Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque becomes the sauce for a pound of penne pasta, cooked alongside Argentinian shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, onion, and Parmesan. The whole pan comes together in 17 minutes and serves four. Fresh basil on top is optional but finishes each bowl.
The lobster bisque container does the work that a scratch sauce would normally take 20 minutes to build. It already carries cream, lobster stock, and seasoning, so there is nothing left to build from scratch. Parmesan stirred in at the end is what thickens it into something that coats the penne.
The cherry tomatoes go in halved, not whole, and that cut surface is what matters. Heating in the bisque, the cut face releases tomato juice into the sauce and softens the richness of the cream. Whole tomatoes do not release at the same rate and leave the sauce richer and less balanced.
Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes12
minutes760
kcalTrader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta Recipe with penne, Argentinian shrimp, cherry tomatoes, onion, and Parmesan. One big pan, four servings in 17 minutes
Ingredients
- Pasta
16 oz. penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
Salted water, for boiling
- Sauce
Olive oil, for the pan
1 small onion, diced
1 (16 oz.) container Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque
1 (16 oz.) package Trader Joe’s Argentinian Shrimp, thawed, OR 12 oz. Trader Joe’s frozen langostino tails, thawed and cut into small pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Optional to serve
Fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
- Add the thawed shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cooked through and pink.
- Pour in the lobster bisque and add the halved cherry tomatoes. Stir and cook until heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
FAQs
Does the pasta shape matter, or is penne the best choice?
Penne works well, but short ridged shapes like rigatoni or fusilli hold the bisque even better because of their grooves. The sauce is on the thinner side for a cream-based pasta, so textured shapes trap more per bite. Long pasta like linguine works but produces a lighter, less coated result.
Can I add heavy cream to make the sauce thicker?
A splash of heavy cream stirred into the bisque at the sauce stage will thicken it slightly without changing the flavor. The bisque already contains cream, so the addition feels natural rather than pulling the sauce in a new direction. Start with 2 tablespoons, taste, and add more if needed before the pasta goes in.
Can I scale this down to two servings?
The full container of bisque makes four servings, and halving the recipe means splitting the container and storing the rest. Opened bisque keeps refrigerated for 3 to 4 days, so a second batch later in the week is easy. Halve every other ingredient and use 8 ounces of pasta to keep the sauce-to-pasta ratio correct.
What other Trader Joe’s seafood recipe works for a different night?
On nights when a completely different seafood format fits better, sushi rolls cover that slot without any pasta or cream. A Trader Joe’s sushi recipe on this site uses TJ’s Surimi and nori to build spicy crab rolls in about 40 minutes. Together the two cover a weekly seafood rotation without repeating any ingredients.
What works from the same store when a lighter, no-pasta plate fits the evening?
Lighter plates without pasta or cream come from the same store without needing any heat at all. A Trader Joe’s green goddess salad on this site builds from chopped cabbage and TJ’s dressing in about 15 minutes with no cooking. Together the two cover a weekly rotation at opposite ends of the richness scale from the same store.
