The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Microwave Pizza

Kroger 3 Minute Microwave Pizza Cheese ($1.59)

Ralphs

Most microwave pizza is bad. There’s a reason you cook it in the oven. If you cook it in the microwave it often turns into a molten soupy disc. Now, I’m not saying Kroger’s microwave pizza is gourmet. It still tastes like microwave pizza—but in a much, much better way than any of the others we tried. I can’t say it gets “crispy” but there are parts of it that crisp up. It tastes like cheap cafeteria pizza. And it’s pretty satisfying in that specific way. Major kudos to the sauce, which is tangy and savory and actually tastes like herbs. Cooking this microwave pizza does require an engineering degree (you have to fold the box in a very specific way), but if you’re only working with a microwave and you want pizza for one, this is the best cheap pizza to buy.

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Gluten Free

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Cheese Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust ($5.49)

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is a mecca for cheap pizza. Pretty much every single frozen pizza they offer is under $6. And most of them are pretty good. But this one is special because it’s a gluten free, cauliflower crust pizza that actually tastes good—and that’s hard to find. No, the crust doesn’t get crazy crisp, but it tastes like traditional pizza crust. The sauce is savory and heavy on the herbs. And the cheese is plentiful. It’s good for gluten-averse and people looking to sneak some extra veggies into their diet. And, of course, it’s cheap.

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Personal Pan Pizza

Red Baron Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza ($4.29)

Target

This buttery little buddy is not deep dish pizza. But it is a really good personal pan pizza. The crust is flaky and rich. The sauce is savory. The cheese is gooey. If you bake one of these up in the toaster oven and pair it with a bagged salad, you’ll be living the good life. 

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Supreme

Trader Joe’s Pizza Parlanno ($5.49)

Trader Joe’s

This isn’t your traditional supreme pizza, but it’s loaded with all sorts of toppings, so it qualifies. We’re talking bell peppers, onions (lots of onions, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and three different cheeses (mozzarella, parmesan, and romano). It’s much more complex than most of the other cheap frozen pizzas on this list. All the toppings stand out with their individual flavors, but also come together to create a super savory melange of yummy.

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Cheese Pizza

Costco Cheese ($12 for 4 pizzas)

Instacart

Costco frozen cheese pizza isn’t as good as the stuff you get from the food court—it’s not as puffy. But it is still good. The cheese is super thick. It creates a real blanket that you have to bite through. And the sauce is sweet and tangy. But most importantly, you can get four large pizzas for $12. That’s $3 for one full pizza that can easily feed two very hungry people or four peckish people. If you have room in your freezer, Costco makes the best cheap frozen pizza you can buy.

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Thin Crust

Jack’s Original Thin Pepperoni ($3.49)

Walmart

If you like a thin, crispy, crackery pizza (think Chicago tavern style), then you’re gonna love this cheap frozen pizza from Jack’s. The cheese and pepperoni go all the way to the edge of the crust, so you get more bang for your buck. The crust style really accentuates the savory, spicy flavor of the pepperoni, too. For less than four bucks, you can’t afford not to toss a few of these in the freezer.

Read the full ranking of the best thin crust frozen pizzas

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Veggie

Trader Joe’s Organic Roasted Vegetable Pizza ($4.99)

Trader Joe’s

Veggie pizza can be a real watery mess, but not this roasted veggie pizza from Trader Joe’s, which also happens to be a great cheap pizza at less than five bucks a pop. This thing is loaded with red onions, eggplant, zucchini, and red and yellow peppers, but the real draw is the creamy cheesy condiment that dots the pie. It contributes so much flavor and makes this cheap frozen pizza taste way more expensive than it actually is. Also, we now firmly believe that eggplant should always be on veggie pizzas!

Read the full ranking of the best veggie pizza

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Cheap French Bread

Red Baron French Bread Singles Supreme Pizzas ($4.29)

Target

If you always thought Stouffer’s made the best French bread pizza, you have always been wrong! That’s right: Red Baron makes the tastiest French bread pizzas. And you get two supremes in a pack for less than $5. Incredible. The bread is perfectly squishy on the inside and crunchy on the outside; plus, the combo of veggies, smoky pepperoni, and fennel-forward sausage bits makes this cheap frozen pizza taste especially deluxe. These are a supremely good deal, if we do say so ourselves.

Read the full ranking of the best French bread pizza

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

The post The Best Cheap Frozen Pizza from Our Taste Tests appeared first on Sporked.

TJ’s cheesy greens are an experience from start to finish. A good experience? Definitely not. They come out of the bag looking like little frozen green turds. And honeslty, it doesn’t get any better when it cooks up. It’s like the Erewhon version of slop; just a textureless amalgamation of all the ingredients. You can taste something different in each bite but you can never really tell what it is. I get that they were going for creamy, but there is such a thing as too creamy. Even the mixture of cheeses—provolone and mozzarella—doesn’t really improve things.

New Product!

Trader Joe’s Cheesy Creamy Greens & Veggies

Trader Joe’s

Pros: I could maybe see myself using this as a holiday side dish in a real pinch. It might get some salvation if it’s paired with something else to give it any amount of texture. But realistically, I would rather just roast up a sheet tray of Brussels sprouts and then melt some cheddar cheese over them. Yum.

Cons: This is yassified gruel. There is no nuance to it. There is nothing hidden to be found. Just a sad pile of gloop that belongs on a certain subreddit rather than on your dinner plate. Its comical that Trader Joe’s had the gall to say there was texture to be found in this dish. As a matter of fact, I’m still not over any part of Trader Joe’s description of the product. That alone should amount to a loss of at least five Sporks.

Rating:

2/10

Sporks

The post This Cheesy New Trader Joe’s Frozen Side Dish Is a Big Miss appeared first on Sporked.

Here’s where that all changes, because we’ve got answers to questions that have plagued the masses for years about French vanilla. The most important thing? No, it is not just vanilla you consume in a beret, so no, you don’t have to worry if you’re the 0.00000001% that can pull off a beret without seeming pretentious. Read on for the facts.

What is vanilla?

