Struggling with the weekly shop? Why not give recipe boxes a go?

Even for those of us who love to cook, there are times when it feels like too much effort.

Takeaway apps like JustEat and Deliveroo are quick to capitalise on our laziness, enticing us with the promise of a hot and tasty meal.

The only effort they require is to a) place an order and b) get from the sofa to the front door when it arrives – and Deliveroo is even trialling ways to get rid of that.

But there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Laziness comes at a price. Takeaway food isn’t exactly the cheapest or the healthiest.

But where there’s a will, there’s another way. Say hello to HelloFresh.

The concept is simple: you choose your favourite dishes from a weekly menu of exciting recipes and the fresh ingredients are delivered to your door. It’s then up to you to recreate it.

We tried three: a spiced pork ragu, herby burgers with potato wedges and chimichurri tomato salad, and thyme roast chicken thighs with roasted veggies and garlicky cavolo nero.

None of the recipes proved to be too long or complicated and all came with easy to understand instructions.

Pretty much everything you need to cook the meals comes included in your box apart from  staples like oil, salt and pepper. Apart from that, though, there are no hidden surprises. Everything in the box comes measured out to match the recipes.

Each proved a hearty, healthy and filling option. The burgers were surprisingly easy to make and incredibly flavourful thanks to the addition of herbs and spices.

The pork ragu – an option we would never normally go for when doing a weekly shop ourselves – was a nice surprise. Quick and easy to make, with satisfying results.

The roast chicken thighs, meanwhile, offered a comforting midweek treat with minimal effort.

On the packaging front, we were impressed again. Efforts to be eco-friendly had been made. Lots of recycled materials and cardboard packaging are used to minimise the use of plastic – another positive. After all, what’s the point of opting for a subscription box in the name of sustainability only to find yourself throwing away loads of unnecessary plastic every week?

HelloFresh delivers maximum results for minimum effort. It’s a game changer for anyone who struggles with the weekly shop but wants three nutritious meals a day.

You’ve got no excuse for having beans on toast for your midweek tea anymore. HelloFresh is an easy alternative that leaves you feeling satisfied and healthy from around £4 per meal. Beat that Deliveroo.

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New HelloFresh customers can use the code HELLOILM to receive £10 off their first four boxes.