Fettucine v. Fettucine

Miss Yunks has temporarily lost her desire to cook. And to bake. She normally really enjoys baking. This loss is sad for a few reasons. 1) Eating is more difficult without cooking and 2) Lack of things to blog about – in case you hadn’t noticed. With a lack of ideas for non-cooking lunches and a need for something to blog about, she decided this was a desperate situation and she knew what she needed to do and where she needed to go: the freezer section of the grocery store.

I really don’t like to buy frozen meals. They’re not fresh, not healthy (very high in sodium), never taste as good as homemade, and the portions are small. But, a girl’s got to eat. I’m imagining we all get desperate at times and turn to frozen dinners for various reasons. Lack of time, money, or desire to be in the kitchen – whatever your reason, Miss Yunks reviews two common brands of fettucine alfredo for your benefit.

First up is Smart Ones. I’ve had other Smart Ones meals and desserts, but never the fettucine alfredo. The photo on the box looks good enough, and it comes with broccoli. The whole meal is only 4 Weight Watchers points. If you are familiar with the Weight Watchers program, you’ll know 4 is not a lot of points for a meal. Immediately I am prepared to not be full after this.

It even looks okay. But after one bite I decided this does not taste like alfredo sauce! The sauce tastes very fake and the noodles don’t add anything. Only real plus here is the broccoli. Hard to mess up frozen broccoli. And with only 4 points, I was hungry 20 minutes after finishing.

Smart Ones Score (on 1-10 scale)
Flavor: 5
Healthiness: 7.5
Fullness: 3

Next up:
In my personal experience, Lean Cuisine tastes better than Smart Ones. It’s also more points on the Weight Watchers scale. This meal is 6 points so I expected to stay full longer.

The noodles are exactly the same as the Smart Ones. But this sauce is much better. Actually resembles real alfredo sauce. It’s cheesy, creamy, and has a little spice to it. It doesn’t come with any broccoli, but there’s enough sauce that you could add your own veggies and still be covered. Rocco’s Healthy Alfredo is much much tastier and filling, but if you need a quick meal and don’t want to cook, Lean Cuisine will do.

Lean Cuisine Score
Flavor: 8
Healthiness: 7
Fullness: 7

Well Lean Cuisine is the clear winner here. But I have a secret. My favorite “instant” fettucine alfredo isn’t in the freezer section. It’s in the regular pasta aisle.

Easy-Mac Alfredo is really good! If you enjoy Kraft Easy-Mac Original, you will love the Alfredo variety. It’s the same comforting cheesy taste with a grown-up style. The noodles are soft ribbons and the alfredo sauce is delicious and delicate. It’s great taste is surprising to find in a cup.

Easy-Mac Alfredo Score
Flavor: 9
Healthiness: 7 (it’s also 6 WW points for 1 cup)
Fullness: 8 (it’s surprisingly filling!)

I highly recommend storing a cup or two of Easy-Mac in your cabinet at work – or at home – for days when you forget a lunch, need a quick snack, or want that familiar mac & cheese taste without waiting for a pot of water to boil.

The secret is out – Miss Yunks isn’t cooking and she likes Easy-Mac! If you have any quick meal ideas – please share them!

*Disclaimer. Miss Yunks does not follow a WW diet, she just knows a lot about it from family and friends.