It’s worth getting briefed on original vanilla before diving into French vanilla. Vanilla is a spice from the vanilla orchid, which produces long, slender bean pods that turn from green to black. The majority of vanilla plants are found in Mexico, Madagascar, Tahiti, Uganda, and Indonesia. What? Not France? I thought this was about French vanilla! 

What is French vanilla?

French vanilla does not mean vanilla from France. Why would it? Just because that would make sense? Grow up. The term refers instead to the French style of making vanilla ice cream, which is with an egg yolk-enriched custard base. This is different from the Philadelphia style of ice cream, which is cream-based. Even though French vanilla ice cream originated in France, French vanilla can be found internationally, and is contingent on the distinct flavor profile from the French method. 

What’s the difference between French vanilla and vanilla?

The main distinguishing features when it comes to French vanilla vs vanilla are appearance, texture, and flavor. Plain vanilla ice cream is white or light beige, while French vanilla is a pale yellow from the characteristic yolks. French vanilla also tends to have a smoother consistency and richer flavor.

Is French vanilla better than vanilla?

It depends! Descriptors like “richer,” “creamier,” “more luxurious,” might entice someone to always opt for French vanilla, but its more complex flavor might be its downfall. For anyone who wants a cleaner tasting bowl of ice cream, or a dollop on top of apple pie, the more neutral classic vanilla absolutely has a place. 

What does French vanilla smell like?

Mauricio Poulsen says of French vanilla, “it is when the vanilla flavor is caramelized, custard-like, cooked, egg yolk-like, slightly floral.” Seeing as Poulsen is the director of creation and application of flavors for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc, he’s kind of a big deal. Plus his answer was much nicer than what we were going to say: “Dunno. It’s nice though.”

French vanilla is ice cream? But I’ve seen French vanilla coffee!

The origin of French vanilla is, in fact, ice cream, but the velvety product’s allure extends beyond the realm of ice cream. It’s become something of a marketing buzzword, evoking a feeling of sophistication and decadence. Whether you’re looking at a coffee, candle, or perfume, people have come to expect that French vanilla has a little…je ne sais quoi, if you will. 

The post What Is French Vanilla? appeared first on Sporked.

The only downside to these delicious treats is that they’re traditionally baked or fried, and who’s got the time for either? Luckily, there are a bunch of frozen pre-cooked empanadas that are both tasty and time-saving. To find the best frozen empanadas, we sampled a bunch, judging each on filling, pastry, and overall satisfaction. So, here are our picks for the five best frozen empanadas (including the best frozen mini empanadas, frozen beef empanadas, and frozen chicken empanadas) you can find at your local grocery store (or Amazon!). 

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Baked Empanadas

Goya Baked Beef Empanada

Walmart

The classic Goya Beef Empanada is the O.G. frozen empanada brand, having survived on store shelves for decades. But what makes these “baked” Goya empanadas so different? You don’t have to fry them yourselves! You can just throw these frozen beef empanadas in the microwave or air fryer without having to heat up all the pesky oil. Each box gives you four individually wrapped empanadas, giving you the option to cook them one at a time or all at once. As for the taste, these have basically the same classic filling of relatively mild spiced beef mixed with plenty of onion, garlic, and paprika. The pasty is good, but a little thin, so you’re not getting a lot of flavor from it. Overall, these frozen beef empanadas are a quick and tasty way to have a “classic” empanada. Plus, everything tastes better without those pesky oil burns.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

Best Vegan Empanadas

Emma Light & Co. Plant Based Mini-Empanadas!

Instacart

These vegan frozen mini empanadas are stuffed with Beyond Meat along with an organic tomato filling, mixed with Daiya dairy-free vegan cheddar (some of the best vegan cheese, if you ask us). And while that makes it sound kind of pizza-esque, it’s actually more salsa-flavored, with a spicy mix of tomatoes and jalapenos, spiced with onions, garlic, chipotle, and apple cider vinegar. It definitely gives plenty of kick, but without too much heat. The wheat flour wrapper toasts up nicely and even gives a bit of a crunch. And I couldn’t tell it wasn’t meat-based. It definitely deserves that exclamation mark.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Veggie Empanadas

Goya Baked Spinach Empanada

Instacart

With a creamy filling of spinach and mozzarella, these Argentinean-style baked empanadas may not be vegan, but they are very delicious. One box gives you four individually wrapped pastries per box, with the only downside being that you have to thaw them before cooking, which takes away a little of the spontaneity. But the pastry’s good and you get plenty of spinach and cheese flavor. It’s definitely worth a little wait.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Beef Empanadas

Del Corazon Beef Empanadas

Target

If you’re looking for a big, spicy, beefy taste, these are the ones for you. The beef is mixed with onion, garlic, bell pepper, and hints of cilantro, which give a classic Mexican flavor. But there are also some surprising ingredients, like raisins and capers, that add to its unique flavor and it also reminded me a little of Jamaican beef patties.  Each box offers three fairly small sized empanadas (they’re not frozen mini empanadas, but you can take them all down in one sitting). They add up to a good sized portion, and you even get some big chunks of potato to make them more filling. The flour wrapper is flaky and tasty. It’s just really good. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Del Corazon Chicken Empanadas

Instacart

These are similar to the last entry’s empanadas, only with a spiced chicken filling that gives you a good amount of heat through a mixture of red pepper and smoky chipotle. It’s the kind of heat that isn’t overpowering, but the spice lingers after each bite. The chicken is also tasty and juicy. These frozen chicken empanadas are the best frozen empanadas to buy, for sure.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Other frozen empanadas we tried: Goya Baked Chicken Empanadas, Goya Beef Empanadas, Maspenadas Beef & Vegetables, Maspanadas Chicken & Vegetables, Maspanadas Pizza

The post Best Frozen Empanadas: Beef, Chicken, Veggie, and Vegan! appeared first on Sporked.

But what about the best frozen pizza to buy in preparation for those moments. Over the course of many, many taste tests we’ve found the best frozen pizza brands making the best frozen pizzas, from the best veggie frozen pizza to the best frozen pepperoni pizza. 

