ConAgra is launching a new range of frozen main meals in the US that use steam cooking under its Marie Callender’s brand.
The meals cook in five minutes or less and use tray-in-tray technology that separates the sauce from the rest of the ingredients during cooking. As the sauce heats up, it steams the ingredients.
Varieties include Asian-inspired Sesame Chicken, Chicken Teryiaki and Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables, Smoky Cheddar Mac and Uncured Bacon, Creamy Chicken and Portobello Risotto and a Chicken Fajita Bowl.
The company said the new Fresh Flavor Steamer entrées are the natural evolution of its Pasta Al Dente meals. It found that after introducing Pasta Al Dente, steam-cooked, Italian recipes, the brand saw an increase in the number of consumers who were enjoying Marie Callender’s for lunch.
“With new consumers enjoying Marie Callender’s in new ways, we definitely saw an opportunity to expand our Pasta Al Dente line of steam-cooked meals to include new recipes from around the globe that have broader consumer appeal,” said Jenn Freeman, ConAgra Foods brand director.
