ready-meal
Heat and eat
A ready-meal is a prepackaged meal requiring minimal preparation—typically just heating.
The term is more common in British than American English, where "frozen dinner" or "TV dinner" covers similar ground.
Ready-meals range from microwaveable trays to refrigerated dishes: I grabbed a ready-meal from the supermarket on my way home.
Ready for quick departure
- time-savingReducing required duration
- prepackagedSealed before sale
- heat-and-eatFood needing only warming
- instantBriefest unit of time
effortless · on-the-go · practical · efficient · microwave · reheat · precooked · self-heating
Solidified by extreme cold
- shelf-stableStorable without refrigeration
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- cannedSealed for preservation
- non-perishableWon't rot or decay
long-life · additives · stabilizers · emulsifiers · vacuum-sealed · aseptic · sterilized · freezer
Baked layered pasta dish
- curryAromatic South Asian dish
- stir-fryQuick-cook in hot oil
- pastaShaped wheat dough
- mac-and-cheeseNoodles in cheese sauce
enchilada · biryani · teriyaki · korma · pot-pie · moussaka · paella · risotto
Shallow portable platform
- compartmentalizedDivided into isolated sections
- portionedDivided into shares
- boxedEnclosed in cardboard
- sleeveGarment's arm portion
vented · stackable · single-serve · resealable · disposable · cardboard · overwrap
grab-and-go
Ready for quick departure
- time-savingReducing required duration
- prepackagedSealed before sale
- heat-and-eatFood needing only warming
instant · effortless · on-the-go · practical · efficient · microwave · reheat · precooked · self-heating · zap
frozen
Solidified by extreme cold
- shelf-stableStorable without refrigeration
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- cannedSealed for preservation
non-perishable · long-life · additives · stabilizers · emulsifiers · vacuum-sealed · aseptic · sterilized · freezer · defrost
supermarket
Self-service food retailer
premium · gourmet · economy · store-bought · mass-produced · industrial
lasagna
Baked layered pasta dish
mac-and-cheese · enchilada · biryani · teriyaki · korma · pot-pie · moussaka · paella · risotto · bento
tray
Shallow portable platform
- compartmentalizedDivided into isolated sections
- portionedDivided into shares
- boxedEnclosed in cardboard
sleeve · vented · stackable · single-serve · resealable · disposable · cardboard · overwrap
busy
Actively occupied with tasks
- bachelorUnwed male adult
- studentOne formally enrolled somewhere
- workaholicCompulsive labor addict
commuter · apartment · dorm · weeknight · latchkey · elderly
ready-mealmade from scratch
homemade · home cooking · Sunday roast · holiday dinner · feast
ready-mealwhole foods
Unrefined, unprocessed edibles
farm-to-table · fresh produce · slow food · fresh food · raw food
ready-mealfine dining
Elegant restaurant experience
gourmet meal · sit-down dinner · dinner party · banquet · tasting menu