We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    If You Love A Home Cooked Meal But Identify As Lazy, Here Are 39 Products That Do The Work For You

    And by home cooked, we mean something you whipped up in your kitchen (with varying levels of effort).

    1. A reviewer-beloved veggie chopper can make onion tears and food prep mess a thing of the past! This way you won't waste so much energy on *evenly* spiralizing or chopping, a fool's errand! (Jk, but this'll make it way easier.)

    Reviewer putting a potato on a flip top lid cutter and bringing the lid down to chop it into pieces
    Model pressing down on top to cut an onion

    Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. 

    Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $24.98.

    2. Plus a manual food chopper for quick work of herbs, fruits, veggies, and ice in case your knife skills could use some practice or you just wanna make food prep a lil' more fun.

    It's also dishwasher-safe (top rack only!) so cleanup is super simple.

    Promising review: "This is great for cutting lots of veggies super fast. All you have to do is rough chop down your veggies toss them in and give it four to five pulls for perfectly diced chunks for salsa or toppings on eggs or tacos. It comes with a handy cover too so all you have to do is rinse the blade and toss the container in the fridge or cooler." —Kevin B.

    Get it from Amazon for $14.71+ (also available in green).

    3. A electric air fryer with tons of onion rings and other scrumptious possibilities might just have you looking at every piece of food you have in the house differently instead of putting on shoes to go through the drive-thru.

    the air fryer on a countertop
    A plate of crispy fritters fresh out of the air fryer.

    Promising review: "My husband surprised me with this fryer cause he said it was the deal of the day and couldn't pass up. I was hesitant at first because it is a very large piece of equipment and we have limited counter space. But once I started using this, I couldn't stop! I love it so much! It really does get things crispy! I have cooked chicken wings, tacos, zucchini fries, bacon, and more in it, and everything comes out great! You do have to play around with the temp and timing of stuff but once you get the hang of it, it's easy peasy! The digital buttons make it easy and it's nice to have different options instead of just off/on like with some fryers. And it actually isn't too heavy so I can move it on and off my counter easy, too. I think it's a great way to crisp food without turning on my hot oven in the summer! Would definitely recommend!" —willmatic84

    Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in three sizes and four colors).

    4. Plus, a magnetic air fryer cheat sheet so you'll merely glance at it as a kitchen helper instead of scrolling through your Pinterest board for that ONE recipe. 

    Promising review: "Bought an air fryer several months ago which I haven't used a whole lot because it came with only a few recipes but not enough info on other items to cook. The Lotteli cheat sheet gives you cooking times and temperatures for a lot of your common everyday foods in a magnetized easy-to-read, two-sheet combo that fills in where the air fryer pamphlet that came with the unit leaves out. I also bought an air fryer cookbook but this only comes with specific recipes, whereas the cheat sheet fills in the void for quick basic needs. Very happy with this purchase! 😁" —B. Frank Smith

    Get it from Amazon for $11.45 (available in two colors). 

    5. A set of silicone air fryer liners that'll even more convince you to go ahead and use that special little countertop appliance to create something that feels and *tastes* extra special. Anyone who's tried to hand-wash the basket of an air fryer will get why these are a great idea. Just pop 'em in the dishwasher!

    Promising review: "I bought these because I was tired of cleaning the whole air fryer container. These were bought on a whim for both mine and my boyfriend's parents, who each have an air fryer. They work great, keeping all greases and crumbs inside, and make it easier to clean. The only bad thing (and this may just be me) is the ridges/ripples on the bottom of the inside of the liner. When you try to wash it in the sink, don’t put the stream of water right on those unless you want to take a small bath. Other than that, these are fantastic. My boyfriend also says that it seems to make everything crispier, and we love that." Jordan Hixson

    Get a set of three from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four color combinations). 

