• Every few months, I drive an hour to shop at Trader Joe's for pantry staples. • My family and I stock up on tomato basil marinara sauce for pasta dinners and homemade pizzas. • I use Trader Joe's unsweetened cocoa powder to make hot chocolate almost every night.

I started shopping at Trader Joe's almost a decade ago, as a single mother to a 2-year-old, and was impressed with the affordability and quality of everything the grocer carried.

When I got married, I introduced my husband to our favorite things, and he was hooked.

Now, we happily drive an hour to the Winter Park, Florida, location (just north of Orlando) every couple of months for these 13 pantry staples.

We get four jars of Trader Joe's tomato basil marinara sauce on each trip.

I think it tastes homemade and elevates o

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