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Renowned for its low prices, Dollar Tree offers plenty of affordable gems from household goods to craft supplies. When it comes to groceries, the retailer’s selection can often be hit or miss. Indeed, there are a number of Dollar Tree foods you should never buy (including shredded cheese). But in the store’s frozen food section, you’ll discover quite a few products actually worth a trip to checkout. Among them is one of the best new frozen foods to hit Dollar Tree this year: Michelina’s Penne with White Chicken.
Sold as individual, eight-ounce boxes, the frozen meal contains penne pasta and chunks of chicken breast in a cheesy, creamy white sauce featuring an Italian blend of Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano cheeses. Considering it’s priced at just $1.25, there’s no denying its affordability. Luckily, many folks find this Michelina’s option to be as tasty as it is budget-friendly, meaning it isn’t just a bargain, but also a great value.
“Super creamy. Great taste. Nice sized pieces of chicken,” one reviewer raved. Another buyer took to Reddit to praise the meal, writing, “All four of us liked this one, definitely buying it again! Cream sauce was nice ..” In addition to finding it tasty, they added that it was a good portion for the price.
Ways to upgrade Michelina’s penne with white chicken
With pasta, chicken, and cheese, Michelina’s Penne with White Chicken is pretty balanced for a frozen meal you can pop into the microwave. While some shoppers think it offers the perfect portion for a quick lunch or dinner, others find it to be a bit too light to serve on its own. The good news? It’s easy to upgrade.
For one, you can pad it out with additional mix-ins to make it more filling. Veggies, like spinach or broccoli, are a great way to incorporate a touch of green or you can simply add more chicken to boost the protein. Consider adding bacon or — to really lean into the Italian theme — create a creamy pasta dish with crispy pancetta and peas to pack it with more hearty protein. You can also take a page from a reviewer who shared, “I like this item just by itself, but I tried something different: I added fresh sliced up tomatoes to it — wow, what a difference.”
If you plan on splitting a box with someone else in your household, the creamy penne can also, of course, be served as a side dish with steak, burgers, or barbecue ribs. After all, it sort of is like an elevated take on macaroni and cheese. And though it’s certainly not a gourmet option by any means, the Michelina’s meal seems to be a solid Dollar Tree buy that your wallet and stomach can appreciate.
