumpkin sticky toffee cake and place it on the baking sheet.
Finally, line a part of the baking sheet with foil and add the sirloin and juice to the foil. Fold the 4 sides of the foil up so that the juice does not seep into the other parts.
Top the sirloin with butter and fresh thyme. Place that baking tray in the oven for 15 minutes (about 10 minutes into the other baking tray cooking).
Remove all baking sheets from the oven.
Plate and add some fresh herbs on top.
Enjoy the savory food.
Finish the meal with the warm, sticky pumpkin toffee cakes with coconut whipped cream on top.
Add Even More to Your Thanksgiving for 2 Menu
For another easy holiday resource, check out my non-perishable Thanksgiving list!
Want to add garlic knots to the menu? Try my Air Fryer Garlic Knots, ready in just a few minutes.
Are Brussel sprouts a favorite in your traditional Thanksgiving dinner? Try my easy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with bacon as a simple holiday side.
Carrots are an easy side dish this time of year. Try my delicious golden Air Fryer Carrots!
If you like pumpkin cream cheese dip, try my healthy, high-protein Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip. Dip graham crackers into it for a fun, easy, no-bake dessert.
Are you a pasta lover? You'll love my Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce!
FAQ
What are some dishes to make for a Thanksgiving dinner for 2?
You can make a super affordable, delicious, and easy Thanksgiving for two with items from Trader Joe's. My favorites are their Grass Fed Beef Sirloin Roast, Four Cheese Scalloped Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Roasted Vegetables, Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes, and Coconut Whipped Cream.
However, if you want to make some dishes at home, a few great recipes for a small Thanksgiving dinner are:
Herb-Roasted Turkey Tenderloins: Perfectly seasoned with fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary, these turkey tenderloins make for a flavorful and succulent main dish. Cook them to perfection and enjoy a taste of Thanksgiving without the need for a whole turkey.
Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions: Whip up a classic green bean casserole using fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and a generous topping of crispy fried onions. It's a comforting and satisfying side dish.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Pecans: Indulge in the sweet and savory combination of sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and warm holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Top it off with a generous sprinkle of candied pecans for a delightful crunch.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze and Thyme: Roast Brussels sprouts with olive oil, garlic, and aromatic thyme. Drizzle them with a tangy balsamic glaze for a delicious side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of the sprouts.
Sweet Potato Fries: These fries are a perfect option to add the perfect balance of sweet and savory to your turkey dinner. Simply peel and chop sweet potatoes into medium-sized strips, coat in olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and pop them in the oven!
Mini Pumpkin Pies: Bake individual-sized pumpkin pies using a prepared pie crust and a smooth pumpkin filling. Top them off with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a delightful and festive dessert.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce: Make a batch of homemade cranberry sauce using fresh cranberries, orange zest, brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon. This sauce's tart and tangy flavors complement the savory dishes on your table.
Mashed Potatoes: You can cook creamy mashed potatoes using russet potatoes, butter, milk, or cream, and a pinch of salt and pepper. These velvety smooth potatoes are the ultimate comfort food and a quintessential side dish for Thanksgiving. Another option is to simply buy boxed mashed potatoes from the grocery store!
This Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Dinner for 2 offers a stress-free, budget-friendly solution for creating a memorable holiday meal. With delicious dishes like Herb-Roasted Turkey Tenderloins, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, and more, you can enjoy the best flavors of Thanksgiving with fewer people. Embrace the spirit of the holiday season and savor every bite of this delicious feast that allows you to spend more time cherishing the company of your loved ones.
