I'm a trained chef and mom of 2. Here are 10 of my favorite Trader Joe's staples.

Let's start with a foundational staple: butter.

Whether I'm spreading it on toast, cooking scrambled eggs, or finishing roasted veggies, I think this European-style salted butter is the tastiest I've tried.

Plus, in my experience, it's typically less expensive than other imported butters.

I cut it into thirds and keep a portion in my butter dish at room temperature for easy spreading.

Garlic and ginger add tons of flavor to everything from stir fries to salad dressings, but prepping them fresh can be daunting when you need to make dinner in a hurry.

I keep these frozen teaspoon-portioned nuggets on hand at all times and toss some in when I'm cooking vegetables, dumplings, pasta, or anything that can benefit from a little extra something.

For years, I avoided making rice on the stovetop because I found it annoying. Although it's not particularly difficult, the time it takes is rarely aligned with my dinner plans.

Then, I found Trader Joe's incredible variety of frozen precooked rice options, which can be prepared in just three minutes in the microwave.

I particularly love the rice medley variety.

From grilled cheese sandwiches and charcuterie boards to school lunches and quesadillas, we eat a lot of cheese in my house, and it all comes from Trader Joe's.

I prefer a combination of the caramelized-onion cheddar and the cheddar-and-Gruyere mèlange for what I think are the most satisfying grilled cheese sandwiches ever.

I think salads are the best way to eat more vegetables, but prepping individual ingredients is a non-starter on busy days. Enter: Trader Joe's salad kits.

The variety is extensive, the flavors are amazing, and they include all the fun toppings I'd never take the time to prep separately.

I'm a fan of the elote and avocado ranch salads, but I especially love the dill-pickle ranch variety, which I don't often see in-store.

Trader Joe's makes a variety of flavors of prepared chicken that can be added to just about anything, which is a huge help.

My favorite right now is the chili-lime flavor, which I frequently add to the aforementioned salad kits.

However, the lemon-pepper and balsamic flavors are also delicious.

I'm constantly searching for more quick and easy ways to sneak protein into my kids' meals.

They love hot dogs, but I try to opt for more nutritious choices, so I keep these chicken sausages on hand.

They heat up quickly, pair well with just about anything, and satisfy both adult and kid palates.

We go through so much of this Greek yogurt.

Whether it's for breakfast (flavored with fresh fruit and maple syrup), a snack topped with granola, or as a substitute for sour cream (because I always forget to buy it) — this thick and creamy Greek yogurt is a delicious backdrop for so many things.

Sometimes, being a chef is diametrically opposed to having a child whose favorite food is Trader Joe's frozen mac and cheese.

Honestly, I can't blame him. It truly is the best commercially available mac and cheese I've ever had, with its creamy sauce and real, melty cheese.

Sometimes I'll stir in frozen peas or corn, or pair it with chicken sausage and baby carrots for a complete meal.

One package feeds both my kiddos (for now). It's the most frequently requested meal in my house, and all I have to do is turn on the microwave, so I'm not complaining.

These little treats have a cult following, and for a very good reason — I think they're the best peanut butter cup you'll ever eat.

I prefer the dark-chocolate variety, but milk chocolate is amazing, too.

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