I think you got the best answers- either pick something up on the way home from work, or find frozen meals at the grocery store. I never found meal delivery services to be that tasty, but perhaps if you could find a chef to prepare a few meals per week, that could work. There are higher end catalog companies that have frozen food, but it's very expensive and likely wouldn't meet your goal of cutting costs.

I would also figure out a few easy meals you like that are mostly pantry staples so you already have the food in your house. That way you don't necessarily have to meal plan/grocery shop for the week. I'm sure googling "pantry staple pastas" would even pull up some ideas. Those are great for when you're short on time and motivation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does dining out and food delivery suddenly make everyone absurdly self-righteous and judgmental?

Because people have become lazy and entitled. Cook some food like humans have been doing for centuries- when life was much, much harder.

My dad was a kid in the 50's and they got bagels once a week, had deli food delivered, pizza, Chinese food, etc. Their non-chain pharmacy would also deliver to the house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know you said no meal planning, so not sure this counts. But occasionally make a big batch of chili or soup or whatever on the weekends and freeze half so you build up a stash.

I’ve got half a dozen kinds in my freezer that I can pull out on nights with no time to cook. Bonus that it’s healthy.

What’s the best way to freeze chili/meal?

I use Souper cubes for soups/stews. Once frozen, wrap in parchment then place in freezer bags.

Im still using my Rubbermaid plastic brilliance containers for meals. I line them with parchment before placing the meal within.

I get the feeling that the OP wants a treat on Fridays. Ubereats can do it but the delivery charges are absurd especially since the food often arrives barely warm. OP if you share what general area you live or work around. Perhaps we can share our favorite places for reasonably priced family meals.

There are places that do family style meals and who will deliver curb side if you ask.

Here's an example of a great place for ready to cook. Also, for a small upcharge they will cook fish to order for you and there's a variety of sides that can also be ordered.https://odonnellsmarket.com/menus/

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know you said no meal planning, so not sure this counts. But occasionally make a big batch of chili or soup or whatever on the weekends and freeze half so you build up a stash.

I’ve got half a dozen kinds in my freezer that I can pull out on nights with no time to cook. Bonus that it’s healthy.

What’s the best way to freeze chili/meal?

Anonymous wrote:Trader Joe’s frozen and prepped meals are good

Only if you like fat and sodium. Yuck.

Trader Joe’s frozen and prepped meals are good

OP, I know you said no meal planning, so not sure this counts. But occasionally make a big batch of chili or soup or whatever on the weekends and freeze half so you build up a stash.

I’ve got half a dozen kinds in my freezer that I can pull out on nights with no time to cook. Bonus that it’s healthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does dining out and food delivery suddenly make everyone absurdly self-righteous and judgmental?

Because people have become lazy and entitled. Cook some food like humans have been doing for centuries- when life was much, much harder.

Ah yeah, so lazy to pay someone else to make food for my family while my spouse and I each bill over 2,500 a year. Why won’t we just work harder?

*2500 hours a year

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does dining out and food delivery suddenly make everyone absurdly self-righteous and judgmental?

Because people have become lazy and entitled. Cook some food like humans have been doing for centuries- when life was much, much harder.

Ah yeah, so lazy to pay someone else to make food for my family while my spouse and I each bill over 2,500 a year. Why won’t we just work harder?

Find restaurants that do regular take out and supplement with easy food. Look for places that cater to take out Peruvian chicken, kabob places, Chinese food, Thai food, pizza, etc. you can usually direct order and not pay fees. Look for ones that are not too expensive.

You can get a Peruvian chicken and 2 sides and supplement with rice made at home and a salad to stretch the food. They will cut the chicken into 8 pieces.

If your family eats pizza, order one, make a salad, cut up fruit, cut up vegetables, etc.

Some people do “fun” meals at home on Fridays like homemade pizza (you can get store bought dough, by sauce or make in advance and freeze).

Get a family order of chicken tenders or nuggets from chick fila and add your own sides.

Make Friday leftover smorgasbord night.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feast & Fettle meal delivery, every now and again (I have the 4-person family plan where you get three entrees and five sides; it always yields not only several nights of dinners, but several lunches, too)

We got sick from Feast & Fettle. Never again.

Interesting. Any other reviews? They are all over my social media and I was thinking of trying them.

Do you think you reheated properly and still got sick?

Anonymous wrote:Why does dining out and food delivery suddenly make everyone absurdly self-righteous and judgmental?

Because people have become lazy and entitled. Cook some food like humans have been doing for centuries- when life was much, much harder.

I know you said no meal plan, but you can stock some things that are easy to prep so you can make spur of the moment decisions.

Load up on pre marinated chicken breasts, regular chicken breast, wings, thighs etc, and meats from wegmans. Frozen veggies too. Kevin’s paleo, cuisine solutions stuff, and carnitas from Costco. Maybe some salmon burgers or other things like that. Learn how to use an air fryer and instant pot. Friday night (and other weeknight) dinner can be ready in 30 min with very little actual work.

Anonymous wrote:Feast & Fettle meal delivery, every now and again (I have the 4-person family plan where you get three entrees and five sides; it always yields not only several nights of dinners, but several lunches, too)

We got sick from Feast & Fettle. Never again.