Im lazy enuf to like free feeding dry food to mine! They get Orijen biscuits then a tin of Porta 21 for tea. This is one tin between 8 so its more like a treat. I think raw is sometimes better but Ive only ever been able to interest 1 cat in raw food.
I know the OP was concerned about weight gain too. I think cats regulate their own weight quite well. I have a slightly tubby girl who hardly ever moves tho! She put on abit of weight after she was spayed but I think that maybe some cats are designed to be a bit bigger or smaller than average. Her weight gain wasnt enuf to be significant to her health and she hasnt altered in 7 and a half years now!!