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From fun family meals to all-organic meals, our team of product testers has tried more than 40 of the best meal delivery services. We’re a team of certified nutrition coaches, sports nutrition coaches, personal trainers, and athletes, and we regularly collaborate with registered dietitians to even better understand the products we test. Registered dietitian Perry Nix, GGR expert panelist, helped us analyze our recommendations for this guide to the best oven-ready meal delivery.

Our extensive hands-on testing also informed our final list; we chose eight top companies based on factors such as: 

  • Price per meal 
  • Meal taste and ingredient quality 
  • Diet types supported 
  • Ingredient sourcing 
  • Sustainability efforts 
  • Packaging and shipping
  • Nutritional profile 
  • Delivery areas

Ahead, you’ll find eight meal delivery options that will undoubtedly make your life easier and your daily diet tastier. 

RELATED: Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery

  • Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery Overall: Fresh N Lean
  • Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery for Weight Loss: Diet-to-Go
  • Best Gourmet Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: CookUnity
  • Best Plant-Based Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Mosaic
  • Best Gluten-Free Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Epicured
  • Best Paleo Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Paleo on the Go
  • Best Low-Carb Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: ModifyHealth
  • Best High-Protein Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: MealPro

Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery Overall: Fresh N Lean

Good for: Everything from pescatarian to Mediterranean to Whole30 meals in heat-and-eat fashion

Best Overall

Fresh N Lean

GGR Score: 4.1 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • Meal delivery featuring 7 different meal plans
  • Gluten-free options
  • Non-GMO, no artificial ingredients
  • Paleo, Keto, high protein, and vegan plans
  • A la carte options with a $85 minimum

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Free shipping in the Contiguous U.S.
  • Low minimum of meals
  • Over 100 meals to choose from

Cons

  • Very little customization when choosing meal plans
  • Meals can be pricey

Bottom Line

Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal delivery service that has a variety of meal plans to choose from. From those plans, you can choose how many meals you’d like weekly, and notify anyone of food preferences. In addition, you can select exact meals from their A la carte section.

Heat-and-eat meals aren’t exactly known for being Michelin-star quality. Fresh N Lean, however, is changing the game, according to product tester and certified personal trainer Kate Meier, who says she was “shocked” at the quality of the meals. It’s one of the best healthy meal delivery services in our opinion.

All of the meals consist of whole foods, she says, with top-notch ingredients like grass-fed steak and 100% non-GMO produce. Fresh N Lean scored highly in every category, earning 5 out of 5 points for ease of preparation, portion size, variety, meal plans and customization, access to nutritional info, and packaging and shipping.

Fresh And Lean Meals

Kate gave Fresh N Lean 4 out of 5 points for ingredient quality, saying that everything tasted fresh and the meals last for five days in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer. Likewise, she awarded the service 4 out of 5 points for taste, raving over the Paleo Red Pepper Chicken with Sweet Potatoes.

Fresh N Lean offers seven meal plans to choose from—Protein+, keto, vegan low-carb, Mediterranean, standard vegan, paleo, and Whole30-approved—but registered dietitian Perry Nix especially likes the Protein+ plan. She recommends this plan to people looking to increase their protein intake or build muscle, since on average, the meals contain “a whopping 36 grams of protein.”

Price per serving$8.49 to $11
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week21 or a la carte
Delivery area All 50 states
Examples of meals we triedPaleo Red Pepper Chicken with Sweet Potatoes; Paleo Bearnaise Grass Fed Steak with Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery for Weight Loss: Diet-to-Go

Good for: Low-calorie meals designed to assist with weight loss

Best for Weight Loss

Diet-To-Go

GGR Score: 4.1 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • Meal delivery service with 5 diet plans
  • Ready to heat chef-prepared meals
  • Mediterranean diet and low-carb options
  • Choose up to 21 meals per week
  • Customized meal plans available
  • New meals every 5 weeks

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Appeals to a variety of diets
  • Meals are ready to eat in 3 minutes
  • Can order all 21 meals for the week
  • Meal plans are curated for you, but you have the option to customize it

Cons

  • Very limited customization
  • Doesn’t offer any organic options
  • Calories are very low on the standard plan

Bottom Line

Diet-To-Go accommodates a number of dietary preferences and restrictions, but the menu doesn’t have as much variety as some of the other programs. These are heat-and-eat meals, so they’re ready to eat in three minutes.

