A new year has begun and many families have already hit the ground running. For working parents, “what are we eating for dinner” can be a stressful question each evening, especially if kids have multiple afterschool activities. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if once or twice each week the planning, shopping and prep were taken care of? Enter Pittsburgh-based meal plan services, ready to come to your rescue. Many of the companies you’ll see listed below offer home delivery, simplifying the process even further.

Bonus: That quick door-to-oven-to-table meal also offers quick cleanup. A calm, healthy dinner might be just what the whole family needs. The services below can help you focus on connecting with your family, while also feeling good about supporting local businesses.

Check out what’s available in the Pittsburgh region: 


Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Fresh.

Pittsburgh Fresh

The team at Pittsburgh Fresh stand by their philosophy that convenience and healthy eating go hand-in-hand. And they are there to help make that happen for you. Meals can be purchased a la carte or choose from a dozen subscription options for price discounts from two percent to 10 percent. Subscriptions run from $50 per week to $125 per week, depending on how many meals you’ll be receiving. You can pick up from their Brookline headquarters or have your orders delivered to your door.

Dishes are designated with nutritional details, so you know exactly what you’re getting. Order family portions that serve four people or try individual meals to let everyone enjoy their favorite. Meals include dishes like Shrimp Spaghetti Carbonara ($15.99 per serving) and Bacon and Cheddar Chicken ($15.99 per serving).

You can build your meal, too, starting with a protein like Broiled Flank Steak ($12.99 for 8 ounces), Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs ($8.99 per serving) or Glazed Chilean Salmon ($11.99 for 8 ounces). Then add a side ($6.99 each) of Rice Pilaf, Garlic Parmesan Potato or Roasted Sweet Potato, plus a variety of veggies. And if you’re splurging, Carrot Cake Cheesecake ($7.49 per slice) or Almond Joy Protein Truffles ($7.99 for 6) make a sweet finish.

Gift cards are available.


Photo courtesy of Soergel’s Essentials.
Soergel’s Essentials

Soergel’s Orchards launched its Soergel’s Essentials during the pandemic when grocery shopping was difficult, and the popular program has continued. Twice a week, customers can choose three meal kits that each serve four people. The cost is $130. Along with the meals, the order includes everyday “essentials” like milk, cider, eggs, bananas, apples, carrots, onion, celery and dessert. Additional meals can be added for $30 each. Pickup is held at Soergel’s Wexford location.

Each kit includes all the ingredients, from fresh herbs to side dishes, plus detailed recipes. The kits offer enough variety to satisfy a range of tastes, from more casual fare to Sunday best.

French Dip Sandwiches include Mancini hoagie buns, seasoned beef broth and fries. Sweet & Sticky Chicken includes 2.5  pounds of boneless Amish chicken; a sweet and savory sauce of balsamic, honey, brown sugar and soy sauce; rosemary sprigs; garlic; sesame seeds; parsley; rice and broccoli. Other tasty meals range from Pumpkin Rigatoni and Beef Lasagna to Shrimp and Vegetable Risotto and Crusted Chicken Risotto.


Photo courtesy of Homemade by Colleen.

Homemade by Colleen

South Hills-based Homemade by Colleen is an on-demand meal prep service that delivers to your home. No subscriptions are required, allowing you to order for busy weeks and skip the weeks when you have time to shop and cook. Meals are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from a seasonal menu that changes weekly.  Place your order by Friday to request a Sunday or Wednesday home delivery.

You might choose the Turkey Burger with rice pilaf and spinach or Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad from the Healthy & Light menu. The Wholesome Hearty Meals menu offers dishes like Chicken Cutlet with Cheesy Potato, Grilled Bruschetta Chicken or Rigatoni with Meat Sauce. Side add-ons might include Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots, Sweet Potato with Candied Pecans and Homemade Mashed Potatoes. You will find options for breakfast, soups and salads as well. Meals are priced at about $18 per serving.


Photo courtesy of Family Table.

Family Table

Chef Michael Harding and his wife, Liz, came up with the name Family Table because of their mission to bring families back to the dinner table. The North Side-based business delivers homemade, family-style meals twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. Meals can also be picked up.

Family Favorite Meals come with a protein, starch and seasonal vegetables. Gram’s Roast Beef with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and House Veggies sounds like a solid winner. Or go for the Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce with Baked Pasta and Mancini Rolls. These meals can be ordered as a meal for two ($40) or as many as eight servings ($160).

You can build your own dinners, too, by choosing from proteins like salmon cakes, grilled chicken or petite tenderloin. Add sides like roasted carrots, rice, Mom’s Mac and Cheese or roasted vegetables to create a delicious meal. Other choices include Chicken Pot Pie, Wedding Soup, Fandango Salad and Harvest Chicken Salad.

Nutrition info is available upon request. Need a gift for a friend or relative? Gift cards are available.


