Our meal delivery experts have logged more than 5 years of cooking more than 75 meal kits and tasting more than prepared meals from various services to help land on our list of the best healthy meal subscriptions in While everything else has got more expensive, meal kit subscriptions seem to be getting cheaper.
The absolute cheapest meal kit is EveryPlate , and with consistently tasty meals -- we've tested it three times now -- that take as little as 20 minutes to cook, it's an easy pick for the best cheap meal service for Read more: Are Some Meal Kits Cheaper Than Buying Groceries?
I Did the Math. If you're looking for inexpensive vegan meals by mail or an affordable meal kit service that includes steak and seafood in the standard plan, we have picks for those, too. The takeaway? Being budget-friendly certainly doesn't mean the food has to suck.
If you're looking to eliminate a few weekly tasks -- grocery shopping, meal planning, prep, cooking -- without squeezing your budget, we tested more than 10 top wallet-friendly services to find the best cheap meal delivery for The bottom line : EveryPlate's meal kits were all solid and easy to make.
EveryPlate meal kits are easy to prepare and I loved everything I made in multiple rounds of testing. You won't find a lot of foofy, upscale cuisine or complicated recipes, but you will get a lot of satisfying comfort food, such as hoisin meatloaf with mashed potatoes, cheeseburgers, umami pork chops and sweet potato quesadillas.
I tested EveryPlate and was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked the meals. Having tested all of the leading prepared meal delivery service options, Fresh N Lean ran away from the competition, ticking more boxes than any other. The food is healthy, thoughtfully prepared, tastes fantastic, looks appetizing and is fairly affordable, depending on the plan you select.
Fresh N Lean has five meal plans to help keep folks on track with their specific nutrition goals, including low-carb, vegan, paleo and protein-plus options. The food I tried was all made exceptionally well, made from simple, whole ingredients. This is the perfect service for families with picky eaters trying to eat well on a budget.
Much like EveryPlate, Dinnerly has a lot of comfort foods such as ravioli with spinach and parmesan sauce, carne asada tacos and chicken pad thai. Dinnerly has an enormous menu of recipes -- typically more than 60 to choose from in a given week.
The bottom line: This plant-based meal delivery service had some of the best, healthy prepared meals of any service we tried. I sampled about nine of Mosaic Food's plant-based prepared meal offerings and the vegetarian prepared meal delivery service had an astoundingly high hit rate.
Mosaic uses bold and interesting global flavors and employs creative use of meat substitutes such as tofu, jackfruit, cauliflower and vegan sausages to create tasty and satisfying vegetarian meals -- even for this omnivore. There are some vegan meals, but many of them use dairy products, so vegans must choose their Mosaic meals more carefully.
The bottom line: Blue Apron is a classic example of a quality meal delivery service. One of the original providers of this service, it also stands out for eco-friendliness.
Blue Apron is one of the original meal kit services and it's also one of the best. In fact, Blue Apron topped our list of best meal delivery services for with a wide range of excellent recipes, all for an affordable price. It's true, you can order bistro steaks and roasted trout dinners with Blue Apron's standard plan, where many services charge extra for those premium proteins.
In addition to solid meal kits, Blue Apron is the most eco-friendly service of the major players, according to a recent study. The heartier meals are great too, like the cauliflower rice and pesto harvest bowl with cashews and spinach. You won't need more than a saucepan, toaster or blender to prepare most of the meals, and most can be made in as little as 5 minutes.
When I tried Daily Harvest , I loved the interesting smoothie combos such as a chocolate blueberry smoothie with greens, banana and almond butter. The bottom line : It doesn't get much easier than HelloFresh.
This service has tons of cheap meal kit options, more than 50 per week, and allows you to add proteins or extra servings to keep the whole crew fed and happy. HelloFresh has as many as 25 dinner meal kits per week, so it is nearly impossible not to find something you'll like.
