Yellowstone Dutton Family BBQ Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes Review: A Hearty Frozen Dinner Worth Trying?

In the ever-evolving world of frozen meals, the Yellowstone Dutton Family Barbecue Meatloaf and Mash has emerged as a noteworthy contender. This 13.5-ounce meal combines roasted beef meatloaf topped with a sweet tangy barbecue sauce alongside cheddar-topped mashed potatoes, all for $5.40. With a respectable four-star rating from over 250 consumers, this meal appears to deliver on its promise of hearty comfort food.

The meal claims to contain two servings, though many consumers find it more realistic as a single portion. When consumed as one serving, the nutritional profile includes 650 calories, 30g of total fat, and 1,530mg of sodium. The meal features real beef rather than processed meat alternatives, and the mashed potatoes receive particular praise for their thick, cheesy texture and satisfying flavor.

Key Takeaways

• The Yellowstone Dutton Family Meatloaf and Mash costs $5.40 and has earned a four-star rating from consumers.

• The meal features real beef meatloaf with barbecue sauce and cheesy mashed potatoes that deliver on texture and flavor.

• Despite manufacturer claims of two servings, most consumers treat the 13.5-ounce portion as a single meal with 650 calories.

Overview of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch Meatloaf Dinner

This 13.5-ounce Yellowstone Dutton family BBQ meatloaf and mashed potato meal costs $5.40 and has earned a solid 4-star rating across 256 consumer reviews. The meal features beef meatloaf topped with sweet tangy barbecue sauce alongside cheddar-topped mashed potatoes.

While the packaging suggests this contains two servings, most consumers will likely treat this as a single meal. The complete nutritional information for the full portion is as follows:

Nutrient Amount Calories 650 Total Fat 30g Saturated Fat 16g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 90mg Sodium 1,530mg Carbohydrates 72g Fiber 6g Sugars 34g Protein 24g

Preparation requires 8 minutes in the microwave followed by 1 minute of resting time. The mashed potatoes are particularly impressive - thick, cheesy, and flavorful with excellent texture.

The meatloaf itself contains green peppers and has a tender, moist texture. However, opinions on the barbecue sauce vary significantly - some find it has an unpleasant artificial smoke flavor while others enjoy it. When eaten without excess sauce or combined with the mashed potatoes, the meatloaf quality is comparable to some of the best frozen dinner options available.

Overall, this meal rates a 7 out of 10, with the meatloaf and cheesy mashed potatoes being potential standouts in the frozen meal category despite mixed reactions to the sauce.

Cost and Ratings

The Yellowstone Dutton Family Barbecue Meatloaf and Mash meal costs $5.40 for a 13.5-ounce package. After 256 customer ratings, this frozen meal received a solid 4 out of 5 stars on average.

The packaging claims the meal contains two servings, but most consumers will likely treat it as a single serving. This serving size designation appears to be a marketing strategy that makes the nutritional information look more favorable when divided in half.

Full nutritional information (entire package):

• Calories: 650

• Total Fat: 30g

• Saturated Fat: 16g

• Trans Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 90mg

• Sodium: 1,530mg

• Carbohydrates: 72g

• Fiber: 6g

• Sugars: 34g

• Protein: 24g

The reviewer gave this meal a 7 out of 10 rating. The cheesy mashed potatoes received particularly high marks for their thick texture and excellent flavor. The meatloaf itself was described as tender, moist and flavorful with green peppers mixed in. However, the barbecue sauce divided opinions—the reviewer found it had an unpleasant artificial smoke flavor, while family members actually enjoyed it.

Without the barbecue sauce, the reviewer suggested this meal could potentially score a 9 out of 10, considering both the meatloaf and cheesy mashed potatoes to be among the best found in frozen meals.

Ingredient Breakdown

Beef Composition

The Yellowstone Dutton Family Barbecue Meatloaf and Mash meal appears to contain genuine beef rather than a processed meat mixture. This is notable as many frozen meals often use combination meat products. The meatloaf includes visible green peppers mixed throughout, contributing to both texture and flavor. When tasted without the sauce, the meatloaf demonstrated impressive quality for a frozen product - tender, moist, and well-seasoned. The meat portion earned high marks from multiple tasters, making it one of the better frozen meatloaf options available.

Ingredient Listing Anomaly

The packaging contained an unusual labeling feature - "active ingredient" appeared under the standard ingredient list. This uncommon terminology prompted research, which revealed this was merely redundant information that restated what was already present in the main ingredient list. This unusual labeling practice seems unnecessary and potentially confusing for consumers, as it doesn't provide any additional meaningful information about the product's contents. The standard ingredient list already fulfills regulatory requirements for disclosure.

Portion Size Reality Check

Manufacturers label the 13.5 oz Yellowstone Dutton family Barbecue meatloaf and mash meal as containing two servings. This labeling strategy appears misleading since most consumers will eat the entire meal in one sitting.

This packaging approach allows the nutrition facts to appear less concerning when viewed per serving. A realistic assessment shows the full meal contains 650 calories, 30g total fat, 16g saturated fat, 1g trans fat, and 1,530mg sodium. The meal also provides 72g carbohydrates, 6g fiber, 34g sugars, and 24g protein.

