10 Microwaveable ’80s Meals That Were Tasteless

Microwaveable meals became a household staple in the 1980s, promising quick and easy dinners for busy families. While the convenience was undeniable, many of these meals left a lot to be desired in the flavor department. Here are ten such microwaveable dishes from the ’80s that many people don’t look back on fondly.

1. Swanson TV Dinners

Swanson’s TV dinners were all the rage in the ’80s, offering compartments filled with meat, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable. However, the flavors often blended together during cooking, leaving everything tasting like cardboard.

The Salisbury steak was especially bland, with a rubbery texture and an uninspired brown gravy. Even the mashed potatoes had an odd aftertaste, likely from the preservatives used to keep them shelf-stable.

2. Budget Gourmet Meals

These meals aimed to bring a touch of elegance to frozen food but often missed the mark. The “gourmet” sauces were overly salty, masking any genuine flavor the dish might have had.

Their chicken Alfredo, for instance, came with a watery sauce that lacked creaminess, and the pasta would turn to mush after microwaving. The vegetables on the side were just as disappointing, often soggy and tasteless.

3. Banquet Fried Chicken Meals

Banquet’s fried chicken meals promised the crunch and comfort of home-cooked fried chicken but delivered neither. The breading became soggy in the microwave, and the chicken itself was often dry and stringy.

The accompanying sides, like the corn and mashed potatoes, didn’t fare much better. The corn tasted overly sweet and artificial, while the mashed potatoes resembled paste more than food.

4. Morton Honey Buns

While technically a dessert, these microwaveable honey buns became a quick breakfast option in many households. Unfortunately, their overly sweet glaze and chewy texture made them hard to enjoy.

Heating them up didn’t help much, as the glaze would become sticky, and the bun itself turned rubbery. Many found themselves reaching for something else to satisfy their morning cravings.

5. Libbyland Adventure Meals

Marketed toward kids, Libbyland meals featured fun themes and bright packaging. However, the meals inside were far from enjoyable. The spaghetti was mushy, and the sauce lacked seasoning, making it unappealing even for children.

The desserts included, like tiny brownies or pudding, weren’t much better. They often tasted stale or overly processed, leaving kids unimpressed.

6. Michelina’s Macaroni and Cheese

Michelina’s tried to bring comfort food to the microwave, but their macaroni and cheese often fell short. The sauce was thin and watery, clinging poorly to the pasta.

The noodles themselves were often overcooked, turning them into a sticky mess. Any resemblance to homemade mac and cheese was purely coincidental, making it a disappointment for many.

7. Kid Cuisine Meals

Another option aimed at children, Kid Cuisine meals were colorful and filled with items like mini corn dogs or chicken nuggets. Unfortunately, the taste didn’t live up to the fun packaging.

The nuggets were rubbery, and the corn dogs often had a strange, chemical aftertaste. Even the chocolate pudding dessert was unappetizing, with a gritty texture that made it hard to finish.

8. Weight Watchers Frozen Entrees

These meals catered to adults trying to watch their calories but often sacrificed flavor to do so. The portions were small, and the ingredients lacked seasoning, making the meals feel more like a chore than a treat.

The turkey and stuffing option, for example, came with a watery gravy and bland stuffing that didn’t taste fresh. The vegetables were limp and unseasoned, adding to the disappointment.

9. Hot Pockets

While Hot Pockets are still around today, their original versions in the ’80s left a lot to be desired. The fillings, like ham and cheese or pepperoni pizza, often spilled out unevenly during heating, leaving empty pockets of bread.

The crust was another issue, turning either too soggy or overly tough depending on the microwave. The fillings themselves lacked flavor, making them less than satisfying for a quick snack.

10. Lean Cuisine Meals

Lean Cuisine was introduced as a healthier alternative to traditional microwave meals. However, the flavor often suffered as a result. Their pasta dishes, in particular, were watery and underwhelming, with sauces that didn’t add much to the dish.

The chicken options were similarly bland, with a texture that felt processed. While they were low in calories, they were also low in taste, leaving diners unsatisfied.