Do you wish you could enjoy the ease of convenience foods without sacrificing your health goals? Good news — thanks to the increased demand for both easy-prep foods and ingredient transparency, you’re about to see a whole lot more healthy convenience foods on the shelves! From better-for-you versions of your favorite pre-made frozen dinners (like pizza and mac and cheese) to meal kits, and even sides and sauces, you can now balance your busy lifestyle without compromising on nutrition. Ahead, our top trending picks for healthy store-bought convenience foods that promise both ease and flavor.
The 37 Healthiest Store-Bought Convenience Foods
With more consumers eating at home more frequently, there’s a clear need and desire for healthy, affordable foods that are quick and convenient.
Consider this your go-to guide for all your cravings, based on the following categories:
- Healthy Comfort Food & Frozen Dinners
- Beans & Whole Grains
- Prepped Produce, Soups, & Salad Kits
- Pasta & Noodles
- Packaged & Prepped Protein
- Condiments, Sauces, & Spices
Healthy Comfort Food & Frozen Dinners
Konscious Plant Based Rainbow Roll
While grabbing a roll of sushi may seem like a healthier convenience food choice, sushi rolls are often high in calories and loaded with sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats (thanks to ingredients like tempura and spicy mayo). Made with jasberry rice, plant-based tuna, and nutritious ingredients like mango, carrots, and cucumber, this plant-based rainbow roll is a better-for-you alternative that can be enjoyed on the go!
Banza Margherita Chickpea Pizza
While rewarding, prepping your own healthy pizza dough can be timely. That’s where frozen pizza dinners come in handy, like this chickpea crust-based pizza. It’s gluten-free, packed with plant-based protein, and available in both dairy and dairy-free varieties. Trust us, you’ll want to keep your freezer stocked so you’re always prepared!
Amy’s Frozen Meals Greek Rice & Veggies
This Greek-inspired rice and veggies bowl will allow you to enjoy the good-for-you benefits of a Mediterranean dish without doing the cooking. It’s full of fresh flavor, packs in one cup of veggies per serving, and is perfect when you need a quick dinner that’s healthy and satisfying.
Tattooed Chef Vegan Buddha Bowl
If you love a comforting nourish bowl for dinner, this frozen veggie bowl will satisfy all your cravings — no cooking required! Made with sweet potatoes, chili chickpeas, cauliflower rice, and tahini sauce, it packs in 10 grams of plant-based protein with no gluten or added sugars. Simply warm it up and enjoy it straight out of the bowl!
Frontera Chicken Fajita Bowl
The perfect alternative to Chipotle when you’re looking for something just as tasty and convenient, but more nutritious. Fresh ingredients, 20 grams of protein, and the closest thing to enjoying a home-cooked meal!
Saffron Road Grass-Fed Lamb Saag with Basmati Rice
Made with grass-fed lamb, seasoned with anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger, and served over a bed of spinach and rice. Considering global spices and cultural flavors are among the top 2024 food trends, this Indian-inspired dish will be a hit.
Beans & Whole Grains
Maya Kaimal Red Lentil, Butternut Squash & Coconut Dal
This Indian-inspired dish, made from organic stewed beans and fragrant spices, comes in a ready-to-eat pouch that allows you to enjoy the traditional flavors of this meal without the time and effort that comes with prepping it.
A Dozen Cousins Ready-to-Eat Chickpea Curry
Not only is it full of real curry flavor and packed with protein from chickpeas, but it’s also vegan, gluten-free, and made without sneaky ingredients. Serve warm over rice, protein, or with veggies, or enjoy straight out of the package — you can even enjoy leftovers cold.
Cascadian Farm Organic Frozen Hearty Blend
Made with farro, chickpeas, broccoli, and carrots, this easy-prep blend allows you to pack your plate full of veggies and whole grains without the hassle of prepping and cooking.
Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa & Brown Rice
This pre-cooked grain bowl made with organic quinoa and brown rice, is conveniently packaged in a microwave-friendly pouch that requires just 90 seconds of cook time. Pair it with frozen veggies and pre-prepped protein on busy nights!
