10 Trader Joe's Finds That Actually Feed 4+ Hungry Dinner Guests

It's a familiar dilemma to anyone who's had to suddenly make dinner for their boss and their boss' spouse. You had a roast prepared for the occasion, but oh no! It's burnt to a crisp! Whatever can you do? (Let's assume for this purpose that you live in an old-timey sitcom where employees were still expected to have their boss over.) Well, why not stop by Trader Joe's and pick up one of its hearty, satisfying frozen meals which, depending on the portion size, can feed four hungry people?

This is, admittedly, something you'll have to be careful about. Trader Joe's is a grocery store renowned for its freezer section, but it's not always generous with its portion sizes, and you may have to buy two or even three packages of some to make a meal for your whole table. But wherever possible, we're including dishes that can serve four with just one package, while also suggesting some tasty side dishes you can serve to go with them, if need be.

Well, it's not called a Family Style Meat Lasagna for no reason. Unlike some of Trader Joe's other pasta offerings (like its Spaghetti with Meat and Sauce, which only serves one), this is a big, brawny slab of pasta in a tray, perfect for sliding onto a plate and divvying into slices. The serving size is for four people, and they won't necessarily be modest portions, either. Serve it with some of Trader Joe's Garlic Gondolas.

You can buy Trader Joe's Family Style Meat Lasagna for $7.49.

Well, if Family Style Meat Lasagna serves four, why not try this deep dish pizza that serves five? This is a newer Trader Joe's offering, and one that is generally agreed to do the Motor City proud. Slice it up into five big slices for your family, or do like the box suggests and carve it into little bite-sized squares. Something tells us you won't have room for a side.

You can buy Trader Joe's Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza for $7.99.

Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken is a legendary frozen entree, one of the first that gets recommended to TJ's novices — and for good reason. It's utterly savory, sweet, and tangy in equal measure, and one of the many Asian-inspired Trader Joe's dishes that deserve a spot on your dinner table. The bag says it feeds four, and if you serve it with some BBQ Pork Fried Rice, you'll find it's more than enough for the whole family.

You can buy Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken for $5.49.

If you'd like to have another Chinese takeout favorite for dinner without springing for delivery, you can always get Trader Joe's Kung Pao Chicken. Savory, spicy sauce coats dark meat chicken tossed with vegetables for a filling, flavorful meal that claims to feed about four. If you're wanting a little more, you can always get some rice for a side.

You can buy Trader Joe's Kung Pao Chicken for $6.49.

Trader Joe's frozen foods are delicious and satiating, of course, but there are other ways to feed your family from good ol' TJ's. These chicken thighs — the first of the prepared foods on this list — are marinated in the panoply of spices that typically accompany shawarma chicken, and while you don't need the vertical rotisserie used to prepare the dish (a grill is fine), they're incredibly tasty. Serve it with some Organic Basmati Rice, or maybe some Spicy Spuds.

You can buy Trader Joe's Shawarma Chicken Thighs for $6.99 a pound.

Trader Joe's offers plenty of delicious frozen Korean food choices, whether it's the Beef Bulgogi or the log of Kimbap. These are maybe a little less convenient, in terms of the fact that you'd have to thaw them and cook them (on the grill? Roasting in the oven? Some kind of braise? Who's to say?), but once you taste the sweet and savory soy sauce marinade, you won't be complaining. Serving about five, try it with some veggies to cut through the richness.

You can buy Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs for $14.99.

Another seasoned meat entree from a different part of the world, this one takes inspiration from the Middle East. (In fact, kebabs are eaten in many places and go by many names, but these particular kebabs are flavored in the Middle Eastern style.) With crunchy breadcrumbs and loads of spices, these are ready to grill, and two bags can feed six people for a reasonable price.

You can buy Trader Joe's Middle Eastern Style Kebabs for $6.99, or two for $13.98.

As anyone who's shopped there know, Trader Joe's mostly carries private label products. There are a few exceptions, such as those giant Danish kringles and some Walker's Shortbread, and whenever you come across one, it makes you raise your eyebrows. Silver Birch Farms Traditional Carnitas is no exception — one taste of these spicy, savory, flavorful pork products will tell you they belong here. With four servings listed on the nutrition facts, this should go well with a side like the Frozen Brown Rice.

You can buy Silver Birch Farms Traditional Carnitas from Trader Joe's for $6.49.

This one isn't quite as plug-and-play as some of the rest. You can, of course, enjoy breaded chicken breast plain if you're the kind of person who would, but if you're cooking for more than just yourself, you'll want to gussy it up some. Luckily, it's easy to do — chicken parmesan! Chicken tacos! Wienerschnitzel with gravy! — and with enough breasts here to serve nine people, you'll be sure you won't go hungry.

You can buy Trader Joe's Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts for $8.99.

This is another one where we're cheating a little. One bag of this Pasta Primavera, made with noodles and bright vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers, serves about three, so if you expect more guests than that, you'll want to get two bags. But two bags of this stuff costs less than $10, so you're still getting a pretty great deal — and giving your guests a fresh, delightful main course to boot. This is another dish where you'll want to break out the Garlic Gondolas.

You can buy Pasta Primavera from Trader Joe's for $4.49, or $8.98 for two bags.