Review of Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs: A Family-Friendly Meal Option

Today, Kevin and I will be reviewing Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs. This pasta and meatballs dish is made with chicken, pork, and beef in tomato sauce. We purchased a family-sized bag, which serves about 4.5 people, weighing 2 lbs 8 oz (40 oz) for $8.89 at Meijer.

The packaging suggests stove-top preparation, allowing you to cook either the full bag or half of it. The instructions state to add sauce from all four pouches, along with 1/3 cup of water, into a deep 12-inch nonstick skillet. We're going to prepare the entire bag today.

To start, I used scissors to open the bag. The spaghetti has a pleasant aroma with noticeable seasonings. Pour the contents into the skillet and add all four sauce pouches and the water. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook over medium-high heat for 14 minutes, stirring occasionally.

At the 7-minute mark, the sauce packets have started to thaw, and the spaghetti is becoming well-coated. The pasta initially looked like small nests, which has since separated. Tongs would have been helpful to reduce the messiness of transferring the food.

This meal aims to satisfy family cravings with its hearty ingredients and convenient preparation in under 15 minutes. Despite stating it serves 4.5 people, we find that it’s more suitable for about three servings. Each cup (247g) contains 320 calories.

The meatballs alone have a slightly grainy texture, possibly from fillers like breadcrumbs. While they’re not ideal on their own, they pair better with the spaghetti. The spaghetti is neither too mushy nor firm, striking a decent balance. The sauce is satisfactory, though it could use a bit more seasoning. Adding Parmesan cheese can enhance the flavor.

Compared to canned pasta products, this dish is superior in taste and texture. However, when compared to single-serve frozen meals from brands like Lean Cuisine, this meal falls short in both meatball texture and sauce flavor. For a family meal, it offers good value and convenience, especially when paired with garlic bread or salad. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality, making it a decent, budget-friendly option.

If you've seen this product at your local grocery stores or plan on trying it, let us know your thoughts. We've only found it at Meijer so far and not at Kroger or Walmart.