Strength Meals Co Spinach & Ricotta Tortellini
Strength Meals Co Spinach & Ricotta Tortellini: independently scored 6.4/10 on Protein Score and 8.4/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
22.2g protein per serve · 614 cal · 10.3g sugar · 786mg sodium · 350g serve.
Overview
This tortellini tray lands as a heavy hitter in the chiller aisle, packing over 600 calories and a significant sodium load into a single serve. That 786mg of sodium eats up roughly 39% of your 2000mg daily limit, a trade-off for the convenience of a microwave meal that feels substantial. The protein here comes from ricotta cheese, egg, and milk powder inside the tortellini, rather than a single slab of meat. It's a vegetarian option in a range often dominated by chicken and beef, using durum wheat semolina for the pasta base. With spinach, tomato, cream, and basil in the sauce, it aims for a more traditional flavour profile than some of the brand's more function-focused meals. Compared with the brand's Chicken Laksa Soup, this tortellini has 0.9g more protein per 100g but also carries 1.2g more sugar. On protein density, its 6.4g per 100g sits well below the ready meal category average of 10.4g, signalling it's less protein-focused than many alternatives we have tested. You'll find this one in the chilled section at Woolworths, not the freezer aisle. It's designed for the microwave, making it a straightforward option for a weeknight dinner when you cannot face the kitchen, provided you're comfortable with the higher calorie and sodium count.
Protein Score: 6.4/10
The protein hit comes at a high calorie cost, with just 3.7g of protein for every 100 calories you eat. That low density is what pulls the final number down, earning a 4.9/10 that trails the field. The 22.2g of protein per serve is solid, but it's not an efficient way to get it. This score sits well below the category average for ready meals. While the 22.2g of protein clears the bar for a solid dinner, many other meals on the shelf deliver a similar or better protein count for far fewer calories, making them a leaner choice for those tracking macros. For someone simply wanting a filling pasta meal with the protein anchor, it does the job. But if you're aiming for protein density above all else, this tray's high fat and carb load makes it a less targeted option than others in the chiller.
Clean Score: 8.4/10
This is a moderately processed meal, which is typical for a pre-made pasta dish designed for a long chilled shelf life. The ingredient list uses mostly recognisable kitchen staples, earning it a 7.5/10 that clears the category average. The score is held back by a couple of common additives. The additives in question are a preservative (Sorbic Acid, 200) found in the parmesan cheese and yeast extract, which acts as a flavour enhancer. These are common tools used in commercial food production to ensure flavour consistency and prevent spoilage, but their presence prevents a perfect score. With 27 ingredients, it's more complex than a home-cooked meal but it successfully avoids any artificial colours or sweeteners. For a convenient supermarket meal, it represents a reasonable trade-off between whole-food ingredients and the realities of mass production.
Wins
- A solid 22.2g of protein per serve makes for a filling meal.
- No artificial sweeteners or colours on the ingredient list.
- Uses real cheese, cream and spinach for a traditional flavour profile.
Watch outs
- High in sodium, with 786mg per serve eating up 39% of your daily limit.
- Over 600 calories per tray, making it a calorie-dense option.
- Low protein density at just 3.7g per 100 calories.
Ingredients
Cooked Spinach Ricotta Tortellini (37%) (Durum Wheat Semolina, Water, Ricotta Cheese (Milk) (2%), Breadcrumbs (Wheat), Canola Oil, Free Range Egg, Spinach (0.5%), Parmesan Cheese (Milk), Butter (Milk), Salt, Spinach Powder, Nutmeg), Water, Semi Dried Tomato (8%) (Tomato, Salt), Onion, Cream (Milk) (8%), Spinach (7%), Basil (3%), Parmesan Cheese (Milk, Preservative (200)) (3%), Sunflower Seeds (2%), Milk Powder, Tapioca Flour, Canola Oil, Garlic, Dijon Mustard, Yeast Extract, Salt, Pepper.
27 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sodium is in this meal?
- This meal contains 786mg of sodium per serve, which is approximately 39% of the 2000mg suggested daily target. This is a significant portion of your daily limit from a single meal. While convenient, regularly eating meals with this level of sodium can make it difficult to stay within daily recommendations. We think it's fine as an occasional quick dinner, but we'd be cautious about eating it several times a week.
- Is this tortellini meal filling enough for dinner?
- Yes, for most people this is a substantial meal. It contains 614 calories and 22.2g of protein in the 350g tray, which puts it firmly in the dinner category, not a light snack. Unlike smaller ready meals that can be under 350 calories, this one is designed to be a complete, filling dinner. If you need a hot meal that will actually satisfy your hunger after a long day, this is a solid choice.
- How do you cook this ready meal?
- This is a chilled ready meal designed to be cooked in the microwave. You simply need to pierce the plastic film on top of the tray and heat it for 4-6 minutes, depending on your microwave's power. It's not suitable for oven cooking. The format is all about speed and convenience, getting a hot meal on the table with minimal effort. We'd grab it for those nights when you can't face any prep or washing up.
- Where can I buy Strength Meals Co tortellini?
- Strength Meals Co products are typically stocked in the chilled ready meal aisle at major supermarkets like Woolworths. This Spinach & Ricotta Tortellini is a chilled product, not frozen, so you won't find it in the freezer section. While it's listed at Woolworths, it may also be available direct from the brand's website. Your best bet is to check the chiller at your local supermarket.
- How does this meal compare to other high-protein options?
- While it contains a solid 22.2g of protein, it is less protein-dense than many alternatives. It provides 3.7g of protein for every 100 calories, and its overall protein content of 6.4g per 100g is below the category average for ready meals. This is because much of the meal's weight and calories come from pasta, cream, and oils. It's a good option for a pasta craving, but leaner meals with more protein per calorie are available.