The 2-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Dinner I’ve Been Eating Nonstop for Weeks

Ali Domrongchai
Ali DomrongchaiAssociate Editor, Groceries
Ali Domrongchai, a Southern-raised, Brooklyn-based food writer, grew up around her family's Thai restaurant that sparked her initial love for food. (Fun fact: her grandparents briefly ran a Thai grocery store in the 70s). In this space, her curiosity on the role that food plays in building community lead her to pursue a Bachelor’s of Arts in American Studies with a focus on the ways in which pad Thai affects the Thai American experience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joins The Kitchn as an Associate Editor for the Groceries vertical. Before this role, she held staff positions at Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Allrecipes. Her words and recipes have also been featured in Cook's Country, Simply Recipes, and EatingWell. Oh, and most importantly, she can’t go more than a few hours without a sweet treat.
published Sep 11, 2024
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WOODMERE, OH, USA - APRIL 30, 2022: The Trader Joe's store at Eton Center, an upscale shopping area on the eastern outskirts of Cleveland; this Trader Joe's is a standalone store.
Credit: Kenneth Sponsler/Shutterstock

I’m all about a dinner shortcut. Sure, I love the process of cooking long, multi-step recipes at home, but there’s something so special (albeit, thrilling) about a satisfying meal that comes together in next to no time. You might be thinking: Why not just eat frozen meals? I do — often. There’s also something to be said about the act of preparing a meal, with a lot fewer steps. Homemade-ish. 

My favorite spot to grab ingredients to craft quick, easy dinners? Trader Joe’s. My most recent quick dinner is a two-ingredient dish that’s packed with saucy flavor and comes together in less than 10 minutes. All you need is Trader Joe’s Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce and Sourdough Sandwich Bread to get dinner on the table, and for just $5. 

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

What Makes This Trader Joe’s 2-Ingredient Saucy Beans Toast So Good? 

These large cannellini beans are simmered with tomato sauce, onion, parsley, and dill and served with crispy, tangy pieces of sourdough toast. It’s saucy, savory, crunchy, and just so good. What could be better? 

I could break up the beans into two different servings for two meals, but I find it so delicious that I’d rather eat the can in one sitting. I go back and forth between which element really makes the dish but I just can’t pick! They are both so good and instrumental to this meal. 

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

How to Make My Trader Joe’s 2-Ingredient Saucy Beans Toast

This dinner has been on repeat over the past few weeks, and I can’t wait to keep enjoying it all fall long. Here’s how I make it. 

  1. Toast the bread. In a skillet, add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil over medium-high heat and toast two slices of sourdough toast. Cook to your preferred crispness; I do about one minute on each side.
  2. Heat the beans and top your toast. While the bread is toasting, add your beans to a microwave-safe bowl and heat up for one minute. Beans can be eaten cold, but I think it’s a lot better if they’re slightly heated. Add your toast and enjoy!

If I’m feeling especially fancy I’ll add some red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of fresh parsley, but this combo is excellent on its own. The beans are full of savory-umami goodness and pair beautifully scooped up with some crispy sourdough bread. One bite, and you’ll understand why I can’t stop making it! 

Find it at Trader Joe’s: Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce, $1.99 for a 10-ounce can; Sourdough Sandwich Bread, $3.49 for 24 ounces

What groceries do you use for two-ingredient dinners? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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