Comment by WalterBright

You didn't specify frozen - I'm looking at a meal taken out of the fridge, which still has a shelf time of ~a week. You're not comparing to a frozen steak either, which will also need an extended cooking time.

If you're concerned about cooking time then don't buy frozen, or let them defrost, and they take less time to cook. Since you're comparing to preparing a whole piece of steak and a potato, that shouldn't be too hard to do.

Also, your example is $3.34 [0] i.e. less than your $5 steak and 50 cent potato.

0: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stouffer-s-Spaghetti-with-Meatbal...

Pot pie microwave time 4-5 minutes: https://airfry.guide/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Banquet-Chic...

As to let sit time, if you can instantly pop a potato or other food into your mouth after it comes out of the microwave you haven’t cooked it.

P.S. Hamburger is even cheaper