Tesco launches 'ultimate' new ready meal but shoppers have one complaint

Daily Mirror

04-05-2025

This Tesco ready meal has left people divided – with some wanting to pick it up when they do their next supermarket shop. However, others were disgusted by the combo
Mac and cheese is a comforting, firm favourite dish for many, and Wotsits are many people's favourite crisps - but what would happen if the two combined? Well, it turns out it would be pretty controversial, with many people undecided as to whether it's something they actually want to try or not, with some saying: "I love mac and cheese and Wotsits, but the two should not mix".
New Food Spotter UK shared that they'd found the ready meals in Tesco, and there are three to choose from. You can get flamin' hot, sweet and spicy, or really cheesy, which is billed as "the ultimate cheesy mac".
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For £3.25 Clubcard Price, you can pick one of these meals up, but some people had one complaint. They weren't happy about the price point. One shopper fumed: "So basically overcharging you for Wotsits when you can literally just add them yourself? Okay."
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Another penned: "I'm sorry, but in what way do these mac and cheese meals look or sound good?"
A woman joked: "I'm fuming. I invented crisps on mac and cheese, but I use Frazzles". Somebody else said: "I love mac and cheese and I adore Wotsits, but that sounds sickly".
"I live for Mac and cheese and would die for Wotsits, but I'm not convinced they should be together," another sceptic mused, but some said it sounded "yummy" and they "want to try".
Somebody else thought it was a healthy meal, but then they noticed the traffic light system on the food was for "half the pack," writing: "I told everyone its less than 400 calories and I've just noticed that's for half the pack".
One woman said that you "can't beat homemade mac and cheese," so if you would prefer to make your own at home, here's a recipe:
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Homemade mac and cheese
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and cooking 250 grams of macaroni or another small pasta shape according to the packet instructions, then drain and set aside. In a separate medium-sized saucepan, prepare the cheese sauce by melting 50 grams of unsalted butter over medium heat.
Once melted, stir in 50 grams of plain flour and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste, cooking for about one to two minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
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Gradually add 500 millilitres of full-fat milk to the mixture, pouring it in small amounts at a time while whisking to ensure the sauce stays smooth and lump-free. Once all the milk has been incorporated, continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly.
Lower the heat and stir in 200 grams of grated mature cheddar cheese, adding a little at a time to allow it to melt evenly. You can also add 50 grams of grated parmesan cheese for extra depth of flavour, along with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard and a pinch of nutmeg for a subtle kick.
Season the sauce to taste with salt and black pepper. Combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat all the pasta evenly.
Transfer this mixture to a greased ovenproof dish if you'd like to bake it. For a crispy topping, sprinkle over some breadcrumbs (about 50 grams) and extra grated cheddar cheese before placing the dish under a preheated grill or in an oven set to 200°C (fan 180°C) for about 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Serve the mac and cheese on its own, or pair it with a simple green salad or some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy your creamy, homemade mac and cheese. And if you want to really push the boat out, you could even add your own Wotsits!