Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat & Sauce

October 3, 2007 | Reviewer: Nicole

Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat & Sauce Price: $2.50
Serving: 1/3 package, 7oz.
All nutritional information below is for the entire package
Calories: 780
Fat: 39%, 18g
Cholesterol: 27%, 90mg
Sodium: 87%, 2070mg
Protein: 51g
Carbs: 27%, 84g
Fiber: 39%, 9g
Weight Watchers Points: 16 Points

Stouffer’s says: Traditional lasagna noodles layered with an herb seasoned tomato and meat sauce and three kinds of natural cheese

Nicole says: I dislike having to type out the names of what I’m eating as it often creates unexpected hostility. I was happy enough to be eating Meat Lasagna, but now I know that they felt the need to specify that it has SAUCE. You know, since lasagna doesn’t traditionally have sauce. Next time, I’m going to look for the “Lasagna with layered meat, sauce, lasagna noodles, and cheese

la-sag-na. [luh-zahn-yuh, lah-] noun.
1. large, flat, rectangular strips of pasta.
2. a baked dish consisting of layers of this pasta, cheese, tomato sauce, and usually meat.

(Source: Random House, unabridged, via dictionary.com)

OOOH, I see - Stouffer’s meant the first definition. Gotcha. The second wouldn’t be helpful here at all, really.

So the actual versus contrived disappointment with this meal is cooking time. The microwave in my office zaps things right quick - I usually use a time towards the lower end of a range or knock 10-20 seconds from the cook time. But I didn’t here, as lasagna is dense and notorious for not cooking through. I cooked for seven minutes. Which meant it was too hot to eat for another seven minutes. At this point I am starving, so I start eating this mighty tasty lasagna (although I’m sure inedible for those of you who recently took a “sabbatical” to Italy) - thick, hearty with a mild tomato sauce, lots of reasonably well-spiced beef and more cheese than exists in an entire freezer’s worth of Lean Cuisine meals.

Halfway through, there it is - the cold center bite.

Not frozen, not lukewarm. Cold. We’re talking cheese and BEEF. The cheese is still in shredded form, although it’s slightly softened.The beef is cold. I realize this isn’t exactly raw beef, but it’s not Goood Eats (see that extra “o” there? I’m not stealing any trademarks). So it has to go BACK IN the microwave for 45 seconds. That does the trick - but again, too hot to dig right in.

Wait two minutes.

Ahhh. This really is quite yummy and better than average, though it’s not Boston Market lasagna. The sauce could use some spice - but you can tell it’s made from tomatoes! Ground beef is featured on a range of sizes from tiny to a good (thumbnail) sized chunk. The entire tray is slightly overcooked on the top edges - but I like the crunch that creates - and the thick pasta sheets cooked thoroughly without falling apart. Finally, there’s plenty of cheese, cheese, cheese - thank you Stouffer’s!

I’m extremely pleased with size of this meal - it is “large” and filling, but not to the point of feeling particularly uncomfortable or ill. However, they do call this “three servings” which is a funny joke.

comments

8 Responses to “Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat & Sauce”

Caroline on October 4th, 2007

Wow, did you eat the whole thing? That’s 2340 calories all together, 780*3!
Caroline on October 4th, 2007

Just kidding, you posted the nutrition for the entire package — I’m so used to having to multiply in my head for these things!
Abi Jones on October 4th, 2007

Yeah, I figured that if the reviewer at the entire package, I would just do the multiplying for everyone. When I do that there will always be a note that says something like “Nutritional information below for entire package”
Nicole on October 4th, 2007

Even I have some semblance of nutritional sanity. Something would have to rate five stars if I were to consume over 2000 in one meal.
Claim Jumper Salisbury Steak | HeatEatReview.com on October 24th, 2007

[…] so I chose the safe route - seven is central. Then I added ten seconds since I had a lasagna recently with a cool center. Bad decision. My macaroni burned on one edge […]
Claim Jumper Salisbury Steak : Test Site on January 5th, 2008

[…] so I chose the safe route - seven is central. Then I added ten seconds since I had a lasagna recently with a cool center. Bad decision. My macaroni burned on one edge […]
Tonya on March 6th, 2008

I personally like the single serving size better!!! At least it heats all the way through And it’s just right for me. Course sometimes if I’m hungry I have to have two. Cause personally really GOOD lasagna … is my FAVORITE and I can almost eat a 9×13 by myself.
Emogene Hayes on March 19th, 2008

Would appreciate less attempt at “humor” Wanted a quick comparison between Stouffer’s and M.Angelo’s. Also wanted evaluation of the oven cooked dish.
This review was not too much help to me. Thanks, anyway