What do you consider to be the best frozen connivence meal you have tried?

JustRobby1

I am a single guy and don't cook much, so I have ran the gamut of meals from most of the major suppliers (Smart One's, Healthy Choice, Stouffer's, Evol, etc.).

For me, Evol's Chipotle Mac and Cheese is pretty high up there. It's delicious. Boston Market's Loaded Potato and Country fried steak trays are also delish. Rounding out the list for me is from Stouffer's Fit Kitchen line, the pork carnitas bowl.

Is there anything you have tried which rocked your socks that I should add to the arsenal?

midlomel1971

One of my favorites for years (and it actually keeps me pretty full which most frozen meals don't do) is Lean Cuisine Santa Fe Beans and Rice. (I think WW does a version too.)

I keep a couple in the freezer.

Penthesilea514

I like Evol's Fire Grilled Steak Bowl and Lean Cuisine's Marketplace Vermont Cheddar Mac and Cheese. I keep a couple on hand for lazy days. I will need to try the Evol Mac and Cheese that you liked.

jdlobb

all of the Lean Cuisine Marketplace ones I've had are really good in a pinch. My freezer stacks exactly 7 of them high, and I usually keep 7 in there, refreshing based on how many I've eating since my last grocery buy. I don't eat them nearly as often anymore though. The tortilla crusted fish is probably my favorite.

All of the Evol Mac & Cheese varieties are awesome, if higher calorie than I like in a frozen meal. The black truffle one is decadent. I used to eat a lot of Evol meals, I have nearly enough points stashed to get the Evol hoodie.

GottaBurnEmAll

I am really limited in what I can have since I have celiac disease. I'm also a vegetarian.

Once upon a time, Trader Joe's frozen palak paneer was gluten free. That was amazing.

seltzermint555

midlomel1971 wrote: »

One of my favorites for years (and it actually keeps me pretty full which most frozen meals don't do) is Lean Cuisine Santa Fe Beans and Rice. (I think WW does a version too.)

I keep a couple in the freezer.

I alternated between this one and the Lean Cuisine Enchiladas Suiza for years. Both really good.

OliveGirl128

Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac n Cheese, with 1 bag of California blend veggies (steamer bag), and 1 can of chicken. Mixed together with Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet n' Sour sauce. I could eat this combo every day, no regrets lol.

JustRobby1

midlomel1971 wrote: »

One of my favorites for years (and it actually keeps me pretty full which most frozen meals don't do) is Lean Cuisine Santa Fe Beans and Rice. (I think WW does a version too.)

I keep a couple in the freezer.

I have seen this at the store and it must be popular as it is stocked 2 rows deep. It seems I must now give it a try.

Penthesilea514

OliveGirl128 wrote: »

Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac n Cheese, with 1 bag of California blend veggies (steamer bag), and 1 can of chicken. Mixed together with Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet n' Sour sauce. I could eat this combo every day, no regrets lol.

Whoa, that sounds pretty good

jdlobb

the Vermont White Cheddar Mac n Cheese is really good. A throw a 3oz serving of Tyson Grilled Chicken Nuggets in to add some protein.

jdlobb

Oh, that reminds me. As far as frozen convenience meals go, nothing else quite matches the nutrition/convenience factor of Tyson frozen grilled chicken. Breasts or nuggets. My freezer is never without a bag of each.

shira324

I love the Red's Natural frozen burritos. My favorite is the braised chicken w/ quinoa and sweet potato.

http://www.redsallnatural.com/products/snack/braised.php#main

JustRobby1

OliveGirl128 wrote: »

Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac n Cheese, with 1 bag of California blend veggies (steamer bag), and 1 can of chicken. Mixed together with Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet n' Sour sauce. I could eat this combo every day, no regrets lol.

I have not tried this, though I have tried the version made by 'Eating Well' which is quite good. Ironically enough it's the one I brought to work to have for lunch today. It is one of those trays that inflates as it steams in the microwave. A pic I found of it is below.

itsfuntobedevilinabluedress

I am currently eating a Healthy Choice Korean Beef Power Bowl. Pretty good stuff.

Pupslice

OP, have you tried Evol's Truffle Parmesan Mac and Cheese? It's my favorite.

MrsLannister

My new favorite is Jimmy Dean breakfast bowls in Sausage and Gravy. $1.75, 300 calories. It's delicious.

I like most Lean Cuisine. I love the butternut squash ravioli. I add some steamed edamame to up the protein.

Marie Calendar had some really good options, but I don't have them often due to the sodium content.

Amy's Organics enchiladas are great. I also like Trader Joe's paneer tikka masala.

JustRobby1

Pupslice wrote: »

OP, have you tried Evol's Truffle Parmesan Mac and Cheese? It's my favorite.

I have, and it's delicious, but the grocery store closest to me does not carry that variety unfortunately. The Walmart that is closest to me does however, but I only make the trek there about once a month. Since I do not have a deep freeze, I have to be strategic about what I buy because of limited freezer space.

jdlobb

Amazon Fresh has a good selection of Evol meals if that's an option for you. They're also cheaper there than at any grocery store I've been in. $3.49 for the aforementioned truffle mac n cheese right now. I think it's $5 or $6 at the Tom Thumb by me.