Frozen pizza is good now. Maybe it used to be cardboard covered in sweet marinara and a stretchy blanket of cheese (and, yes, you can still buy it like that), but the best frozen pizzas are topped with real mozzarella that gets gooey, savory marinara sauce, and actual, yeasty pizza dough that rises in the oven. The toppings aren’t simply limited to sad sausage crumbles. You can get real, thinly sliced pepperoni, or vegetables that actually taste like vegetables, or even pineapple that doesn’t immediately dissolve into a puddle. And you have choices when it comes to crust. You can get Detroit style frozen pizza! Thin crust frozen pizza! Cauliflower crust frozen pizza! The choices are really overwhelming. 

Lucky for you, we’ve done a lot of tasting. We looked for gooey cheese, fresh toppings, and crispy-chewy crust you actually enjoy eating. At this point in the frozen pizza timeline, the best frozen pizza should be nearly as good as delivery or something you can make from scratch—but much cheaper and easier. Here’s the best rated frozen pizza you can buy at the grocery store.    

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Personal Pan Pizza

Red Baron Deep Dish Supreme

Target

This is not the best frozen deep dish pizza—that honor belongs to Uno Pizzeria’s pepperoni pizza, and we’ll discuss it later. In fact, I don’t think this really qualifies as deep dish pizza at all. But it’s still one of the best individually sized frozen pizzas that we tried. The crust is buttery and chewy. The sauce is flavorful and zesty. The toppings are plentiful and perfectly seasoned. Buy a box of these cheap Red Baron frozen pizzas, they deserve a spot in your freezer.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

5.5/10

Sporks

Best Mini Pizza Bagels (Runner-Up)

Bagel Bites

Walmart

It’s hard to have an objective opinion about Bagel Bites. I grew up eating trayfuls of microwaved Bagel Bites as afternoon snacks. So, to me, these taste like carefree adolescence. The sauce is sweet (and a touch slimy), the cheese is mild at best (flavorless at worst), and the bagel itself is chewy. But it all comes together to taste like the essence of pizza thanks to a hefty hit of oregano. It’s super satisfying in the same way that the best pizza rolls are satisfying. Nuke up a box the next time you’re feeling snacky at 1 a.m.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

5.5/10

Sporks

Best Mini Pizza Bagels:

Annie’s Mini Pizza Bagels

Amazon

Bagel Bites super fans, please cover your ears: Annie’s makes better mini pizza bagels than Bagel Bites. Yes, Bagel Bites taste great—they taste like childhood in the ‘90s. But Annie’s Mini Pizza Bagels are better. They are extremely cheesy and you can actually taste the flavor of the cheese. The sauce is zingy and tomatoey and very savory. My only quibble is the lack of oregano, so you don’t get quite the same pizza-ness that you do from Bagel Bites. Even if you’re a Bagel Bites loyalist, I still think you should try these mini pizza bagels.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

Best French Bread

Red Baron French Bread Singles Supreme Pizzas

Target

If you think the best frozen pizza comes on a loaf of bread, then Red Baron is the best frozen pizza brand for you. It tastes like real French bread—crusty and chewy and a little tangy. It’s topped with fennel-tinged sausage crumbles, crazy good pepperoni, and red and green peppers for good measure. This frozen French bread pizza is so good, it made a convert out of die-hard Stouffer’s fan, managing editor Gwynedd Stuart.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen French bread pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Best Veggie

Trader Joe’s Organic Roasted Vegetable Pizza

Trader Joe’s might not be the best frozen pizza brand if you’re looking for a classic cheese or pepperoni, but the store’s frozen veggie or vegan pizzas are incredible. This is the best frozen veggie pizza, hands-down. It comes topped with red onions, eggplant spears, zucchini, and bell peppers—along with little dabs of cheese sauce. Yum. The veggies stay fresh and aren’t watery at all. It’s quite a feat of frozen pizza science.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen veggie pizza

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Best Frozen Deep Dish

Uno Pizzeria Primo Pepperoni

Walmart

Please take note: We are talking about frozen Uno Pizzeria Primo Pepperoni, not sausage. The sausage flavor can go kick rocks. But the pepperoni? It’s perfection. It’s hard to find frozen deep dish pizza if you’re not in the Chicagoland area. But I’ve been assured by former Chicagoan, Gwynedd, that this is a very good representation. The cheese is stretchy and sloppy. The sauce is straight up umami. And the pepperoni is tangy and just a little bit spicy. One piece of this frozen deep dish pizza will send you straight to bed in the best way possible.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Pepperoni

Screamin’ Sicilian Original Holy Pepperoni Frozen Pizza

Walmart

Target

Safeway

Take a peek into the window of this frozen pepperoni pizza’s packaging and you will see what you are in for: lots and lots and lots of savory, spicy pepperoni. That’s why it took the top spot in our best frozen pepperoni pizza taste test. It is all about those peps. It’s a pep squad. The sauce, crust, and cheese harken back to the pizzas from the arcade birthday parties of your past—but that’s not a bad thing. It all comes together to create one extremely satisfying bite and one of the best frozen pizzas out there.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen pepperoni pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free Crust

Mama Cozzi’s Cauliflower Pizza Pepperoni

Instacart

We previously ranked Banza as our number one best frozen gluten free pizza, but during our most recent taste test, this Aldi pizza ran away with that title. (It’s also the best frozen cauliflower crust pizza on this list.) The crispy, chewy crust is really satisfying—whether you’re gluten-free or not—and the cheese is so thick and gooey and there’s just so much of it. The pepperoni is thin and adds a touch of meaty spice. You really won’t miss the gluten with this frozen gluten free pizza.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Thin Crust

DiGiorno Veggie Loaded Ultra Thin

Target

DiGiorno Ultra Thin pizzas are the best thin crust frozen pizzas—but their veggie offering is particularly delicious. The diced veggies, cheese, and sauce go all the way to the edge of the crust, which is crispy and crunchy. If you like Domino’s thin crust pizza, this is definitely the best frozen pizza for you.

