When time is short, a ready meal can be a lifesaver, offering a hot dinner in minutes. Despite sometimes being maligned for their nutritional content, they remain a popular choice for busy Brits. Express journalist Sophie Harris, who usually avoids pre-prepared supermarket dishes, decided to put them to the test after a surprisingly good experience.
The Premium vs Budget Challenge
Sophie was struck by the vast price difference on the shelves at her local Sainsbury's. She embarked on a direct comparison, pitting three meals from the high-end Charlie Bigham's range against their Sainsbury's own-brand equivalents. The price gap was significant, with single servings ranging from £3.50 up to £6.50.
She selected three classic dishes for her experiment: macaroni cheese, butter chicken with pilau rice, and spaghetti bolognese. The Charlie Bigham's versions promised restaurant-quality, while the Sainsbury's meals offered a much more budget-friendly option.
Macaroni Cheese: A Tale of Two Textures
First up was the comforting mac 'n' cheese. The Charlie Bigham's Macaroni Cheese with Crispy Bacon cost a hefty £6.50. Sophie found it delivered on its premium promise, with a generous portion, delightful texture, and tasty additions of bacon and ciabatta croutons. While the flavour was slightly underwhelming, it had a homemade quality. Her verdict? Worth it on sale, but hard to justify at full price.
In contrast, the Sainsbury's Macaroni Cheese at £3.50 was a disappointment. Sophie reported it lacked flavour and had an unappealing, slightly curdled texture. Even adding extra cheese and pepper couldn't save this meal.
Butter Chicken: A Surprising Budget Win
The curry test proved more nuanced. Charlie Bigham's Butter Chicken Curry and Pilau Rice, costing £9.95 for two, was delicious and exceeded expectations. Sophie felt it offered a comforting, home-cooked vibe, though the sauce could have been more punchy. She deemed it a more economical and worthy alternative to a takeaway for a special night in.
The Sainsbury's Butter Chicken was £4.35 for two, but required a separate £1 packet of rice, bringing the total to £5.35. Surprisingly, this budget option was a hit. Sophie found the chicken wonderfully tender and well-seasoned, with a slightly more robust flavour than the premium version. Despite the initial inconvenience of no included rice, she declared it excellent value.
Spaghetti Bolognese: No Contest for the Premium Option
The final test was the Italian classic. Charlie Bigham's Spaghetti Bolognese at £6.50 was Sophie's favourite of all the meals sampled. She praised its tender meat, perfect portion, and exquisite flavour, saying it tasted just like a home-cooked bolognese. The high price was the only barrier to repurchasing.
The Sainsbury's Spaghetti Bolognese (£3.50) suffered greatly in comparison. Following the premium version, it was a letdown, criticised for lacking flavour, being scant on meat, and having a poor consistency.
The Final Verdict: Is Price an Indicator of Quality?
Overall, Sophie concluded that the taste and homemade quality of Charlie Bigham's meals were far superior. The brand also wins on its use of wholesome ingredients and absence of additives. However, at over £6 for a single serving, they are a luxury rather than a regular purchase, perhaps reserved for sales or special occasions.
The Sainsbury's range offered a mixed bag. While the butter chicken curry was a standout success and fantastic value, the other two meals were disappointing. The test reveals that while you often get what you pay for in terms of flavour and quality, there can be delightful and wallet-friendly exceptions hiding on the supermarket shelf.
