I tried the most expensive supermarket ready meals and the cheapest (Image: Sophie Harris)
Ready meals, also known as microwave meals, are pre-cooked dishes that are packaged for convenience. They simply require a quick reheat in the microwave, oven, or occasionally an air fryer before they’re ready to eat. While they may not always be the healthiest choice, they offer a time-saving solution for those with hectic schedules or for times when cooking from scratch isn’t appealing.
I’m not usually one for ready meals; in fact, I generally steer clear of them. However, after recently enjoying a particularly tasty supermarket option, I was intrigued to compare the cheapest and most expensive ready meals available at my local Sainsbury’s. I was taken aback by just how pricey some ready meals can be, and the significant price disparity between different brands on the supermarket shelves.
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Sainsbury’s ready meals (Image: Sophie Harris)
I opted for three ready meals from Charlie Bigham’s, a brand renowned for its high-quality, ready-to-cook meals. Available in various supermarkets, their range encompasses a diverse selection of cuisines. Their offerings include lasagnes, macaroni cheese, curries, fish pies and more. The packaging exudes a premium, luxurious feel, but these were indeed the priciest options in the supermarket
I selected a butter chicken meal for two, complete with pilau rice, along with a single-serving macaroni cheese and a spaghetti bolognese.
On the hunt for the most budget-friendly options, I turned to Sainsbury’s own brand, where I picked up the same three meals. The butter chicken didn’t come with rice, so I added a packet of pilau rice to my basket instead.
Charlie Bigham’s macaroni cheese with crispy bacon (£6.50 for a single serving)
This macaroni cheese, smothered in a classic creamy cheese sauce and adorned with crispy bacon and ciabatta croutons, was ready to devour in just 30 minutes. I paired it with a side of garlic bread.
For the price tag, I was hoping for a ready meal that tasted as good as homemade, and I must admit, it hit the mark.
The texture of the dish was delightful, the portion size was generous, and the crispy bacon and ciabatta croutons added an extra layer of deliciousness. The flavour was a tad underwhelming, but overall, it was a tasty treat.
Charlie Bigham’s macaroni cheese (left) and Sainsbury’s (right) (Image: Sophie Harris)
Personally, I wouldn’t shell out £6.50 for this again, but if it were on sale, I’d definitely grab one.
Sainsbury’s macaroni cheese (£3.50 for a single serving)
According to the supermarket, this ready meal is prepared in a creamy cheese sauce and topped with mature Cheddar cheese.
I baked this in the oven for about 30 minutes, stirring it midway. Unfortunately, this macaroni cheese was a letdown as it lacked flavour and had a slightly curdled texture.
I tried to salvage it by adding my own freshly ground black pepper and parmesan, which did help somewhat, but overall, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
Charlie Bigham’s butter chicken curry and pilau rice (£9.95 for two servings)
Given the nearly £10 price tag for this ready meal (though it does serve two), I had high hopes. The portion size was more than sufficient for two people.
I tried the most expensive supermarket ready meals and the cheapest-1 tasted homemade (Image: Sophie Harris)
Charlie Bigham’s boasts that this dish features succulent marinated chicken in a mild and creamy butter sauce, subtly spiced and accompanied by pilau rice.
The meal was prepared with a foil cover over the rice and baked in the oven for 30 minutes. It proved to be an utterly delightful dish, exceeding my expectations in terms of deliciousness.
While I felt the sauce could have packed a bit more punch, it did give off a comforting home-cooked vibe. Despite nearing the £10 mark, it’s a more economical choice than ordering a takeaway, and I genuinely believe it’s worth every penny, particularly for a romantic dinner or as a special indulgence.
Sainsbury’s butter chicken ready meal (£4.35 for two)
This offering didn’t include any rice, so I added a packet for £1, bringing the total cost of this two-person meal to £5.35, which is still £4.60 less than its pricier counterpart.
Charlie Bigham’s butter chicken (left) and Sainsbury’s (right) (Image: Sophie Harris)
Sainsbury’s describes this dish as tender marinated chicken breast in a creamy tomato, butter and coriander sauce, gently spiced to perfection.
After baking in the oven for 25 minutes and a quick one-minute zap in the microwave, this dish turned out to be absolutely scrumptious. The chicken was wonderfully tender and well-seasoned, boasting a slightly more robust flavour profile than the Charlie Bigham’s version.
Although I was slightly let down by the lack of included rice, especially given how much I enjoyed Charlie Bigham’s pilau rice, overall, it was a delectable meal and certainly worth the £5.35 price tag for two.
Charlie Bigham’s spaghetti bolognese (£6.50 for one)
This spaghetti bolognese is a delightful concoction of slow-cooked beef ragu, red wine, and oregano, served atop spaghetti and garnished with parmesan cheese.
I prepared it in the oven, as I did with all the other ready meals, and served it with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a side of garlic bread.
Charlie Bigham’s spaghetti bolognese tasted homemade (Image: Sophie Harris)
Of all the Charlie Bigham’s prepared meals I sampled, this was hands down my favourite. It tasted just like a home-cooked bolognese, with tender meat, perfect portion size, and exquisite flavour.
I’ve found myself reminiscing about this ready meal since I first tried it, although the £6.50 price tag for a single serving has deterred me from buying it again.
Sainsbury’s spaghetti bolognese (£3.50 for one)
This ready meal features spaghetti pasta smothered in a beef, tomato and red wine sauce. After a 30-minute cook time, I topped the dish with cheese and served it alongside garlic bread.
Having savoured Charlie Bigham’s version the previous day, this meal was a letdown. It lacked flavour, was scant on meat, and the consistency left much to be desired.
On balance, I found the taste and flavour of Charlie Bigham’s meals far superior, as they had a homemade quality. However, at £6.50 a pop, I’m hesitant to say whether I’d buy them again.
That said, if they’re on sale or for a special occasion, I’d definitely consider it. While Sainsbury’s butter chicken curry was a hit, the rest of their meals were rather disappointing.
When it comes to wholesome ingredients devoid of additives, Charlie Bigham’s clearly takes the lead, which is precisely why I typically steer clear of ready meals. Although I won’t be incorporating ready meals into my regular diet, it’s evident that the pricier supermarket options are superior.
