I told my husband and daughter that they had a blogging job. That job was to be my personal taste testers for an in home lasagna taste test. Let’s just say I had some very willing participates. My daughter LOVES lasagna (as long as it has meat) so she was very excited to be helping out. During our weekly grocery trip we purchased the three lasagna meals pictured above. For dinner one night I made all three and our taste test began.
We used several factors in our taste test
Nutrition
This one I did not involve my taste testers but scrutinized the labels myself. When it comes to ingredients B (Michael Angelo’s) won hands down. The ingredient list is small and easy to read with real ingredients. As for the nutrition label it depends on what you are looking for. A (Marie Callender’s) had the least calories, fat, and protein. B (Michael Angelo’s) and C (Stouffer’s) were pretty close in nutritional facts.
Look
I asked both my daughter and husband to look at each lasagna meal and tell me which one looked the best. Lasagna A was too soupy they both agreed. It was a toss up between B and C. For looks they both thought C (Stouffer’s) looked the best. It was smaller and the lasagna didn’t sink in as much as B and looked like it had a lot of cheese.
Smell
I then asked them both to smell each one. Then both agreed again it was between B and C, in the end C (Stouffer’s) was voted as smelling the best.
Texture
I asked my husband only to tell me what he thought as he sliced each lasagna meal. A (Michael Angelo’s) definitely cute more like real lasagna. The noodles were firm like home made. A (Marie Callender’s) was soupy and B (Stouffer’s) was definitely mushy.
Taste
Of course at the end of the day it all comes down to taste. For this one I had to jump in. My husband and daughter took a bite of each meal savory each bite to really get a good idea of which one they liked the best.
C (Stouffer’s) was immediately eliminated when it came to taste, all three of us did not care for the Stouffer’s which proves just because something may smell and look good does not mean it taste good. For me personally there was an easy winner and that was Michael Angelo’s. I could really taste the ricotta cheese and the noodles were firm. The Marie Callender’s had way too much tomato for me. My daughter also agreed with me and chose Michael Angelo’s. My husband decided to take another bite of each A and B. He had a hard time decided which one he liked best. In the end his decision was A Marie Callender’s, though it was a very small winning margin.
We had a great time doing our in home taste test and it is a fun way to see what people really enjoy. The next week when I was at work I noticed one of my co-workers was eating Stouffer’s lasagna. I immediately told him if he thought that was good he really should try Michael Angelo’s LOL!
Disclaimer: We received a gift card to purchase the product for our in home taste test. All opinions are my own. You may read more of my disclosure here.
Sarah says
What a fun way to compare similar products and see which everyone prefers! I’ll have to try it at my house!
Joan says
That sounds like a fun and tasty meal!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
I’ve tried the Michael Angelo’s before, and it wasn’t bad. But, I’ve never tried the other two. Maybe I’ll go out and buy them to see which one my kids would prefer.
Janet W. says
We’ve only bought Stouffers in the past and it’s ok. I’ll have to give the other 2 a try since they did better in your taste test!
deb c says
I love Michael Angelo’s. I, especially, like their eggplant parmesan.
Karen says
That’s fun blogging job to help Momma with!!!! Love it.
Karen
Elle says
Home made will always be first for me but when pressed for time, frozen is fine. I don’t think I’ve seen Michael Angelo’s at my grocer’s though.
Sprinkle says
My family loves frozen food its fast and easier to have.
Donna says
I like both brands… but I’m a bit more fond of Michael Angelo’s, too!
leda says
I’m surprised the Marie Callender’s didn’t win it. It is so much pricier than the others.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says
Interesting. I’m not too big a fan of lasagna, but my hubby is. I wonder which one he would have picked.
Gina Brickell says
I absolutely love Lasagna and have always purchased Stouffers because I thought it would taste the best.. This kind of shocked me that it came in last!! I haven’t tried the other two brands, but now I’m going to have to!! If I find one better than Stouffers, I’m switching!
Heather says
We’re definitely going to have to try a lasagna taste taste. How fun!
Julie Wood says
For me also I like the Michael Angelo’s! I have had their lasagna and it tastes delicious. I like that you compared three similar meals and found out which one you liked. Thanks for posting this information!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
Thanks for the honest taste test! I’ll skip Stouffers and try the other two for our own at home taste test 🙂
Thomas Murphy says
These look really good and easy to make!
Maryann says
sounds like an enjoyable blogging assignment!!
Elaina- A Time Out for Mommy says
I usually make fresh lasagna but it’s great to know which company is best when it comes to frozen!
Blythe J says
Pretty cool post. Ive always ate the Stouffers; its just ok. I always see the Michael Angelo’s in the store, but I never try it because I am not familiar with the brand. I want to try it now. 😀
Mellisa says
Now this sounds like a job I would love!!!
Sheri says
I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Michael Angelo’s lasagna. It sounds good.
Kathleen says
Yum! I love the Michael Angelo’s products.
Lisa says
Great taste test. 🙂
Theresa says
Love this idea!
Tricia Nightowlmama says
hubby and I both say Micheal Angelos tops them all. We’ve had them on different days and did our own at home taste test and we think Micheal angelos is a lot like my very own homemade. I scored some at Walmart and they were on sale for 5 bUCKS can’t beat that I just wish I had a larger fridge and they had more to buy. DELICIOUS
Lolo says
Now I am hungry for lasagna!
Nichol says
When I was 18 and moved in with my husband, I always bought Stouffer’s lasagna since I had no clue how to make it yet. We have never tried Michael Angelo’s but have tried other foods of theirs and they were fab!
Mom Foodie says
Micheal Angelo’s is one of the few frozen dinner brands I enjoy.
Marcie W. says
What a fun experiment! I agree that C did indeed look the best but I love how the actual taste results differed. The ole “Don’t judge a book” came into play here I suppose.
Jenn says
I’ve had Michael Angelo’s before and agree with you on the cheese.
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Oh, nothing like taste testing new foods!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
What a fun blogging experiment!! I haven’t had lasagna in forever!
Courtney says
how fun to try them all!
Leilani says
I’ve never heard of Michael Angelo’s before. I’ll have to try it out.
Elena says
I have only tried Stouffer’s. I would like two other brands too
Jorge Granda says
Sounds good.
Megan @ That Neat Blog says
So neat they got to do a taste test!
Tammy S says
This sounds like a fun way to try new items. I am not a huge fan of the Stouffer’s either. Plus they cost more.
Jacob says
I have actually had a lot of luck with the Whole Foods brand of lasagna. It costs a little more but it tastes like it was made from real ingredients (cheese, tomatoes, etc). I resisted for a long time but finally tried it and was very pleasantly surprised
Brandy says
I’d be happy to taste test delicious food. What a job! 🙂
Amy Green says
I like Stouffers’-they even served it at the theme park hotel at Hershey, Pennsylvania!