I like quick, convenient hot lunches.  Especially on those days when I'm rushing around, with only a few minutes to grab something.  So, in general, I like the Hormel Compleats line of microwavable meals.

Requiring no refrigeration, and needing only 90 seconds in the microwave, nothing could be more convenient.  However, convenience isn't enough.  I insist that the meal taste good, too.

And, sadly, this is where their Meatloaf With Potatoes and Gravy fails.  I don't mean to imply that this meal is slightly bad.  Or somewhat lacking.  I mean it's BAD.

Mind you, I am no meatloaf snob.  I have eaten meatloaf in many restaurants, diners, and in other microwavable convenience packages.  But this one is the worst.  And, frankly, the potatoes are no better than the meatloaf.  It's hard to mess up mashed potatoes, but Hormel has done it.

Let's start at the beginning: As far as how the product looks, it's just "fair".  The meatloaf looks - well the way meatloaf tends to look.  A small brown blob shoved into half of the oval-shaped bowl.  On the other half, as well as under the meatloaf, were the potatoes.  Bland-looking with a texture that's not quite "smooth" these potatoes won't "wow" anyone.

The there's the taste.  Honestly, the only seasoning that comes through loud and clear is pepper.  Enough so that my mouth was hot.  But beyond that, there is very little flavor in this food.  It is no exaggeration to say that both the meatloaf and the potatoes were tasteless, except for the pepper.

As far as nutrition goes, there are 310 calories, 11g of fat, and 940 mg of sodium.  That's a bit higher in fat and sodium than I prefer.  Not that it really matters to me - I don't intend to buy this flavor ever again.

When it comes to this line of meals, my advice is to stick to the Italian flavors.  I particularly like the spaghetti with meat sauce and the cheese manicotti.  But the "meat and potato" varieties have got to go!


Hormel Compleats - Cheese Manicotti with Meat Sauce
Hormel Compleats - Chicken Alfredo
Hormel Compleats - Chicken & Dumplings
Hormel Compleats - Chicken & Gravy & Masted Potatoes
Hormel Compleats - Chicken & Rice
Hormel Compleats - Spaghetti & Meat Sauce

Recommended: No