[mywittyname]

> (If we're comparing based on cost, not on time/convenience.)

Which is exactly what we are comparing. I specifically said easy-to-make because naturally, making things from scratch can be extremely cheap, but people don't always have the time, energy or even skill to do that.

It's especially apparent for single people or couples without kids. I can get two burrito bowls from Chipotle for $15 on my way home and not have any dishes to clean up, spend $9 on home made fajitas + an hour cooking & cleaning, or and $12 on frozen enchiladas and just do dishes afterwards.

So, in my world (and probably that of most childless millenials), restaurants and ready-made meals are in competition for my meal dollars to some degree. After comparing the overall costs, we've just decided that our two busy-day dinners will be 1) pasta and 2) Chipotle -- as in, we literally plan eating out on our weekly menu. It's tastier, fresher, and probably more healthy too (than frozen/boxed meals).