12 Pre-Packaged Grocery Store Foods To Make Your Dinners Easier

We get it: After a long day of work, the last thing you want to do is toil around in the kitchen for hours to put dinner on the table. By the time you're clocked out and ready to think about what to cook, the idea of peeling potatoes or setting up a breading station to batter some fried chicken feels unbearably daunting — maybe even impossible, depending on your time constraints and energy level. If it feels like you have less time to cook than you used to, it's not your imagination: according to The Atlantic, even though cooking at home is healthier and saves big bucks compared to dining out, economic instability and other social changes are making it more difficult for the working class to find the time to prepare home-cooked meals. The good news is that there are some pre-packaged grocery store foods out there that can help you whip up a solid meal in a jiffy.

Even though these foods are pre-packaged, they still require a little cooking on your end to make them into a real meal. Even so, these shortcuts are bound to save you plenty of time — and you can still pat yourself on the back for doing some of the cooking. Think of this approach as a compromise: somewhere between the tedious drudgery of having to make dinner from total scratch and the luxurious convenience of dining out and having your meal completely prepared for you by someone else. Here are some pre-packaged grocery store foods that are bound to make your dinners easier.

Spinach dip probably isn't the kind of thing that you normally associate with dinner. Typically enjoyed with some crusty bread or tortilla chips, spinach dip is often relegated to the world of small bites and appetizers. But the truth is that spinach dip can function as much more than a snack. Spinach dip is the epitome of condensed flavor, and most of the premade brands you'll find in the grocery store are loaded with various cheeses, onions, garlic, sour cream, herbs, and artichokes. Rather than looking at this as merely a dip, try using it as a base for pasta sauce. With minimal effort, you can transform spinach dip into a luscious, garlicky cheese sauce that's lightyears better than any jarred alfredo.

Here's the trick: save some of your pasta water. Once your pasta is cooked, make sure to reserve some of that leftover salty, starchy pasta water. Combining pasta water into sauces helps the sauce to thicken and bind to the noodles, creating a smoother and more flavorful sauce. So the next time you want to make some quick pasta for dinner, put some premade spinach in a sauce pot, add some pasta water, and stir over low heat until everything is smooth and thoroughly combined. Pour over pasta and simmer until the pasta is coated and the sauce is thickened. Add some freshly grated parmesan on top and you're ready to dig in. Thanks to that pre-packaged spinach dip, your noodles are bathed in a cheesy sheen of spinach, garlic, and artichokes — and each bite tastes better than the last.

Refrigerated ravioli is one of the best kinds of premade pasta that's ideal for a quick dinner. Unlike spaghetti and other plain noodles that need to be boiled, pre-packaged ravioli is stuffed with a wide variety of different fillings like a blend of mozzarella and ricotta cheese, spinach, or mushrooms. Ravioli's filling gives it some extra oomph, and because it's already made and sealed for you, the hardest part of the work here is done. All you need to do is pair it with a sauce and some fresh vegetables and voilà — you have yourself a solid dinner.

When it comes to the sauce, if you really want to knock it out of the park, you can always try the spinach dip trick above. Another quick option is using a jarred pesto sauce. Jarred pesto is another shining example of convenient, concentrated flavor, with its pleasantly pungent blend of basil, garlic, and pine nuts. To go the extra mile, toss your pesto-coated ravioli with a few handfuls of baby spinach to get some fresh greens in while the pasta is still warm. The residual warmth of the ravioli should be enough to wilt the baby spinach and help it cling to the pasta. This whole dish can be made in a matter of minutes thanks to pre-packaged ravioli — and it even features fresh greens. Keep in mind that you can always change it up and try out different styles of ravioli with various sauces.

Guacamole is a delicious way to add bright, acidic creaminess to a wide range of dishes. It's also a great way to infuse your diet with a healthy dose of avocados — which are loaded with potassium, antioxidants, and other health benefits (via WebMD). Most of the time, guacamole is simply eaten with tortilla chips or spooned into tacos, but it can also be turned into a sauce to glaze grilled meats and vegetables.

By mixing premade guacamole into a quick chimichurri sauce, you'll be rewarded with a velvety glaze that pairs perfectly with a chargrilled steak, roasted salmon, grilled shrimp, or lobster tail. Simply whisk in some extra olive oil, fresh herbs, lime juice, and honey, seasoning to taste until you've reached your desired consistency. Drizzle your guacamole chimichurri sauce over succulent chunks of freshly-grilled meat or vegetable skewers and enjoy the fruits of your relatively effortless labor. Even though this didn't really require much work, this sauce delivers major flavor, thanks to the premade guacamole — making it a great trick to have up your sleeve to amp up an easy dinner.