Losing weight is not an easy thing to do. A meal service like Diet-to-Go can make your life a little easier by delivering low-calorie, weight-loss-focused meals to your door. They’re all ready to eat, but they do come frozen, so you just have to make sure to set them out to thaw if indicated by the instructions. 

Perry Nix, RD, LD, says Diet-to-Go can be a good option for people who need to kickstart weight loss. However, she advises against following it long-term (more than eight weeks) at a time because the meals are really low in calories. Unless you’re also eating snacks or fluffing up your meals with extra protein, veggies, or grains, following a Diet-to-Go plan for more than two months might actually stall your metabolism. This can happen when you eat too few calories for too long a time.

Diet To Go Meal

Our product tester, GGR YouTube reviewer Lindsay Scheele, liked Diet-to-Go for the most part. She said the taste of the meals can be “super hit or miss” and ended up rating the service with 3 out of 5 stars for taste. She thought the ingredient quality was great, awarding it 4 out of 5 points because most of the veggies were fresh, each meal contained ample protein, and she liked that all of the meals consisted of whole foods. 

Lindsay also points out that the macronutrient information is clearly listed on each box, which is nice for someone who’s health-conscious. She says the company’s customer service was prompt and helpful, assisting with the cancellation of her subscription and getting it done within minutes. 

Learn more about Diet-to-Go and others in our guide to the best meal delivery for weight loss.

Price per servingStarts at $10.76 per meal
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week15-21
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Examples of meals we triedChicken with pureed veggies, mushroom ravioli 

Best Gourmet Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: CookUnity

Good for: Unique recipes crafted by real chefs 

Best Gourmet

CookUnity

GGR Score: 3.5 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • Subscription-based meal delivery service
  • Fresh meals, not frozen
  • Rotating menus
  • Ability to set preferences and dietary restrictions

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Fresh meals delivered weekly
  • Option to choose meals or let chefs choose for you
  • Reminder text message to make changes to your weekly order
  • Ability to skip weeks or pause subscription

Cons

  • Does not deliver to all parts of the U.S.
  • Different menus depending on your zip code

Bottom Line

CookUnity is a weekly meal delivery service that brings fresh meals prepared and cooked by professionally trained chefs directly to your door. You can choose between four to 16 meals per week and set preferences around your likes, dislikes, and dietary restrictions. You also have the ability to skip a week or pause your subscription.

CookUnity is the best prepared meal delivery service for people who love complex flavor profiles and unique ingredients. Some examples of CookUnity meals include Lamb Kebab with Turmeric Hummus and Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Lentil and Mushroom-Stuffed Delicata Squash with Cashew-Basil Sauce.

Our tester, GGR product tester and performance editor Anthony O’Reilly, is a big foodie and CookUnity earned 3 out of 5 points for taste from him. Some of the meals were great, he said, while others lacked flavor or were not “very chef-y.” All that said, Anthony is truly a culinary connoisseur and admittedly a critic. 

Still, he had praise for CookUnity’s Bulgogi Beef Japchae, calling the sauce “zingy and quite flavorful.”  CookUnity scored higher in other areas, with 4 out of 5 points for ease of preparation and ingredient quality, and 5 out of 5 points for variety and meal plan customization.

cook-unity-japchae-noodles-prepared

According to registered dietitian Perry Nix, “CookUnity is unique because it offers chef-made entrees delivered fresh to your doorstep. Its culinary artists create authentic cuisines you’d expect to get at a nice restaurant, except you can enjoy them in the comfort of your own home.” 

From a nutritional standpoint, Perry likes that CookUnity offers meals for several dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, keto, paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, less than 600 calories, and dairy-free dietary accommodations.

