Angela Patrone, Senior Lifestyle Reporter for What's On, set out to rank six Tesco lasagne ready meals, from the cheapest to the Finest range. Her verdict: only one is worth buying again.
Test methodology and expectations
Patrone collected every supermarket-own brand of lasagne available at her local Tesco, including both fresh and frozen options, selecting the cheapest and most expensive varieties. Raised in a home where everything was made from scratch, she is not usually a fan of ready meals, but one selection genuinely surprised her.
Tesco Finest Lasagne Al Forno – 3/10
Costing £4.50, this was the most expensive option and the biggest disappointment. While the addition of Parmesan was a pleasant touch, the overall taste was undermined by an excessive amount of herbs. The bolognese sauce was underseasoned and had an overpowering smoky flavour that failed to impress.
Tesco Beef Lasagne (frozen) – 4/10
At £2, this was the most budget-friendly choice. It came in as the second-least impressive overall. The parsley crumb and red cheddar cheese topping, together with the béchamel sauce, didn't deliver. However, it did strike the right balance between cheese sauce and ragù.
Hearty Food Co. Lasagne – 7/10
At £2.20, this chilled lasagne was the second-cheapest overall and the lowest-priced among fresh selections. It proved surprisingly respectable, surpassing both premium-range alternatives in flavour. However, the pasta was overcooked, and the sauce had an unmistakable flavour of inadequately softened onions.
Tesco Beef Lasagne (chilled) – 8/10
Costing £3.50, this standard-range beef lasagne shared second place overall. It featured a plentiful amount of herbs, and the pasta sheets had a markedly superior texture. The only critique was that a little extra cheese could have taken it to the next level.
Tesco Finest Beef Lasagne (frozen) – 8/10
At £3.50, £1 cheaper than the chilled Finest lasagne, this frozen version delivered significantly more flavour. The sauces were much better proportioned and less dominant. The addition of mozzarella balls on top provided a nice finishing touch.
Tesco Vegetable Lasagne – 9/10
Remarkably, this lasagne proved to be the clear winner and is the only one Patrone would contemplate buying again. Even without any meat, it was undoubtedly the favourite. Filled with beautifully roasted vegetables, a flavoursome sauce, and a plentiful amount of cheese, the only minor drawback was that it needed a bit more seasoning. Patrone noted that each of the ready meals sampled would have been improved with slightly more salt.
