Youfoodz Cheese Tortellini with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Youfoodz Cheese Tortellini with Creamy Mushroom Sauce: independently scored 6.2/10 on Protein Score and 6.9/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
17.3g protein per serve · 493 cal · 6.5g sugar · 1320mg sodium · 330g serve.
Overview
This is one of the highest-sodium ready meals we have ever analysed, and that reality overshadows everything else. The 1670mg of sodium in a single 330g tray eats up 84% of the 2000mg daily limit, a number that makes this a once-in-a-while meal, not a weekly staple. Saturated fat is also high, clocking in at over 15g per serve. Protein density is low, with just 3.4g for every 100 calories, signalling a meal padded with fats and refined carbs rather than lean protein. Compared with the brand's own Beef Chilli Con Carne with Coriander Rice, this tortellini tray has almost 2g less protein per 100g. It sits well below the typical protein numbers we see from the Youfoodz FUEL'D range, which consistently clears 30g of protein per serve. We see this meal as a pure convenience play. It heats in minutes and uses real ingredients like champignon and button mushrooms (27% of the meal) alongside ricotta and parmesan cheese. The trade-off is a 46-item ingredient list loaded with thickeners, gums and preservatives to achieve that texture and shelf life. For a quick dinner it works, but for a post-gym refuel or a protein-focused choice, we'd look elsewhere in the range.
Protein Score: 6.2/10
Protein here is anchored in the cheese tortellini, drawing from ricotta, parmesan, egg and wheat gluten. This combination delivers just 15.7g of protein in the total 466-calorie meal, a light return that earns a 4.5/10 score and sits well below the category average. That protein count puts this tray in the 'light meal or top-up' category, not a high-protein dinner. The more telling metric is protein per 100 calories, which at 3.4g is a clear sign of a meal padded out with carbs and fats, in this case from the creamy sauce and pasta. Against the broader Youfoodz range, this tortellini lags. The brand's own FUEL'D lineup consistently delivers serves with over 30g of protein, making them a far stronger choice for anyone trying to hit a daily protein target. This meal is more about comfort than it is about macros.
Clean Score: 6.9/10
A 46-item ingredient list is long for a ready meal, sitting well above the category average of 32 ingredients. The length of the list and the presence of nine additives give this tray a Clean Score/10, which trails the field for ready meals. The additives include four preservatives (234, 200, 223, 300), thickeners (1422), emulsifiers (472e) and vegetable gums (415, 407). These are all working to create the creamy texture and ensure the meal holds up in the fridge and after microwaving. It's the typical trade-off for convenience in this category. While the meal uses real mushrooms, cheese, and butter, the overall profile is that of a highly processed product. For shoppers prioritising a shorter, more whole-food-based ingredient list, other meals in the Youfoodz range like the Thai Chicken Yellow Curry offer a cleaner profile.
Wins
- Uses real champignon and button mushrooms.
- A convenient single-serve tray for a quick meal.
- Contains parmesan and ricotta cheese, not just flavouring.
Watch outs
- Extremely high sodium at 1670mg per serve.
- Low protein count at just 15.7g per meal.
- Over 15g of saturated fat in a single tray.
Ingredients
Cheese Tortellini (39%) (Durum Wheat Semolina, Water, Pasteurised Whole Egg, Gluten Powder (Wheat), Ricotta (Whey (Milk), Pasteurised Milk, Salt, Acid (260)), Breadcrumbs (Wheat Flour, Salt, Yeast, Water), Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurised Milk, Tapioca Starch, Salt, Starter Cultures, Non-Animal Rennet, Preservative (200)), Mushroom Stock (Salt, Maltodextrin, Yeast, Sugar, Rice Flour, Dehydrated Vegetables, Canola Oil, Black Pepper), Preservative (234)), Thickened Cream (Skim Milk, Cream (Milk), Thickener (1422), Emulsifier (472e), Vegetable Gums (415, 407)), Champignon Mushroom (21%) (Champignons, Salt, Acid (330), Antioxidant (300)), Button Mushroom (6%), Onion, Butter (Milk), Parmesan Cheese (Milk, Cultures, Non-Animal Rennet), Lemon Juice (Preservative (223), Antioxidant (300)), Truffle Flavoured Oil, Vegetable Booster (Colour (Carotene)), Dijon Mustard (Acid (260)), Natural Flavour, Dill, Thyme
46 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sodium is in the Youfoodz Cheese Tortellini?
- This meal contains 1670mg of sodium per 330g serve, which is extremely high. That single tray accounts for approximately 84% of the 2000mg suggested daily dietary limit. This level of sodium is one of the highest we have seen in the ready meal category. Due to the high sodium content, we would consider this an occasional meal, not a daily or even weekly staple for anyone monitoring their intake.
- Is this tortellini meal a good source of protein?
- No, we don't consider it a strong source of protein. The meal provides 15.7g of protein in a 466-calorie serve, which is only about 3.4g of protein for every 100 calories. This places it in our 'padded carbs' category, meaning the calories come more from fats and carbohydrates than protein. For a high-protein dinner, you would want to see a figure closer to 30g per serve.
- How does this meal compare to others from Youfoodz?
- This Cheese Tortellini scores lower for protein than many other meals in the Youfoodz range. For instance, the brand's Beef Chilli Con Carne with Coriander Rice contains 1.8g more protein per 100g. It particularly lags behind the Youfoodz 'FUEL'D' sub-range, where protein serves often exceed 30g. While it delivers on convenience, it is not one of the brand's stronger nutritional offerings.
- Where can I buy this Youfoodz ready meal?
- Youfoodz Cheese Tortellini with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is listed in the chilled aisle at Coles supermarkets across Australia. It may also be available to order directly from the Youfoodz website alongside their broader menu. It is sold as a single-serve fresh meal and is not a frozen product, so you will find it in the refrigerator section with other ready-to-heat meals.
- How is this meal prepared?
- This meal is designed for microwave heating and comes in a single-serve plastic tray. You simply need to pierce the film and heat it for a few minutes as per the on-pack instructions. It is not designed for oven cooking. The format makes it a very convenient option for a quick lunch at the office or a fast dinner when you are short on time, with minimal preparation or cleanup required.