Every Italian ready meal broken down by pack, with cream and cheese-based dishes compared against tomato bases.
The gap between a tomato-based pasta dish and a cream or cheese-based one is the largest single variable in this category, and it is bigger than any difference between brands.
Carbonara, lasagne and cheese-topped bakes carry the majority of their saturated fat from dairy. Arrabbiata, bolognese and pomodoro sit substantially lower on fat while carrying similar calories from pasta.
Baked dishes add a cheese layer on top of whatever is underneath, which raises saturated fat and salt together.
Italian ready meal packs range from around 350g to over 800g, so per-pack figures diverge far more than per-100g ones.
Packs stated as serving two are commonly eaten by one person, particularly with pasta bakes and lasagne.
Each product page includes a full nutrition breakdown per serving and per pack, portion size comparisons, age-adjusted NHS daily reference intake calculations for children aged 4 to 17, an interactive calculator for your child's specific age and gender, and a complete ingredient and allergen guide.