    6. A Momofuku ramen noodles variety pack as a quick 'n' easy meal for when all you wanna do is open a packet, boil some water, and then chow down. This is one of my favorite lazy meals and I'll keep buying these as long as they keep making them. 

    person eating noodles out of a bowl
    Momofuku

    I tried out these noodles as part of the Ultimate Variety Pack and haven't looked back since. I want to ALWAYS have these in my kitchen cabinets. Yes, they're THAT good. I'm very lazy and have spent way too much money on takeout in my life, so I'm forever looking for a solution to help me get takeout-worthy food at home for the least amount of effort. These totally fit the bill. I also like to toss chopped scallions on top. I'll even even mix in sautéed veggies and chicken to help bulk up the dish...or just use up the stuff that I have that I know I need to eat. I adore them so much that I even bought my brother a big bundle of them for Christmas and he was VERY excited when he opened it because Momofuku and David Chang's amazing reputation precede them. 

    Get a 15-pack from Amazon for $47.99 (includes 5 servings each of 3 varieties) or get a 20-pack from Momofuku for $52 (includes 10 servings of the popular Soy & Scallion and 5 servings each of the other 2 varieties).

    7. Plus, a "tingly" Momofuku umami seasoning to make quick work of figuring out how to whip up a protein or sides with a serious kick of flavor that regular ole salt and pepper can't deliver. I swear by this stuff for my foil packet salmon. 

    jar of the salt
    a dish covered in the salt
    Amazon

    So $15 for a jar of seasoning might feel a bit steep but hear me out: This has made so many lackluster quick home lunches feel like something I paid $20 for and stood in line to order with everyone else in New York City. And you don't need a whole lot to add some amazing flavor either. When I use it for salmon, I rub the salmon in olive oil and then top it with this before cooking. I love salmon but am sorta bad at grocery shopping, so I tend to eat the same lunch over and over again. (Also, cooking for one is hard!) This keeps things feeling lively and gets me excited about food I actually fixed for myself. 

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

    8. Some slow cooker liners will make cleanup a total cinch. Sometimes a super-easy cleanup can help motivate yourself to cook an old faithful but satsifying recipe (or maybe that's just me).

    the liners in a slow cooker dividing into two sections with two kinds of dip
    Amazon

    I use these and they're THE BEST.

    Get a box of six liners from Amazon for $3.18.

    9. A microwave pasta cooker as an easy way to achieve al dente noods ready to top off with some jarred sauce for a super easy meal that doesn't require boiling water on the stove.

    spaghetti in the pasta maker
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I don't want to get all gushy over a pasta maker, but man...I really love this gizmo! I like spaghetti — either with normal Prego-type sauce or sometimes just with butter and Romano cheese sprinkled on. But I'm lazy and impatient, and don't like things that take a long time to make, with a bunch of steps, and a big clean up afterwards. The Fasta Pasta is perfect for me. I get the exact amount of correctly-measured spaghetti; it's faster than boiling water in a big pot then having to watch and stir the pasta; the pasta comes out perfectly cooked every time; and the cleanup is a snap." —Smilin Sam

    Get it from Amazon for $16.99.

    10. Plus some jarred truffle-infused pasta sauce for quite possibly the fanciest take on an easy, reliable pantry meal.

    plate of spaghetti with the sauce
    Amazon

    The Pomodoro sauce is hearty without any spice. And the Arrabbiata sauce delivers the heat. I've tried both of these flavors of Truff pasta sauce and they are SO good. It likely goes without saying but if you don't like truffles, you won't like this. It is VERY truffle-y. I'm also a big fan of the Truff hot sauce from the same brand. Most of the time I make a meal of whatever pasta and jarred sauce I happen to have as a last resort, but I look forward to eating pasta with this delish sauce — even if it's just noodles and sauce with not even a sprinkle of Parm to dress it up! It'll cost ya more than Prego or other store-bought sauces. But it's worth it as a treat!

    Get two jars from Amazon for $29.99.

    11. A set of nonstick, heat-safe sheet pan dividers that'll act like little trays to contain various veggies that cook at different time intervals. 

    a model holding a sheet pan with four silicone dividers each filled with a different type of food
    Amazon

    Check out a TikTok of the nonstick sheet pan dividers in action. 

    Promising review: "Brilliant. 100000% Recommend them! It lets me separate veggies by how long they take to cook so they are all ready at the same time and nothing is over/undercooked. I love these cheat sheets. They are a great tool for my kitchen." —yule

    Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three colors, without or without lids, and in multipacks). 

