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Key takeaways
- Walmart has surprisingly healthy, affordable frozen food options.
- Most of them require little to no cooking, making them a great option for weeknights, even for retired seniors.
I still take Mami—my mother, whom I’m the caretaker for—to do her grocery shopping at her local Walmart. She loves Walmart’s grocery selection and, more importantly, the prices!
While she shops, I spend time wandering the aisles, checking out the unique brands and products Walmart carries that you won’t find anywhere else. The good news is I’ve been able to find some of the organic and natural items I enjoy, but at prices that work better for Mami’s budget—which is a good thing, considering we’re shifting a 70-year-old woman’s diet from Skippy peanut butter to Adams, and Wonder Bread to Dave’s Killer.
Since Mami isn’t a big fan of cooking, frozen and ready-made meals are her go-to for quick and convenient options. Here are some of her favorite Walmart finds.
1. Great Value Cheese Ravioli
This is the one thing I constantly keep in the freezer. The quality is pretty good, and with your favorite pasta sauce, it turns into a meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
I start by adding ground beef and sofrito to a cast iron skillet and sautéing until the meat is cooked through. Then I pour in a jar of pasta sauce, followed by the ravioli. I make sure all the ravioli is coated in the sauce, then top it with shredded cheese, fresh mozzarella pieces, and grated parmesan. Broil (or bake at 500 degrees F) until the cheese is browned and bubbling. Want to add some veggies? Stir in chopped, thawed, and strained frozen spinach to the sauce.
2. Great Value Pork Egg Rolls
When it’s cold outside, I’m notorious for whipping up a quick soup for dinner. I make the soup in a small pot and don’t even bother to transfer it into a bowl. Instead, I prefer to eat straight from the pot so everything stays hot all the way until the last bite.
There are some people in my house who think soup isn’t a full meal and needs a little something extra to go with it. That’s where these egg rolls come in. They’re the perfect addition and only take 15 minutes in the air fryer to come out piping hot on the inside and crispy on the outside.
3. Great Value Buttermilk Biscuits
Speaking of air fryers—I grew up on tube biscuits, but a recent revisit left me wondering how they were ever the norm in our house. Maybe they were better back in the day, but the ones I bought recently were just… weird. The texture was plasticky, and the dough didn’t even absorb the gravy I poured on top.
About six years ago, I made the switch to frozen biscuits, and they’re so much closer to homemade. The difference in texture is honestly mind-blowing. I like to toss a few frozen biscuits in the air fryer and whip up a quick pan gravy with a simple roux, chicken stock, and a splash of milk or cream.
4. Great Value Stuffed Shells
Have you ever tried to make stuffed shells? It seems simple, but as you’re standing over your kitchen counter, trying to cram the ricotta mixture into the crevices of your third shell, you start to wonder if there’s a more efficient (and faster) way to stuff the shells (there’s not). Well, here’s your solution: just buy these little convenient single servings of Great Value stuffed shells and call it a day.
5. Great Value Poblano Enchiladas
I wouldn’t go as far as to say these are amazing enchiladas. However, they are a delicious, quick-cooking option reminiscent of enchilada casserole. This roasted poblano version comes with two enchiladas that are stuffed with cheese and topped with a tangy chile verde sauce.
6. Great Value Lasagna
Last, but certainly not least, is Mami’s go-to. When I can’t get Mami to eat, all I have to do is bribe her by painting a picture of lasagna, garlic bread, and a side salad. But if you think I’m going to waste my time making Mami a four-layer lasagna that she’s just going to compare to the one in the box, it’s a battle you can take on and inevitably lose. Fortunately, Great Value has both single-serving and family-sized lasagnas. They also have a variety of flavors, including meat sauce, meat lovers, five cheese, and vegetable.
Bonus: Marketside Butter Pecan Ice Cream Cake
This isn’t technically a meal, but Mami insists that every meal should end with a “little something sweet.” Marketside is Walmart’s brand for its “fresher” items, like deli and bakery products, including take-and-bake pizzas and cakes. If you’re someone with a sweet tooth, you’ll be happy to know that these frozen ice cream cakes have gone viral on TikTok, which is how I first discovered them. They feature a thick layer of creamy butter pecan-flavored ice cream on top of a cookie crumb crust, all topped with whipped topping, pecan pieces, and caramel drizzle. Believe Mami—it’s a must-try.
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