pre-packaged meals

[GREENBACK]

I was out grocery shopping today and went through the frozen food section. I noticed the prepackaged meals of things like Fetuccine Alfredo and pot roast and a lot of the things you might normally cook at home. Prices ran in the 8 to 12 dollar range I believe. I think most of these meals are intended for a family of four. I never buy any of this stuff because we cook a lot at home from scratch and enjoy doing so.

I believe I can make the equivalent meal at home for far less, in fact, I know I can. The time saving option is a consideration of course. These meals look like TV dinners on steroids. Does anyone buy these meals and is it worth it to you. Also, do they taste similar to their homemade counterparts. I'm asking because I wouldn't mind stashing a few of these away in the freezer for a busy day or short notice on unexpected guests.

[kork13]

My family and I have used them before, and it really depends on the individual item. Some of them taste great and are worth having in the freezer for just the reason you stated--you need a quick, easy dinner. Others, however....... well, let's just say that not all of them would receive such praise.

I would say to try a few of the ones that seem of interest to you, and if you like it and it doesn't seem absurdly expensive to you, go ahead and keep one of them on hand. If not, lesson learned, and you don't need to get it again. Keeping a few ready meals (whether pre-packaged or something you made yourself) is very useful, especially if you have irregular hours or just don't plan ahead well (I think we're all guilty of this sometimes).

One last consideration on these type of meals.... Sodium content tends to be through the roof, so be conscious of that, and I recommend drinking PLENTY of water with those meals to get the extra salts through your system ASAP.

[mom-from-missouri]

I cook from scratch and think most of these are a huge rip off.

[GREENBACK]

I usually try to plan ahead and cook stuff and freeze the extra. I was mostly curious about this stuff. Kork, I'm well aware of the sodium content of a lot of these things. My family has a history of high BP and I watch what I eat for that reason. This would be a once in a great while convienence meal.

[zakity]

I do buy a few of these when I find them on a loss leader coupon (usually lasagna). They are nice when Mom is sick and doesn't feel like cooking.

I also keep corn dogs and a few other quickie meals. I figure the price I am paying for the "convenience" food is way cheaper than the $30 to $35 that I would have spent for a fast food meal. And, I figure they are slightly healthier because we are home and I can add a veggie.

[mom-from-missouri]

I still think they are a rip off, but I will admit I have bought them a few times when I had really great coupons. But, when I did, my family informed me mine tasted better....
So, I usually have several meals in the freezer that I made for those busy days. For example, when I make stir fry, I double the recipe and freeze half in a large freezer bag. While it is in the wok, I make my rice and in 15 minutes dinner is done.
I also make my own "hamburger helpers".
When I make it , it is cheaper less salt and no presertatives, and if the dinner contains an ingredient we don't like, I can leave it out.
I also try to keep some leftovers in my "TV tray" containers. These I can grab in a hurry to take to school if I get a call to sub teach. I just pop them in the microwave in the teachers lounge and I am set. They are also a good way to use up just one serving left from a dinner.
I also make and freeze waffles and pancakes. Just heat them up and they are ready to go.
I've tried to make my own corndogs, but usually the batter slides off the dog--still working on that one.

[MonkeyMama]

I imagine they don't taste half as good as home cooked.

We are one of the very few people we know who home cook most our meals. All of my friends are REALLY into Tastefully SImple (mostly food you mix with water - and wala. I'm not that impressed) and Dinner My Way. Dinner my Way is actually a somewhat affordable option where you go in and assemble a few meals, and freeze them for later. They have all these gourmet names. IT's a huge hit, but I am used to the real thing. Honestly, I think it taste like crap. It's a frozen dinner. & not a great one at that. (There are some frozen dinners/foods that taste okay).

Besides the taste factor, I am pretty wary of those frozen meals. They use a lot of preservatives, etc. (AH, I missed the comment on sodium content - I See it now. That would be my point exactly).

I know a few people who swear by frozen meals on sale though. They can be a good deal. Wouldn't be my first choice though.

[GREENBACK]

It can't be very good for you to eat these meals very often yet I'm sure a lot of people do hence their popularity.

[whitestripe]

i've eaten only a handful of frozen dinners in my life and havent ever been that happy with them. i usually just freeze leftovers and if we're having a rough day or a running out of time, i just take them out and defrost them in a bowl of hot water before heating up (i dont use microwave). that way we can pick what we want and it's kind of like a frozen dinner anyway.

[JavaFalcon]

Do you know how much you have saved in the long run though?

[cptacek]

When I was renting a room for 3 nights a week, I would sometimes buy these meals. I didn't feel right about making a mess of the kitchen, so this was quick. I only found one I really liked...it was shrimp something from Bertolli. Cooking for one is hard, especially if you aren't in your own kitchen!

