- Protein is moving beyond breakfast and snacks, with Dolmio launching a new high-protein ready meal range designed for busy lifestyles.
- New Dolmio Active range combines Italian-inspired recipes with high protein and balanced nutrition.
- This is alongside three new additions to the Dolmio Classics and Dolmio Feasts ready meals ranges.
LONDON, UK (July 13, 2026) – Protein is moving from fitness into everyday meal occasions. According to industry data, nearly half of UK adults (over 43%) have actively increased their protein intake in the past year, rising to two-thirds of young people (aged 16–34)1 who gain their inspiration from fitness apps and social media. In fact, searches for high-protein foods have more than doubled (105%) in 2025 versus 2024.2
Now, Dolmio is moving this trend into the ready meals space, with the launch of its new range of high-protein pasta ready meals – Dolmio Active – designed for shoppers looking to combine convenience, taste and health.
The launch comes as the demand for convenient meal solutions continues to grow, with the UK's ready meal market projected to reach £1 billion by 20283 and more consumers seeking foods that support their health and wellbeing goals.
Now available exclusively in Tesco, Dolmio Active is a new range of cupboard-ready pasta meals that combines Italian-inspired recipes with high protein. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are recommended for good health. Ready in just two minutes, each meal is designed to offer a more satisfying lunch or dinner option for people seeking convenient meal solutions without compromising on taste or nutrition. Available in three recipes, the new Dolmio Active range includes:
- Sundried Tomato & Chicken Rigatoni
- Jalapeño & Chicken Fusilli
- Zesty Chicken Fusilli
Each recipe is high in protein, low in sugar, contains no artificial colors or flavors and is ready to eat in just two minutes. The launch forms part of a wider expansion of Dolmio's ready meals offering, with three additional products:
- Dolmio Classics: Veggie Packed Fusilli and Rigatoni Arrabbiata
- Dolmio Feasts: Creamy Tomato & Chicken Rigatoni
Together, these new launches offer shoppers a wider range of convenient meal options spanning everyday classics, hearty pasta dishes and now protein-focused recipes.
Hana Hutchinson, European Brand Director, Mars Food and Nutrition, said: “Consumers shouldn't have to choose between taste, convenience or health. As consumer expectations and needs around mealtimes continue to evolve, we're seeing a growing demand for meals that are tasty, accessible and healthy. Our new Dolmio Active range, and the continued expansion of our wider ready meals offering, is all about giving shoppers an option that can seamlessly fit into their daily lives.”
The Dolmio ready meals range now spans the Active, Classics, Feasts and Pronto ranges, offering cupboard-ready meal solutions that can be prepared in minutes.
New Dolmio Active ready meals are now available exclusively in Tesco stores nationwide, with the wider Dolmio Feasts and Dolmio Classics ready meals range available nationwide.
For further information please contact the Mars F&N press team at Ketchum: Ket-MarsUK@ketchum.com
About Mars Food and Nutrition
Mars Food & Nutrition is a segment of Mars, Incorporated, with 2,000 Associates across the globe. It has some of the world’s leading food brands: Ben’s Original™, Kevin’s Natural Foods, MasterFoods®, SEEDS OF CHANGE®, Tasty Bite®, and DOLMIO® enjoyed in more than 30 markets around the world.
References:
- Ocado Retail - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/protein-gen-z-millennials-cottage-cheese-health-b2707869.html
- Ocado Retail - https://ocadoretail.com/media-centre/press-releases/demand-for-high-protein-foods-soars-fuelled-by-social-media-trends-and-the-shift-from-ultra-processed-foods/
- Total UK Ambient Ready Meals, Nielsen IQ, 3 year CAGR from 6th of March 2022 to 23rd of March 2023