    12. A Potato Express can cook up to four potatoes for ya' because if there's one thing we should all agree on in 2023, it's that a potato or sweet potato makes for a super fab, filling dinner side. Pass, the butter!

    Promising review: "Baked potatoes couldn't be easier or quicker. These work just as advertised. We have found that with larger potatoes, you may have to double your time, but 8–10 minutes compared to an hour or more in the toaster oven can't be beat!" —Don Juan

    Get it from Amazon for $8.96.

    13. *Reusable* toaster bags to help you achieve peak sandwich at home without firing up the stovetop *or* catching your toaster on fire! Gotta love a hot sandwich for dinner!

    toaster with a sandwich in the bag sticking out of it
    Amazon

    These are also a fan favorite for families with members who have Celiac disease or other food sensitivities.

    Promising review: "Unless you are a 'foodie' and need to grill your sandwiches, this bag is a great way to get a warm sandwich — and if you have cheese on it, the cheese will melt. Just make your sandwich and put it in the bag. Put the bag in your toaster and you have a great sandwich! Its so easy, and when I am done, I just rinse the bag under the faucet. Great for kids who love grilled cheese without the fuss of 'grilling'!" —joycetv

    Get a pack of four from Amazon for $9.99.

    14. And a microwavable panini press that'll give you those desired grill marks that just seem to make any old sandwich taste SO much better. With this, you can make your own paninis, grilled cheeses, and even meats with *just* a microwave. Reviewers also praise its abilities for vastly improving leftovers.

    The panini press open with sausages inside
    A toasted sandwich

    Promising reviews: “My granddaughter loves this. She cannot have a toaster in her college dorm but this lets her make toast, heat bagels, make grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. in her microwave.” —Carolynn

    Get it from Amazon for $30.99 (clip the $2 off coupon on the product page for this price).

    15. A Dash mini rice cooker to easily make a hearty and filling side to go with that last piece of salmon or chicken you have in the fridge. But! It can also whip up oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, rice, and pasta. So that opens up all sorts of easy meal possibilities. Plus, it's small enough that you'll definitely find room for it on your kitchen counter. 

    a reviewer photo of fresh cooked rice made in the rice cooker in red
    a reviewer photo of the mini rice cooker in pink on a counter in front of a mini fridge

    Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter for her dorm at college. She loves making flavored rice and warming up soups and things. She likes it so well that she brings it home from college with her on breaks. It is especially nice that it has a removable pot, which makes it so much easier to clean or keep leftovers in. Would definitely buy again, don't waste your money on a slightly cheaper one that does not have a removable pot." —midohtree

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in eight colors).

    16. A set of pantry staples that'll feel anything but ordinary because they're vegan, and gluten free, but taste PHENOMENAL. Try the Lemon Miso Not Just Salad Dressing and then we'll chat. 

    bottles of sauces and dressings
    Not Just

    This includes: Lemon Miso Not Just Salad Dressing; Dilly Ranch Not Just Salad Dressing; Chili Lime Not Just Salad Dressing; 10 Veggie Not Just Pasta Sauce; Creamy Basil Not Just Pasta Sauce; Tomato Not Just Pesto; Coconut Sugar Not Just Caramel. I've tried the miso, 10 veggie, and pesto sauces. They've seriously jazzed up quickie lunches in between WFH meetings. The brand's site has TONS of recipes and ideas on how to use the sauces. Also, the packaging just looks nice. Sometimes it's the little things like that that'll successfully convince you to not open up the Grubhub app. 

    Get them from Not Just for $74. You can also buy all the condiments separately. 

    17. The Omsom Bundle is really just fancy talk for flavorful Asian dish starters (aka the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings) to keep stashed in your pantry for heavy lifting. Each comes with recipes you can easily follow. Just add protein and veggies!

    person emptying sauce out of a packet into a cast-iron skillet with chicken in it
    the starter packets
    Omsom

    Cofounders and sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham started Omsom after stints at startups and in consulting. As the kids of Vietnamese refugees, they were inspired by all the from-scratch Viet dinners they watched their mom cook growing up. With Omsom, they aim to bring lots of flavor to your pantry with their pantry starters that'll help you make some amaaaazing Asian dishes. Each starter serves two to three people. (Fantastic news for lazy people like me who buy a spice once and then let it expire.)

