14 best vegan ready meals for a fuss-free Veganuary

Score: 90/100

A fantastic combination of the essentials from a classic Indian takeaway, this is also a great value option with plenty of leftovers for lunch or dinner the following day. Dishes had great texture – the vegetables had a good level of bite – and the curry sauces were full of flavour.

Our testers particularly enjoyed the no chicken korma, which had a creamy nut-based sauce and roasted soy-based ‘chicken’ strips with a satisfying texture. A winner all round and the perfect tasty feast for a Friday night.

Score: 89/100

Ready in just five minutes, these ravioli with fresh pea flavours and a well-integrated hit of mint make an ideal pairing with the tangy Datterini tomato sauce.

Testers found the filling generous and satisfying with balanced seasoning. Cook the ravioli to al dente, gently stir into the sauce and serve immediately for the trattoria experience at home.

Score: 87/100

Testers felt this was an excellent fakeaway pizza, with the tomato-stuffed crust rising in the oven to give it a rich and satisfying flavour.

Toppings of BBQ-flavoured jackfruit, creamy coconut-based ‘cheese’ and crunchy grilled vegetables are layered on an ample tomato sauce base, to create a great vegan alternative to a classic American-style pizza.

Score: 86/100

This generously sized casing of puff pastry comes packed with a creamy mushroom filling. Our testers found the flavours of mushroom, earthy sweet roasted garlic and a creamy coconut-based sauce comfortingly rich with a refreshing touch of lemon.

Score: 84/100

A creamy béchamel sauce and piquant tomato paired with layers of thick pasta make this a stand-out supermarket lasagne.

Rich and comforting, our testers liked that the filling doesn’t rely on a meat substitute and is instead made up of a combination of lentils, cooked down vegetables and slices of mushroom. It was foolproof to cook too, resulting in juicy layers with a crisp top.

Score: 81/100

Our testers were initially slightly put off by the messy appearance of this Mexican-style fiesta but were pleasantly surprised by the fresh and vibrant flavours.

A mixture of cubed potato, red onion, sweetcorn and red kidney beans paired with cumin, cayenne and coriander give a convincing Mexican profile. Ready in less than 10 minutes, it’s a great option for a midweek lunch or dinner.

Score: 78/100

With flavours of ginger, garlic, fresh vegetables, soya sauce and a hint of chilli, along with great texture from the tofu filling, these are classic-tasting gyozas. Dip in your favourite East Asian sauces for a tasty lunch or starter.

Score: 78/100

Our testers really liked that vegetables were the standout here, with the aroma and flavours celebrating sweet, well-roasted peppers and perfectly cooked chestnut mushrooms.

Providing a great level of creaminess, the plant-based cheese melted well and was delicious paired with the comforting crispy bread base.

Score: 78/100

A very convincing plant-based alternative to a classic meat-forward pizza, these pepperoni-style slices had a nice smokiness with an abundance of fresh chillies adding a good amount of heat.

Our panel liked that the crust turned thin and crispy without drying out the toppings. On the spicy side, it’s an ideal choice for chilli lovers.

Score: 76/100

Testers felt this was an interesting ready meal option and a great choice for a post-gym snack or dinner. It combines a well-cooked, nutty base of bulgur and quinoa with satisfying edamame mash, al dente broccoli and flavoured tofu.

It’s finished with sweet chilli, fresh lime and soya sauce for a tasty East Asian-inspired dish that can be microwaved from frozen in less that 10 minutes.

Score: 76/100

With the classic aromas of roast garlic, onion, sage and nutmeg that you might expect from a hearty roast chicken dinner, this soya-based alternative is full of flavour.

It also didn’t taste artificial, as products aiming to replicate meat sometimes can. Just add your favourite sides for a satisfying Sunday roast.

Score: 76/100

This is a tall and thick classic pie from Pieminister. Mild-tasting pastry is paired with a complex filling of vegetables and a creamy sauce similar to an old-fashioned gravy.

Testers found it a little gelatinous but felt it worked well with the firm ‘chicken’ pieces and the distinct notes of wholegrain mustard.

Score: 74/100

With a combination of rich wheat and fresh vegetable aromas, testers found the base of this sourdough pizza slightly too thin but enjoyed the toppings – rich, earthy mushrooms and a sweet tomato base with broccoli and red onion provided a good amount of freshness. Pair with a hearty salad or garlic bread.

Score: 71/100

Our panel enjoyed the classic lasagne elements of this soya alternative. The béchamel sauce had a pleasing creaminess that paired well with the pasta sheets, and the tomato sauce had a good level of sharp acidity and sweetness.

It was the soya mince-style filling that testers felt let the product down slightly – lacking in flavour, it was also a little sparse.