[zakity]

For us, yeah, I can track it pretty well. We have several activities a month where it would be way more convenient to grab fast food. Ok, went and counted and this month, there are 6 to 7. Right now, all of those nights are planned with crockpot or quickie meals, but that is if life works out all ok. Most of the time it does, but, every once in a while, those corn dogs are a life saver.

Corn dogs and a veggie - $6
Fast food out - $35

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by zakity

For us, yeah, I can track it pretty well. We have several activities a month where it would be way more convenient to grab fast food. Ok, went and counted and this month, there are 6 to 7. Right now, all of those nights are planned with crockpot or quickie meals, but that is if life works out all ok. Most of the time it does, but, every once in a while, those corn dogs are a life saver.

This is the type of situation I'm alluding to. You try to plan and have things made in advance but sometimes things get real crazy and you need a quick choice. I see this stuff as a little better and cheaper alternative to fast food.

[momof1in150]

I am a big meal planner and on crazy days I try to have something in the crockpot or we have a large salad (like chicken cesear or chef's salad) but there are those times that I will have last minute showings and all plans will fall out the window. We keep a couple of the Bertolli pasta dishes in the freezer for those nights that my DH has to cook for himself and the boys. There is always breakfast for dinner if we get into a bind. I don't think having 1 or 2 available is bad. Add a large green salad and you have a complete meal. It is cheaper and somewhat healthier then fast food.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Me! I have used these types of food. I buy ravioli, sometimes potstickers, stuff yes I can make from scratch. And I even buy jar pasta sauce/pesto (gasp!)

But seriously I save oodles. I don't have the time to always make everything from scratch. I can, but I am tired. Sometimes I make potstickers from scratch over a week, but I make around 200 and freeze a ton. Then we end up eating that.

But seriously $10 on a fast meal at home, or $50 for a meal out?

Hmmm..savings? Huge.

Anytime you can do anything at home it's cheaper than going to grab even fast food, which is getting pricey.

For the most part i have a meal plan during the week. But hey, you can't exactly plan a sick dog or a broken leg.

[Tree0164]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

This is the type of situation I'm alluding to. You try to plan and have things made in advance but sometimes things get real crazy and you need a quick choice. I see this stuff as a little better and cheaper alternative to fast food.

Agreed... while I usually try to have an extra meal or two in the freezer for those crazy nights-I have found I usually don't lately. I have bought a couple of those meals for when I know life will be crazy. Maybe happesn 6-7 times a year.

[PetMom]

Certainly frozen food used occasionally for convenience is fine.

You might want to try out different brands - buy a smaller version of different items.

The one thing people seem to really like - and the quality seems really good - is lasagna.

White sauce lasagna, vegetarian and the standard regular all are good.

These come in huge or small quantity packages.

Somehow frozen pizza you really want to taste try first as some can be surprisingly good or poor. You check the quality of the crust and can add on additional cheese. There are some really good ones.

Jarred spaghetti sauces are also something we use and there is a difference in brands.

Always Italian foods seem to be a good choice to keep on hand.

[Mamaw]

IF I catch a sale and have a coupon I buy these. Since one person is eating I get at least a couple of meals.

[sandrark]

Originally Posted by momof1in150

I am a big meal planner but there are those times that I will have last minute showings and all plans will fall out the window. We keep a couple of the Bertolli pasta dishes in the freezer.

Hilarious...you're the second person to mention the Bertoli pasta dish, and I opened this thread to mention them. I guess we're not the only ones who like them!

We use them as a "base" - the shrimp and asparagus one is quite good. We add additional cooked penne, steamed broccoli, and tomato sauce to stretch it (and increase the veggie content). We top with some gorgonzola crumbles, and then fight over the leftovers later.

Sandi

[Mike75]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

I was out grocery shopping today and went through the frozen food section. I noticed the prepackaged meals of things like Fetuccine Alfredo and pot roast and a lot of the things you might normally cook at home. Prices ran in the 8 to 12 dollar range I believe. I think most of these meals are intended for a family of four. I never buy any of this stuff because we cook a lot at home from scratch and enjoy doing so.

I believe I can make the equivalent meal at home for far less, in fact, I know I can. The time saving option is a consideration of course. These meals look like TV dinners on steroids. Does anyone buy these meals and is it worth it to you. Also, do they taste similar to their homemade counterparts. I'm asking because I wouldn't mind stashing a few of these away in the freezer for a busy day or short notice on unexpected guests.

These meals are full of preservatives and harmful ingredients like partially hydrogenated fats etc. That's why they can stay fresh for so long. Avoid them unless there is an emergency.