Price per serving$17.25
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week4-16
Delivery area Most of the continental U.S. except Montana, West Virginia, and North Dakota
Examples of meals we triedBulgogi Beef Japchae (Glass Noodle Stir Fry), Seared Shrimp with Avocado Sauce, Seared Barramundi and Moroccan Couscous, Nashville Hot Tofu Sandwich

Best Plant-Based Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Mosaic

Good for: Vegan meals and vegetarian options

Best Plant-Based

Mosaic

GGR Score: 4.39 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • Plant-based meal service
  • Frozen meals and smoothies
  • Schedule deliveries every 1-4 weeks

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Sustainability-sourced, plant-based meals
  • Vegetarian and vegan options
  • Many nut-free and gluten-free options

Cons

  • Additional shipping fees for each delivery
  • Subscription model
  • Not all meals have a high-protein content

Bottom Line

Mosaic is a frozen meal delivery service that offers plant-based options for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. Once you sign up, you’ll have access to pick your meals and view pricing. While all meals are meat-free, you’ll find a variety of nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan options as well. Mosaic has a wide selection of frozen veggie bowls, family meals, pizzas, smoothies, soups, and oat bowls.

Our product tester, GGR staff writer and certified personal trainer Lauren Strong, was surprised at how much she enjoyed Mosaic with it being a plant-based meal delivery service (and Lauren being a through-and-through omnivore). In our Mosaic meal delivery review, she says, “I can honestly say this meal delivery service is worth it for anyone truly trying to eat more plant-based and vegetarian meals.

“I felt apprehensive because everything is plant-based and I just assumed it would be very ‘crunchy-granola,’ but the reality is these were really filling and tasty,” she says. “The smoothies were excellent, the pizzas were pretty darn good, and the Thai noodle dish I ordered was totally awesome.” I’m still not sure what she meant by “crunchy-granola,” but I’m glad to hear the meals weren’t that. Lauren gave Mosaic 5 out of 5 points for taste, a high honor.

Mosaic Foods_Tangy Thai Stir Fry

Additionally, Lauren says Mosaic meals are very filling, rating it with 4.5 out of 5 stars for portion sizes, as well as for ingredient quality, saying the meals felt and tasted “pretty darn healthy.”

One big thing our tester wasn’t a fan of: You have to sign up with your email address before you can look at the menu. This is a big annoyance for a lot of people—including us—and if it were me, I may not even stay on the website. For this reason, Lauren gave Mosaic just 3 out of 5 stars for the ordering process.

Perry Nix, RD, LD, says she loves the convenience of the family-sized oven-ready meals, but admits that these casserole-style dishes could get old quickly. She had a lot of other positive things to say about Mosaic, though, including that “Mosaic is committed to improving health outcomes and preserving the environment by promoting plant-based eating” and that “All of the family meals are made with four or more vegetables to maximize taste, texture, and nutrients.”

RELATED: Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services

Price per serving$6 to $12 per meal
Type (meal kit or prepared)6 meal minimum 
Meals per weekPrepared
Delivery area Most metro areas in Eastern and Western USA
Examples of meals we triedSweet Chili Tofu Bowl, Tangy Thai Stir Fry, Raspberry Cacao Smoothie, Mango Lassi Smoothie, Mushroom Lover’s Pizza, BBQ Seitan Pizza

Best Gluten-Free Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Epicured

Good for: 100% gluten-free meals with a customizable subscription 

Best Gluten-Free

Epicured

GGR Score: 3.42 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • Low-FODMAP and gluten-free meals
  • A la carte and curated menus available
  • Meals arrive pre-cooked and fresh
  • Menus are updated monthly
  • Low-fat, low-carb, low-calorie, and high-protein meals

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Lots of meals to choose from
  • Meals are never frozen
  • Suitable for restrictive diets
  • All meals are gluten-free
  • A la carte or curated meal plans available

Cons

  • Menus are updated, but don’t change completely
  • On the expensive side
  • Meals only last four days

Bottom Line

Epicured focuses on gluten-free and low FODMAP options that are also allergy-friendly (you can filter by major allergens like dairy, eggs, fish, and nuts). Everything arrives fresh and ready to heat. Meals are on the more expensive side, but that’s typical of more specialized dietary options.

