Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce is a butternut squash and apple based sauce meant to bring the flavors of fall to your pasta dishes. With notes of sweet squash and tart apple in a mildly spiced sauce, it perfectly complements the seasonal theme of harvest and Thanksgiving. The sauce pairs well with whole wheat or vegetable pastas in shapes like cavatappi, rotini, and fusilli. Toppings like mushrooms, spinach and Italian sausage make ideal additions to elevated pasta creations featuring Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce.
1. Pairing With Pasta
Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce features a unique flavor profile of butternut squash and apples, making it a natural pairing for whole wheat or vegetable-based pastas. The mildly sweet and slightly spiced sauce really shines when matched with darker-colored pasta shapes made from whole grains or vegetables.
- Whole wheat pasta: The nutty, earthy flavor of whole wheat pasta stands up well to the fall fruit and vegetable notes in the sauce. Ditalini, fusilli, and rotini all work well.
- Brown rice pasta: The nutty brown rice pasta pairs nicely with the nutty squash in the sauce, while cutting the sweetness of the apple. Try cavatappi, penne rigate or macaroni shapes.
- Vegetable pasta: Colorful pastas made with sweet potato, carrot or beet complement the sweet and vegetable-forward sauce. Orecchiette and fusilli are great shapes.
The autumn harvest theme and slightly sweet-savory flavor profile of this sauce shine through best when paired with pasta shapes and colors that match the seasonal, comforting vibe. Opt for warmer tones like browns, oranges and reds over traditional white pasta when using Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest sauce. The pairing of nuts, squash and fruit in the sauce and pasta will create a harmony of retro, comforting fall flavors that your family and friends will love.
2. Serving Suggestions
Ground Sausage and Spinach
Toss 10 ounces of whole wheat rigatoni with 1 1/2 cups of the pasta sauce. Cook 8 ounces of sweet Italian sausage and crumble into the pasta. Stir in 2 packed cups of baby spinach and toss to wilt. Top with grated Parmesan. Serves 4.
Chicken and Mushrooms
Cook 1 pound of chicken breasts and slice. Toss with 2 1/2 cups of the sauce and 8 ounces of bow tie pasta. Saute 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms and stir into the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serves 4.
Baked Ziti
Cook 8 ounces of ziti pasta al dente. In a 9×13 baking dish, layer half of the pasta and half of a 26 ounce jar of the sauce. Top with 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese and crumbled Italian sausage. Layer remaining pasta and sauce. Top with more mozzarella. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
Stuffed Shells
Cook 12 jumbo pasta shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or turkey, 1 egg, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 teaspoon oregano and salt and pepper in a bowl. Stuff into cooked pasta shells. Pour 2 1/2 cups of the pasta sauce over stuffed shells in a 9×13 dish. Top with mozzarella. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Linguine and Chicken
Cook 8 ounces of linguine according to directions. Add 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, 2 cups of the pasta sauce and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Toss with the pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Cavatappi and Italian Sausage
Combine 1 pound of sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings, with 2 cups of the pasta sauce in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until browned, about 8 minutes. Add one 28 ounce can diced tomatoes and 8 ounces cavatappi pasta. Cook for 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Top with chopped basil.
These creative yet simple recipes showcase how Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce can be used to elevate classic pasta dishes by incorporating the uniquely seasonal squash and apple flavors into comforting, harvest-themed meals your whole family will love. The versatility of the sauce allows it to work in everything from quick weeknight dinners to more involved baked pasta recipes for entertaining. Experiment with your favorite pasta shapes and toppings for new twists on familiar fall favorites featuring Trader Joe’s specialty pasta sauce.
3. Storage and Shelf Life
Like most jarred pasta sauces, Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest sauce has a limited shelf life once opened. While an unopened jar can last for many months, once you break the seal and expose the sauce to air, bacteria can begin to grow. Properly storing and using the opened sauce within a few days to a week will ensure it remains fresh and flavorful.
- Refrigerate after opening: The most important step is to refrigerate any remaining sauce immediately after opening the jar. Place the jar in the refrigerator where it will be kept at 40°F or below. This slows the growth of bacteria that causes foodborne illness.
- Use within 1-2 weeks: Once refrigerated, Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce will typically maintain good quality for 1 to 2 weeks. Check the “use by” date on the jar, but in general use the sauce within 7 to 14 days after opening for best flavor and safety.
- Freeze in portions: If you want to extend the shelf life beyond 2 weeks, freeze portions of the leftover pasta sauce in freezer safe containers or zip top bags. Label and date the portions before freezing. Frozen pasta sauce will generally maintain quality for 2 to 3 months.
- Reheat sauce thoroughly: When ready to use refrigerated or frozen sauce, reheat it thoroughly on the stove top or in the microwave until steaming. Reheating to an internal temperature of 165°F kills any bacteria that may have grown. Let the sauce cool slightly before serving over hot pasta.
Follow these simple storage tips to get the most out of your Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce: refrigerate immediately, use within 1-2 weeks, freeze for longer storage, and reheat thoroughly before serving. Proper refrigeration is key – if left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, discard the sauce to be safe. With a little planning, one jar of this flavorful pasta sauce can be stretched to create multiple harvest-themed pasta meals for your family this fall.
In summary, Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce brings the unique flavors of butternut squash and apple to transform your fall pasta dishes. The sauce pairs nicely with whole wheat and vegetable pastas in seasonal shapes, and can be used in everything from simple weeknight dinners to more intricate baked pasta recipes. By refrigerating leftover sauce, freezing in portions, and thoroughly reheating before serving, one jar can provide multiple meals for your family this fall season.
FAQs
1. How much pasta sauce per serving?
A standard serving size of pasta sauce is around 1/2 cup. Most jarred pasta sauce ranges from 24 to 28 ounces, yielding around 6 to 8 servings.
2. What seasonings pair with Trader Joe’s pasta sauce?
Autumnal herbs like thyme, sage and rosemary complement the fall flavors in Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce. Grated Parmesan cheese and an optional pinch of crushed red pepper also pair well.
3. Does Trader Joe’s pasta sauce need to be refrigerated?
Yes, once opened Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce needs to be refrigerated. It will typically last 1-2 weeks in the fridge after opening before safety becomes a concern.
4. How do you reheat Trader Joe’s pasta sauce?
Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce can be gently reheated on the stove top in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, or placed in a microwave-safe bowl and microwaved in 30 second increments until hot throughout.
5. What pasta shapes go with Trader Joe’s pasta sauce?
Whole wheat and vegetable pastas in shapes like bowtie, rotini, fusilli, cavatappi and orecchiette pair well with Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce.
