14 Microwave Dinners That Don’t Exist Anymore

Microwave dinners were created to save time and make meals easier, but not all of them lasted in the market. Some were discontinued because of poor sales, changing tastes, or competition from fresher options. Here are 14 microwave dinners that people remember but can no longer buy.

1. 1. Kid Cuisine Dinosaur Nuggets Meal

This children’s dinner included dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, corn, and a dessert. It was popular with kids in the 1990s but disappeared over time. Many parents found the portions too small and not very nutritious. The brand phased it out as healthier options became more common.

2. 2. Swanson Turkey and Gravy Dinner

Swanson once offered a frozen turkey meal with mashed potatoes and peas. It was one of the early frozen dinners but became less appealing as fresher alternatives appeared. The flavor was considered bland compared to newer brands. Eventually, it was removed from the product line.

3. 3. Hungry-Man Smokin’ Backyard Barbecue

This meal featured barbecue chicken, baked beans, and a brownie. It was part of Hungry-Man’s larger portion dinners. While it attracted some attention, sales did not last. It was eventually discontinued as tastes shifted.

4. 4. Banquet Mexican Style Enchiladas

Banquet sold an enchilada meal that was designed to bring Tex-Mex flavors to the freezer aisle. Consumers complained about small portions and a lack of authentic taste. The meal never built a strong following. It was pulled from the shelves after a few years.

5. 5. Swanson Meatloaf Dinner

Swanson’s meatloaf was once a regular part of their frozen meal lineup. It came with potatoes and a vegetable side. Over time, reviews noted the meatloaf had a processed texture and weak flavor. The meal was eventually discontinued as demand dropped.

6. 6. Kid Cuisine Magic Sprinkle Chicken Nuggets

This meal included nuggets and a packet of candy sprinkles to put on dessert. It gained attention for being fun but not for taste. Parents criticized it for being too sugary and unhealthy. It was discontinued as Kid Cuisine reduced its variety.

7. 7. Lean Cuisine Teriyaki Chicken

Lean Cuisine once offered a teriyaki chicken meal with rice and vegetables. While it had some fans, the flavor did not stand out compared to other Asian-inspired meals. It was eventually removed from the lineup to make space for newer recipes. Many people still remember it as one of the early Lean Cuisine meals.

8. 8. Banquet Salisbury Steak Dinner

This classic frozen dinner included Salisbury steak with gravy and mashed potatoes. While affordable, the flavor was often described as bland and overly salty. It was slowly phased out as consumers wanted better-quality steak options. Today, it is remembered as a budget meal of the past.

9. 9. Healthy Choice Fettuccine Alfredo

Healthy Choice introduced this pasta dinner as part of its low-fat lineup. The sauce was watery compared to homemade or restaurant Alfredo. Consumers did not stick with it long-term. It disappeared as the brand focused on more modern flavors.

10. 10. Hungry-Man Chicken Parmesan

This meal featured breaded chicken with marinara sauce, pasta, and vegetables. The chicken often came out soggy, and the sauce lacked depth. While large in size, it was not satisfying in flavor. It was discontinued as Hungry-Man changed its lineup.

11. 11. Swanson Fried Chicken Dinner

This frozen dinner included breaded chicken with mashed potatoes and corn. It was popular in earlier decades when frozen meals were still a novelty. The chicken rarely reheated well, becoming soggy instead of crispy. It eventually left the market as better fried chicken options became available.

12. 12. Lean Cuisine Macaroni and Cheese

Lean Cuisine once offered a basic macaroni and cheese meal. It was smaller in portion size and lower in flavor compared to other frozen mac and cheese brands. Consumers preferred more filling or indulgent versions. It was eventually discontinued as competition grew.

13. 13. Banquet Spaghetti with Meatballs

Banquet sold a frozen spaghetti meal with small meatballs and tomato sauce. The pasta often turned mushy in the microwave, and the sauce lacked seasoning. It was not well-received compared to other Italian-style frozen dinners. It was quietly discontinued after poor sales.

14. 14. Stouffer’s Turkey Tetrazzini

Stouffer’s once made a turkey tetrazzini pasta dinner with mushrooms and cream sauce. It was part of their classic comfort food line. The flavor was considered heavy and outdated as food trends shifted. The meal eventually disappeared from grocery stores.

• Tags:
• frozen dinners
• retired meals
• microwave food
• retro snacks
• grocery history