I Tried Trader Joe's Tiramisu Ravioli, And I Can See Why It's Going Viral

Tiramisu takes many forms, whether you go the classic route or transform it into a cheesecake or perhaps a frosted sugar cookie. Well, Trader Joe's recently introduced it in a fresh, novel format: as a pasta. This Tiramisu Ravioli is a limited-time creation that dropped just in time for holiday hosting, but is it worth serving to friends and family? Will they ask for seconds or politely spit it out? I wondered whether it could actually deliver on the tiramisu profile, which is a dessert my family typically eats for Christmas. 

The traditional version of the treat is loaded with mascarpone, coffee, and ladyfingers, and I was intrigued to see whether TJ's version could provide a similar flavor or texture experience. I ventured to my Trader Joe's to buy a pack to give you my honest thoughts. I tested it and critiqued the dish mainly on how the overall flavors worked together, but I also considered how well (or poorly) it resembles tiramisu. By the end, you'll understand how it tastes and, most importantly, whether you should run away if you see it in the store or buy multiple packs.

Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary based on region. 

I visited my Trader Joe's store to get my hands on this creation. I cooked it according to the package instructions, which took only a few minutes. I followed the boiling instructions, but there are air fryer instructions as well. I ate the pasta plain to get the best sense of the flavors, though it could work with many sauces — more on that later.

I tasted the pasta whole but also dissected it, trying the pasta and filling separately. This helped me to better understand the flavor nuances and how they worked together. I primarily considered the overall flavor execution and how the food tasted; I wanted the pasta and filling to be flavorful on their own and together. I also considered how well it resembled actual tiramisu, but this was not as important. If I'm recommending something to people, it has to taste good; its authenticity to a classic recipe isn't quite as vital, especially since it already strays far from a classic tiramisu.

Given that these are already pretty bite-sized, it didn't take more than a nibble for my brain to process the flavors. There's a nice mixture of creaminess and cocoa, and there is indeed a coffee flavor at the end. The ingredients list includes instant coffee, and I'm really pleased it made an appearance. The pasta's durum wheat semolina flour base is relatively plain; there's a hint of cocoa, but nothing too special or delectable. I reckon it's made that way so the filling could remain the focal point. 

The ladyfinger, an imperative part of a tiramisu, is missing, but that doesn't stop this ravioli from being delicious. The cocoa and coffee help it taste especially well-rounded and interesting rather than just a sugar bomb in a square-shaped pasta. The coffee isn't so intense that someone averse to the flavor would automatically hate the pasta, but it does make its presence known. Each bite is different; some are more chocolate- and coffee-centered while others are creamy. 

 It has layers depending on which bite you get and whether you get more of the chocolate-and-coffee layer center, the creamy part, or just consume the whole thing in one go. That's why I dissected it to truly understand how the flavors work. The creamy mascarpone section isn't especially sweet; once it mixes with the chocolate, you get the full experience. I was pleased with one piece, but I still ate more. It left me feeling inspired about ways to serve and prepare it, and I have many ideas about that!

Trader Joe's offers some concepts for serving the pasta on the packaging, including plating it with whipped cream, fresh berries, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. It also says you could add a bit of your favorite sweet sauce over top. I can agree with those suggestions. I think a berry medley would work best, but chopped strawberries or whole blueberries or raspberries would be my suggestion. Plain whipped cream is great, but Trader Joe's Chocolate Whipped Light Cream would shine here, offering even more cocoa richness while ramping up the overall creaminess. This option is sweet, but it wouldn't make the dessert cloying.

If you prefer to lean further into sugary territory, Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce would add sweet, buttery complexity. The salt would help give it some dimension so it doesn't taste like you just ate a pile of sugar. You could pan-fry the cooked ravioli in butter to add more richness and give the texture a bit more intrigue, or follow the printed instructions for cooking it in the air fryer. The latter would bring a crisp texture dynamic that I'd love to try. 

I experimented with this pasta and tried boiling it in a small amount of water combined with coffee to help amp up its flavor. Alternatively, you could pour a little bit of espresso over the plate or make an infused whipped cream with coffee powder.

I really enjoyed this product. It's fun and memorable, and it would be a great fit for any hosting you're doing this season. It would definitely be the focal point of the dining table. On one hand, it is missing that rich, spongy ladyfinger component that adds so much complexity and soaks up the espresso or coffee. The pasta itself doesn't fulfill this role. Instead, it's simply a vehicle to house the filling. It doesn't really detract from the flavor, which I can appreciate. 

Even so, I can't deny that the final product is complex and interesting the whole bite through; I could see Trader Joe's introducing some sort of dip inspired by the filling. I think the tiramisu pasta is captivating, thanks to the sweet, creamy notes, along with cocoa and coffee. 

Because it is a seasonal item, I think it is worth heading to the store to purchase it. We never know whether TJ's will bring something back or whether it will be discontinued, like other Trader Joe's desserts. It is not flawless, but I enjoy and understand the appeal. Given that it is a dessert, I wouldn't eat as many pieces as I typically would if I were eating ravioli for dinner. Plus, you can transform the flavors and textures by changing the cooking method or ingredient pairings. I would happily get a box or two of the Tiramisu Ravioli again, even though it doesn't exactly taste like tiramisu.

The ravioli is a product of Italy, and it comes with three servings per container. One 1-cup serving has 240 calories, 9 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbohydrates, 11 grams of added sugar, and 5 grams of protein. Its ingredients include cream, skim milk, mascarpone cheese, ricotta cheese, milk, chocolate, butter, and instant coffee, which helps it deliver on those classic tiramisu flavors.

One box costs $4.49, making it one of the pricier ravioli offerings from the grocery chain. These should be rolled out nationwide at Trader Joe's, but be sure to call your store ahead of time to confirm.