HelloFresh also has five or six plant-based recipes a week, making it the best cheap meal kit service for vegetarians. Over the past few years, we've tested nearly every meal kit delivery and prepared meal delivery service we could get our oven mitts on, and that includes the best budget meal delivery services.
Many of the menu options for the meal delivery services we've listed include nutritious plant-based food or high-protein recipes with lots of veggies and lean meats. To test each cheap meal delivery service, I tried at least four and sometimes as many as 10 meals from any given service.
I always choose a range of meals from the various menu and meal plan offerings. For instance, if a meal subscription service offers vegan or vegetarian meals I was sure to try at least one. I also mixed up the cuisine types to include pasta, meat dishes, bowls and other various styles offered by the brand.
To test the best cheap meal kits, there was another set of standards and protocols to adhere to. Here's more on how we test meal kits at CNET. The first big decision you'll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals ready to heat and eat.
Prepared meals require almost no time and energy, other than what it takes to actually eat the food, but typically run a few dollars more per serving. If you're keen on eating low-calorie, low-carb, plant-based or pescatarian food, certain meal kits and meal delivery services are better than others.
Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find the most nutritious options. With almost every service, the more meals or servings are in your order per delivery, the cheaper it becomes per meal. Ideally, you'll want to determine exactly how much food makes sense for your household.
That means it's less of an issue if you order too many meals on your first go-around. Services like Daily Harvest and Splendid Spoon have meals for similar prices but are focused more on grain bowls and smoothies and might be better for breakfast or lunch versus dinner.
When it comes to meal kits, your options are many, and most services provide weekly recipes that are low on calories but still filling. HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service, so that might be your best bet for finding consistent meals that keep your diet goals on track.
But all services list the calorie content for each recipe, along with carbs, protein, sugar and sodium. Depending on your weight loss goals, a healthy prepared meal delivery or meal kit service can help.
Per the reviews on Walmart , there is a lot of love for Marie Callender's signature dish. Many people note that this is the ultimate comfort food and one of their favorite meals.
Though it's exactly a healthy food option, one reviewer mentions that this meal is worth the extra calories. Considering this chicken pot pie is cooked from frozen, it's impressive that reviewers even mention that the crust has a nice texture.
We love Marie Callender's for the most epic comfort meals. Stouffer's is a household name, with frozen options that include lasagna, pizza, bowls, and other entrees. We grew up eating the brand's mac and cheese on busy school nights. The popular dish is available in many sizes from single serving to a large portion suited for a family.
We also love that the brand created spinoffs of the classic mac and cheese through different flavor variations, including Taco Mac and Cheese, Cajun Mac and Cheese, Southwest Mac and Cheese, and even Cacciatore Mac and Cheese. According to reviews on the Walmart website of their classic single serving mac and cheese , many people still love this product despite the fact that there are some complaints alleging that Stouffer's recently changing the recipe resulting in the cheese sauce being too soupy and watery.
That said, most people seem to love this taste of nostalgia and the Stouffer's brand in general. Michelina's carries the largest variety of frozen dinners we've ever seen.
You can practically find any frozen dinner of your dreams in their product line. Meals include macaroni and cheese, many types of pasta, beef and broccoli, pizza snack rolls, Swedish meatballs, popcorn chicken, and so many more.
We love this devotion to innovative products. And as far as taste, we think these meals really stack up well against the rest of the pack. Because of the large variety of products and the incredible price point offered by Michelina's, we think these are really great options for frozen entrees.
The reviews on the Walmart website seem to reinforce our view. The combination of variety, quality and price point makes this brand a winner. Feel Good Foods creates frozen breakfasts, dinners, and snacks that are all completely certified gluten free.
For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, you may need to follow a gluten-free diet, according to Healthline.
Luckily, Feel Good Foods offer plenty of products that fit the bill including cheese pizza, margherita pizza, mushroom pizza, calzones, huevo ranchero pockets, potato egg and cheese pockets, snack bites, mac and cheese bites, empanadas, and egg rolls. Per Amazon reviews of its vegetable potstickers, there are some mixed feelings about this product.