    This bundle will give you some major kick for your buck. It includes the entire Omsom collection of 6 cuisines with 12 starters total, including one Southeast Asian Omsom Sampler with Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino starters and one East Asian Omsom Sampler with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese starters.

    Promising review: "Delicious and easy dinner. I love the flavors because they are nostalgic and delicious, and make mealtime a breeze with my kids." —Suzanne R.

    Get it from Omsom for $55.

    18. Pre-made simmer sauces can really zhuzh up that plain chicken breast you have thawing in the sink. Seriously, just dump that sauce on it once it's cooked in the pan! (Psst, they're also keto- and Paleo-friendly but IMO don't taste like it.)

    cast-iron pan with the Thai Coconut Sauce cooking with chicken and bok choy
    Amazon

    I've tried nearly all of these sauces and can vouch that they dress up all kinds of stuff. If you're craving some takeout food you're too lazy to replicate at home, some of these (especially the Thai Coconut Sauce that's shown here) will help you get some of that taste without buying a million ingredients.

    Promising review: "These sauces are magic. A high-end trick added to our meal prep. Really tasty options. We have been doing meal prep for quite a while and the salt and pepper meals were getting old. We tried to incorporate skillet sauces into our meals and tried all the brands out there. They were OK but not very healthy. When I saw these on Amazon, I had to try them (keto and Paleo certified) and they taste amazing. Now we have a different flavor each and every day and we can still keep the diet." —Fernando Pimentel

    Get a three-pack from Amazon for $15 (available in a variety of combos).

    19. A crab spoon rest that'll lend you a claw when you don't wanna keep your spoon in your stew as it cooks, but you also don't want to rest it on your counter where you'll have to clean up afterward. We love a useful, fun kitchen tool!

    Promising review: "This was a perfect funny yet useable white elephant gift!! Would buy again!" —Krista

    Get it from Amazon for $19.95

    20. A Blue Apron subscription because having someone do your grocery shopping and giving you the recipe could be a GREAT thing.

    plate full of turkey dish on a bed of rice
    @blueapron / Via www.instagram.com

    Subscribe to a single-serving plan from Blue Apron for $9.99+ a week.

    21. A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey can zhuzh up that lackluster frozen pizza that's been patiently waiting in your freezer for months on end. 'Tis time to pop it in the oven and then drizzle this delicious condiment on top for a serious upgrade. It makes basically everything taste better. And I should know, I always keep some around!

    the bottle of the honey drizzling on a pepperoni pizza
    Amazon

    I've used this stuff and it is FANTASTIC. Just don't pour it in your morning tea! It's not that kind of honey.

    Promising review: "This is a great topping to pizza. Can be used in a multitude of ways but I mainly just add it to a pizzeria pizza or a frozen pizza straight from my oven. Good flavor. There’s heat, but not too hot." —Kate Singleton

    Get it from Amazon for $13.49.

    22. A jar of Fly By Jing chili crisp to add a tingly kick to dumplings, noodles, meat, veggies, whatever you've got at home ready to be whipped up. You can even put it on ice cream! This'll become your fave new condiment ASAP.

    person eating noodles with the sauce in it
    the sauce on top of a dumpling
    Fly By Jing

    Fly By Jing is Asian woman owned and sells sauces, oils, and dumplings!

    Promising review: "I have purchased my share of Chili Crisps, but this is BY FAR MY FAVORITE!!!!!!! My job allowed its employees to build a box of our favorite items and this was one of the items I chose. And I tell you I’m so GLAD I DID!!!!! It had just the amount of heat and DID NOT HAVE A GREASY TASTE!!!! After my first BITE, I looked it up so I can place my order!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!!" —Pozaya B. 

    Get it from Amazon or Fly By Jing for $15.

