There’s a lot to love about Trader Joe’s. Not only does the store cater to a range of budgets, and ensures its produce is competitively priced, but the retailer also keeps its selection fresh with rotating seasonal items.
For the last few weeks, Trader Joe’s has been hard at work churning out all of our favorite fall products. The grocer’s beloved Pumpkin Ice Cream made a comeback, and recently, the store dropped a Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake, giving fans yet another reason to pack a purse fork.
Now, the retailer is bringing back one of shoppers’ favorite seasonal dinners and fans are already planning to stock up.
Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese Is Back
Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese has returned to shelves. The frozen meal features a velvety base made with butternut squash purée and a blend of three cheeses. Rather than traditional macaroni noodles, TJ’s opted for mezzi rigatoni, a short, hollow noodle with ridges. The noodles are coated with a rich sage and nutmeg-infused cheese sauce, offering the coziest flavors of fall in every bite.
Customers have loved Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese for years and were happy to find it back in stores. In a recent Reddit thread, users shared their excitement for its return and plans to buy these in bulk. “Time to pack the freezer!!,” wrote one Trader Joe’s shopper. “I picked up 3 boxes when I saw them a few days ago in MD!,” added another.
While the majority of commenters are thrilled, some expressed concern with changes in the recipe. “Eating one right now and came to see if there were comments about this—seems thinner and more watery! Pretty disappointed, I remember it being cheesier in years past,” said one Redditor.
But others found the taste of this year’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese had improved. “I thought it was awful last year. It was like they put all the toppings in a big vat and didn’t mix well. Some people complained it wasn’t cheesy enough and some said it was all seasoning. I just ate my first one from this year and it was sooo good,” wrote one fan. “I don’t usually eat the whole thing, but I did this time. I hope they’re all like that.”
If you’ve been waiting for the return of Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese all year, act fast because this seasonal staple won’t last long.