There are some people who note that these potstickers lack flavor and texture, while others mention that this is just a result of how they are prepared. We recommend going the pan fried route to ensure they are crispy and full of flavor. Overall there is a lot of love for these potstickers, with 4.
Primal Kitchen is a brand devoted to the Whole 30 or paleo diet. It products are always free from dairy, gluten, added sugars, canola oil, soybean oils, and preservatives. The extensive line of products. dressings, marinades, condiments, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, gravy, whey protein, and collagen peptides.
Per the Amazon reviews of their Chicken Pesto Bowl, some people find that these are too small of a portion size and overpriced. One reviewer even notes that the bowl looks nothing like the picture on the packaging. Some reviewers suggest cooking it in the oven instead of the microwave for a better texture.
However, most reviews contain lots of love for this product and the fact that the brand is devoted to healthy food products. If you're a fan of Kashi's frozen waffles and cereals, we suggest giving the brand's frozen meals a try.
While the product line is relatively small, we really enjoy the offerings. Currently, you can choose from a Creamy Cashew Noodle Bowl, a Mayan Harvest Bake, a Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl, and a Chimichurri Quinoa Bowl, per its website.
Per Nutritious Eats , these bowls are packed with whole grains and fiber. Whole grains are a great ingredient to seek out because, according to Healthline , consuming them is associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease, lower risk of having a stroke, lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lower risk of developing cancer, and an increased digestion.
Can you believe all those benefits can come from just whole grains? We love that these bowls are healthy, but do not sacrifice flavor.
This is a definitely a brand we highly recommend! Saffron Road specializes in food products with flavors inspired by cuisines from all around the world.
In addition to frozen dinners, per its website , crunchy chickpeas, simmer sauces, ready-to-eat meals, and artisan wraps are offered. According to the Amazon reviews of the Palak Paneer, which is one of our favorite dishes ever, a lot of people adore this product.
While there are a select few that complain that the spinach sauce is watery, a lot of reviewers rave about the spice, flavor, and price of this meal, which is prepared with chunks of paneer cheese.
We happen to love these frozen dinners too. These are so tasty and so unique, we have to place them near the top of our list. Whether you're craving Indian, Mexican, Thai, or other global flavors, Saffron Road won't disappoint. If you see these when at the grocery store, be sure to stock up.
Praeger's is devoted to healthy plant-based food products. The wide variety of items offered by the brand, includes breakfast bowls, plant protein burgers, veggie burgers, spinach cakes, kale puffs, hash browns, kids meals, and seafood.
We are big fans of Dr. Praeger's spinach cakes, plant protein burgers, and chocolate littles, which are essentially healthy chocolate black bean brownies created for children but certainly suitable for adults.
According to the Amazon reviews of the Super Greens Veggie Burger, many people love this product. Fans note that it is a quick and easy way to include a veggie burger in a meal.
Some reviewers complain about the mushy texture, while others are upset about the recent addition of pea protein to the ingredients. In general, we love Dr. Praeger's products. They are healthy and taste delicious, even according to children.
Compare that with Saffron Road Chicken Enchiladas Poblano Amazon , which has primarily whole food ingredients. Frozen meal portion sizes can be small, sometimes seeming more like a snack or side dish than a full meal. And they are often low in calories, too, which may be great for those looking to lose weight.
To feel full, most people need to calories per meal, Ehsani says. The calories in the meals we tested range from to So look for a frozen meal with around 15 to 25 grams of protein and at least 6 grams of fiber. Several meals in our tests do have that combination, including Evol Chicken Enchilada Bake Amazon , Target 20 grams protein and 6 grams fiber and Healthy Choice Power Bowls Cauliflower Curry 14 grams protein and 7 grams fiber.