Epicured is a niche meal delivery service, providing completely gluten-free and low-FODMAP meals. “FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are sugars that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine,” explains registered dietitian Perry Nix. Epicured appears on our list of the best gluten-free meal delivery because of its commitment to this.

This makes Epicured a great choice for individuals who already know they need to follow a gluten-free or low-FODMAP diet. Usually, your physician will prescribe a diet like this, Perry says, adding that “The low FODMAP diet is a very restrictive elimination diet and should be done under the supervision of a registered dietitian or physician. It’s only intended to be temporary in order to determine which foods you can or can’t tolerate.”

epicured-shrimp-meal

GGR tester and YouTube review Lindsay Scheele tried Epicured, and although she’s not in need of an elimination diet, found the meals OK in terms of taste. She rated it with 2.5 out of 5 stars in this category, but still had some praise for certain meals: “The mac and cheese and brownies were incredible,” she says.

Overall, Lindsay found the portion sizes to be adequate. “All of the meals made me full and I felt like the ratio of meat, starch, and veggies were all spot on,” she says. Lindsay gave Epicured 4 out of 5 stars for portion sizes. 

Ultimately, we’d recommend Epicured to individuals who have been prescribed a gluten-free or low-FODMAP diet and are in need of some assistance choosing foods to eat and creating meals. With Epicured, you don’t have to worry over the details of ingredients lists, because you know everything is designed for this specific dietary pattern. 

Price per servingStarts at $5.25 per item
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per weekUnlimited
Delivery area Continental U.S.
Examples of meals we triedMac and Cheese, Brownies

Best Paleo Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Paleo on the Go

Good for: Fully paleo meals with largely organic produce

Best Paleo

Paleo on the Go

GGR Score: 4.35 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • 100% Paleo and AIP-friendly
  • Plans include 8, 12, or 16 items 
  • Can subscribe or buy one time
  • Easy to follow instructions

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Wide variety of options
  • Seasonal meals available
  • Meals are ready after a few minutes in the microwave

Cons

  • No smartphone app to manage subscription
  • No free shipping

Bottom Line

Paleo on the Go is a meal service for people who would like to follow the paleo diet. They offer a wide range of foods, including bundle packages and seasonal items. The price range varies based on the items you choose to order.

Paleo is a popular diet that involves eating in ways that people believe our modern human ancestors ate. It’s also called the “caveman diet.” It can be really challenging to follow a paleo diet in today’s world of highly processed foods. Paleo on the Go can make it easier. 

This meal delivery service offers an “impressive selection” of paleo-friendly meals and sides, says GGR product tester and fitness editor Frieda Johnson. In fact, Frieda wishes she’d known about Paleo on the Go when she followed a paleo diet—although she’s not sure she would’ve paid for it then. 

“I followed the paleo diet for over a year, and I would have loved to have these meals at that time… if they weren’t horrendously expensive,” she says. “I do think these are high-quality meals, but I have a hard time justifying the expense, even with the higher cost of many paleo ingredients.”

Contents Of Paleo On The Go Box

With meals starting at $17.50 per serving, she has a point. Paleo on the Go earned just 1 out of 5 stars for the pricing category. 

Its saving graces are that the meals are highly nutritious and actually taste good. “They were easily as good as the meals I made from scratch when I was following the paleo diet,” Frieda says.  “Overall, I was impressed with the quality of frozen paleo food.” 

Frieda recommends reheating these meals in the oven, not the microwave, because it makes a big difference in the taste and texture. She says the only meal she was disappointed with was the one she microwaved. 

See more paleo options in our guide to the best paleo meal delivery.

