I Avoid Every Frozen Dinner Brand Except for These 7 Family-Friendly Options

There is no denying that frozen meals are generally looked down upon, and often rightfully so. The number of times you've probably opened up a gluey pasta meal from the freezer, thrown it in the microwave, and ended up tossing it anyway makes it pretty clear that most frozen meals aren't even worth the freezer space.

Meals with mystery meat, portion sizes that are nothing like what the box promises, and children who refuse to eat more than a single bite. Sound familiar? 

Don’t worry, there are a handful of brands out there that you can count on for a quality frozen dinner, at least most of the time. These are the seven frozen dinner brands I actually buy, and keep buying, for my family. Next time you’re on a supermarket run, keep an eye out for these names.

Stouffer's has been a reliable presence in the freezer aisle since 1954, and for a good reason. The family-sized mac and cheese contains real cheddar and traditionally made pasta. It comes out of the oven thick and proper, unlike the watery messes you get from cheaper brands. The lasagna takes a solid 75 minutes in the oven, which is somewhat of a commitment, but the result is worth it. It actually looks like something you'd make yourself from scratch on a lazy Sunday.

The comfort food lineup is another reason to keep Stouffer's around. Spaghetti with meatballs, chicken pot pie, and Swedish meatballs served over fettuccine. These are all recognizable meals that children eat without a second thought, and that matters more than any ingredient list.

Stouffer's can be a bit underwhelming when it comes to their single-serving products, which are hit or miss. Stick to the bigger portions, and you will be fine.

Birds Eye rose to fame with their frozen vegetables, but the Voila! Skillet Meals are in a different class entirely. Full family meals in a single package, complete with protein, vegetables, and starches. Cook them for 20 minutes on the stove or microwave, and your family meal is ready to serve.

If I had to choose a favorite, it would be the Sweet and Sour Chicken, which combines chicken with rice, carrots, bell peppers, pineapple, and onions in a sweet-and-sour sauce. The vegetables keep their texture, and the sauce is not overly sweet. The Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Skillet is also popular with parents since picky kids will actually eat it without a fuss.

Birds Eye doesn’t use artificial flavors or preservatives, so you can actually put their frozen dinners on the table without any residual guilt. Just keep an eye on the sodium. Some varieties run close to 1,000 milligrams per serving, so it's worth checking the label.

Trader Joe's doesn't market their frozen meals aggressively, which is part of why parents treat them like a well-kept secret. The Mandarin Orange Chicken is one of the best in their frozen meal line. It’s crispy and tangy with a texture that holds up better than anything else in its price range. Other favorites from the Trader Joe's freezer include the ravioli and the meat lasagna.

There is one catch, though: Trader Joe's rotates their products fairly often so some items can disappear within a couple of months. Once you find something you like, buy a few boxes, because you never know when it will come back.

Amy's is an organic frozen meal brand created as a healthier alternative to the typical frozen dinner. The founders, Rachel and Andy Berliner, launched the company in 1987 because they could not find any organic, vegetarian meals during Rachel's pregnancy. Every product is GMO-free, and most of the dishes are vegetarian or vegan, which make them great for families with dietary restrictions.

The standout meal is the Cheese Enchilada: a corn tortilla filled with Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheeses, a tomato-based sauce, and corn and black beans on the side. It is tasty and satisfying. Another solid choice is the Broccoli and Cheddar Bake, which works especially well for picky eaters who need their vegetables cleverly hidden in something cheesy.
Amy's is one of the most expensive brands on this list, but if you worry about the ingredients in your kid’s meal, the extra is worth it.

Marie Callender's originated as a small pie shop in California back in the 1940s. Its chicken pot pie remains its signature dish to this day, and for good reason. The crust has actual texture, something that does not come easily for a frozen pot pie. Reviewers consistently mention it as one of the only frozen dishes that can actually be called comfort food without irony.

The pot pie format itself is perfect for the family environment since it contains the whole meal at once: chicken, vegetables, and the filling. The crust seems to appeal to children more than pasta and other casserole-like dishes. They also have a good selection of comfort food products beyond the pot pie that are worth keeping in rotation.

Zatarain's adds a variety of Cajun-inspired tastes to the monotonous world of frozen foods. The Blackened Chicken Alfredo was ranked the highest out of 14 family-sized frozen meals by Tasting Table, defeating many familiar brands in taste, texture, and cost. This meal is spicier compared to other frozen meals, so it’s perfect for children who are not afraid of spices or parents who have been eating mild pasta-based meals too often.

Zatarain's dishes based on rice, including the popular Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, are also worth keeping in your freezer. The seasoning sets itself apart from most frozen options and they are also generously portioned.

Even though Zatarain's meals tend to be a bit pricier than Stouffer's and Birds Eye, their creative flavors are worth the extra buck.

Michael Angelo's is possibly one of the least known brands on this list, but it has earned its spot. Their products are based on their Italian recipes that are handed down from generation to generation, and it shows. Their meat lasagna is highly praised for having an excellent meat-to-pasta ratio.

The vegetable lasagna is a great alternative when you want to skip the meat. The ingredients list is shorter and does not feature as much filler as other Italian frozen meal brands. It’s not the cheapest lasagna available in supermarkets, but it isn't the most expensive either.
Michael Angelo's products may lack the appeal of Stouffer's or the allure of Trader Joe's, but those who try them will probably keep them in the freezer. Sometimes the quiet brands are the most reliable ones.