The pros: Trader Joe's Spinach and Chive Linguine Pasta is a tasty alternative to plain pasta, it cooks quickly and tastes like homemade.
The cons: This is also pricier than most pastas.
The verdict: I love a good pasta. I even loved pastas that aren't pastas like Trader Joe's Carrot Spirals. For the calories, you can't beat the carrots spirals. Whenever you discuss cutting calories, very rarely do you get the exact same taste. There are some sacrifices that need to be made. However, if you are not looking to cut calories then some of Trader Joe's bagged pastas are worth a look. I haven't had a bad one yet as far as the flavored pastas go. Other flavors available include Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Pappardelle, Trader Joe's Garlic and Basil Linguine, and now the Spinach and Chive Linguine.
For $2.29 for an 8 ounce bag or $5.58 per pound you are getting linguine that says it serves 4. I think you'll get something closer to 2-3 servings out of this depending on the meal. Once your water is boiling, it is ready in 2-4 minutes for al dente. I wouldn't cook this beyond that. When I opened the bag I could smell the spinach and the chive. When cooked the smell was muted, but the flavor was not. This is more spinach than chive, but the chive flavor is present. What type of sauce would work best here? I would say olive oil or butter. Heavier sauces work better with an unflavored pasta. For what you are paying you don't want to cover up those flavors. While many sauce will work, it's a question of preference. Try this plain first, to see if you think it needs it.
Otherwise, this is another solid choice in the flavored dried pasta section. I'd buy this again, but it won't make the weekly shopping list. It's a nice treat from time to time.
The bag of Trader Joe's Spinach and Chive Linguine Pasta:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare:
After being cooked you get:
Would I buy this again? This is a yes from me. While pricier than most pastas, this is tasty and not overwhelming in terms of the flavor here. It was lovely with just butter and a nice side.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Nancy Holsten says
ABSOLUTELY NO SUBSTITUTE for LEMON PEPPER PAPPARDELLE. I don't think this spinach/chive linguine is worth the money or the taste. My group of friends who bought 2 bags at a time are all disappointed that TJ's has discontinued this pasta. Even my picky grandsons who said they didn't like lemon, loved the Lemon Pepper Pappardelle. At Christmas, we bought at least 2 lbs. and made it with shrimp. Every Christmas they ask for it.
It was our "go-to" for quick & easy dinner for 4.
Also, TJ's rarely has the Roasted Pecan Blue Cheese spread.
On both of these products, TJ reps have said they are discontinued because they weren't popular. Yet people I know loved them and bought them each week. That a line "not popular" that we don't believe.
Employees are excellent but they say "discontinued" and then 6 months later the "Roasted Pecan/Blue Cheese Spread" was back for a short time. I bought 4 and have one left in the freezer.
WHAT'S UP T.J.'s? We spend a lot of money with you. Now we go (or used to go) to the farmer's for our lemon pepper pasta. Your loyal customers should not be disappointed.......I've complained like this once before. Others say, "they (T.J.) don't care. They're making lots of money.......bottom line. "sniff!"
Please let me know if you decide to stock it again. I'll buy a case of it and share it with friends.