Price per servingStarts at $17.50
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week8, 12, or 16
Delivery area Nationwide
Examples of meals we triedLemon blueberry muffins, Cuban empanadas, loaded baked sweet potato soup, bang bang shrimp tacos with pineapple plantain pilaf

Best Low-Carb Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: ModifyHealth

Good for: Reasonably priced low-carb meals

Best Low-Carb

ModifyHealth

GGR Score: 4.29 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • Fresh, ready-to-eat meal delivery service 
  • Nutrient dense, high-fiber, whole-food ingredients
  • Caters to variety of health concerns including low-FODMAP diets 
  • Vacuum-sealed meals stay fresh 7-10 days after delivery 
  • Processing facility is 100% gluten-free

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Non-GMO ingredients
  • BPA-free meal trays
  • Macronutrient and nutrition label included with each meal
  • Gluten-free

Cons

  • Wide range of caloric intake per meal (250-700 calories)
  • Many breakfast options are low in protein

Bottom Line

If you adhere to a low-FODMAP diet, have diabetes, or a gluten allergy ModifyHealth could be the meal delivery service you’ve been waiting for. ModifyHealth processes all meals in a gluten-free facility and commits to using non-GMO ingredients. Your subscription gains you access to a weekly delivery of fresh, vacuum-sealed meals that are ready to reheat and enjoy. Plans start as little as 6 meals per week with the option to skip a week or pause your subscription.

Modify Health offers several meal plans, one being the Carb-Conscious plan, which offers meals containing 35 grams of carbohydrate or less per serving. 

All of ModifyHealth’s Carb-Conscious meals are developed using the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and registered dietitian Perry Nix says that all of the meals are nicely balanced with protein, grains, and vegetables. “Most of their meals contain a lean source of protein like chicken, fish, or tofu, which is ideal for anyone wanting to eat less saturated fat or reduce their cholesterol,” she says. 

Our product tester, GGR senior editor and certified nutrition coach Nicole Davis, rated ModifyHealth with 4.5 out of 5 points for ingredient quality, noting that everything tasted very fresh and did not seem like a frozen meal once heated up.

Modify Health Meals

Nicole also rated ModifyHealth highly for taste, giving it 4.5 out of 5 points and saying she was pleasantly surprised. “These are frozen meals and I didn’t have high hopes based on the other frozen meal deliveries I had tried,” she says. “These were the best by far. I tried an assortment of meals from the Mediterranean plan, which is a lot of fish, and I enjoyed all of them.”

For portion sizes, Nicole felt they were fine for her, with meals ranging from 250 to 700 calories. For her husband, an active 6-foot-2 guy, the single-serve meals weren’t enough. She rated the service with 3 out of 5 stars for portion sizes because of this. 

RELATED: Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery

Price per serving$9.95 to $12.95
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week6
Delivery area Nationwide except for Hawaii
Examples of meals we triedSalmon, herb-roasted fish filet with squash & rice, black bean burgers

Best High-Protein Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: MealPro

Good for: Tasty meals with at least 30 grams of protein per serving

Best High-Protein

MealPro

GGR Score: 4.1 starstarstarstarstar

Product Highlights

  • Prepared meal delivery service in California
  • Non-GMO ingredients, and vegetables grown in nutrient-dense soil
  • Can purchase one-time or have a recurring order for every 7, 14, 21, or 28 days
  • Orders are in 18 or 20-meal options
  • Can choose from the a-la-carte menu, or create your own custom meals

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Non-GMO ingredients
  • Flexible subscription service
  • Ability to create your own custom meals
  • Great taste

Cons

  • 18 meals minimum is high
  • Shipping meals across the U.S. can be expensive

Bottom Line

MealPro is a healthy prepared meal delivery service based on the West Coast. All their ingredients used are non-GMO, and they don’t use preservatives or artificial flavors. Meals can be ordered from their a-la-carte menu, or you can customize your own meals. Orders are done in orders of 18 or 20 meals, but MealPro is flexible on their optional subscription services. Meals can be delivered every 7, 14, 21, or 28 days.

MealPro’s Bodybuilding track offers high-protein meals containing a minimum of 30 grams of protein per meal up to a wildly impressive 93 grams. Most of the meals are pretty typical of what bodybuilders tend to eat: chicken and some sort of starch plus a vegetable; or beef, a starch, and a vegetable.

