When I first saw Trader Joe’s Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni, I thought it might similar to Eric Kim’s gochujang buttered noodles in the NYT. But the truth is although this pasta gets its kick from a gochujang sauce, Trader Joe’s named this one right. It truly is an alfredo sauced pasta, so it’s more like mac n cheese spiced with a gochujang sauce.
When you rip open the bag, you get a pile of giant fusilli and the sauce is frozen in 2″x2″-ish squares. Each bag is 2 servings, or one hungry person. You know I loved that giant fusilli when TJ’s had in the pasta section, so for me, this is a great choice of pasta shape. I measured out 8 oz. and just winged it on how many sauce squares. Popped it in the microwave for 3 minutes (the bag recommends 4 mins, but it depends on your microwave wattage). I didn’t want the sauce to separate as alfredo usually does when reheated.
Mixed things up a bit, and then tossed it back in for another minute. The pepper bits in the sauce aren’t spicy, I think they’re mainly just there for color. As you can see, no separation on the sauce.
While it’s definitely not health food, I liked this one a lot as a spicy alfredo / mac n cheese situation. Doing half, it ended up lightly sauced, which was a plus in my book. The pasta was definitely al dente, so if you like your noodles softer and on the floppy side, this might not be for you. I don’t know what adding water and microwaving longer would do it…
Anyway, I could have easily eaten the whole bag, Depending on your spice tolerance, it does build up a little as you’re eating it. But as someone whose tastes run medium spicy, this was fine for me. It also didn’t read specifically as gochujang to me, flavor-wise. Not a knock, it’s just more like a spicy alfredo. So I wouldn’t be tempted to add tofu or take it in an Asian direction with side dishes. I’d maybe add basic shredded chicken, if you want to add some protein.
Would I buy it again? Yeah, I think I would. As something to have around for a quick meal, especially because I like the giant fusilli so much!
Check out some other We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s:
Ricotta Cuoricini Ravioli (Valentine’s seasonal)
For more ideas using gochujang, check out:
5 Great Ways to Use Trader Joe’s Gochujang