Comparison: Best Microwave Food (Updated | Dec 8th)
Let’s be honest—sometimes you just need a quick, satisfying meal without the hassle. Whether you’re a busy parent, a student on a tight schedule, or just someone who appreciates a good microwave hack, we’ve all turned to our trusty microwave for a lifesaving bite. But with so many options out there, from frozen classics to trendy ready-to-eat meals, how do you know which ones are actually worth your time? We’ve tested the top contenders to bring you the real winners in microwave food.
- Best for classic comfort pack: Kraft Easy Mac Original Mac & Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Dinner Microwavable Dinner
- Best for reduced sodium variety: Miss Olive’s Variety Pack Microwavable Ready to Eat Lower Sodium Ready Meals (Bundle of 6)-1 of each flavor
- Best for ultra creamy cheese: Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Microwaveable Shell Pasta & Cheese Sauce
- Best for high-protein trays: HORMEL COMPLEATS Protein Variety Pack Microwave Trays (Pack of 5)
- Best for real beef pasta: Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta Microwave Cup
- Best for premium pepper beef: Whole Foods Market
- Best for timeless ravioli comfort: Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in Pasta Sauce
- Best for authentic jasmine rice: BEN’S ORIGINAL Ready Rice Jasmine Rice
- Best for tri-flavor cup pack: Rice-A-Roni Cups Individual Cup
- Best for organic aged cheddar: Annie’s Real Aged Cheddar Microwave Mac & Cheese with Organic Pasta
Product Comparison: Best Microwave Food
Kraft Easy Mac Original Mac & Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Dinner Microwavable Dinner, 18 ct Packets
- One 18 ct box of Kraft Original Easy Mac Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Single Serve Packets
- Kraft Easy Mac and Cheese contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or dyes
- Packets include macaroni pasta and cheese sauce mix
- One packet makes a single serving
- Cheese sauce mix is individually sealed
- Our macaroni and cheese is perfect as a side, snack or addition to a meal
- Help yourself to the comforting taste you love
- Value package contains 18 single serve mac packets and 18 single serve cheese packets
- SNAP & EBT eligible food item
Miss Olive’s Variety Pack Microwavable Ready to Eat Lower Sodium Ready Meals (Bundle of 6)-1 of each flavor
- Six Pack Variety of All Miss Olive’s Reasy Meals for you to test out – Packed with Nutrients
- Made with no preservatives and reduced sodium – under 400mg
- Our healthy entrees are Ready to Eat, Shelf Stable, No Refrigeration Needed
- Easy to open and prepare, just microwave for 2 minutes
- Great for seniors, families with busy lifestyles, kids lunches, traveling, backpacking, camping, and college students
Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Microwaveable Shell Pasta & Cheese Sauce, 8 ct Box, 2.39 oz Cups
- 8 ct box of Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Microwaveable Shell Pasta & Cheese Sauce, 2.39 oz per cup
- Velveeta melts the creamiest
- Velveeta is made with real cheese and melts the creamiest
- Unapologetically go all-in for the cheesy, melty goodness you love best
- An outrageously delicious taste experience
- Simply combine pasta with water up to the fill line in the cup, microwave for 3.5 minutes, and stir in the cheese sauce mix
- Our microwaveable meal includes shell pasta and cheese sauce in a single-serve cup
- SNAP & EBT eligible food item
- Please note, the package you receive may look different than what is pictured
HORMEL COMPLEATS Protein Variety Pack Microwave Trays (Pack of 5)
- HORMEL COMPLEATS Protein Variety Pack: This variety pack includes 1 each of our high protein Trays: Chicken Alfredo, Turkey and Dressing, Chicken and Mashed Potatoes, plus 2 Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes
- Shelf To Table: Made with high quality ingredients and homestyle recipes HORMEL COMPLEATS products deliver a satisfying dinner or lunch that is ready to eat in 60 seconds; No prep, no mess, and no clean up
- Real Food. Real Fast: HORMEL COMPLEATS microwave trays are shelf stable and deliver a hearty dinner; Stock your pantry, desk, or locker for a quick, tasty dish anytime
- Good Taste: From chili with beans to Salisbury steak, mac and cheese, beef stew, chicken and dumplings, pot pie and more, HORMEL COMPLEATS microwaveable trays are an easy, affordable way to get dinner done
- HORMEL COMPLEATS products: On the job or at home after a long day, HORMEL COMPLEATS microwavable trays meet you where you’re at; satisfying lunch or dinner that is ready in 60 seconds with no prep, clean-up, or freezer required
Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta Microwave Cup, 2 oz (6 Pack), Real Beef, 8g Protein, Ready in 4 Minutes, Quick Microwavable Pasta Meal or Snack for Midweek Dinners, Busy Evenings, and Families on the Go
- PASTA: America’s favorite Hamburger Helper in a savory beef pasta entree, blending pasta, sauce, and real spices
- QUICK AND EASY: Make Hamburger Helper in three easy steps: simply add water and included flavor pouch, microwave for 4 minutes, then stir and enjoy!