    23. A pizza sampler pack handmade in Naples and shipped straight to your door. And you better believe, they taste like it! Just pop one in the oven, slice it up, and buon appetito! Customer faves include the Margherita pie and Tartufina — a delicious lazy dinner with porcini mushrooms, truffles, and Fior Di Latte Mozzarella. 🍕 

    BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly holds frozen Tartufina pizza made in Italy
    Elizabeth Lilly/BuzzFeed

    I think I've found the best of the best frozen pizza out there in Talia di Napoli pizza. It is, my god, just soooooo delicious. The company makes the pizzas in Naples (Italy, not Florida) with, well, real Italian ingredients and ships them to you.

    Each pizza only takes 9–10 minutes to heat in your oven and comes out just perfectly crusty. I've had the Tartufina and a Artichoke pies and can vouch that they are oh-so delicious, and you can easily polish one off solo.

    Now, I realize that these pizza shipments are quite an investment in comparison to picking up a few DiGiornos at your local grocery stores. But these are truly a different experience and feel like an actual treat...unlike frozen pizzas of yore.

    Get the "Taste of Talia" pack from Talia di Napoli for $127 (includes 2x margherita, 2x mozzarella, 2x Tartufina, 1x four cheese, and 1x artichoke)

    24. Plus a bottle of Bachan The Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce that'll make that plain white rice you've been ignoring in your cabinet taste AMAZING. (Trust me, I've used this very simple equation for a delish, quick meal side.) It's a combo of soy sauce, cane sugur, mirin, tomato, green onion, sea salt, organic rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and toasted sesame oil.

    A bottle of the barbecue sauce next to fresh ginger, a garlic clove, and green onions
    Amazon

    Bachan is a Japanese-owned small business that makes this savory Japanese barbecue sauce. The name means "granny" in Japanese and founder, Justin Gill, incorporates the values and traditions his bachan passed down to him and hopes to continue them with his own family and in his business. 

    Promising review: "Alright, I get that this sauce is a little pricey, but it seriously packs some incredible flavor. I use this sauce as a binder for salmon. Apply a coat to both sides, season it, and then smoke it. I’m tellin' ya... it’s perfect." —Mark

    Get a 17 oz. bottle from Amazon for $8.99 (and check out more of the brand's flavors).

    25. A versatile waffle maker as a quick and easy base for your breakfast-for-dinner. Breakfast for dinner is amazing. Don't discount it! 

    Model making a waffle using the maker
    Oster

    Promising review: "Great waffle maker and a good value. We make everything in this: hashbrowns, mochi, waffles, green onion pancakes — you name it. We love it!" —J. Law

    Get it from Amazon for $22.96.

    26. And to make things even simpler, a set of squeezable instant pancakes. Just add water to the bottle and then squirt out the batter onto the pan or waffle maker. Picture this: Future You having to wash far fewer dishes. It also makes 

    A model tipping a squeeze bottle full of batter upside down to make a star shaped pancake on a pan
    Amazon

    Happy Grub is a family-owned, US-based small business specializing in products to bring families together in the kitchen. 

    Promising review: "I love these pancakes and their ease with no messes! Just add water, shake and squeeze! Organic ingredients too! The kids love making shapes! Also perfect to bring camping!!" —KJ

    Get a set of two from Amazon for $22.99 (available in five flavor combinations and in four-packs). 

    27. A two-tier stackable steamer in case you want someone else to care after your cooking duties while you do important things, like scroll through Pedro Pascal videos on TikTok.

    reviewer's two tier steamer with green beans and shrimp in it
    the same reviewer's plate of food

    Promising review: "I love this steamer. I work full time and have recently joined Weight Watchers. I can make a meal in 15–20 minutes. It’s easy to use and easy to clean." —Marissa D.

    Get it from Amazon for $32.81.