When it comes to pizza, it's always so tempting to just have some delivered to your door. With just the push of a few buttons, dinner's done, and a cheesy pie covered with your favorite toppings awaits you. And while there's nothing wrong with ordering pizza once in a while, it's still nice to save a few bucks and make some at home on occasion. These days, plenty of grocery stores sell balls of refrigerated pizza dough that are ready to go for an affordable price. For an easy and delicious crust, try spreading it out into a seasoned cast-iron pan. Then top it with cheese and some of your favorite toppings and throw it in the oven until it's bubbly and golden. Congratulations — you're a pizzaiolo!

Keep in mind that refrigerated pizza dough doesn't have to be used just for pizza. There is no pizza police (that we're aware of) that will lock you up for using your dough in other clever ways. Stromboli, calzones, fresh garlic knots, and cheesy pinwheels are just a few more ideas of different dishes that you can make with that ball of store-bought dough. Let's face it: most of us don't have time to make raw dough from scratch on a regular basis. Refrigerated dough at the grocery store is a great stand-in that can simplify dinners in a variety of delicious ways.

There's something inherently comforting about a creamy, buttery bowl of mashed potatoes. That said, making them from scratch can be pretty labor-intensive and time-consuming. After a long day at work, mustering up the energy to whip up fresh mashed potatoes probably isn't in the cards — but you can still easily satisfy your inner spud-lover by taking another route. Instant mashed potatoes are a fantastic way to incorporate mashed potatoes into your dinners without having to do much work — and there are a few simple things you can do to improve them.

To add a little texture and some earthy bite, mix in some diced green onions. If you happen to have some gravy on hand, a little drizzle will also work wonders. Of course, mashed potatoes always work as a tasty side dish, but if you want to transform it into the star of the show, consider making some quick shepherd's pie with those instant mashed potatoes. The bottom line: if you're looking to stock up on supplies that will make your dinners easier, instant mashed potatoes should be on the top of your list. With just a little milk and butter, you can have a warm pot ready in a matter of minutes.

Crunchy, juicy, and bursting with flavor, fried chicken is always a crowd-pleaser. While making it from scratch is always best, the reality is that it's a fairly involved process that requires levels of time and attention that many folks just don't have the bandwidth for on a regular basis. If you want to enjoy some crispy fried chicken from the comfort of home without having to do much work or pay to have it delivered, check out the frozen section of your favorite grocery store and look for bags of chicken tenders.

Boneless and easy to eat, most pre-packaged chicken tenders come with a seasoned breading that's highly flavorful. Bake them in the oven or toast them up in your air-fryer and you'll have hot and crispy chicken ready in no time. There's an endless sea of possibilities here. You can toss them in some buffalo sauce and pair them with greens and blue cheese for a buffalo chicken salad. You could chop them up and mix in some barbecue sauce, then put it on little potato buns and top them with slaw to make little barbecue sliders. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, or even tacos — the sky's the limit when you have a tasty blank canvas of pre-packaged chicken tenders to work with.

It's no secret that garlic packs a punch when it comes to flavor. When it's raw, it has a sharp, spicy bite that electrifies the senses — and when it's cooked, it mellows out to take on a softer texture and nuttier flavor profile that suits countless dishes. Using garlic paste is an easy way to inject some quick flavor into soups, marinades, sauces, salad dressings, and so much more. Of course, garlic paste tastes best when it's made fresh, but when you don't have the time to trim up a few raw bulbs yourself, it's always nice to have some premade garlic paste on hand in the fridge.

There's no shortage of ways to put your garlic paste to good use. Add some to your marinara sauce while it simmers. Mix it with some salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and fresh lemon juice for a zesty sandwich spread. Stir it into some room-temperature butter and chopped parsley for a quick garlic butter that you can drizzle over grilled shrimp and angel hair pasta — but make sure to save some for slathering onto an easy batch of homemade garlic bread. There's no doubt that garlic paste is an essential ingredient that can empower you to make delicious meals with ultimate ease. Get yourself a tube or two and bask in the convenient glory of premade garlic paste.

If you haven't had kimchi before, think of it like pleasantly complex sauerkraut with varying levels of spiciness. Typically made with fermented cabbage and a reddish paste made with a wide range of ingredients including Korean chili flakes, kimchi has a bright and funky taste with a touch of heat that's extremely flavorful. Aside from its delicious taste, kimchi also offers a variety of health benefits that can support your immune system and improve digestive health (via WebMD). Because kimchi has such an intense, concentrated flavor, it's a great ingredient to infuse a simple meal with tons of tangy goodness.