JustRobby1

jdlobb wrote: »

Amazon Fresh has a good selection of Evol meals if that's an option for you. They're also cheaper there than at any grocery store I've been in. $3.49 for the aforementioned truffle mac n cheese right now. I think it's $5 or $6 at the Tom Thumb by me.

I always see offers popping up for Amazon Fresh in my feed when I am browsing the site but I have never investigated it further. Now it sounds as though I should. Peapod is the other big provider here in the Chicago market that delivers. I guess part of the reason I have avoided these is that since I live a densely urban existence and walk almost everywhere, going to the store gives me another excuse to get my step count up.

jdlobb

JustRobby1 wrote: »

jdlobb wrote: »

Amazon Fresh has a good selection of Evol meals if that's an option for you. They're also cheaper there than at any grocery store I've been in. $3.49 for the aforementioned truffle mac n cheese right now. I think it's $5 or $6 at the Tom Thumb by me.

I always see offers popping up for Amazon Fresh in my feed when I am browsing the site but I have never investigated it further. Now it sounds as though I should. Peapod is the other big provider here in the Chicago market that delivers. I guess part of the reason I have avoided these is that since I live a densely urban existence and walk almost everywhere, going to the store gives me another excuse to get my step count up.

they carry Whole Foods products now too, as of like, today.

I've been using Amazon Fresh for a few months now, and I love it. The best part is thinking of food I want on my way to work, ordering it in the morning, and finding it waiting for me at my doorstep when I get home.

DX2JX2

Since we're talking convenience and not calorie content - order a pizza and freeze your leftovers as individual servings wrapped in tin foil. Reheat for ~10 minutes in a 375F degree oven or in a covered skillet on the stovetop.

Pizza and other bread-based products defrosts/reheats amazingly well. Too bad pizza is the devil.

Ruatine

Stouffer's FitKitchen line is my go to. I love the protein level and the fact that they don't try to shove kale down your throat in order to look "healthier." So far my favorites are the Chicken with Cashews bowl, Monterey Chicken, Sweet & Smoky BBQ and Chicken Enchilada Verde. I've tried all but three from this Stouffer's line.

I've also been known to eat an entire bag of the Bird's Eye Steamfresh Protein Blends (it's what I'm eating for lunch today).

85Cardinals

I like the Marie Callender dinners, they're not super healthy but they're reasonable, usually 400-500 calories, and you get decent portion sizes which is my big complaint with the diet brands. My favorite MC dinner is the Herb Roasted chicken. I also like the Chicken Alfredo Bake. They're all pretty good and way higher quality than something like Banquet or Swanson. I'd say the MCs are on par with Stouffer's. Also very reasonably priced at $2.50 or so.

JustRobby1

Ruatine wrote: »

Stouffer's FitKitchen line is my go to. I love the protein level and the fact that they don't try to shove kale down your throat in order to look "healthier." So far my favorites are the Chicken with Cashews bowl, Monterey Chicken, Sweet & Smoky BBQ and Chicken Enchilada Verde. I've tried all but three from this Stouffer's line.

I've also been known to eat an entire bag of the Bird's Eye Steamfresh Protein Blends (it's what I'm eating for lunch today).

Here here, I can't say enough good things about the Fit Kitchen line. They are not overly expensive, they are tasty, and they are big enough to keep me full.

Strong_Savannah

I have recently tried a few of Smart Made meals, and thought they were good. Although, the portion size is laughable to me! I def couldn't eat just only that for a meal. Even though they taste good, I probably would not buy them again because of the size.

whitpauly

DX2JX2 wrote: »

Since we're talking convenience and not calorie content - order a pizza and freeze your leftovers as individual servings wrapped in tin foil. Reheat for ~10 minutes in a 375F degree oven or in a covered skillet on the stovetop.

Pizza and other bread-based products defrosts/reheats amazingly well. Too bad pizza is the devil.

Love this idea and do it myself! Makes it easy to control portions, I don't waste food and I have it in the freezer when I'm craving pizza!

JustRobby1

whitpauly wrote: »

DX2JX2 wrote: »

Since we're talking convenience and not calorie content - order a pizza and freeze your leftovers as individual servings wrapped in tin foil. Reheat for ~10 minutes in a 375F degree oven or in a covered skillet on the stovetop.

Pizza and other bread-based products defrosts/reheats amazingly well. Too bad pizza is the devil.

Love this idea and do it myself! Makes it easy to control portions, I don't waste food and I have it in the freezer when I'm craving pizza!

That is actually something I have tried before! The lowest calorie delivery pie I have been able to find is from Domino's and it's the thin crust pacific veg. Brushing aside the fact that ordering from places like Pizza Hut and Domino's is nearly considered a firing squad worthy act here in Chicago, throwing a couple of slices in the toaster over for a reheat has worked out well.