Summer Meals You Can Buy at Trader Joe's

Summertime is all about ease, and meals shouldn’t be an exception! With a few favorites, these Trader Joe’s dinner ideas come together almost effortlessly, leaving more time for you to enjoy those long days with your little ones, and are guaranteed to please everyone, even the picky ones at your table. Scroll down to see them all.

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Chicken Pasta Salad

This salad is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or a portable option for a picnic or potluck. Plus, it’s equally fantastic served warm or cold! Toss cooked pasta with a jar of Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa, black beans, chopped chicken and a bit of creamy dressing, like the tasty Cilantro. Add a handful of your favorite veggies and shredded or cubed cheese to top it off.

Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers

For a delicious veggie-centric summer dinner, stuffed peppers with quinoa and feta are hard to beat. Stuff a variety of peppers with a pre-made quinoa salad, sprinkle with feta and bake until warmed through. You’ll get a bright pop of color, a big boost of vitamins and a whole lot of yumminess.

BBQ Pork Sandwiches with Coleslaw

need a Trader Joe's dinner idea? Tried BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. — Anna Doogan

BBQ pork sandwiches are one of the quintessential backyard summer meals, and they're oh-so-simple with a few shortcuts. Pre-made shredded pork heats up in minutes, and the coleslaw mix can quickly be thrown together, leaving extra time for you to toss that frisbee with the kids a few more times.

Scallop Rolls

One of our favorite Trader Joe's dinner ideas? A twist on the classic lobster roll! Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper, and saute in butter. Then tuck them into a squishy hot dog bun with some greens and a dollop of mayo or a tangy tartar sauce. You may not actually be lounging at the seashore, but with this recipe, at least you can pretend you are. Perfection.

Steak Tacos

need a trader joe's dinner idea? Try tacos! — Anna Doogan

Can’t decide what to have for dinner? A DIY taco bar is a fun and simple crowd-pleaser. While the meat’s cooking, set out tortillas, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, olives and any other toppings you can think of. Then let everyone go to town making their own creation!

Island Soyaki Rice Bowl with Meatballs

Get all the beach feels with a tropical-inspired rice bowl. Cook party-size frozen mini meatballs in Island Soyaki marinade, flavored with pineapple juice, garlic and ginger. Serve over cooked rice. Add sautéed red peppers and grilled pineapple chunks, and don’t forget to save a little sauce for drizzling on top.

Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Need a Trader Joe's dinner idea? Try shrimp pesto pasta. — Anna Doogan

Pesto is the star of this easy pasta recipe that will definitely earn a spot in the summer dinner rotation. Mix your favorite cooked pasta with shrimp and garlicky pesto. Add chopped fresh basil and tomato with a sprinkling of grated parmesan for an extra blast of favorite summery flavors.