    28. Or a mini steamer that'll help you whip up some easy meal sides in the microwave.

    Promising review: "It works great so far. I just tried it to cook some fresh broccoli, carrots, and snow peas. It cooked them in less than four minutes. They turned out great!" —Camilla Rogers

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    29. A variety pack of Goodles — which is really just some *really* scrumptious boxed mac 'n' cheese made with REAL cheese. It also has some extra stuff in it like protein and prebiotics in case that's of interest. I've tried all the flavors and, tbh, they're so good for a boxed food that I couldn't care less about the extra stuff!

    four boxes of mac and cheese varieties
    Goodles

    Like I said up there ^, I've tried all these varieties. My fave is the Mover & Shaker that's a mac 'n' cheese version of cacio e pepe (my fave kind of pasta). They're all super tasty and you can tell that they're more elevated than your standard boxed stuff. When it comes to pasta, normally I'm of the opinion that the cheesier, the better. And these pass that standard! Like, if I'm gonna eat a meal that's supposed to taste like cheese, it needs to taste like cheese. And these do — probably because these are made with *actual* cheese. That is unless you're trying out the vegan option that's made with cashew nut milk. 

    Get a four pack from Amazon for $24.99. Not that you can also score them for a bit cheaper than this variety pack by the box from Target for $2.99—$3.99 each: Shella Good (aged white cheddar and shells), Cheddy Mac (creamy cheddar and macaroni), Twist My Parm (asiago and parmesan with spirals), Mover & Shaker (cacio e pepe-inspired), and Vegan is Believin' (plant-based white cheddar with spirals).

    30. A microwave egg cooker can store in a miniscule amount of space but really pull its weight when it comes to cooking up a breakfast sandwich filler or an omelet with chopped up ingredients added. What a way to use up those veggies in your fridge you've been too lazy to get creative with. 

    Promising review: "Within 2.5 minutes I can have an omelet I can eat with anything or make a sandwich to go. It is the best microwave egg cooker I've ever used. Nothing sticks so cleanup is very easy. They are small so you can store them anywhere. I use mine daily. Love them!" —Lorraine Henkel

    Get it from Amazon for $7.98.

    31. A Betty Crocker countertop pizza maker to transform frozen pizzas into ones nearly worthy of your fave local pizzeria. Sometimes you just don't want to leave your house for dinner. Or whip up a pie from scratch. And that's OK!

    Promising review: "It came yesterday and I tried a pizza right away. The result is amazing. 🌟" —Z.Sule

    Get it from Amazon for $43.73.

    32. A variety pack of delish fully-cooked Indian chana can quickly heat up in the microwave and satisfy any takeout cravings you may have. I've tried all of these and they are SO good.

    the packs of rice and chana
    green garbanzos with rice
    Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

    Maya Kaimal is a legacy Indian food brand founded by its namesake (a two time award-winning, best-selling Indian cookbook author) in 2003. It sells tons of shelf-stable pantry items that are great if you're like me and HORRIBLE at planning out meals.

    I'm queen of convenience foods (though really am trying to cook more!) but get bored very easily with what I eat. Seriously, every day is a struggle to not order off a food delivery app. (Hey, I'm supporting the local economy!) I've tried all of the varieties from this pack and have found them all to be super satisfying and filling when I pair them with some long grain rice. They make a VERY easy WFH day lunch that doesn't leave me hangry by 3 p.m. To prep, you simply open the package a few inches and put it in the microwave to heat. I'm no expert on Indian food but have eaten a fair bit of it in my life and I find that these are super flavorful but won't leave you breathing fire. *And* if you have leftovers, I simply leave it in the package, close it with a chip clip, and store it vertically in my fridge! You can see the Chickpeas + Coconut + Kale above with the brand's Turmeric + Cumin Surekha Rice.

    Get six packs from Amazon for $29.99 (also check out the Dal variety pack).

    33. A silicone splatter screen made to keep the grease in the pan where it belongs, not all over your forearms. (In case the thought of the last time that happened has been keeping you from cooking on the stovetop. Safety first!) And it's dishwasher-safe for even easier cleanup. 

    splatter screen lifted to show food cooking in frying pan
    splatter screen covered in oil

    Promising review: "It is big — so it will fit large frying pans, etc. Yet it works on pans smaller than it diameter as well. It did a good job of lessening grease/fat splatters. It was placed in the dishwasher and came out clean and intact. Nothing high tech here — but he silicone does clean up nicely." —G.H.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

    34. A variety pack of grain pilaf mixes in three different flavors that'll help add some variety to your go-to meals. Plus, it cooks in a mere five minutes. 