Read the full ranking of the best thin crust frozen pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Pan Pizza

DiGiorno Crispy Pan Pepperoni Pizza

Target

This is not Detroit style pizza—nor does it claim to be. So don’t expect to find cheesy, buttery crust. This frozen pizza is all about a focaccia-style crust. It’s puffy, bready, chewy, and totally perfect for dipping into a side of ranch or marinara. The sauce is rich with tomato flavor and the cheese has a photo-worthy cheese pull. Gwynedd compared it to Pizza Hut pan pizza, which is pretty high praise. If that’s your platonic ideal of pizza, this is the best frozen pizza for you.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Hawaiian

Freschetta Canadian Style Bacon & Pineapple

Walmart

Freschetta frozen pizza is known for its crust—it puffs up in the oven and tastes fresh baked. But Freschetta should also get some credit for making the best frozen Hawaiian pizza on the market. The ham slices are thick with a tasty rind—like some of the best Canadian bacon we’ve tasted. And the pineapple is just bright and fruity enough. It stays in its lane. It adds a tangy pop without bleeding into every bite. This will not make a convert out of you if you don’t like Hawaiian pizza to begin with, but if you’re a fan of the sweet and the savory, this is the best frozen pizza for your balanced tastes.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Cheesy Crust

Freschetta Five Cheese

Target

So many frozen pizzas have a sweet sauce. But not Freschetta. Freschetta’s tomato sauce is ultra savory and there is a lot of it. The crust bakes up fluffy and crusty. The cheese melts into a real topping—not just slightly melted shreds. And let’s talk more about that cheese. There are five different cheeses on this frozen pizza (mozzarella, asiago, parmesan, fontina, and provolone) and you can tell. You can taste the complexity. Even the crust is sprinkled with a couple of different cheeses (asiago and parmesan). It’s definitely the best frozen pizza for crust-hounds like myself who can’t wait to scoop up any crusts left behind and eat them like breadsticks.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheese

DiGiorno Stuffed Crust Five Cheese

Walmart

Craving stuffed crust pizza? Buy this instead of ordering. The crust is stuffed with mozzarella that really tastes like good, creamy, gooey mozzarella—not just slightly sweaty string cheese. And cheese on the pizza is super savory and satisfying thanks to the cheddar. This is the best frozen pizza for not just cheese lovers but cheese obsessives.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen cheese pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Chicago’s Home Run Inn Cheese Classic Pizza

Best Indulgent

Target

After initially publishing this article, there was an outcry from you, dear readers. Apparently, we screwed up. We didn’t include Home Run Inn pizza. How dare we. Well, we are always open to recommendations from passionate eaters, so we cooked up a cheese pie. And? I am pleased to say that we were, indeed, wrong to miss this pie. It is almost like a savory tart. The tomato-rich sauce and crispy-gooey cheese blanket a flaky pastry-esque crust. You were all correct and I thank you for bringing this pizza into my life. If you’ve never had this before, do yourself a favor and try it. It’s the best frozen pizza to have if you’re looking for true decadence. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Motor City Detroit Style Supreme Deep Dish Pizza

Walmart

Instacart

In my humble opinion, Detroit-style pizza is the best thing to happen to pizza since ranch dressing. With its high, doughy crust and cheesy, crispy edges, it provides a perfect base for a mound of toppings and is just plain satisfying in a way thin crust pizza never is. I was extremely dubious that a frozen pizza would come close to the real thing. But Motor City has cracked it. It was the top rated frozen pizza in our frozen Detroit style pizza taste test and it’s the best tasting frozen pizza overall after three separate tastings. Pillowy and doughy? Check. Cheesy, crispy edges? Check. Generous topping distribution? Check. I’ve thought about this pizza multiple times since we tasted it. I will buy it with my own cash, which I earned by tasting this, the best frozen pizza.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen Detroit style pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Other frozen pizzas we tried: Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy Pepperoni, California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken, Mama Cozzi Thin Crust, Jack’s Original Thin Crust Pepperoni Frozen Pizza, Red Baron, Marketside, One Bite 5 Cheese Stone Baked Pizza, Celeste Pepperoni, Microwave Pizza For One, Palermo’s Rising Crust Supreme Pizza, Quest Thin Crust Pizza Uncured Pepperoni, Tony’s Pizzeria Style Pizza, Mama Cozzi’s Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza, Great Value Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza, Tombstone Frozen Pepperoni Pizza, Sam’s Choice Rising Crust 7 Cheese Pizza Stuffed Crust, DiGiorno Original Rising Crust Four Cheese, Talia Di Napoli Gluten-Free Margherita, Surfer Boy, Palermo’s Rising Crust Hawaiian, Digiorno Hawaiian Style, Member’s Mark Mini Pizza Bagels, Rao’s Supreme, Red Barron BBQ Chicken, Surfer Boy, Uno Sausage, Red Barron Deep Dish Cheese, Pizza Cupcake, Trader Joe’s Pizza Bites, Tillamook BBQ Chicken 

Best Ranch Dressings to Buy

March 25, 2022

A good ranch should strike the perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and saltiness. What we found, however, is that there are many different interpretations of ranch dressing that range from incredibly delicious to truly heinous.

The post Best Frozen Pizza: Cheese, Pepperoni, Veggie, Thin Crust, and More appeared first on Sporked.

What is a wonton?

Wontons are a lot like dumplings. In fact, a wonton is a type of dumpling. These Chinese bites are typically filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables. The wrappers are thinner than your typical potsticker-style dumpling. And they’re usually folded in a kind of square shape—almost like a tortellini. They can be steamed, cooked in soup, or fried. The Chinese word for wonton is 餛飩 or huntun, which, according to this eGullet thread, translates to “cloud swallow.” 

So, what is a fried wonton?

A fried wonton is a wonton that has been stuffed (usually with ground pork and shrimp) and deep-fried until crispy and brown. They are extremely tasty and it’s impossible to eat just a few of them. 

What are wonton wrappers made of?

Wonton wrappers are usually made with wheat flour, eggs, water, and salt. The dough is mixed together, kneaded, rested, and then rolled out very thin before being cut into squares, ready for filling. 

What is in a wonton?

Wontons are nothing without their fillings, which tend to run in the “meat, seafood, or vegetables” variety, like many dumplings do! We tried finding one with a caramel center, but we turned up empty handed. Maybe someday! A traditional wonton filling usually includes ground pork and shrimp, along with aromatic seasonings like ginger, soy sauce, and sometimes chopped shiitake mushrooms. 

