Ryan ChartrandWhen it comes to affordable microwaveable meals, the options are endless. Everything from pizzas to hamburgers to soups come in nukeable form. You can purchase these shrewdly priced delicacies at your local grocery store, 7-Eleven, or even Costco. So, without further delay, let’s get to the good stuff.
It would be unforgivable for me to approach the topic without mentioning Easy Mac. In about five minutes, you can have a hot bowl of mac and cheese without touching a pot or a stove.
I never thought that a frozen cheeseburger could be cooked in the microwave and come out edible, but then I was introduced to one of the biggest lifesavers of my college experience. In about a minute, you can have two White Castle mini-cheeseburgers cooked and ready to eat. They even come with grilled onions! Sure, it’s no In-N-Out Burger, but then again, you don’t have to drive all the way to Atascadero or Santa Maria to get a great burger.
Another of my favorite microwaveable treats is never farther than the nearest liquor store. I can’t tell you how many times I have come home from a grueling Saturday night downtown and raced straight to my freezer for a pair of Hot Pockets.
There’s a kind of Hot Pocket to suit everybody’s tastes, and they even make Lean Pockets for you health freaks out there. I have always been partial to the Philly Steak and Cheese pockets, but you can’t go wrong with Ham and Cheese, Pepperoni Pizza, or Cheeseburger flavors.
Personally, I have never been a big fan of the all-inclusive microwaveable dinner. However, there is a hierarchy when it comes to the stuff. Without a doubt, the best meals in the category are made by Marie Callender’s. Personally, I stick with the chicken pot pies and the chicken broccoli fettuccini alfredo. However, inside sources tell me that the chicken cordon bleu hits the spot as well.
When it comes to these meals, there are definitely cheaper options. I hope you can learn from my mistakes and believe me when I say: Cheaper is NOT always better. I am reminded of a trip to the grocery store when I thought that buying 10 Banquet microwaveable dinners for $10 was a good idea. The next day, there were nine uneaten Banquet dinners at the top of my trash pile.
If you insist upon straying from Ms. Callender’s selection,
I would recommend Hungry Man or Claim Jumper.
If paying a minimal amount is your thing, look no further than Chef Boyardee’s canned microwaveable soups and pastas. One bite of Beefaroni or SpaghettiO’s, and it takes you right back to your childhood. At places like Food4Less, you can usually pick up a can for about a dollar. Even Cup O’ Noodles and Campbell’s Soup At Hand provide a cheap but superior alternative to the bottom-shelf microwaveable dinners.
For a little bit more money, try Campbell’s Chunky soups or something from Progresso. Also, instead of plain old Cup O’ Noodles, try the microwaveable chow mein noodles made by Nissin Foods. With my personal favorite being the spicy chicken flavor, these meals offer a little more substance and flavor for not too much more money.
If there is one location that I would recommend for all your microwaveable needs, it’s undoubtedly Costco. Every time I step foot in this wondrous establishment, I head straight for the frozen food section. El Monterey frozen steak burritos and taquitos, corn dogs and pizza bagels are all must-buys. I was a little skeptical about the Foster Farms frozen chicken wings, but they turned out to become a vital part of my microwaveable arsenal. Costco also carries some very reasonable pre-made microwaveable Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.
As far as alternative places to purchase top-notch microwaveable food, the silver medal would undoubtedly go to Trader Joe’s, which also offers a great selection of cheap and easy microwaveable meals. The chicken enchiladas make a great between-meal snack and taste much better than you’d expect from frozen Mexican food. You can also find acceptable versions of previously mentioned microwaveable foods at Trader Joe’s, from burritos to noodle bowls. Trader Joe’s even offers a very tasty line of microwaveable pizzas.
One of the most important things to understand about microwaveable meals is that you can always add your own unique twist. My personal favorite creation is a mix of ranch and Tapatio hot sauce that I add to a huge range of foods. Chicken wings, taquitos, burritos and even chicken nuggets are upgraded with this custom-made condiment. It may sound a little weird, but don’t knock it until you try it.
Mac and cheese can benefit from some chopped-up hot dogs or sausages, which are also microwaveable. For most Mexican foods, try sprinkling some grated cheese on top before throwing it into the microwave. Like I said, the possibilities are endless. Be creative and see what works.
I’m sure you have heard the saying, “time is money.” Fortunately, if you’re short on either of the two, putting your microwave to good use will help with the problem. Take a trip to your local frozen food section and give that energy-wasting stove a rest. When you’re able to make a delicious three-course meal during a single timeout of Monday Night Football, you’ll know what all the fuss is about.
Don’t thank me, just spread the word.