The average American family spends an hour prepping and cooking dinner. Looking for a shortcut? New and improved frozen dinners like skillet kits and ready-to-bake options can come in handy: They're fresher, tastier and healthier than ever before. We show you which to pick up at the grocery store, and how to make 'em your own.
SINGLE-SERVE FROZEN DINNER: If you’ve got a hubby who wants one thing and a kid who wants another, these meals are instant sanity-savers. Plus, you’ve got portion control in a box.
OUR PICK: Kashi All Natural Veggie Chana Masala. Five minutes in the microwave turns out a lentil-based Indian vegetable dish over fiberrich whole grain pilaf.
MAKE DINNER FOR TWO: Divide the goods between 2 whole wheat tortillas and roll into wraps. Serve with a mixed greens salad.
Read more »SKILLET KIT FOR TWO: Calling all creative, time-starved cooks! No need to peel or measure—but you can still throw in extras or leave stuff out.
OUR PICK: Putney Pasta Chicken Alfredo Skillet. It's a lower-sodium rotini pasta dish with pan-seared, sliced chicken breast, crisp broccoli and a rich, tangy cheese sauce—all in 8 minutes!
MAKE DINNER FOR FOUR: Add one 10-ounce bag of your favorite frozen vegetables when cooking and stir in an additional 2 cups cooked whole wheat rotini pasta just before serving.
Read more »MEATY MAIN COURSE: If you crave ribs and roasts but could live without making them from scratch, these meals let you have at it, in a fraction of the time.
OUR PICK: Hormel Slow Simmered Balsamic Rosemary Pork Roast. This flavorful, precooked roast takes only about 4 minutes in the microwave and is preservative- and trans-fat-free.
MAKE DINNER FOR SIX: Shred the meat and divide among 6 quesadillas packed with spinach and shredded Swiss cheese. Serve with steamed veggies drizzled with the pork drippings.
Read more »READY-TO-BAKE SEAFOOD MULTIPACK: With these, you don't lose taste for eating healthy. But often these tend to be the priciest of the convenience foods.
OUR PICK: SeaPak Culinary Classics Sun-Dried Tomato Wild Salmon. About 20 minutes in the oven gets you a roasted salmon fillet with a light and savory crust. (at Walmart)
MAKE DINNER FOR TWO: Flake a single portion into a mixed greens salad made with chopped tomatoes, capers, sliced olives, toasted almond slivers and feta cheese crumbles.
Read more »FAMILY-STYLE MEAL: Calling all comfort-food fans! The price is right, but beware the tendency to eat supersize portions.
OUR PICK: Stouffer’s Easy Express Cheesy Garlic Lasagna with Meat Sauce. A microbake tray yields gooey cheese and lasagna noodles with bite, all in 18 minutes.
MAKE DINNER FOR SIX: Slice into 6 portions instead of the suggested 4.5 and serve with sautéed zucchini and onions tossed with chopped fresh thyme.
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