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As a busy, working mom of two, getting dinner on the table every night can be a challenge. Between work, school, and my oldest daughter’s cheer practice three nights a week, there are plenty of evenings when I’m trying to figure out what everyone is going to eat while wondering where I’ll find the time to actually make it, all without throwing in the towel and hitting the drive-thru.

That’s why I decided to try Dish by Blue Apron, the brand’s line of prepared, heat-and-eat meals. Unlike traditional meal kits, it requires no chopping, measuring, or recipe-following. You just heat and eat. But nine months postpartum, I’m also getting back to being more conscious of what I’m eating, so I wanted to see if a convenient meal could still feel like a “real” dinner.

So, I tried Dish by Blue Apron to see how easy it really is, what the meals are like, and whether it could earn a spot in my weeknight dinner rotation.

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If you love the idea of a home-cooked meal but don’t always have the time or energy to cook one, Dish by Blue Apron makes dinner easier. Unlike Blue Apron’s traditional meal kits, which include individual ingredients you prep and cook yourself, Dish delivers prepared meals that make dinner a breeze.

It also focuses on nutrition, with Blue Apron highlighting meals that offer 30 grams or more of protein, most being under 600 calories, and options ready in 30 minutes or less. That makes it a great option if you want something convenient without defaulting to takeout.

And the biggest selling point for anyone who doesn’t want another subscription to manage: Blue Apron doesn’t require a subscription, so you can order what you want, when you want it.

Dish by Blue Apron is easy to use. You choose from the available prepared meals, place your order, and have them delivered to your door. Unlike Blue Apron’s traditional meal kits, you don’t have to chop, measure, or follow a recipe. The meals arrive prepared and are designed to heat and eat in minutes.

Pricing varies by meal and order, so factor that in when planning your budget and meals for the week; check the current menu before ordering. The Dish lineup also includes a range of options, with filters for things like 30+ grams of protein, around 600 calories or less, and meals ready in 30 minutes or less, making it easy to shop based on what works for you.

Another perk? You don’t need to sign up for a subscription to have meals delivered. That makes Dish a convenient option if you want to stock up on a few easy meals without committing to a recurring delivery.

When my Blue Apron box arrived, I received four prepared meals from the Dish by Blue Apron lineup, plus three shareable sides. I tried to mix things up when choosing my meals, from comfort-food favorites like mac and cheese and a cheesy tortilla casserole to Korean-style udon noodles and a creamy chicken-and-mushroom bake.

The meals I received:

I also received three shareable sides:

Everything arrived individually packaged and clearly labeled, which made it easy to unpack and see what I had on hand. Two of the meals I received were also labeled as ready in as little as five minutes, so I looked forward to putting them to the test.

Korean-Style Udon Noodles with Vegetables & Gochujang Glaze

I baked the Korean-Style Udon Noodles with Vegetables & Gochujang Glaze for 20 minutes, following the package instructions. Once it was ready, I was impressed. It tasted like my favorite takeout, but seemed like a lighter option. I especially loved the edamame, which added a nice texture and made the meal feel more substantial. Plus, a slight spicy hint made the noodles even better.

The best part? It was incredibly easy to prepare, and cleanup was minimal. It made the perfect lunch, and I could see myself grabbing it on a busy day when I want something quick without ordering takeout.

Family-Size Creamy Cavatappi Mac & Cheese

Next, I tried the Family-Size Creamy Cavatappi Mac & Cheese, which serves six to eight people. I made it while my husband was out of town, so I was juggling two kids on my own, and having an easy dinner option on hand honestly saved my sanity (thank you, Blue Apron)!

It took about 15 minutes to bake, with no chopping, measuring, or recipe to follow. I could get dinner going without completely stopping what I was doing with the kids, which made a busy night feel much more manageable. When it was done, I let it sit for another 2 minutes and served it to my oldest daughter and me. She liked it so much that she took leftovers to school the next day.

Bean & Cheese Tortilla Casserole

For our next family dinner, I made Bean & Cheese Tortilla Casserole, which serves six to eight. There was more than enough for all three of us, with plenty left over for another meal.

My daughter actually ate it. As any parent knows, getting everyone to eat the same dinner is a win in itself, so I was pleasantly surprised to see her dig in. It made this one feel like a true family dinner rather than just a convenient meal I was making for myself.

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic & Red Pepper Flakes

I also made roasted broccoli with garlic and red pepper flakes, which I paired with a rotisserie chicken I already had in the fridge. It made an easy, no-fuss dinner without requiring me to cook an entire meal from scratch before my daughter’s cheer practice.

The broccoli came out perfectly roasted and soft, with plenty of garlic and just enough red pepper for some flavor. It was also a hit with my 9-month-old, who happily munched on it.

I liked that the Shareable Sides paired easily with something I already had at home. In this case, the broccoli and rotisserie chicken turned into a quick, balanced dinner with almost no effort.

After trying several Dish by Blue Apron meals and sides, I can see why this is a convenient option for families and busy weeknights. What stood out most to me wasn’t just how quickly the meals came together. It was having something ready in the fridge that I could turn into dinner without planning, grocery shopping, or spending an hour in the kitchen.

The meals also felt more substantial than I expected from a heat-and-eat option. I had a lunch that satisfied my takeout craving, a family-size casserole that fed all three of us with leftovers, and roasted broccoli that I paired with rotisserie chicken for an easy dinner. Even better, my kids ate the food, which matters to me as a mom.

For me, Dish by Blue Apron is worth considering if convenience is a priority but you still want dinner to feel like dinner. It won’t replace every home-cooked meal, but having a few prepared options on hand makes hectic nights a lot easier.

If you’re ready to try Dish by Blue Apron, SheKnows readers can get 35% off their first three orders with code SHEKNOWS. The offer is available to new customers and can be used on one-time purchases, so you don’t have to sign up for a subscription to take advantage of the discount.

Taylor Lane is a contributing commerce writer at SheKnows, covering beauty, style, and lifestyle. With over eight years of media experience, she previously served as a beauty writer at The Zoe Report and a fashion assistant at Glamour. Her work has appeared in StyleCaster, The FlowSpace, WWD, Forbes Vetted, Teen Vogue, InStyle, and more, where she’s tested hundreds of products — from top-performing mascaras to the most functional strollers. She’s also a mom of two girls, an 11-year-old and a 9-month-old. And when she’s not online, she’s usually at Pilates.