What is wonton soup?

Wonton soup is a traditional Chinese soup made with a thin but flavorful broth (chicken) and wontons. It can be ordered from most Chinese-American restaurants, and really ought to be offered at other varieties of eating establishments, too. May we one day live in a world where I can get an order of wonton soup at Baskin Robbins or Olive Garden.

The post What Is a Wonton? appeared first on Sporked.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Frozen Waffles

Krusteaz Belgian Waffles

Instacart

We talk about these waffles all the time here at Sporked HQ. They’re just so much better than so many other frozen waffles we’ve tried. They’re big, they’re flavorful—they really taste  homemade. According to Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling, “They have the perfect amount of sweetness with just a slight nod to vanilla. They are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Incredible.” Grab some good syrup and buy a box of these asap.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen waffles

Credit: Ryan Martin

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free Waffles

Full Circle Market Blueberry Gluten-Free Waffles

Instacart

Gluten free waffles are very hit or miss—but most of them miss, to be honest. They come out of the toaster so dry you have to absolutely drench them in butter and syrup to make them remotely edible. But we found one brand of GF waffles that really outdid the rest, simply by virtue of resembling regular toaster waffles. No, Full Circle Market gluten free waffles aren’t quite as fluffy inside as Eggos, but they come close. Buy the blueberry flavor. They’re better than plain.

Read the full ranking of the best gluten free waffles

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Frozen Pancakes

Eggo Buttermilk Pancakes

Target

There isn’t a huge amount of diversity among microwave pancakes, but Eggo Buttermilk Pancakes are just a little bit tastier than the rest. They’re fluffy and have just a touch of buttermilk tang that makes them more interesting than a lot of the other brands we tried. Seriously, stop making batter! Put away the griddle! Like most of the best frozen breakfast foods, these suckers are ready in just minutes. 

Read the full ranking of the best frozen pancakes 

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best French Toast Sticks

Farm Rich Original French Toast Sticks

Instacart

When we set out to find the best frozen french toast sticks, we wanted them to taste like french toast sticks from a fast food restaurant. And we got close with these Farm Rich french toast sticks. Better yet, they actually taste like french toast. They’re eggy, but still fluffy. They’re a little oily in a way that satisfies. Even if you don’t have time for the drive-thru, we bet you have time to toss a few of these in the microwave in the morning. Don’t forget the ramekin of maple syrup. 

Read the full ranking of the best french toast sticks

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Frozen Hash Browns

Great Value Shredded Seasoned Potato Hash Brown Patties

Walmart

If you like McDonald’s hash browns, you’re going to like these frozen hash browns from Walmart. They’re greasy and satisfying. And they’re going to taste even better soaked in the yolk of some sunny-side-up eggs.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen hash browns

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Breakfast Sandwich

Jimmy Dean Biscuit Sausage, Egg & Cheese

Target

Jimmy Dean will always be the king of sausage, but you could argue he’s also the king of frozen breakfast foods, although that doesn’t have much of a ring to it. This breakfast sandwich proves he is a benevolent king. Justine said it tastes like a fresh-from-the-diner breakfast sandwich, with its buttery biscuit and savory sausage. Even the egg is convincing. If you need a hot breakfast on the go, this is your jam. 

Read the full ranking of the best frozen breakfast sandwiches

Credit: Merc Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Chicken Biscuit

Jimmy Dean Honey Chicken Biscuit

Walmart

If you like a sweet-savory combo, this frozen chicken biscuit rules. The chicken patty is juicy and fried in a nice flaky coating. The honey flavor makes the whole thing sing. If you like chicken and waffles, this frozen breakfast sandwich will scratch that itch. 

Read our ranking of the best frozen chicken sandwiches

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Breakfast Burrito

Tina’s Breakfast Burrito, Handcrafted, Egg, Sausage & Cheddar Cheese

Walmart

Okay, full disclosure, this is not exactly a restaurant-caliber breakfast burrito, but it’s a hell of a dupe for a fast food burrito. In fact, I wrote in my original review that it tasted like “a cheesier version of the McDonald’s breakfast burrito in the best way possible.” It may not be a perfectly crafted breakfast burrito, but it sure tastes good.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen breakfast burritos

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Breakfast Bowl

Great Value Sausage & Gravy Breakfast Bowl

Walmart

Breakfast bowls are delicious bowls of slop as it is, so the best frozen breakfast bowls have gravy—that’s just the way it is. Plus, the white gravy on this Great Value breakfast bowl actually tastes like gravy—creamy and peppery. And the eggs in this bowl are fluffy rather than stiff like the eggs you’ll find in a lot of microwave breakfast foods. 

Read the full ranking of the best breakfast bowls

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best on a Stick

 Breakfast Best Pancakes & Sausage On-A-Stick

Aldi

Pancake corn dogs are one of the great frozen breakfast food innovations. This breakfast-on-a-stick from Aldi is super savory and a little sweet and just fatty enough to make you feel alive. It gets nice and toasty when you cook it in the toaster oven and it has a tinge of maple flavor, too.

Read the full ranking of the best corn dogs

Credit: Merc / Aldi

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Toaster Strudel

Pillsbury Raspberry Toaster Strudel Pastries

Affiliate

If you’ve resigned yourself to a life of eating Pop-Tarts, you really need to change course now. Toaster Strudel is absolutely the superior toaster pastry. The crust is flaky and the filling is fruity and they come with individual little packets of a frosting that gets all melty when you drizzle it on the freshly toasted strudel. Buy the raspberry flavor if you can find it. It’s the best. 

Read the full ranking of the best Toaster Strudel

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Oddity

Banquet Sausage and Gravy Deep Dish

Walmart

This is an insane product. It’s literally just a pie crust filled with sausage gravy—and unfortunately, it’s delicious. As I wrote in my notes, “This is honestly one of the more delicious things I’ve ever tasted.” This is something I would have eaten every day for breakfast in elementary school and not faced any consequences. Life was so sweet. For an adult with a body that’s keeping score, though, this is a good once-in-a-while treat. We know Banquet pie crust rules (we like their turkey pot pie and their individual apple pie) and it’s especially delicious drenched with creamy sausage gravy. And like some of the best frozen breakfast foods, this is cheap. It costs a dollar and it tastes like a little slice of heaven! 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

The post The 12 Best Frozen Breakfast Foods from Our Taste Tests appeared first on Sporked.

