Trader Joe's Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms is a frozen entrée that combines bay scallops, mushrooms, and peas in a creamy Emmental cheese sauce. Priced at $5.99 for a 16-ounce bag, this dish is ready to heat and eat in under 30 minutes, making it a quick solution for a seafood fix on a weeknight. You'll find it in the frozen seafood section.
Jump to:
Review
I wasn't entirely sure how I'd feel about combining scallops and cheese-those two ingredients don't exactly scream "perfect match." But surprisingly, this actually works. The Emmental cheese sauce leans creamy and mild, like an Alfredo that didn't get the memo to be heavy. It coats the scallops and peas without overpowering them.
Let's talk about the scallops. For a frozen meal, these scallops were surprisingly tender and not at all rubbery. That's usually my biggest concern with frozen seafood, but Trader Joe's nailed the texture here. That said, they're bay scallops, so don't expect huge pieces, but what you get is decent in size and quality.
Now, the mushrooms? A bit of a letdown. There just aren't that many of them. If you're expecting a mushroom-heavy dish based on the title, you might be disappointed. In contrast, the peas are everywhere. Pea lovers, rejoice. Pea haters, beware.
The overall flavor profile is creamy, slightly nutty from the cheese, and mellow. It's not overly fishy, and the dish doesn't need much seasoning out of the bag, though a little cracked black pepper never hurts.
How to Serve
This dish is best served hot and pairs well with any carb that can soak up sauce. Some great options:
- Tossed with fettuccine or linguine
- Spooned over rice or risotto
- Served with a crusty baguette to mop up the cheesy sauce
Garnishing with fresh parsley, lemon zest, or parmesan can take this up a notch.
Creative Uses
If you want to stretch this beyond a typical dinner plate:
- Seafood Flatbread: Use naan or flatbread, top with the saucy scallops, and bake until crispy for a seafood-inspired pizza.
- Seafood Casserole Base: Mix with pasta, top with breadcrumbs and bake.
- Savory Puff Pastry Cups: Spoon the mixture into puff pastry shells for an elevated party appetizer.
FAQs about Trader Joe's Scallops with Mushrooms
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
It's creamy but not overwhelmingly cheesy. The Emmental gives a nutty, mellow flavor that complements the seafood well.
Nope! They're surprisingly tender for frozen scallops.
Not at all. It's mild and creamy.
No, you'll need to add your own sides-this is just the saucy scallops, peas, and mushrooms. See the image below for what it looks like straight from the bag.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms is one of those weirdly wonderful frozen meals you don't expect to like but do. It's creamy, mild, and filled with scallops that hold up in texture. While the mushroom count could use a boost, the overall flavor works better than it should. If you're craving a quick seafood dish that's low effort and big on creamy comfort, it's worth trying at least once.
Do you love these reviews?
Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.
You can also FOLLOW ME on the following platforms by clicking the icons below:
Trader Joe’s Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms
Product Name: Trader Joe’s Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms
Product Description: Trader Joe’s Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms bring unexpected flavor combinations.
Price: $5.99
Summary
Trader Joe’s Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms is a long-standing favorite in the freezer aisle.
-
Taste
-
Value
-
Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
-
Bold flavor combo – Cheese and scallops sounds odd but actually works.
-
Great scallop texture – Not rubbery or overcooked.
-
Convenient – Heats up fast for an easy dinner.
Cons
-
Pea-heavy – Definitely more peas than mushrooms.
-
Sparse on mushrooms – Not enough to live up to the name.
-
Needs a base – Better served with pasta or rice for a full meal.
Lucy says
Have seen some reviews excoriating this product, which is too bad: it's not horrible tasting, and a cheese or cream sauce isn't uncommon with seafood in many parts of the world (which seems to be many critic's chief complaint). True - the mushrooms are a tad on the skimpy side (they don't really freeze well, so not too much of a slam here, especially when adding three or four sliced mushrooms is not so very difficult). This TJ's product is really pretty good for a quick Friday-night dinner for two.
becomebetty says
Hey Lucy! You are absolutely right. I think in the US you don't see too many applications of the cheese/seafood combo. But it is a good quick dinner for two. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Lucy says
This is a pretty-good product for a quick dinner for two. Have seen many complaints, mostly centering on the notion of a cheese sauce for seafood (actually fairly common in many cuisines that aren’t American-made) and a paucity of mushrooms (again, not too hard to slice up three or four mushrooms to add, if you like). It’s best to be cautious with the scallops, though: if you let that sauce boil, you will sendup with tough bay scallops – but that’d happen if you cooked them too quickly from a raw state, too, so just be careful as you’re heating this.
becomebetty says
Hey Lucy! I'm all for doctoring up an already packaged product. I think Sandra Lee made that an "in" thing to do. I think any product that comes prepackaged always deserves the touch of the end user. Thanks so much for sharing your insight! Hope you'll stop by again!
cb says
Plenty of scallops, cheese sauce and peas, but where were the mushrooms? 4 slices in something marked as 3 servings? Ultimately, I enjoyed it. Just wondering where the mushrooms were hiding.
becomebetty says
Hey CB! I agree that there could have been more mushrooms in this, but that can sometimes be a common theme. If you've tried the Shiitake Mushroom chicken in the frozen aisle, it suffered in the exact same way. A total lack of mushrooms. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts on this!