For a quick and easy dinner, try making some kimchi fried rice with bacon. Cooking your veggies, kimchi, and rice in bacon fat adds a lot of smoky flavor, and little bits of savory bacon add a touch of meaty texture. Top with a fried egg, garnish with some green onions, and you're locked and loaded for an amazing meal. Be sure to pop that creamy yolk and let it coat the rice before taking your first bite. There are tons of other delicious ways to use up kimchi, like using it for marinades or braises, making it into kimchi butter for grilled meats, or adding it to soups and stews.

Ground beef is always an easy protein to work with for dinner. The problem is that eating red meat on a regular basis has been consistently connected to cases of colorectal cancer (via Tufts University). The good news is that there are a variety of healthier options on the market these days, including pre-packaged plant-based proteins. Gardein, for example, makes a tasty crumbled protein that's strikingly similar to ground beef that's made from concentrated soy. Because the soy crumbles are already cooked, you don't have to handle raw meat or spend much time cooking it. All you really need to do is simmer it in a sauce and you're good to go.

This opens the door to all kinds of meatless, protein-rich possibilities. You can make a meatless bolognese for spaghetti, a hearty filling for tacos or burritos, or a soy-based chili. Gardein's soy crumbles soak up juices and flavors similar to how ground beef does — but with 87% less fat. All things considered, there's no doubt that plant-based protein options on the market like soy crumbles can simplify your dinners and also help cut back on your meat consumption.

Canned tomatoes provide an easy way to make fresh-tasting sauces. And because plain canned tomatoes aren't as heavily salted and seasoned as jarred marinaras or other pre-packaged sauces, you have a better ability to customize the flavors of the tomato sauce. By simply blending canned tomatoes with a little fresh garlic, basil, and a touch of salt, you can easily produce a bright and fresh tomato sauce base that can be used for pasta, pizza, soup, stew, and curry.

You also get more bang for your buck, since plain canned tomatoes tend to be super cheap. Cheap, healthy, and easy to work with, canned tomatoes are a versatile and convenient ingredient that every kitchen should stock up on for easy dinners at home. Enchiladas, ziti, jambalaya, and chicken tortilla soup are just a few of the many simple dishes you can make with the help of canned tomatoes. You could also just add a touch of cream to make a velvety tomato soup and pair it with grilled cheese — a timeless, delicious meal that always warms the soul.

Loaded with vitamins and nutrients, broccoli may also have compounds that can shield against cancer (via Healthline). Health benefits aside, broccoli also happens to be delicious and versatile. Roasted, sauteed, steamed — there are a number of ways you can prepare broccoli that results in different textures that can work in a wide range of dishes. The only problem? Having to give it a thorough wash followed by a tedious trimming session. The time it takes to prepare fresh vegetables can be a major obstacle for most of us — luckily, there are some pre-packaged options that can save the day in our time of need.

Pre-packaged broccoli is a convenient way to get some greens in your dinners without having to go through the trouble of preparing them. Most of the time, bagged broccoli already comes trimmed and washed, which saves a lot of time and energy — so all you have to do is start cooking. Saute with some butter and garlic and add it to your fettuccine alfredo, stir fry with some beef and serve with rice, or just make a classic, cheesy broccoli casserole — there's no shortage of easy dinners you can make with this mighty cruciferous vegetable.

Canned beans are one of the best ways to make an easy dinner that's tasty and healthy. Rather than having to go through the time-consuming trouble of having to soak raw dried beans, canned beans are extremely convenient because they're already cooked and ready to go. All you need to do is pop the top, rinse them off, and get to business adding them to some of your favorite dishes.

One of the easiest ways to prepare canned beans is by simmering them in a zesty tomato sauce with onions and garlic and serving them with rice. Lightly seasoned with cumin and chili powder, the beans soak up tons of flavor and pair perfectly with some fluffy white rice. Garnish with some fresh cilantro and a splash of your favorite hot sauce and you're in business.

For another quick dinner idea, consider black bean and cheese quesadillas served with sliced avocado and salsa. For hearty soups and stews, creamy cannellini beans are a great choice. There are lots of popular beans to choose from like navy, pinto, and kidney — and all of them bring their own unique tastes and textures. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types to see what works best with some of your favorite dishes like chili and tacos.