Refuge Field Ration Review
Field Rating
★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ 6/10 Flavor
Fuel Efficiency: ★★★★★
Ease of Preparation: ★★★★★
Cleanup: ★★★★★
Would Buy Again: Yes
After a long drive and a full day of shopping, I wanted something quick that wouldn’t keep the generator running any longer than necessary. Tonight’s test was the Rana refrigerated lasagna from Walmart.
First Impressions
Overall, I’d buy it again.
Is it as good as Stouffer’s? No.
Is it a better choice for the Refuge? In many ways, yes.
The biggest advantage is cooking time.
- Rana: About 4 minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave.
- Stouffer’s: Around 15 minutes from frozen.
A 1,000-watt microwave isn’t much of a load for the generator, but every extra minute is fuel burned. When you’re off-grid, that matters.
Taste & Texture
Flavor: 6/10
The tomato sauce is mild but enjoyable without being overpowering.
The ricotta has a pleasant creamy texture with just a little sharpness, while the mozzarella melts nicely and develops that satisfying cheese stretch. The edges crisp up well in the microwave.
One pleasant surprise was the pasta. Unlike many canned Italian meals, the noodles still have shape and texture instead of turning to mush.
Cooking Notes
For my microwave, I’d increase the cooking time slightly.
The package recommends about 4 minutes, but after a 2-minute rest the center was warm rather than the piping-hot temperature most people expect from lasagna.
Next time I’ll try 4:15 to 4:30, followed by the same 2-minute rest.
Definitely cover it while cooking. The cheese throws enough grease to coat the inside of the microwave.
How I’d Improve It
Before microwaving:
- Add one or two slices of smoked provolone or mozzarella.
- Sprinkle on a little Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes.
Adding the seasoning before cooking lets the melted cheese and its grease carry those flavors throughout the top of the lasagna instead of leaving them sitting on the surface afterward.
Packaging
One unexpected positive was the tray itself.
It’s comfortable to hold in one hand, even with my smaller hands. That means I can eat directly from the tray without dirtying another plate, which is a bigger advantage in an RV than it might sound. Less cleanup means less water used and less work at the end of the meal.
Price
I already lost my receipt. I need to work more on my organizational skills. But I remember it was about $5 at Walmart in one of the refrigerated ‘tanks’ in the open floor space in front of the Deli counter.
Refuge Verdict
Would I stock it in the DZ80 for future weekends?
Absolutely.
It isn’t the best lasagna I’ve ever had, but it’s a very good compromise between flavor, convenience, cleanup, and generator fuel consumption.
If you’re living from an RV, cabin, generator, or solar power system, reducing microwave cook time can save fuel over the course of a season.
Sometimes the best off-grid meal isn’t the fanciest one.
It’s the one that lets you get back to building.