Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic frozen meal featuring a slice of savory meatloaf, typically beef-based, served alongside soft, roasted or mashed potatoes and a medley of vegetables like carrots, peas, or corn. The meatloaf offers a dense, tender texture with a rich, umami flavor from its seasoned meat and often a sweet-tangy glaze, while the potatoes provide a creamy, starchy contrast. Nutritionally, it's a balanced, portion-controlled meal delivering a solid 6.66g of protein per 100g, making it a convenient source of energy and satiety.
People love it for the comforting, nostalgic taste of home-style cooking without the prep work—the savory meatloaf with its familiar glaze, fluffy potatoes, and colorful veggies hit a satisfying, hearty note. Its versatility also shines, as it can be quickly customized with extra spices or a side salad.
The main downside is often high sodium content from preservatives and seasoning, which can be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract this, pair the meal with a fresh, potassium-rich side like a green salad or steamed spinach, and drink a glass of water to help balance fluids. The meal may also contain common allergens like wheat (in the meatloaf binder) or soy, so checking the ingredient list is advised.
The concept of the modern frozen TV dinner, which popularized meals like this, was famously inspired by leftover Thanksgiving turkey and was first sold by Swanson in 1954.
| Water | 74.1 g |
| Energy | 134 kcal |
| Protein | 6.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 46.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 76.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 221 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 392 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 5.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 3.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 1.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 14.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 10.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 17.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 23.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.57 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 32.0 ug |
| Retinol | 22.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 111 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 15.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 2081 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 65.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.81 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 9.4 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.65 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.14 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 19.0 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
How does the nutrition compare to homemade meatloaf?
Frozen versions often have slightly higher sodium and may use more fillers for moisture and shelf life, but the calorie and macronutrient profile can be very similar to a lean homemade recipe.
Is this meal suitable for a high-protein diet?
At 6.66g of protein per 100g, it provides a moderate amount, but for a high-protein diet, you would likely need to supplement it with an additional protein source like a side of beans or extra meat.
Can I improve the texture of the frozen vegetables?
Yes, for better texture, you can microwave the meal with the vegetable portion covered in a damp paper towel, or briefly sauté the vegetables in a pan after heating to add a bit of crispness.