Description: One-pound box of dried, flat lasagna noodles that don’t require pre-boiling.

Preparation summary: Layer between tomato sauce, ricotta cheese and other preferred ingredients and bake lasagna in a 375-degree preheated oven for about 45 minutes.

High points: The product magically eliminates the most challenging step in lasagna-making, sparing you the hassle of pre-boiling the noodles and then wrestling with them like squirmy fish plucked straight out the water.

Low points: None

Average Retail Price: $1.99

Availability: Trader Joe’s

Description: New line of Ritz crackers coated in pretzel crusts, available also with “buttery flavor.”

Preparation summary: Ready to eat.

High points: The fake sour cream and onion seasonings are kept at bay, allowing us to enjoy Ritz’s success in engineering the flavor of “pretzel plus cracker.”

Low points: Taste buds become initially confused.

Average Retail Price: $4.29

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Six-ounce submarine layered with thin roast beef, cheddar cheese and sautéed onions and mushrooms, from Stouffer’s “Corner Bistro” series of frozen paninis and sandwiches.

Preparation summary: Sandwich heats on its own carton when the microwave flap is pulled back. Place bread halves on the “platform” and cook simultaneously on high for two minutes and 45 seconds.

High points: The cheese is creamy and flavorful, albeit tasting more like American than cheddar, but works well with the perfectly sautéed onions and Italian roll that turns out semi-toasted.

Low points: The sandwich cries for a couple extra slices of beef.

Average Retail Price: $3.79

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Frozen upside-down tart with caramelized apples and a butter crust.

Preparation summary: Bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Loosen the sides with a knife and invert onto a serving plate.

High points: Super juicy, like swigging down a glass of apple cider with sweet, soft chunks of the fruit floating within. The dry, buttery crust strikes a good contrast to the moist stacking of apples. Good bang for the buck, too.

Low points: If you bake it less than 25 minutes, the tart could end up with a few surprise cold spots.

Average Retail Price: $4.99

Availability: Trader Joe’s