Ready meals have become a kitchen staple for busy households across Britain. When time is short but hunger is real, these pre-prepared dishes can be lifesavers.
Not all ready meals are created equal, though – some supermarkets consistently deliver restaurant-quality options while others fall woefully short of expectations.
1. Marks & Spencer
M&S ready meals are the crown jewels of the supermarket food scene. Their Beef Wellington combines buttery pastry with perfectly cooked meat, while their Chicken Kiev bursts with garlic butter goodness.
The attention to detail makes these meals special – from hand-finished touches to premium ingredients that actually taste fresh.
2. Waitrose
Fancy a takeaway without the guilt? Waitrose's Indian meals for two rival your local curry house. Their commitment to welfare and sustainability isn't just marketing – it shows in the flavour.
Seasonal specials rotate throughout the year, keeping your microwave adventures exciting and fresh. The pasta dishes taste remarkably homemade.
3. Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's shines with its inclusive approach to ready meals. Vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free shoppers aren't afterthoughts here – they get proper, tasty options.
The Aromatic Green Thai Chicken Curry delivers a perfect balance of spice and creaminess. What's particularly impressive is how they maintain quality while keeping prices reasonable.
4. Tesco
Tesco has mastered the art of reliable ready meals that please everyone at the table. Their Chicken Tikka Masala hits that perfect comfort food spot – creamy, spiced, and generously portioned.
Pasta bakes come bubbling hot with proper cheese crusts, not the sad, half-melted affairs found elsewhere. The Finest range elevates everyday meals without the premium price tag.
5. Aldi
Aldi's Specially Selected range performs culinary magic – turning budget ingredients into meals that taste decidedly posh.
Their Gastro Lasagne layers rich beef ragu with creamy béchamel that would make Italian grandmothers nod in approval. The cottage pies feature properly seasoned mince beneath fluffy potato peaks. Even the curries pack authentic flavour without breaking the bank.
6. Lidl
Lidl's ready meal selection takes your taste buds travelling without the airfare. Their Deluxe Lasagne Al Forno achieves that elusive homemade quality – with pasta that maintains texture rather than dissolving into mush.
The tikka masala balances spices remarkably well for a budget option. Weekend shoppers should pounce on limited-edition international specials that frequently sell out by Sunday.
7. Co-Op
Co-op's ready meals reflect their ethical stance – Fairtrade ingredients and British farmers feature prominently. Their chicken curries use proper chunks of meat rather than suspicious processed bits.
The ready-to-eat salads actually taste garden-fresh, not like they've languished for days in plastic. What's particularly brilliant is their focus on proper portions that satisfy without excessive packaging.
8. Iceland
Iceland's ready meals have repeatedly faced scrutiny over food safety issues. Several of their frozen lasagnes and cottage pies were linked to listeria outbreaks – not exactly appetizing news.
Beyond health concerns, many dishes suffer from the freezer-to-microwave journey. Textures become strange, flavours fade, and what emerges bears little resemblance to the appealing box photo.
9. Farmfoods
Farmfoods ready meals certainly win on price point – but that's where the victories end. The frozen curries often feature mysterious meat pieces swimming in watery sauces that lack authentic spicing.
Lasagnes come with peculiarly sweet tomato layers and sparse cheese toppings. While they'll technically feed you, the culinary experience falls firmly into 'emergency food only' territory.
10. Asda
Asda's ready meal section should come with dietary warning signs. Their sausage and mash offerings pack shocking calorie counts – some reaching nearly half your daily allowance in one small tray.
The pasta bakes swim in oils that pool unappetizingly when heated. While they satisfy immediate hunger, the heavy, processed feeling afterwards leaves many regretting their choice.
11. Morrisons
Morrisons ready meals suffer from a fundamental problem – the dramatic disconnect between packaging promise and actual contents. Their beef lasagne depicts layers of rich ragu and creamy sauce, yet reveals a disappointing reality of sparse filling.
The chicken tikka masala consistently lacks the vibrant flavours depicted. Customer reviews frequently mention the phrase 'never again' – rarely a good sign.
