Within the vast continuum of comfort foods, pasta dishes are often among the most comforting. And within that subset of comfort foods, carbonara may just be the queen. Rich, creamy, and satisfying, with plenty of savory cheese and smoky pancetta (do we really need to say any more after that?), a great carbonara can lift moods, nourish spirits, and leave one feeling consummately cozy and content. Brought to us by a supplier in Italy, Trader Joe’s Spaghetti Carbonara is, indeed, a great carbonara, made even greater by its remarkable value and effortless method of preparation.

Once brought home, from our freezers into yours, all this Carbonara needs is a few minutes in the microwave or stovetop before it’s steamy, creamy, and enchantingly aromatic. Every forkful is full-flavored and luxuriously textured, from the al dente bite of the spaghetti to the savoriness of the egg, Grana Padano, and Pecorino Romano-based sauce, to the toothsomeness of the tender, diced pancetta. It makes an excellent (not to mention effortless) dinner option, whether it’s enjoyed as a well planned out feast with garlic bread, stuffed mushrooms, and grilled zucchini, or a last-minute meal combined with one of our super quick salad kits.