Michael Angelos Lasagna Taste Test

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In today’s society, many families are choosing healthier lifestyles by using  “natural” ingredients in their daily lives. Especially when it comes to what we eat! Over the years just about everything has been dubbed “bad for you”. In fact, statistics show that Italians life expectancy is 81.86 years. Italians live an average of 3.37 years longer than Americans who’s average life expectancy is 78.49 years. Is it credited to they way they eat? I mean they do eat a lot of pasta! According to the American Heart Association, the answer is in their diet. The antioxidants found in olive oil and red wine — two key features of an Italian meal — can improve cholesterol, prevent blood clots and stave off heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

Until I was introduced to Michael Angelo’s at Blogher back in August of 2012 I didn’t realize you could buy a FROZEN meal with only “natural ingredients”. Their philosophy.

 

Our “No Compromise” Philosophy

"There's a reason that our ingredients read like a grocery list, and not a trip to a chemistry lab.
 If you can't find it in our mom's kitchen, you won't find it in our meals".

 

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When I set out to take the Michael Angelo’s taste test I already knew that their frozen meals were like no other. In the past I’ve tried several of their frozen products including their Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Piccata which is to die for. And that is NOT an exaggeration! So, I was eager to try their lasagna. Although, I was NOT thrilled to have to taste the Marie Calendars or Stoffer’s. And this is why. Marie Calendars meals are always undercooked! Have you ever tried them? If their is a vegetable in their meal it’s almost always like eating a raw vegetable. Sure, the box is pretty and makes you want to grab it, but the stuff inside the box is never good. As for Stoffer’s, their food is always cheap, thus cheap ingredients are used and a ton of preservatives.

My taste test went a little like this. First, I told myself to “Keep an open mind, be fair and let your taste buds tell the story”.

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 #1 is Michael Angelo’s #2 Marie Calendars #3 Stoffer’s

 Don’t be fooled by the pretty picture.

  1. It took 7 minutes for Stoffers to stop running it’s watery sauce all over my pretty plate to take this picture.
  2. Marie Calendars had to cool 10 minutes before I can get a “square” piece to say in place and not flop all over my plate. (Thus cold by the time I could eat it.)
  3. Michael Angelo’s came out of the over, onto the plate with no problems at all!

Taste Test:

  • Stoffers: Their noodles are TOO thick. I can only assume it’s to save them money. Not produce a quality product. Their sauce is like water, and their cheese is well, processed tasting.
  • Marie Calendars: The noodles are exactly what’s you’d expect from Marie, UNDERCOOKED! I can’t find anything good to say about this dish so I’ll just leave it at that.
  • Michael Angelo’s: Hearty, cooked perfectly, and yummy sauce. I’d like to see a little more cheese on the top of the dish, but it was still as amazing as their other dishes I’ve tried. The sauce didn’t run. The sausage was great and the noodles were perfectly cooked and the right thickness.

The Winner:

Of course you may think I’m bias, but I swear I’m not. Michael Angelo’s won hands down. I encourage you to try it. Next time you reach for a frozen meal, look for Michael Angelo’s and you’ll see for yourself. Now, in my store Michael Angelo’s products are not by the Marie Calendars or Stoffer’s. There are set apart and I had to look for them. What a shame. But, I assume it’s because they don’t put out a mass production of varies meals and stick to what they know and do best. Verses the other two that think they are experts in every type of meal imaginable. I have news for those two.

 

Disclosure: I received a free product from the sponsor to review. I received no monetary compensation and my opinions are my own and were not influenced by the sponsor.

 
 
 
 

About Author

LaDonna Dennis

LaDonna Dennis is the founder and creator of Mom Blog Society. She wears many hats. She is a Homemaker*Blogger*Crafter*Reader*Pinner*Friend*Animal Lover* Former writer of Frost Illustrated and, Cancer...SURVIVOR! LaDonna is happily married to the love of her life, the mother of 3 grown children and "Grams" to 3 grandchildren. She adores animals and has four furbabies: Makia ( a German Shepherd, whose mission in life is to be her attached to her hip) and Hachie, (an OCD Alaskan Malamute, and Akia (An Alaskan Malamute) who is just sweet as can be. And Sassy, a four-month-old German Shepherd who has quickly stolen her heart and become the most precious fur baby of all times. Aside from the humans in her life, LaDonna's fur babies are her world.

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LisaLisa
11 years ago

Great review and very enlightening.I don’t like Stoffer’s nor Marie Calendars. I agree they both have no taste and do appear to be raw. I have seen Michael Angelo’s before in our local stores but never thought to try them . Now when I see Michael Angelo’s Lasagna I’m sure to grab it and try. Great review and Thanks for sharing this!

Vicki F.
Vicki F.
11 years ago

Thanks! I’m not crazy about Stouffer’s either – it will be nice to try something different!

Katrina Moody
11 years ago

Wow — I can see your bias but honestly – I look only at ingredients anymore and refuse to get frozen foods with a laundry list of ingredients that I can’t pronounce or recognize. I’ll have to give the Michail Angelos brand a try since I haven’t seen them on a casual search around here. Nice review LaDonna!

Shary
11 years ago

You know what, Stouffers does have thick noodles and watery sauce. I don’t know why I fall for the brand name every time. I will definitely check out Micheal Angelo’s!

mel
mel
11 years ago

This looks like something awesome to try out. THanks so much!

Mallery Schuplin
11 years ago

I just recently stumbled upon this brand when I was buying some Stouffer’s lasagna! I’m glad you shared the review with me because I will pick some up next time!

Andrea Kruse
11 years ago

Yum! That does sound like a winner. Do you know where I can buy them?

Mia Dentice Carey
Mia Dentice Carey
11 years ago

Mmmmm, I’ll have to check ’em out! Thanks for sharing!

desiree
desiree
11 years ago

the onlt time i use the dinner is when i m sick or when my bf goes out of town for the week

Dorothy Boucher
Dorothy Boucher
11 years ago

great review , i’m not too much on frozen foods, but i do love Italian food and often cook it home made .. thanks

diane conover
11 years ago

Your review definitely makes me want to try it.Sounds yummy Thanks

Lee ann Cameron
Lee ann Cameron
11 years ago

I like that you explained the things we could not see…the watery mess that had to drain before putting on a plate…the piece was well written …I prefer home made but I do understand that sometimes you just dont have time to make from scratch and it is nice to have someone try things so that I dont waste money …thanks again

Rebeckah White
Rebeckah White
11 years ago

I am not so much into frozen foods but I think I will make a point to give this a try, sounds good.

Michelle Lysaght
Michelle Lysaght
11 years ago

My dad makes the best Lasagna 🙂 I have a hard time eating any other lasagna knowing how much I love my dads. But I might try Michael Angelo’s lasagna. Thanks for giving your opinion!

michelle warner
michelle warner
11 years ago

oooh i wish i was there to taste too, great review thanks a bunch

Dawn Kropp
11 years ago

How FUN! Not to mention, yummylicious… too!!

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Rush Poppers
11 years ago

Wow! I feel hungry now… Rushing to get that chicken arrabbiata out of the freezer now. Just like Rebeckah, I’m not a great fan of frozen foods either. But sometimes it’s just convenient.