Trader Joe’s Spinach Dip Pasta is a creamy pasta dish made with TJ’s frozen spinach and artichoke dip, chicken sausage, and 16 ounces of pasta. The full batch makes four servings in 25 minutes with no sauce built from scratch.
Two containers of the dip is what makes the sauce thick enough to coat a full pound of pasta. One 8.8-ounce container is not enough once the pasta expands in the pot. The second one closes that gap without needing to add cream or extra cheese.
The dip goes into the microwave before it goes into the skillet. Cold dip stirred directly into hot pasta stays clumped and uneven. Three minutes, a stir, then another three to four minutes gets it smooth and melty enough to coat every piece in one pass.
Trader Joe’s Spinach Dip Pasta Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes20
minutes300
kcalThe sauce here is TJ’s frozen spinach and artichoke dip, warmed and stirred into pasta without cream, butter, or a separate sauce step. One skillet, four servings, 25 minutes total.
Ingredients
16 oz pasta (any shape), plus ¼ cup reserved cooking liquid
2 containers (8.8 oz each) TJ’s frozen Spinach and Artichoke Dip
2 tsp olive oil
4 cooked chicken sausage links, sliced into rounds
1 tsp garlic powder
Juice from 1 lemon, optional
Parmesan cheese, to serve, optional
Directions
- Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the starchy cooking liquid. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, place both frozen dip containers in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes, stir, then microwave for another 3 to 4 minutes until warm and melty throughout.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sausage. Pour the warm dip over the top and stir until every piece of pasta is coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Stir in the garlic powder. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parmesan, if using. Serve immediately.
FAQs
Why does this recipe use two containers of dip?
One container of TJ’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip is 8.8 ounces, which is not enough to cover 16 ounces of cooked pasta once it has expanded. Two containers produce the actual volume of sauce the dish needs to coat every piece. Without the second container, the pasta ends up dry in patches rather than creamy throughout.
Why warm the dip separately before adding it to the skillet?
Cold dip stirred into hot pasta stays lumpy and does not coat evenly because the temperature stops it from spreading. Warming it in the microwave first brings it to a smooth, pourable consistency before it hits the pasta. Six to seven minutes total with a stir halfway through is all it takes.
Can I swap the protein?
Italian sausage works as a direct substitute if you want more spice in the sauce. Any pre-cooked TJ’s chicken is another option, chopped into pieces and added without searing since it is already cooked. For a completely different TJ’s chicken dinner, TJ’s chicken shawarma bowls take the same amount of time with a totally different flavor profile.
What pasta shape works best?
Any short or long pasta holds the dip sauce well since it is thick enough to cling without pooling at the bottom. Ridged shapes like rigatoni or penne grip the sauce slightly better than smooth options. Whatever shape you have at home is fine for a quick weeknight version.
How do leftovers keep?
Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. The dip sauce thickens as it sits, so reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a small splash of water to bring it back to a creamy consistency. The microwave works in a pinch but tends to dry the pasta out faster than the stovetop does.
What goes well alongside this?
The dip sauce is rich enough that a lighter starter creates a better balance at the table. TJ’s gnocchi soup comes together while the pasta water heats and adds a warm, brothy contrast on the side. A green salad with lemon dressing is the simplest option if you prefer something cold alongside.
