The “I cannot deal with cooking tonight” guide to meal delivery services

EveryPlate

Best for quick, no-fuss meals

Comedian Nikki Osborne and EveryPlate’s new collection of meals is for the second kind of night – Nikki’s ‘CBF’ box.

For those nights you simply cannot be fussed with dinner, Nikki’s box features six of comedian, actor, radio host and anti-foodie Nikki Osborne’s favourite dinners – delivering all of the flavour, and none of the drama.

All of Every Plate’s recipes are deliberately straightforward, which is actually a win when you’re cooking with a toddler on your hip or trying to get dinner on the table before the meltdown window closes.

HelloFresh

Best for a proper cooking experience without the planning

HelloFresh takes the stress out of family dinners, delivering fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes straight to your door, without the weekly meal planning or supermarket dash.

With categories including Family-Friendly, Quick & Easy, Calorie Smart and Protein Rich, there’s plenty of choice for every taste. Ingredients arrive organised by meal, while colourful recipe cards make cooking simple. It’s an easy way to get dinner sorted and even get the kids involved in the kitchen.

And for something a little different, its new Country Cookout Box brings smoky, Southern-inspired flavours to the dinner table, from beef brisket to buffalo-glazed chicken and pulled pork fries.

YouFoodz

Best for heating and eating

For the weeks when even chopping an onion feels like a hard no, YouFoodz steps in as your weeknight hero. Forget meal kits, these are fully prepared meals that go straight from the microwave to the table in minutes. No chopping, no cooking, no sink full of dishes staring you down at 8pm.

With a rotating menu of 40+ options, you’ll find everything from family favourites to high-protein bowls, lighter picks and veggie options. The subscription flexes around real life too. Pause, skip or cancel anytime, no dramas.

Meals are made fresh in-house using farm-sourced ingredients, then delivered chilled and ready for your fridge. The result is real, filling food without the mental load of planning, prepping or cooking from scratch.

Marley Spoon

Best for families wanting plenty of variety

From family favourites to more adventurous meals, there’s plenty of choice for households juggling different tastes, dietary preferences or kids who suddenly decide they “don’t like” something they loved last week.

You can also add extras like snacks, desserts and ready-made meals to your box, making it a handy option for families who want to take a little more of the planning off their plate, beyond just what’s for dinner.

Dinner Ladies

Best for homemade meals not made by you

Instead of a traditional meal kit, Dinner Ladies delivers chef-prepared meals that are snap-frozen to lock in flavour and freshness, ready for you to cook or simply reheat when dinner time rolls around.

They offer minimal prep, minimal fuss and far less stress on those nights when everyone is hungry and you’re running on empty.

Another bonus is there’s no subscription or ongoing commitment. You can order every week, stock up your freezer for busy nights, or simply reorder when your stash starts running low.