I worked at Trader Joe's for 2 years. Here are 11 of my favorite items to buy for easy meal prep.

After working at Trader Joe's for two years, I know which items are worth buying.

Susanna Maize As a former Trader Joe's employee , I know the store inside and out.

I rely on the store's products for quick, nutritious meals that I can make ahead of time.

Some of my favorite items include the frozen pie crusts, soy chorizo, and miso-ginger broth.

After shopping at Trader Joe's for over 20 years — and working at my local store for two — I like to think I know the chain inside and out.

The retailer is my go-to spot for picking up budget-friendly meals I can make in my small apartment kitchen.

Here are some of my favorite items to buy for quick meals I can throw together without much thought.

I love making a veggie-loaded quiche with Trader Joe's frozen pie crusts.

Susanna Maize I think Trader Joe's frozen pie crusts taste just as good as homemade versions, but are way more convenient to use.

I throw in whatever vegetables I have kicking around in the back of my fridge to make an easy quiche — with plenty of leftovers to take to work.

Trader Joe's soy chorizo is a versatile item.

Susanna Maize I'm not a fan of repeating the same meal every day, so I like to opt for versatile ingredients.

For example, I keep Trader Joe's flavorful soy chorizo on hand for quesadillas, tacos, burritos, or taco salads, giving me plenty of options throughout the week.

I always stock up on seasonal veggies.