Consider starting your meal with a cup of soup , a salad, a helping of hummus or guacamole with veggies and whole-grain crackers, or a handful of nuts.
Or serve the dish over some cooked frozen veggies or whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, or bulgur. Another option: For dessert, have a plate of fruit and a little cheese—a good protein and fiber combination.
While our tests provide a good overview of frozen meals, there are lots of similar products packed into the freezer case at your grocery store. For example, those with a USDA Organic label do have ingredients grown without most pesticides, but they could still contain plenty of sodium or added sugars.
Ideally, a meal should have no more than one-third of the DV for added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat and contain at least 20 percent of the DV for fiber, says CR nutritionist Amy Keating, RD.
While many of the meals we tested had mostly whole foods, some had a lot of additives. Fewer is better. Instead of refined grains like white rice or pasta, search for meals that contain higher-fiber carbs like quinoa or farro.
They tend to have more fiber and other nutrients than refined carbohydrates, and can keep you fuller longer, says Marissa Meshulam, RD. Meals with legumes and several veggies in them are also good picks. The meals we tested are grouped by category and ranked in order of nutrition, followed by taste.
Meals with the same scores are listed alphabetically. These recommended meals have the best combination of nutrition and taste, according to our experts. CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of the best frozen meals, based on our lab tests of 25 products.
For more options, check out our full frozen meal ratings and frozen vegetable ratings. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: The white meat chicken, black beans, and white rice are in a tasty tomatillo sauce, and there's a hint of lime. The corn tortilla was slightly soggy.
Package size: 9 oz. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: Chicken and spinach are in corn tortillas and topped with a tangy green pepper sauce. The rice is well seasoned, but the beans are a bit too smoky.
Package size: 10 oz. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: The well-balanced flavors, tender chicken, and tasty cheese sauce earned high marks for taste.
But it's light on the black beans, corn, and red pepper. Package size: FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This dish has smoky but mushy chicken, white rice, and few veggies.
The cheese was the only flavor standout. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This is quite salty. The "tortilla" is made of cheese and chicken and filled with mashed chicken.
The tomatillo sauce has some tang. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This is a nice mix of cauliflower florets, lentils, and al dente whole grains. The curry and chili sauce give it some spicy heat. It's fairly low in sodium. Package size: 9. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: The fragrant brown rice, nuts, peas, beans, lentils, and curried potatoes and other veggies blend well together to create an interesting dish.
FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: Made with chickpeas, cauliflower florets, carrots, peas, and white basmati rice, this is a flavorful dish with some spicy heat. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: A blend of seitan, lentils, whole grains, and veggies, this meal is just okay.
The coconut milk sauce is a little sweet, and the veggies are slightly soft. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This contains cheese in a tomato-based masala sauce with a little spicy heat and rice. It's light on the veggies. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: Rao's lasagna has a good amount of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
The tomato sauce is flavorful and contains finely ground meat. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This fresh-tasting dish has plentiful cheese and a meaty, slightly spicy tomato sauce with browned beef and pork. Package size: 32 oz. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: There's not much cheese filling in this one.
It's mostly pasta—three layers of thick noodles—and meaty tomato sauce with mozzarella on top. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: You get lots of cheese, but the noodles are thin and soft, and the sauce is a tad sour. Package size: 28 oz. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This fairly salty bowl has mini lasagna noodles, tomato sauce with chewy beef crumbles, and little cheese.
FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This mix of chickpeas, kale, sweet potatoes, and crunchy cauliflower comes in a very spicy tahini sauce. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: Here's a decent-tasting mix of "chicken" and vegetables in a mild soy-ginger sauce.
The "chicken" is chewy and sometimes slightly tough. Package size: 16 oz. FLAVOR AND TEXTURE: This fresh-tasting mix of white meat chicken, cauliflower, and zucchini comes in a mild Mediterranean dressing.
$11–$13* BistroMD $–$13*
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