What I found to be interesting about these Gummi Pops is that you can lick them or bite them. I prefer licking them. Biting into them is, understandably, like biting into a frozen gummy worm. And, yes, they are just as wiggly and wobbly as the box suggests. The question is: Do these live up to the hype? Or are they all talk? Read on to find out.

Cherry Lemon

Trolli Gummi Pop Cherry Lemon

Trolli

Walmart

Pros: I am incredibly intrigued by the texture. Trolli was not playing around when they said this was a “Gummi Pop.” This is unlike anything I’ve ever had before; it does not remind me of a popsicle at all. It is very gummy worm-like—but cold. And I quite enjoy it! Even though this is my least favorite Trolli flavor, I do really enjoy this Trolli Gummi Pop. 

Cons: If you’re a person who is thrown off by unexpected textures, you may not enjoy these popsicles. It is very different from any other frozen treat on the market. I will also acknowledge that cherry is often a polarizing flavor. It’s still much better than I expected, though! One other thing I will note here (which is not necessarily a con for me, but I know will be for some), is that it’s very sweet and not very sour. Certainly not the sour I would expect from a Trolli product!

Credit: Liv Averett / Trolli

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Grape Strawberry

Trolli Gummy Pop Grape Strawberry

Trolli

H-E-B

Pros: Two of my favorite flavors, strawberry and grape, combined together on this to make an incredible Gummi Pop experience. Grape Strawberry is very potentially my favorite Trolli flavor and I think this is very accurate to the Trollis themselves. I am definitely a little bit biased towards anything strawberry, but I think Trolli really nails the strawberry flavor on this one.

Cons: Since I tried this one second and it sat out of the freezer a little bit longer, the texture was a little bit less desirable as it sort of started half “melting.” I can’t count that against this flavor specifically, but it’s a con for the Gummi Pops as a whole. Once again, it’s not very sour, so if you are a sour flavor seeker, you may be disappointed. All in all, though, this pop is phenomenal.

Credit: Liv Averett / Trolli

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

The post The New Trolli Gummi Pops Are Some of the Strangest Things We’ve Ever Eaten appeared first on Sporked.

What are empanadas? 

Empanadas are a type of stuffed pastry which can be filled with meat, vegetables or fruit, depending on the recipe. Also, different parts of the world use different doughs for the pastry, including bread dough, shortcrust dough, or masa, a corn-based dough. Empanadas can be either baked or fried, depending on the recipe. So, really they can be made of almost anything, as long as you’ve got dough wrapped around a filling. Hope that clears things up!     

Where are empanadas from? 

It’s believed that empanadas originated in Galicia, Spain, but soon spread to other parts of Spain and Portugal. Spanish colonization later spread the recipe all over the world, with areas like The Philippines, Central America, and South America each developing their own versions of empanadas, often combining with their local culinary traditions to develop their own unique recipes. 

What does “empanada” mean? 

The name comes from the Spanish verb “empanar,” which means “to wrap in bread.” So it basically means, “breaded” or “coated in bread.” And while that might sound a little vague, it’s a pretty appropriate name for a dish with so many different variations. 

What’s in an empanada? 

That depends on what kind of empanada you’re getting. Really, you can stuff an empanada with just about any kind of filling, either savory or sweet. And most countries have a wide range of recipes to choose from. And while we don’t have room to go through them all, here’s just a brief sample of the many different types of empanadas and what they can contain.  

Argentine-style empanadas

These use a shortcrust-style, flour-based dough. Common fillings include ham and cheese, eggs mixed with bacon and humita, a dish made from pounded and steamed corn. One of the most popular recipes involves minced beef, mixed with onions, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. 

El Salvadoran empanadas

Unlike all the other empanadas, these use mashed plantains, which are boiled and mixed with leche poleada, a type of sweet milk custard, to become the “dough.” They’re then filled with refried beans or custard, coated in cinnamon and sugar and fried. 

Mexican-style empanadas 

These empanadas typically use masa, a corn-based dough, although some areas of Mexico use wheat flour. While one of the more common fillings is spiced beef, there are a bunch of regional variations. For example, in Chiapas, they offer the “empanaditas chiapacorceñas,” a baked empanada filled with shredded pork. And in the Yucatan, they stuff empanadas with chaya, a leafy shrub that’s similar to spinach. They also serve sweet empanadas, including a popular pumpkin empanada that’s flavored with cinnamon.  

Philippines-style empanadas  

The traditional Filipino empanada is a wheat-flour pastry filled with onions, raisins, peas, and potatoes, mixed with ground beef, chicken, or pork. In the northern Philippines, they also offer the Ilocos empanada, which features an orange annatto-flavored crust filled with green papaya, mung beans, and pork sausage. And for dessert, they offer sweet “empanaditas” (“little empanadas”) filled with peanut butter, chocolate, dulce de leche, latik (a sweetened coconut curd), or yema, a type of sweet egg custard.  

Where can I get empanadas? 

As we’ve mentioned, the portable nature of these little pastries mean that you can often find them at street fairs and food trucks. But you can also find a bunch of different pre-cooked frozen empanadas at your local grocery store.

The post What Is an Empanada? A Stuffed Explainer appeared first on Sporked.

For this taste test, we bought a variety of frozen appetizers—frozen mini quiche, little puff pastry bites, even mini tacos. Format didn’t really matter; we were just looking for apps that can be eaten in one or two bites. A lot of these are called “bites,” in fact. That’s a good start! We fired up our trusty countertop oven, cooked them according to the package instructions, and then had ourselves a little cocktail soiree right there in the office, no tiny plates or bev naps needed. Here are the best mini appetizers we found at the grocery store.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Filo Bites

Signature Select Chicken & Pesto Bites

Instacart

We tried two flavors of these little filo dough pastry bites—spanakopita and chicken pesto—and while both were good, the chicken pesto is more flavorful and more unique than the spinach-based filling. The filling has such a nice, bright pesto flavor that tastes so good with a little bit of savory chicken flavor. The filo crisped up beautifully in our little countertop oven. I would absolutely destroy a platter of these at a cocktail party. Invite me to your cocktail parties! I tell stories about what I watched on TV recently—it’s riveting! 