Food companies often employ this tactic to make nutritional information seem more appealing. However, consumers generally recognize that a 13.5 oz frozen meal represents a single serving rather than multiple portions. The nutrition facts should be viewed in their entirety when considering this product as a complete meal.

Nutritional Details

The Yellowstone Dutton family Barbecue Meatloaf and Mash Meal comes in a 13.5-ounce package priced at $5.40. The packaging lists this as a two-serving meal, though many consumers consider it a single serving. This labeling affects how the nutritional information appears on the package.

When examining the nutritional content for the entire meal (rather than the listed half portion), the numbers are substantial:

Nutrient Amount (Full Meal) Calories 650 Total Fat 30g Saturated Fat 16g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 90mg Sodium 1,530mg Carbohydrates 72g Fiber 6g Sugars 34g Protein 24g

The meal ingredients indicate real beef is used in the meatloaf rather than a processed meat mixture. The product has received a 4-star rating out of 5 based on 256 consumer reviews. Food Story Brands and Paramount Consumer Products manufacture this frozen dinner, which features roasted beef meatloaf with sweet tangy barbecue sauce and cheddar-topped mashed potatoes.

Preparation Instructions

To prepare the Yellowstone Dutton Family Barbecue Meatloaf and Mash Meal, follow these simple microwave heating instructions. Remove the meal from the freezer and take it out of the box. The manufacturer recommends microwave heating as the only preparation method.

Place the frozen meal in the microwave and heat on high for approximately 8 minutes. After heating, allow the meal to rest for 1 minute before serving. This resting period helps distribute the heat evenly throughout the meal.

Once heated, stir the mashed potatoes thoroughly to blend in the cheese. The potatoes should have a thick, creamy consistency when properly mixed. The meal is then ready to enjoy.

Nutritional Information:

Component Per Full Meal Calories 650 Total Fat 30g Saturated Fat 16g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 90mg Sodium 1,530mg Carbohydrates 72g Fiber 6g Sugars 34g Protein 24g

While the package states this 13.5 ounce meal contains two servings, most consumers will likely eat the entire meal as one serving. The nutritional information above reflects consuming the complete meal.

Taste Evaluation and Assessment

Creamy Cheese-Infused Potato Mash

The cheese-infused mashed potatoes presented an impressive appearance immediately after preparation. Their thick, substantial texture and generous cheese integration created a visually appealing dish. Upon tasting, these potatoes delivered on their promise with remarkable consistency and flavor profile.

The mashed potatoes maintained an ideal thickness throughout, avoiding the watery consistency sometimes found in frozen meal sides. The cheese was thoroughly incorporated, resulting in a rich, savory accompaniment that would satisfy most comfort food enthusiasts.

Smoky BBQ Meatloaf Entree

The meatloaf portion of the meal demonstrated good textural qualities, presenting as tender and moist. Notable green pepper inclusions provided welcome flavor variation throughout the meat. The beef maintained its integrity during the heating process, avoiding the mushy consistency that can plague frozen meatloaf products.

However, the barbecue sauce coating polarized opinions significantly. Initial testing found the sauce overwhelming with an artificial smoke flavor that detracted from the quality of the underlying meatloaf. When sampled without excessive sauce, the meatloaf itself revealed impressive quality for a frozen product.

Diverse Flavor Reception Analysis

Family members provided contrasting perspectives on the meal components:

Taster Mashed Potatoes Meatloaf BBQ Sauce Primary reviewer Excellent Good quality Disliked strongly Fissa Not specifically mentioned Enjoyed Particularly liked Catherine Not specifically mentioned Loved Approved

This variation in preference highlights the subjective nature of taste, particularly regarding the barbecue sauce component. The discrepancy in sauce appreciation demonstrates how personal preference can significantly impact overall meal enjoyment.

Comprehensive Quality Determination

The meal earned a 7/10 rating based on combined component assessment. The mashed potatoes stood out as exceptional, potentially among the best available in comparable frozen meals. The meatloaf itself demonstrated quality preparation and ingredients when evaluated independently from the sauce.

The sauce's divisive reception prevented a higher overall score. Without the particular barbecue sauce used, the meal could potentially have achieved a near-perfect rating of 9/10. This Yellowstone Dutton Family meal retails for $5.40 and provides 650 calories per complete package.

Conclusion and Call to Subscribe

The Yellowstone Dutton Family Barbecue Meatloaf and Mash meal earns a solid 7 out of 10 rating. The meatloaf itself is remarkably tender and flavorful with green peppers mixed in, while the cheesy mashed potatoes are absolutely perfect with their thick texture and delicious taste.

The main drawback is the barbecue sauce, which has an unusual flavor profile combined with artificial smoke notes. Without this sauce, the meal could potentially score a 9 out of 10, as both the meatloaf and mashed potatoes are among the best found in frozen dinner options.

It's worth noting that while the package claims to contain two servings, most consumers will likely treat the 13.5-ounce meal as a single portion. When consumed as one serving, the meal contains:

Nutritional Element Amount Calories 650 Total Fat 30g Saturated Fat 16g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 90mg Sodium 1,530mg Carbohydrates 72g Fiber 6g Sugars 34g Protein 24g

For those interested in more frozen meal reviews, be sure to subscribe to see the upcoming review of the Yellowstone Riggs Ranch Beef and Cheese Pasta Bake.