- INGREDIENTS: Packaged food is made with real beef and spices and no artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources
- ENDLESS OPTIONS: Add your own twist with additional ingredients and head to the Betty Crocker website for Hamburger Helper recipes and pastas the whole family will love
- CONTAINS: 2 oz per cup
Whole Foods Market, Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry Meal, 12 Ounce
- Held to higher ingredient standards, so you can feel good about what you’re buying (and eating)
- No hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG
Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in Pasta Sauce, Microwave Food, 7.5 OZ Microwaveable Bowl (12 Bowls)
- Twelve 7.5 oz bowls of Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in Pasta Sauce
- A convenient microwave food option full of that timeless Chef Boyardee flavor everyone knows and loves
- Delicious comfort food in microwave bowls featuring beef ravioli in a pasta sauce
- Packaged in a convenient microwaveable bowl, you can take this beef ravioli anywhere and enjoy it directly out of the container; all you need is a fork
- Microwave pasta made with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives so you can feel good about serving it to your family
BEN’S ORIGINAL Ready Rice Jasmine Rice, Easy Dinner Side, 8.5 OZ Pouch (Pack of 6)
- Six 8.5 oz pouches of BEN’S ORIGINAL Ready Rice Jasmine Rice
- Microwave rice pouch that provides a delicious substitute for white rice, brown rice, or wild rice in just 90 seconds
- Contains 100% authentic Thai rice that tastes great as a cooked rice side dish or as part of a savory main course
- Pair this long grain rice with your favorite Southeast Asian cuisine entrees or serve it plain
- Microwave this rice for 90 seconds or thoroughly heat it in a skillet before serving
Rice-A-Roni Cups Individual Cup, 3-Flavor Variety Pack, 2.25 Oz (Pack of 12)
- Variety pack includes 12 cups – 4 cups each of Rice-A-Roni Chicken, Rice-A-Roni Cheddar Broccoli, and Pasta Roni Parmesan & Romano
- Served in individual cups you can enjoy at home, at work, or on the go
- Cooks in minutes in the microwave
- Just add water
- 12 single-serve cups you can enjoy as a snack or side dish
Annie’s Real Aged Cheddar Microwave Mac & Cheese with Organic Pasta, 8 Ct, 2.01 OZ Cups
- Annie’s microwave mac and cheese cups to make family dinner and kids snack time easy with wholesome organic pasta and aged cheddar cheese
- Adult and kids mac and cheese made with real cheese from cows not treated with rBST and no artificial flavors or synthetic colors
- Enjoy this creamy and cheesy mac n cheese alone, paired with chicken nuggets, or packed in a backpack for an on-the-go snack
- Convenient mac and cheese cups ready in minutes, making them a great adult and kids food option for busy bunnies and families on the go
- Eight pack of 2.01 oz cups of Annie’s Real Aged Cheddar Microwave Mac and Cheese with Organic Pasta
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
How do I choose a microwave meal that balances nutrition and convenience?
Look for products that list low sodium, no artificial preservatives, and real ingredients, such as Miss Olive’s Variety Pack or Annie’s Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese. Convenience is measured by prep time and packaging; most of these meals require only a 2‑minute microwave. Comparing the nutrition panels will help you pick a meal that fits your dietary goals while still being quick.
Which mac and cheese option gives the most cheese flavor for the price?
Velveeta Shells & Cheese offers a rich, creamy cheese sauce made from real cheese, delivering a strong cheese taste per ounce. Kraft Easy Mac provides a classic flavor but uses a cheese sauce mix rather than real cheese, which can be less intense. If you prioritize cheese richness, Velveeta typically offers better value despite a slightly higher per‑serving cost.
Are there any high‑protein microwave meals among these options?
Hormel Compleats Protein Variety Pack includes trays with chicken, turkey, and roast beef, each delivering a solid protein boost in a single serving. Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta also contains real beef and 8 g of protein per cup. For the highest protein per calorie, Hormel’s trays are the strongest choice.
Which products are best for low‑sodium diets?
Miss Olive’s Variety Pack advertises reduced sodium under 400 mg per meal and contains no preservatives, making it a top low‑sodium pick. Whole Foods Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry also avoids added MSG and high‑fructose corn syrup, though you’ll need to check the exact sodium content. These two options are safer for those monitoring salt intake.
What should I consider when buying microwave rice or side dishes?
Side dishes like Ben’s Original Ready Rice and Rice‑A‑Roni Cups differ in flavor variety and cooking time; Ben’s rice cooks in 90 seconds and offers authentic Thai jasmine flavor, while Rice‑A‑Roni provides three distinct taste profiles but requires adding water. Evaluate whether you prefer a single‑serve convenience or a broader flavor selection. Also, compare the per‑cup cost to determine which gives the best value for your pantry.
Do any of these meals offer shelf‑stable options for travel or emergencies?
Several products are shelf‑stable, including Miss Olive’s Ready Meals, Hormel Compleats trays, and Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, which require no refrigeration. These are ideal for backpacking, camping, or keeping in a desk drawer for quick meals. Check the packaging dates to ensure freshness, especially if you plan to store them long‑term.
Which microwave meals are most kid‑friendly?
Annie’s Real Aged Cheddar Microwave Mac & Cheese uses organic pasta and real cheddar, appealing to parents looking for wholesome ingredients without artificial colors. Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli offers a familiar comfort flavor that many children love. Both are easy to prepare and come in small, single‑serve portions perfect for school lunches.
How do the price points compare across these microwave foods?
Bulk packs like Kraft Easy Mac (18‑count) and Rice‑A‑Roni (12‑count) tend to have the lowest per‑serving cost, while premium items such as Velveeta Shells & Cheese and Hormel Compleats have higher prices but offer richer ingredients or higher protein. Comparing the number of servings per package will give you a clearer picture of overall value. Consider both the upfront cost and the nutritional benefits when deciding which to stock.