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Dip Bites

Farm Rich Spinach and Artichoke Dip Bites

Farm Rich

I could tell by looking at these mini appetizers that the breading was going to be too thick—and it is too thick, but the filling makes up for that shortcoming. The spinach artichoke dip is so rich and cheesy with lots of dairy flavor and actual cheese pull when you take a bite. The best part though? You can actually taste briny bits of artichoke in the mix. I honestly wasn’t expecting that. I will say that calling these mini appetizers is a stretch (they’re about the size of chicken nuggets), but two bite appetizers are cool, too.

Credit: Merc / Farm Rich

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Wontons

Good & Gather Jalapeno Cream Cheese Wontons

Target

The worst thing about getting cream cheese wontons at a restaurant is that they’re practically empty half the time. These mini appetizers from Target are stuffed with cool, creamy cream cheese. It’s really fatty and rich tasting. And the jalapeno bits are a perfect complement—they contribute heat, sure, but they also add some nice peppery, vegetal flavor. The wrappers don’t have that super crackly deep-fried quality you get at a restaurant, but they crisp up nicely and taste good—not like old oil like other frozen wontons. I would 100 percent serve these at a party and I bet they would go fast. If you love crab rangoon but don’t actually care about the crab part of the equation, add these suckers to your mini appetizers shopping list. 

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Mini Quiche

Nancy’s Petite Quiche

Walmart

Nancy’s makes the best frozen mini quiche (trust us, we did a whole frozen quiche taste test). You get two flavors in this variety pack—lorraine and florentine—which is nice for a little variety. The egg fillings are nice and custardy, and the crust is golden and flaky. In the realm of the best mini appetizers, mini quiche should feel fancy and these definitely do.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Indian-Inspired

365 Vegetarian Butter Chik’n Naan Bites

Whole Foods

This is another two bite app that we decided deserves a spot among the best mini appetizers. To be perfectly honest, the veggie chicken filling is just kind of goo—I couldn’t really get a feel for the veggie chicken itself—but I don’t think it matters because the flavor of the butter chicken sauce is so lovely. It has that authentic blend of spices you find in butter chicken and tiki masala sauce. I cooked these bites in the oven rather than the air fryer so they didn’t get super crisp, but I didn’t mind at all because the doughy pocket actually kind of reminded me of naan. These are perfect to serve to a party of omnivores.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Cuisine Adventures Puff Pastry Bites

Instacart

If you love little, snacky mini puff pastry appetizers, you have to get this variety pack from Costco. You get bites in four flavors: Roasted Red Pepper & Cheddar, Spinach & Parmesan, Artichoke, Monterey Jack & Jalapeno, and Caramelized Onion & Ricotta. The Spinach & Parm and Caramelized Onion & Ricotta are the two best mini puff pastry appetizers—the flavors are so creamy and rich and decadent with the buttery puff pastry. They also have a crackly topping on top that crisps up really nicely and gives them a lot of good crunch. And the filling inside the roasted red pepper bite tastes like pimento cheese. Too fun, right? In true Costco fashion, these come in a big ol’ box of 48 bites, but I think you’ll be surprised how quickly they disappear. 

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: Guy Fieri Flavortown Kickin Crab Rangoon, Savory Cocktail Bites, Guy Fieri Chicken Parm Poppers, Jose Ole Mini Beef & Cheese mini tacos, Good & Gather chicken quesadilla poppers

The post The Best Frozen Mini Appetizers appeared first on Sporked.

Frozen mac and cheese is indulgent and delicious, yes, but it isn’t for control freaks. If you like to micromanage how al dente your pasta turns out, frozen mac and cheese probably isn’t for you. This stuff is saucy and, generally, that makes for soft pasta. But let’s rewind and focus on the good. Like I said, this stuff is saucy. Cheese-saucy. It’s special-occasion food, but there’s no reason you couldn’t throw a tray of it in the oven for dinner any night. Eat it as a side or, hell, eat the best frozen mac and cheese as a meal. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but nothing matters anymore!

In three separate taste tests, we grabbed some of the most popular brands of frozen mac and cheese at the grocery store, cooked them as recommended (if oven was the first suggestion we went with that; otherwise, they went in the microwave), and tasted them back to back. We found the best frozen mac and cheese to serve a crowd, the best frozen gluten free mac and cheese, and the best vegan mac and cheese, too. Buckle up (but not too tight); things are about to get cheesy. 

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Vegan Frozen Mac and Cheese

Chao Creamery Plant-Based Mac ‘N Chao Creamy Original

Instacart

This vegan mac and cheese blew us away. We’ve liked Chao’s products in the past—their vegan cheese slices are perfect for vegan grilled cheese—but this was a surprise. It’s very saucy and the sauce really tastes like cheese. There’s no odd aftertaste, which is usually the drawback with vegan dairy products. Our only problem with this vegan mac and cheese? The portion is so small! If you’re serving this for an occasion, like vegan Thanksgiving, for instance, buy a few boxes.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Sauce

Amy’s Macaroni & Cheese

Walmart

The image on the box isn’t lying—this frozen macaroni and cheese is saucy as all get out. And the cheese sauce is definitely the star here. It’s silky and creamy and doesn’t separate like some other cheese sauces tend to. Even if you eat this with a fork, every bite packs a mouthful of sauce. That said, the sauce could stand to be a little more flavorful, but if you want something that won’t dry out on the table, this is the best frozen mac and cheese you can buy.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best for a Crowd

Stouffer’s Macaroni & Cheese

Instacart

As we so often say, this one is a classic for a reason. Yes, the macaroni is mushy rather than al dente and the flavor of the cheese sauce doesn’t have a whole lot of complexity, but it’s warm and creamy and satisfying in a way that doesn’t require a lot of thought. No thinking, just eating. Whenever I have Stouffer’s frozen macaroni and cheese I always wonder why I don’t eat it more often. It’s a treat-yourself side that’s easy as hell to make (I love that the edges brown up even when you cook the tray in the microwave, which we did in this case). This is the best frozen mac and cheese for a crowd, especially if you’re feeding a big group with a bunch of kids. They’ll be so happy.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free

Beecher’s “World’s Best” Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

Walmart

I will admit that I didn’t taste this frozen gluten free mac and cheese alongside its glutenous counterpart (see #2), but I swear, I would never, ever, ever be able to tell this tray of frozen macaroni and cheese was made with gluten free pasta (penne, specifically). It’s so good! But, honestly, Beecher’s cheese sauce would be good on a boot. It’s so rich with salty, complex cheddar flavor. This is the best frozen mac and cheese for a mixed crowd—I highly doubt any gluten eaters will notice the difference.  

