Fall is in the air and seasonal offerings are on the shelves at local stores. If you’re craving some quick and easy entrees, sides, and sweet treats featuring yummy fall ingredients, check out these five great buys at Trader Joe’s in The Woodlands Crossing Shopping Center on Kuykendahl Road, around a 12-minute drive from Olympus Auburn Lakes.

Pumpkin Bread Mix

If you love banana bread, carrot cake, or zucchini bread, you have to try this flavorful fall version. Trader Joe’s has Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix available in both regular and gluten-free varieties. You just add vegetable oil, two eggs, and water, and then mix and bake. So easy! Add chocolate chips for some extra pizazz. And if you’re a true pumpkin fan, keep your eyes open for the Pumpkin Pancake & Waffle mix.

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

Whether you eat it as a meal by itself or just have a little as a side dish, Mac & Cheese is one of life’s great comfort foods. Trader Joe’s version takes it up a notch with seasonal Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese. It’s super creamy and combines three different cheeses and butternut squash puree to make a sauce that’s buttery, rich, and irresistible. You’ll find it in the freezer aisle.

Fall Zucchette Pasta

If you’ve never described pasta noodles as adorable, then you’ve never seen the Fall Zucchette Pasta at Trader Joe’s. These noodles are shaped like miniature pumpkins and get their orange tint and flavor from paprika. Just boil until al dente, drain, and serve with your favorite pasta sauce. Or really lean into the pumpkin theme and use Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce.

Pepita Salsa

What’s a pepita? Basically, it’s an exotic name for a pumpkin seed, although they only come from certain types of pumpkins and don’t have a shell. Pepitas are a source of healthy fats and are delicious roasted. They also happen to be the headline ingredient in Trader Joe’s Pepita Salsa, where the seeds are roasted, ground up, and added to tomato and bell peppers puree, onion, garlic, and more. The result is a mild, chunky salsa with a smokey, earthy flavor and just a little kick. Great with tortilla chips, as a dip for veggies, on a salad – you name it.

Apple Cider Donuts

Pumpkin isn’t the only great fall flavor. Apples are bountiful this time of year, and Apple Cider Donuts are a wonderful treat any time of day. Or all day long, if you choose to binge on a whole box by yourself! These Trader Joe’s donuts get their rich apple flavor from sweet apple cider, which also gives them a moist and fluffy texture. Then they’re rolled in classic cinnamon-sugar for the perfect finishing touch. And if you want to add some apple flavor to any plain baked good or your pork chops, go nuts with Apple Cider Fruit Spread that basically tastes like apple pie in a jar.

With the exception of the Pepita Salsa, these items are seasonal and only available while supplies last, so get them while you can. For more great food and lifestyle suggestions, take a look at our blog.