If you’ve ever treated yourself to a ready meal from M&S hoping for a top-notch dinner, you might sometimes feel it didn’t quite hit the mark. While their meals often promise a fancy experience, not every option lives up to those expectations or the price tag.
This article highlights five M&S ready meals that felt special but ended up feeling like a waste of £20. It’s a helpful guide if you want to avoid disappointment and make better choices next time you shop.
Lamb Moussaka Ready Meal
You might expect the Lamb Moussaka from M&S to deliver a hearty, comforting meal. It has layers of slow-cooked lamb, aubergine, and potatoes topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
However, the portion felt smaller than anticipated for the price. The flavours were decent but lacked the rich depth you’d hope for in a traditional moussaka.
Cooking takes about 35-40 minutes, which is a bit long for a ready meal. It’s a convenient option but didn’t quite feel worth the nearly £20 expense.
If you want to try it, you can find the Gastropub Lamb Moussaka Main for Two at Ocado.
Shepherd’s Pie Classic
When you pick up the Shepherd’s Pie from M&S, you’re expecting a comforting, hearty meal. It features tender minced lamb in a rich red wine ragu, topped with creamy mashed potato and a cheesy crumb.
The flavours are decent, but it might not feel as special as you hoped for the price. It’s a solid meal, but you could find better value elsewhere if you’re after something truly memorable.
You can heat it quickly in the oven or microwave, which is convenient for a busy evening. However, the portion might leave you wanting a bit more.
You can find this meal at Ocado for a straightforward ready-made classic experience.
Meatball Pasta Bake
If you’re after a comforting meal, the Meatball Pasta Bake from M&S looks promising. It features pork and beef meatballs in a creamy tomato and mascarpone sauce, tossed with Italian pasta and topped with mozzarella.
However, the flavours felt a bit bland and the texture was uneven. It needed more seasoning to lift it, especially for the price you pay. The portion size also didn’t quite match the cost, leaving you wishing for more value in your meal.
You can find this dish described as freezer-friendly but it didn’t quite hit the mark for a satisfying easy dinner Meatball Pasta Bake.
Crispy Aromatic Duck
You might expect a fancy feast from the M&S Crispy Aromatic Duck, but it can be a bit disappointing. The duck comes marinated and slow-roasted, served with hoisin sauce, pancakes, cucumber, and spring onions.
While the flavours are decent, the portion size feels small for the price. The pancakes can be a little tough, which takes away from the experience. If you’re after authentic Chinese duck at home, this ready meal might not fully hit the mark.
You can check out more details on the M&S Crispy Aromatic Half Duck here.
Chicken Tikka Masala
You might expect M&S’s Chicken Tikka Masala to be a comforting and tasty meal. The chicken is chargrilled and marinated in a tomato-based sauce, giving it a creamy, rich flavour.
However, it didn’t quite hit the mark for price versus portion size. It felt a bit overpriced for what you get.
If you enjoy a smoky twist, the mango powder marinade offers a nice touch. But, if you’re after a true curry experience, this one might leave you wanting more.
For a reliable option, some people still prefer the M&S ready meal for its flavour, even if it’s not the best value.
See more details about the M&S Chicken Tikka Masala here.
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