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Flavor

Beecher’s “World’s Best” Mac & Cheese

Vons

Beecher’s claims to make the “World’s Best” mac and cheese. And in terms of overall flavor, no joke, this may be the best frozen mac and cheese you can buy. But here’s the thing: This isn’t macaroni! It’s penne! I couldn’t in good conscience give a penne and cheese the top spot on a macaroni and cheese list. That said, holy shit, this stuff is good. Beecher’s eschews a homogenous mystery cheese sauce for one that’s redolent of sharp white cheddar (Beecher’s Flagship cheddar, to be precise) and plenty of paprika. I cooked this one in the oven because that was the first suggestion on the package, and it browned up really nicely. Scoop this into a Pyrex and put it on your holiday table; no one will know it’s frozen mac and cheese. Just don’t gaslight guests by calling it macaroni!

Credit: Liv Averett / Vons

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Patti’s Good Life Mac & Cheese

Walmart

Patti LaBelle is a music industry icon (c’mon, she has two tracks on the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack!). And if this mac and cheese from her lifestyle brand, Patti’s Good Life, is any indication, she’s also an absolute maniac in the kitchen. There are four servings of mac and cheese in this box and each individual serving packs 34 grams of fat and 20 grams of saturated fat. With stats like that, you’d assume this stuff is indulgent—and you’d be correct. This frozen mac and cheese, made with both cheddar and Monterey jack, isn’t just cheesy. It’s so, so buttery. Honestly, my new life goal is scoring a Thanksgiving or Easter invite to Patti LaBelle’s house, because you know this woman is loading her sides and casseroles with pounds of butter like god intended. But this isn’t the best frozen mac and cheese just because it’s egregious; it’s the best frozen macaroni and cheese because it’s really well seasoned and tastes absolutely excellent. If you can find this at Walmart, buy it! (And pick up one of Patti’s cobblers while you’re at it.) 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: 365 Family Size Macaroni & Cheese, Banquet Mac & Cheese, Marie Callender’s White Cheddar Mac & Cheese, Michelina’s Macaroni & Cheese, Signature Select, Stouffer’s Ultimate Spicy Nacho Mac & Cheese, Bob Evans Queso Mac and Cheese

The post The Best Frozen Mac and Cheese (Vegan Mac and Cheese, Too) appeared first on Sporked.

We’re serious! These totally plant based Thanksgiving foods are so good that your rude, steak-loving uncle Randy will keep his trap shut about you “not getting enough protein.” Whether you’re hosting your own vegan or vegetarian Thanksgiving or you’re looking for things to bring to an omnivorous family meal, here are some taste test-approved vegan eats for your holiday table—right from the grocery store.

Gardein Plant-Based Turk’y Roast

Being a vegan or vegetarian usually means that your Thanksgiving meal consists of whichever meat-, butter-, and broth-free sides you can scrounge together—hope you like cranberry sauce! You deserve a main dish, and that’s where the best vegan turkey roast comes in. Is this Gardein Turk’y Roast anything like turkey? Nope! It’s a loaf of Gardein’s flavorful plant based turkey stuffed with veggie stuffing, then breaded and baked. It’s tasty, hearty, and feels special. And the packet of gravy it comes with is pretty good, too.

Read the full ranking of the best vegan Thanksgiving roasts

Sprouts Plant Based Cornbread Stuffing

If you like stuffing seasoning—sage, rosemary, and thyme—you’ll like this vegan stuffing from Sprouts. It doesn’t really have the crumbly consistency cornbread stuffing usually has, but it’s soft, salty, and filling—and all you have to do is nuke it in the microwave. This didn’t make our ranking of the best store bought stuffing, but only because we didn’t try it in time. 

Primal Kitchen Mushroom Gravy

Primal Kitchen’s keto-friendly products don’t always hit, but their vegan mushroom gravy rules. It’s one of the best meatless gravies we’ve tasted. It’s creamy and rich and you do not miss the meat fat at all. If you’re going the classic route and making a Tofurky roast, you’re going to be grateful you have some hot, flavorful gravy to moisten it. 

Read our ranking of the best vegetarian gravy

Idahoan Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes 

We love Idahoan instant mashed potatoes (our ranking of the best instant mashed potatoes makes that abundantly clear), but most of their flavors contain dairy and/or poultry broth. Sure, you could simply buy plain potato flakes and doctor them up yourself with oat milk, vegan butter, and vegan sour cream for your vegan Thanksgiving—or you could buy these Idahoan mashed potatoes that are super buttery and only require two cups of boiled water to be totally delicious. 

Chao Mac and Cheese

We love Chao’s vegan cheese for sandwiches, and their frozen mac and cheese does not disappoint. It’s rich and creamy and the pasta cooks beautifully. Our one warning: A package only has enough mac and cheese for one or two servings, so buy a few if you’re feeding a whole vegan Thanksgiving crew. 

Daiya Pumpkin Spice Cheezcake

Vegan cheesecake sounds risky, right? The vegan cream cheese it’s made with better be good as hell, because that’s 90% of what you’re eating. Daiya really nailed it with this Pumpkin Spice Cheezcake, which is creamy, mildly spiced, and doesn’t have an unpleasant aftertaste. It’s a perfect way to wrap up vegan Thanksgiving dinner.

Read our ranking of the best pumpkin cheesecake

The post What to Buy for a Vegan Thanksgiving appeared first on Sporked.