Prepped Produce, Soups & Salads
Amy’s Kitchen Light Sodium Minestrone Soup
Low in sodium, full of plant-based protein, and packed with veggies. This hearty and healthy canned soup is a great option for a quick and comforting meal.
Mike’s Mighty Good Miso Ramen Soup Cup
Miso soup meets instant ramen that’s made with simple, organic ingredients. Perfect to keep in your pantry when you’re craving something cozy and quick — simply add boiling water!
Whole Foods Market Pacific Vegetable Protein Blend
This “California-Style” veggie blend is pre-prepped and seasoned for your convenience. Made with green lentils, broccoli, edamame, and yellow bell pepper, it’s packed with 10 grams of protein per serving and can be steamed right in the bag for an instant meal!
Lotus Foods Spicy Kimchi Rice Ramen Noodle Soup
Nothing screams convenience food like ramen noodles. And we’ve got good news — though traditionally full of sodium and processed ingredients, this spicy kimchi soup cup is a better-for-you version that’s made with wholesome ingredients and is just as tasty and convenient.
Cascadian Farm Organic Ready To Roast Vegetables
No need to wash, peel, or prep. These hearty veggies are sliced, diced, and ready to roast! Just add a drizzle of oil and seasoning of choice, and they’ll be ready to serve in 20 minutes.
Anderson House Frontier Soup Kits
Dehydrated soup kits made with real, wholesome ingredients for all your favorite soup cravings. From tortilla soup to sweet chili to ginger, carrot, and coconut, satisfy all your comfort cravings without spending hours in the kitchen. With a few simple ingredients needed, you’ll have a healthy homemade meal in no time.
Taylor Farms Organic Salad Kits
Organic kale caesar, chopped chimichurri, lemon parmesan, honey citrus… have your pick! With many flavors to choose from, these easy-prep organic salad kits will help you get your greens in during busy weeknights. They are washed, chopped, and ready to enjoy!
RELATED: Delicious Protein-Packed Salads That Will Actually Fill You Up
Pasta & Noodles
Banza Vegan Mac and Cheese
Not only is this boxed mac and cheese completely plant-based and vegan-friendly, but it’s also made with chickpea pasta, making it gluten-free and high in protein. The best part? The plant-based cheddar sauce is made from wholesome ingredients like sweet potato, pumpkin, nutritional yeast, and coconut oil, and it’s ready in 10 minutes or less!
Annie’s Organic Grass-fed Macaroni and Cheese
If you’re looking for a classic dairy-based mac and cheese, you can still enjoy a better-for-you option that’s made with wholesome ingredients like organic whole wheat and grass-fed dairy. With no sneaky additives or processed ingredients, feel good about this quick dinner option.
Goodles Twist My Parm Asiago and Parmesan with Spirals
Another good-for-you cheesy boxed pasta dish is this nutrient-packed noodle dish that’s made from real plants and wholesome ingredients. Plus, it’s packed with prebiotic fiber, plant-based protein, and 21 different plant-based nutrients!
Rao’s Made For Home Italian Frozen Pasta
Whether you’re craving chicken parm, meat lasagna, or Rigatoni Bolognese, these already-made healthy frozen pasta dishes will satisfy all your Italian comfort food cravings. Free from preservatives and artificial flavors, and made with real Italian tomatoes, lean protein, and wholesome veggies, enjoy the benefits of healthy homemade Italian without the work.
Amy’s Organic Vegetable Lasagna
This veggie-filled lasagna (made with zucchini, carrots, and spinach) is a quick-and-easy alternative to homemade when you’re short on time. It has 17 grams of protein per serving, is free from processed ingredients, and is a go-to meal that you’ll want to keep stashed in the freezer! Intended as a single-serve portion, it’s the perfect choice when you need a pre-made meal while on the go.
Wild Planet Tuna Pasta Salad
If you’re in need of a quick and convenient store-bought option, this tuna pasta salad is it. It’s made with wild-caught tuna and organic veggies, olives, and pasta. Plus, there are 17 grams of protein per serving, with no refrigeration, microwaving, or preparation required!
