There are not too many frozen dishes out there that are so yummy I'd happily pretend I made them myself, but this butternut-squash mac and cheese is an exception. It is absolutely heavenly.
The butternut-squash sauce is decadent and rich, with notes of aromatic sage and salty cheese coming through on every bite that tone down the squash's natural sweetness.
The dish is smooth and super thick, like a bechamel, but doesn't have the usual slight stringiness you might expect from pureed squash. It also gives a perfect cheese pull thanks to its seamless mixture of gouda, cheddar, and parmesan.
On top of that, the rigatoni somehow cooks to a perfect al dente in the microwave. I especially love how the sauce clings to the inside of each tube, adding a burst of creaminess to each bite.
Each time I eat it I feel like I'm treating myself to a fancy dinner. I'm crossing my fingers Trader Joe's never discontinues this because it truly is something special.