To calculate cost per plate at home, add the food you will serve, sides, drinks and any delivery cost, then divide by the number of diners. For a frozen box, count only the portion cooked for that meal when comparing it with a single takeaway dinner.
Chef’s Box
20 frozen empanadas. Start with the current product total and choose how many to cook for dinner.
View Chef’s Box
Family Box
30 frozen empanadas. Useful when part of the purchase is dinner now and the rest stays in the freezer.
View Family BoxThe calculation that keeps the comparison fair
Meal cost per person = (empanadas cooked + sides + drinks + the delivery share you choose to include) ÷ diners.
Empanada cost used for dinner = current box total ÷ empanadas in the box × empanadas cooked.
If you buy a 20-piece box and cook eight empanadas, 8 ÷ 20 means you used 40% of the box. Assign 40% of its current food price to dinner and retain the other 60% as freezer stock. You still pay the whole box total at checkout; this is a way to compare the food consumed in one meal.
Plan the portion before the budget
| Dinner plan | Starting quantity | What else to count |
|---|---|---|
| Two adults, empanadas as the main | 6 to 8 empanadas | A fresh side and drinks if wanted |
| Four adults, empanadas as the main | 12 to 16 empanadas | Shared sides, drinks and dessert |
| Empanadas alongside other substantial food | 2 to 3 per guest | The cost of the rest of the menu |
Appetites vary. These are planning quantities rather than nutritional portions. Use the portion guide for a larger table.
Compare three different jobs
A weeknight dinner
Compare the portion you cook, the side you actually make and the time needed to prepare it. A freezer box spreads the initial purchase over more than one occasion.
Cooking from scratch
Use your current shopping receipt and the amount of each ingredient consumed. Include preparation time separately instead of pretending everyone values an evening in the kitchen at the same hourly rate. Our make-or-buy comparison explains the practical differences.
A dinner party
Add the food bought for the whole table, including sauces, dessert and drinks. Avoid comparing a complete hosted menu with an empanada-only amount.
Keep the extras simple
A green salad and a sauce can make a useful starting point. For a longer lunch, add vegetables or a dessert you enjoy. Our serving guide gives specific combinations without turning dinner into a long shopping list.
Find current prices before deciding
Open the relevant product page for the current price, purchase options and ingredients. Check the available delivery option for your postcode before finalising the total. For an event rather than a home dinner, ask through Sydney catering with the headcount and date.
Questions before you order
How do I calculate cost per plate at home?
Add the food consumed, sides, drinks and delivery cost you include, then divide by diners. Keep the price of freezer stock left for later separate when comparing a single meal.
How much of a 20-piece box is eight empanadas?
Eight divided by 20 is 40%. Allocate 40% of the current box food price to that dinner. The whole purchase is still paid at checkout.
How many empanadas should I allow for dinner?
Three to four per adult is a useful starting point when empanadas are the main meal. Consider sides, appetite and what else you serve.
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