Frozen/Pre-made Meals

[IowaMan]

I didn't feel like cooking tonight so just made a couple of sandwiches. Usually I love to cook but being a single guy living alone sometimes it's just not worth the effort. Anyway, while trying to decide what to eat I was looking in the freezer and saw something that I really like but chose not to make.

It's a frozen lasagna from Wal Mart called Sam's Choice 9 Layer Meat Lasagna. I think it's absolutely incredible, damn near as good as I can make from scratch.

Anybody else ever stumble across a frozen food item or some other kind of pre-made meal that just surprised the heck out of you with how good it is and is now almost a staple in your household?

[TinTennessee]

I agree, that particular frozen lasagna is delicious!

[Cheyanne]

We haven't tried the Sam's Club brand, but really love the Stoffer's brand! :D

[LixyChick]

Bertolli has these "meals in a bag" in the frozen food section and I was blown away by the Shrimp and Asparagus Linguini. When you first put it in the pan from the bag it looks like what came up after an all nighter. Ewwww! But after it's cooked and the sauce lumps are thawed and heated...it's friggin incredible!

[scotzoidman]

I agree on the Stouffer lasagna, been a long time staple at our house. Don't think I would have the nerve to try any of WallyWorld's frozen foods...I just recently tried Jimmy Dean's frozen meal-size breakfast sandwiches, sausage, egg, & cheese on a biscuit or english muffin...not as good as MickeyD's, by any means, but for about $1/sandwich, not bad, quick & easy...altho I find that it's a lot better if you separate the bread from the meats during the defrost stage, then finish heating the bread in the toaster oven while the microwave finishes the rest...microwaves just ruin pastries of any kind...

OTOH, a frozen meal I've found to avoid is the crock-pot classics (by Banquet, I think) Beef Stroganoff...even #1 son (who normally eats anything that doesn't eat him first :sad: ) tossed that one back...

[IowaMan]

The reason I tried the Sam's Club brand lasagna in the first place was that I was going to pick up the Stouffer's one but they were out at Wal Mart. Surprised myself by trying their brand name too but it turned out to be great.

Found another one today. It's one of those frozen, in the bag kind of things. I was really craving Chinese food and since I live in BFE now and am at least 45 min. to an hour away from anyplace where I can pick some up I tried a Tyson's Chicken Fried Rice thing from the freezer section. Sort of surprised, it really wasn't too bad. I added a couple of scrambled eggs to the pan while cooking it and it turned out fine. Threw a couple of frozen egg rolls in the microwave and it worked out great.

Granted it wasn't the best I've ever had but I know I've had worse takeout before and it works as a decent enough substitute for whenever I get a craving but don't want to make the drive to get actual Chinese food.

[scotzoidman]

:rolleyes: I wonder when someone's going to ask where & what "BFE" is... :rofl:

[Oldfart]

Me too.

[IowaMan]

ROFL

Sorry bout that. BFE stands for Bum Fuck Egypt. Just means I'm out in the middle of nowhere. :D

[Irish]

Hopefully this will help someone!I'm Diabetic & my Diabetic (specialist)Dr.,
has a Diabetic Diatician(sp?).She said that as with any frozen meal or with
any food product,you should always read the ingrediant label!Frozen meals
are usually loaded with sodium!Low-Fat foods usually are loaded with sugar &
believe me-Things don't always affect everyone else!I didn't want to grow up,
to be an Alcoholic either but now I'm a recovering one.14yrs 6mo. dry!
Irish

[osuche]

I love the Stouffer's Lasagna. We eat it all the time.

Jose Ole has some chicken and cheese taquitoes that we like - but I mix it up a bit by serving them with some cilantro walnut salsa I get in Sonoma

We also love the Gortons breaded Garlic and Herb fish fillets - which I bake and serve with tater tots. Makes me feel like a kid again!

Mr Osuche loves the 4 Cheese Deep Dish Pizzas by Red Baron

[Emzo]

much as i enjoy the taste of plastic food theyre not for me

[whosyour51]

these were frozen be for I got to them, Oscar Meyers 2 for a 1.29 at Speedways. lol

[Lilith]

much as i enjoy the taste of plastic food theyre not for me

Do you still live at home with your parents?

[platinum]

Take it from a cook...buy a vac pack machine..and make it all yourself when your not so lazy...tee hee
More flavour...less cost...and just like mama used to make!!!

[campingboy]

I'm single as well. I have just found that pre-made meals can take as long as some other options. I will eat a sandwich, fruit, made a salad. I do buy pasta sauces. I love pasta and Basil pesto, or just a tomato sauce and I add olives and cottage cheese.

[IowaMan]

You're absolutely right Campingboy, that's why I usually do just go ahead and cook myself. Every once in awhile though I like to just say, "the hell with it," and lay on the couch watching TV while something cooks in the oven or microwave.

And Platinum, I've been threatening myself to do just that for a few years now but just haven't gotten around to it. OMG, I'm too damn lazy to even put something in the freezer. :roflmao:

I see everyone seems to love the Stouffer's lasagna, and I like it too but I really do like the Sam's Club one a little better. Believe me, I didn't expect that to be the case. This morning I decided to give Stouffer's another shot though and got what is supposedly a "new recipe" Lasagna Italiano. Figure I'll give it a whirl and see what I think. There's really no such thing as a bad lasagna in my book. :p

[platinum]

Ha Ha...I am just as lazy...I vac pac stuff that were gonna toss at work and bring it home to rest in the freezer!!
Long live Chef Boy R D