    Yolélé is a Black-owned, New York-based business established in 2017 that connects smallholder farmers in West Africa with local and global markets, and specializes in products inspired by traditional West African dishes. 

    The three flavors include Afro-Funk (dawadawa and herbs), Jollof (tomato and bell pepper, and Yassa! (onion, lime, and chili). 

    Promising review: "We ordered the variety pack and love all of them! This stuff is seriously good, and so quick and easy to make. Excellent quick and healthy meal...just throw in some chopped veggies and meat/tofu, and dinner is done in minutes. It’s also good cold, as a salad. Will definitely make this a staple in our house." —Kate in the Northwest 

    Get three-pack variety pack from Amazon for $18.95

    35. A three-pack of Velveeta cheese sauce you can simply pour in a bowl, microwave, and then dump over pasta or just use as a dip for some good old tortillas. These'll come in handy when it's a Wednesday night and you barely want to lift a finger to feed yourself. 

    three pouches of cheese sauce
    Amazon

    Promising review: "These have been great to use. Cooking for just one person isn't the easiest thing for me, but these portions have been great when I want mac 'n' cheese, nachos, or a small smothered burrito for one. I'm sure when it's camping time these will make it into my camping stash." —M. Cheatham

    Get them from Amazon for $3.28.

    36. A six-pack of microwaveable peacadillo in salsa verde taco filling to help you craft a burrito bowl or Taco Tuesday worth writing home about for criminally easy. This stuff is SO GOOD and I'm a dang carnivore. And it's vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free!

    bowl of pea based taco filling
    Amazon

    SOMOS is a Mexican-founded brand that specializes in flavor-packed plant-based entrees with the convenience of microwave pouches.  

    I've tried EVERYTHING in the SOMOS line after I was sent samples at launch. And then after I went through the samples, I bought a bunch of the product with my own money. Twice! And writing this reminds me that I need to do another order. This stuff is so so so good. And truly is just as easy as microwaving the pouch. I find that for me, I can do half a pouch of an entree and then half a pouch of a side (like cilantro lime white rice or Mexican brown rice) in a bowl, then top it off with a little bit of hot sauce (it's already quite flavorful!) and some green onions. Bam, there's your filling meal. 

    Promising review: "My husband is a carnivore and he was obsessed with this plant-based alternative. I am so happy to have found a healthy taco filling. It was also was delicious as a side dish!" —LEM2011

    Get them from Amazon for $18.47

    37. An under-cabinet lid opener will help pop open that jar of pasta sauce in a jiffy. Everyone can use this, but reviewers with limited dexterity especially find it helpful!

    The underside of a reviewer's cabinet, showing the lid opener installed out of site
    Reviewer using the opener to open a jar of sauce with just the palm of their hand

    Promising review: "Works exactly as it says it does. I have small hands and trouble gripping things. This makes opening jars extremely easy and it opens in seconds just by twisting the jar counterclockwise. I'm so glad I ordered 2 so I can give 1 to a family member who has trouble with opening jars as well. I would definitely buy this again!" —H.T.

    Get it from Amazon for $23.47.

    38. A trio lasagna pan so everyone in the fam can get their own fave version of lasagna for dinner without *too* much fuss. Nothing like your kid telling you at 3 p.m. on a Wednesday that they've gone vegetarian. With this, it'll be an easy dinner plan adaptation. 

    FYI, you can use these for brownies, blondies, and bread, too. This is also great for making several kinds of lasagna at once if you and other fam members have different preferences!

    Promising review: "I loved everything about this pan. It's versatile, I can put three different cake mixes in each well, or meat loaves, etc. I really love this pan! A very happy customer." —Lisa F.

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

    39. An instant-read meat thermometer to help you FINALLY cook the perfect steak while you're grilling so your cuts don't go uneaten. Or maybe just not give your family food poisoning!

    Promising review: "Couldn't be easier to use really. I tested it with ice water and boiling water and it seems to be pretty accurate. I've already cooked some steaks using it and they came out perfect. Plan to use it a lot with my smoker and expect good results there too. I love that it has the magnets so I can stick on the fridge, the grill or the smoker and it's always handy. And you really can't beat the price at under $10!" —FCC

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

    Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.