Caine Wilkes, GGR staff writer, product tester, and Olympic weightlifter, tried MealPro and was satisfied overall. He found most of the meals to be filling, which he says is sometimes hard to do as a strength athlete. His wife, on the other hand, found some of the meals to be too much. He gave MealPro 4.5 out of 5 stars for portion size.

Atlantic salmon with asparagus from MealPro

The ingredient quality was great for a frozen meal service, Caine says. He noted that everything looked and tasted pretty fresh and reheated well, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars for ingredient quality. 

The main thing we don’t like about MealPro is the minimum order of 18 meals. That’s a lot no matter who you are, and with the starting price of $9.99 per meal, that will add up quickly. We’d like to see more customization in this area. 

Other than the bulk ordering issue, we think MealPro is a good choice for people looking for quality high-protein meals to support muscle growth. Check out our other top picks for the best high-protein meal delivery.

Price per serving$9.99 to $17.99
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week18 or 20
Delivery area United States and British Columbia, Canada
Examples of meals we triedSteak teriyaki, lean beef lasagna, turkey bowl, Atlantic salmon

Other Oven-Ready Meal Delivery Services We Researched

The eight top picks above are far from the only meal delivery services available. We tested more than 40; here’s a rundown of other popular options that didn’t make the cut for this guide.

  • Factor: Factor is a good prepared option for carb-conscious and keto-friendly meals. I liked most of the Factor meals I tried, although many are high in calories, salt, and fat, with large portion sizes. It’s probably not the best service for people looking to lose weight, but could be a good choice for athletes or avid exercisers. See our Factor meals review for more information.
  • Trifecta: Trifecta provides cooked meals that are great for active people and athletes, especially the high protein options. Our Trifecta meal delivery review has more details.
  • HelloFresh: One of the best family-friendly meal services, HelloFresh has a large weekly menu and fresh ingredients. However, it’s not an oven-ready meal delivery service. Read our HelloFresh review to see if it’s the right choice for you.
  • Sunbasket: This service has some prepared meals, but I found the flavor to be lacking for its “Fresh and Ready” selection when I tried Sunbasket. 
  • Green Chef: Green Chef is one of the best meal kits around, and it’s all organic, but it’s not an oven-ready meal delivery service. In our Green Chef reviews, you can learn more.
  • Daily Harvest: Daily Harvest is great for dairy-free soups, smoothies, oats, and flatbreads, but the menu options are limited compared to other options. 
  • BistroMD: BistroMD is another good prepared meal option for people looking to lose weight, especially for those with specific dietary needs or dietary restrictions, like a diabetes-friendly track. 
  • Home Chef: This is another meal kit delivery service, not a fully prepared meal delivery service. Home Chef is great, but not right for people who want premade meals.
  • Blue Apron: Blue Apron sends whole foods and recipe cards so you can make home-cooked meals without grocery shopping. We recommend it in general, but not for done-for-you meal prep. Our Blue Apron review goes into detail about this service.
  • Purple Carrot: This caters to individuals whose dietary preferences include plant-based meals, but the single-serve meal options are limited. 

How We Picked and Tested the Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery

Wondering how we came up with this guide to oven-ready meal delivery? Our product testers used a multi-point rating system and collaborated with a dietitian for expert insight to assign a GGR score to each company.

Price Per Meal

Pricing is a top factor in our approach to rating meal delivery. Services offering meals that cost less than $8 per serving scored a perfect 5 out of 5; the more expensive the pricing, the fewer points a service earned.

Ordering and Delivery

Companies with simple ordering processes and quick and timely delivery earned more points, while we knocked points off for confusing set-up processes or boxes that didn’t arrive on time.

Packaging and Shipping

Did the food come packaged well? Was everything still cold? Was anything leaking? Was the packing simple to dispose of? We made sure to answer all of these questions in our testing notes and rate companies accordingly. 

Taste and Freshness

Our testers rated meals highly if they were good without much doctoring needed; if a lot of the meals required extra seasoning, butter, or other ingredients for taste, they lost points. Ingredient quality was top-of-mind as we tested, paying attention to any ingredients that arrived in bad shape or went rancid quickly. 