Kite Hill Spinach and Almond Milk Ricotta Ravioli Pasta
Made with almond milk ricotta, spinach, and egg-free dough, this dairy-free pre-made pasta is healthier comfort food made in minutes. Heat it up with frozen veggies for a quick, satisfying, healthy convenience meal!
Hodo Hodo Spicy Yuba Noodles
This fully-cooked spicy noodle dish is gluten-free, vegan, organic, and full of 16 grams of plant-based protein per serving! Enjoy straight out of the fridge — perfect for plant-based eaters and meat-lovers alike!
Packaged & Prepped Protein (Including Plant-Based)
Kevin’s Natural Foods Roasted Garlic Chicken Breast
Lean chicken breast marinated in a coconut garlic sauce and cooked to perfection. No prep time or clean up required. Simply toss it together with rice, veggies, or pasta, and have yourself a simple one-pot dish!
Amylu Chicken Meatballs
Ready-to-serve chicken meatballs that are simply made with chicken and spices! Sixteen grams of protein per 4-meatball serving and just 150 calories.
Diestel Turkey Carnitas
Fully cooked turkey carnitas that are ready in less than 10 minutes. Free from artificial ingredients or preservatives, and full of 16 grams of protein per serving. Dinner just got a lot easier!
Abbot’s Butcher Plant-Based Chopped Chick’n
Having chopped chicken on hand is one of the easiest ways to enhance the flavor profile and nutrient density of any meal. And now, plant-based eaters can benefit just the same. Made with pea protein and other anti-inflammatory ingredients like olive oil and turmeric, this frozen plant-based protein is a healthy staple to keep on hand for easy weeknight meals.
No Bull Madras Curry Burger
A fully-cooked plant-based burger made from organic ingredients like curried lentils, roasted sweet potatoes, spinach, and chia seeds. Enjoy warm on top of a crispy bun, or serve over salads, tacos, pasta dishes, and more.
Actual Veggies Super Greens Veggie Burger
Another plant-based burger made from real plants! This packaged plant-based protein is not only packed with fiber and protein (thanks to quinoa, beans, and chickpeas), but it’s also made from a green veggie base of broccoli, kale, zucchini, and spinach. The perfect way to serve your greens on a busy night!
Eat Meati Carne Asada Steak
17 grams of complete protein, 10 grams of fiber, and no meat! This pre-prepped plant-based mushroom steak is already flavored and waiting to be savored. Simply heat it up and serve over salad, with frozen veggies, or as you would steak! With the same texture and taste, you’ll never know the difference.
Condiments, Sauces & Spices
Momofuku Chili Crunch
Made with Mexican chilis, garlic, and shallots, this spicy oil is a fan favorite that will add the perfect hit of heat to any dish! It pairs well with eggs, stir-fries, meat, veggies — any dish that needs a burst of natural flavor.
Siete Foods Taco Seasoning
Paleo-friendly and preservative-free, this healthy spice blend is made from whole food ingredients. Easy flavor for tacos, burritos, veggies, stir-fries, soups, and more.
Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce
Dairy-free and made with avocado oil, feel good dressing any dinner dish! Perfect for burgers, fries, cauliflower, chicken, and more.
Watcharees Thai Peanut Sauce
Made with coconut milk, natural peanut butter, curry paste, and a hint of coconut sugar, this better-for-you sauce is a delicious alternative to takeout Thai sauce loaded with sodium and sugar. It’s ready to enjoy and pairs deliciously with grilled protein, veggies, pasta, and even salad.
Haven’s Kitchen Golden Turmeric Tahini Sauce
Perfect over rice, veggies, salad, pasta, wraps, and more! It’s simply made with tahini, olive oil, and spices, and can be used as a dressing, marinade, or even a dip.
When Store-Bought Tastes Healthy & Homemade
You no longer need to sacrifice your health goals when you’re crunched for time. With so many healthy store-bought convenience meals to choose from, you can satisfy all your cuisine cravings in a guilt-free way. So, say goodbye to traditional TV dinners and keep this list on hand the next time you’re at the store! Stock your kitchen, and ensure you always have ready-made options for busy nights!
