Modular Meal System and Method of Making a Modular Meal System

A method of making a modular meal system, comprising:

• configuring and/or formulating two or more modular meal components to each include a combination of a meal component and a sauce component that is capable of reaching at least 167° F. when heated from frozen for a heating time period within the range of from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes and at a heating temperature within the range of about 350° F. to about 450° F.;
• and
• making each of the modular meal components by:
• precooking each of the meal component and the sauce component;
• and
• adding each of the meal component and the sauce component to a tray to form the modular meal component.

A modular meal component comprising:

• a tray;
• a meal component disposed within the tray, the meal component being selected from a protein component, a starch component, a vegetable component, an appetizer component, and a dessert component;
• a sauce component disposed within the tray;
• a flexible film, forming a seal between the flexible film and the tray,
• wherein the sauce component comprises one or more of:
• a total solids content within the range of about 15% to about 45% at 70° F.;
• or
• a viscosity within the range of about 3 cm to about 14 cm, when measured at 70° F. with a Bostwick Consistometer using a 100 g sample and a 30 second time interval;
• or
• a moisture content within the range of about 55% to about 95%,
• wherein the modular meal component is configured and/or formulated to reach at least 165° F. when heated from frozen for a heating time period within the range of from about 20 minutes to about 40 minutes and at a heating temperature within the range of about 400° F. to about 450° F.

A method of making a modular meal system comprising a first modular meal component and a second modular meal component, the method comprising:

• formulating the first modular meal component to include a combination of a first meal component and a first sauce component that is capable of reaching at least 165° F. when heated from frozen for a heating time period within the range of from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes and at a heating temperature within the range of about 350° F. to about 450° F.;
• formulating the second modular meal component to include a combination of a second meal component and a second sauce component that is capable of reaching at least 165° F. when heated for the same heating time period and the same heating temperature as the first modular meal component;
• preparing the first modular meal component by adding each of the first meal component and the first sauce component to a first tray to form the first modular meal component;
• and
• preparing the second modular meal component by adding each of the second meal component and the second sauce component to a second tray to form the second modular meal component.