Ease of Preparation

Prep time and cleanup are always important, but even more so when considering oven-ready meals. If it’s more difficult than popping in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven, it’s not exactly an oven-ready meal. 

Meal Plans and Variety

As we tried the meals, we considered whether we would get bored with the service or be able to enjoy it for several months without a ton of repeat meals. Additionally, we filtered for specific dietary needs to see how accommodating each company is. 

Sustainability Efforts

Companies that showed a clear effort in minimizing packaging or making it easy to recycle or compost earned the most points in this category. Companies lost points if there was a lot of unnecessary packaging, non-recyclable or compostable packing, or there was no clear commitment to sustainability.

Customer Service

We asked the big questions: Is it easy to cancel the subscription? Do we have to interact with humans or bots? Companies that made it simple and quick to cancel or get problems solved scored highly. 

Benefits of Oven-Ready Meal Delivery

For the right person, oven-ready meals bring several benefits to the table—literally. 

Quick and Convenient

Entrees that you can easily reheat at home save a TON of time, because you don’t have to cook or go to the grocery store as frequently. And when you do go to the store, your trips will likely be shorter since you won’t be shopping for as many ingredients.

Dietary Variety 

You may find yourself trying a greater variety of meals when you sign up for a meal service. They can introduce you to new seasonings, ingredients, and nutrients. 

Financially Smart

Many people hesitate to sign up for these services because of the price. However, using a meal delivery service typically ends up being less expensive than takeout. And, if you tend to waste food because you buy it and then don’t cook it, an oven-ready meal delivery service can solve that problem for you, ultimately saving you money. 

Oven-Ready Meal Delivery FAQs

Are oven-ready meals healthy?

They certainly can be. It depends on the service and your idea of healthy. Our top picks offer high-quality ingredients and fresh meals that include veggies, proteins, and grains. Everyone’s idea of a nutritious meal varies, but our product testers collaborate with registered dietitian nutritionists to choose wellness-oriented options.

Who has the best ready meals? 

Our recommendations for the best oven-ready meals are: 

-Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery Overall: Fresh n Lean
-Best Oven-Ready Meal Delivery for Weight Loss: Diet-to-Go
-Best Gourmet Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: CookUnity
-Best Plant-Based Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Mosaic
-Best Gluten-Free Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Epicured
-Best Paleo Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: Paleo on the Go
-Best Low-Carb Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: ModifyHealth
-Best High-Protein Oven-Ready Meal Delivery: MealPro

Are ready meals healthier than fast food?

Yes, experts would agree that ready-to-eat meals are more nutritious than even the best healthy fast food from joints like McDonald’s, Burger King, and even Chick-fil-A. While they may still be high in salt or fat compared to home-cooked healthy meals, ready meals are still low-calorie compared to fast food and many are made with organic ingredients with a focus on balanced nutrition. 

Further reading

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REP Fitness AB-5200 Adjustable Bench In-Depth Review - Best Value Incline Bench?

The REP AB-5200 FI Adjustable Bench is one of the best incline benches we've ever reviewed. Not only is it feature-packed with a laser-cut ladder style system, grippy vinyl, and a stand-up feature, but it offers all of this in at an excellent price point compared to the competition. It is a big, heavy bench and is still pretty more expensive than some prefer, but for those that want a high-end adjustable bench at a price most can swallow, this is an excellent option for your home gym. Read more

8 Recumbent Bike Benefits and Expert Advice Cover Image
8 Recumbent Bike Benefits and Expert Advice

Our experts dig into the top recumbent bike benefits as well as what you should consider if you are thinking of using one. Read more

9 Best Online Personal Trainers (2024): Tested by Experts Cover Image
9 Best Online Personal Trainers (2024): Tested by Experts

Looking for some guidance in your fitness app? Check out our picks for the best online personal trainers on the market. Read more

WaterRower vs Concept2 Rowing Machine: Which Model Is Right For You? Cover Image
WaterRower vs Concept2 Rowing Machine: Which Model Is Right For You?

To help you decide between the two indoor rowers, we’ve broken down the features of the WaterRower vs Concept2. Read more