Established cult classics like Percy Pigs and Colin the Caterpillar aside, M&S is constantly keeping foodies on their toes with viral product launches.
But now, unhappy shoppers have voiced heartbreak at a change to one of the supermarket’s ‘best’ ready meals: the humble Chicken Arrabbiata.
Posting on TikTok, content creator @farrellyfamily noticed that her favourite dish, which she often enjoys with her son, had undergone a new look. And not only had the packaging changed, but the taste too.
In the clip, she lamented to followers: ‘It just is not the same. Why would you fix what’s not broken, M&S? I’m honestly distressed about this.
‘As it’s microwaving, I can smell that it’s not the same. It’s all wrong. I don’t know what would possess them to do this. They’ve made it all fancy, and now it just tastes herby.’
The mum wasn’t the only one who was distraught by the change either. Over in the comments, @ellacosgrovee wrote: ‘Omg nooo this was my fave from M&S. Gutted!!’
Another, @SpendoCopendo, claimed that it ‘was the best ready meal on the planet,’ while @robyn_faye added: ‘Used to love that ready meal! Like a little guilty pleasure! Why M&S, why?’
However, not everyone necessarily agreed that the new flavour was a bad thing, as @dyhmj0q1ei3n penned: ‘I think it’s nicer than the old one. Glad they mixed it up a bit!’
Speaking exclusively to Metro, M&S’s lead product developer for Italian meals, Sarah-Jane Large, confirmed that yes, the recipe has indeed been changed.
‘When it comes to proper pasta, most Italians would agree that a dish is only as good as the quality and provenance of its ingredients,’ she says. ‘That’s why we’ve spent over two years refining and upgrading our popular range of Italian meals to ensure they are the best of the best.’
The brand-new version of the Chicken Arrabbiata still uses Italian durum wheat pasta and the ‘highest quality’ tomatoes, and M&S says that the tomato sauce is cooked for three hours to give it that ‘rich, luxurious’ umami.
However, Sarah-Jane explains that for the ‘upgraded’ dish, ‘we’ve improved our chicken marinade to make it more succulent and have added fresh chillies to give it that clean heat.’
The rest of the range has also been tweaked, so if you notice your favourite microwave dinner is different, it’s not just in your head – and who knows, you might actually prefer the reformulated versions once you’re used to them.
There’s a wider range of alternatives if you don’t though, with M&S releasing 10 new options available as part of the three for £10 meal deal, including the Pasta Alla Vodka and Spicy Meat Feast pasta, channelling all the flavours you might find on a good old slice of pizza.
Italophiles will also note the launch of the 6-Hour Slow-Cooked Beef Shin Ragu Maniche with Chianti wine, as well as an authentic Spaghetti Carbonara. Trust us, there’s no cream here – just pure parmesan-y, pecorino-drenched goodness.
That’s not the only change M&S has made of late. Earlier this week, the retailer revealed it had added more than 400 new and improved items to its beloved Foodhall.
And while it might only be September, the buzz of the festive season is already hitting aisles.
There’s a new Peanut Butter & Jelly version of the popular Merry Munch tin (£10), featuring a decadent mixture of milk chocolate peanut butter cups, fruit-coloured jellies, salted pretzels, milk chocolate coated popcorn, salted caramel and white chocolate coated peanuts and white chocolate malt balls.
Peppermint Bark (£10) is also back for Christmas 2025, as well as Chocolate Gnomes filled with Pistachio (£5), Peanut Butter Reindeer (£1), Shortbread Christmas Trees (£1.65), Chocolate and Cinnamon Tortilla Rolls (£3) and Maple Bacon Combo Mix crisps (£2.30).
We’re already salivating at the thought.
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