Photo courtesy of Clean Eatz Cafe.
Clean Eatz Café

Clean Eatz Café has two locations in the Pittsburgh area – Fox Chapel and Cranberry. Their meal plans offer healthy eating without the fuss. A personal chef prepares each meal at an affordable price. The idea is to eliminate the guessing, temptation and lack of being prepared during busy, stressful times. Customers properly portioned meals with a balance of protein, carbs and fats. Complete nutrition information is offered with every meal.

Place your order between Tuesday and Sunday to pick up your meals from Sunday to Tuesday. Eat them by Wednesday or pop in the freezer to enjoy with 6 months. You can request extra protein, fewer carbs or mention food allergies to customize meals to your liking. Meal Plan pricing ranges from $8.99 per meal for up to 9 meals, $8.29 each for 10-14 meals, $7.99 each for 15-20 meals, $7.39 each for 21 or more meals. You can also dine at their cafes for quick meals.

Recent meals include BBQ Cheeseburger Bowl, Jerk Chicken Mac & Cheese and General Tso’s Chicken. Selections change weekly.


Photo courtesy of Chip and Kale.

Chip and Kale

Chip and Kale offers plant-based, non-subscription meal kits that each include four servings, with everything made from non-GMO ingredients, including organic soy, grains and greens. A new menu is posted every Tuesday. Simply order by midnight the following Monday and your order will be delivered on the next Sunday. Each kit is frozen fresh, without preservatives, and is labeled with easy-to-follow instructions that require only your pots and pans.

Cook time always is 30 minutes or less. Nutrition information is detailed in the menu, so that you can make the healthiest choices for your family.

Tasty dishes ($26.99 each for four servings, so less than $7 per serving) like African Peanut Stew, Crispy Korean BBQ Tofu Bowl and Burmese Lentil Potato Curry lend an exotic touch to dinner. On the other hand, Classic Lasagna and Stuffed Focaccia should appeal to the pickiest eaters.

Steel City Meals

As a subsidiary of Chip and Kale, Steel City Meals offers frozen, plant-based meal kits from Chip and Kale for pickup from their Dormont store. Pickup days are Tuesdays through Thursdays, with meals changing weekly. Each kit includes four servings. The Steel City Meals can also be added to your Chip and Kale order for delivery. Gift cards are available.


Photo courtesy of Fresh Prep PGH.
Fresh Prep PGH

Penn Hills-based Fresh Prep PGH offers healthy, personalized meals tailored to your dietary needs and delivered to your home. Meals are delivered fresh on Sundays, with a Thursday night order deadline.

Meals start at $13.99 per meal. A minimum of five meals are required for delivery. Order 10 or more meals to get a five-percent discount, 20 or more meals to receive a 10-percent discount. Even higher discounts are offered with subscription plans. Gift cards are available.

Appealing menus change weekly to satisfy a range of appetites. Recent dinner items include House Rub Salmon with red potatoes and green beans, Chicken Hibachi Bowl and Korean BBQ Meatballs with Brussels sprouts and rice. Breakfast choices include Sausage ‘N Egg Omelet Cups with potatoes and Chicken Sausage Scrambler Breakfast Bowl.


Photo courtesy of Bleu Box PGH.

Bleu Box PGH

Bleu Box PGH delivers weekly meal kits to Greater Pittsburgh area homes within a 30-mile radius of the city. Choose from the a la carte weekly menu or subscribe to a meal kit plan. The plans include two-serving ($80) and four-serving ($160) meal kits. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are offered.

Meals are meant to go from package to oven to table with few steps and a minimum of fuss – and little cleanup. Bleu Box meals are made with hormone-free beef, fresh produce (local and organic when possible) and antibiotic-free poultry. The company is committed to using packaging that’s durable and eco-friendly. It’s recyclable, compostable and reuseable.

You can browse their list of “small plates” to find winter-spiced Chickpea Power Bowls ($12), Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts ($10 for 4 servings), Creamy Chicken Salad ($15 for 4-6 servings) and Harvest Organic Greens Salad ($15 for 2 servings). Large plates include Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup ($25 for 2 quarts), Hearty Beef Lasagna ($30 for 2 servings, $60 for 4) and Roasted Ratatouille ($25 for 2 servings, $50 for 4). Tempting desserts are also available.


Photo courtesy of Why Cook? A Fare to Remember at Home.

Why cook? A Fare to Remember at Home

This family-owned and operated business is not a subscription service. You order the dishes you want and pick them up at the Allison Park storefront. You can even request a meal be made in your personal casserole dish. The staff at Why cook? A Fare to Remember at Home creates meals with fresh ingredients that are ready to pop in your oven or tuck into the freezer for a future busy day. Variety is key with options changing monthly. Half portions feed two to three people, full portions satisfy four to six. Choices include Salmon Croquettes with Remoulade Sauce ($24 for half portion, $47 for full), Tuscan Mushroom and Artichoke Bake ($20 for half portion, $39 for full), Chicken in Lemon Cream Sauce ($20 for half portion, $39 for full). Mixed Berry Bars ($9.50).

Nashville Hot Mac & Cheese photo at top of guide courtesy of Chip and Kale.