I do not buy much in pre packaged foods ,but it is nice to have some handy on occasion. Tonight I cooked fried chicken breasts . I had some zucchini that i needed to cook . I sautee the zucchini ,green onion and added it to a box of Idahoan scalloped potatoes. Added some garlic powder and black pepper. Baked as box said . Turned out really good ! Do any of you do last minute tweaks to food to enhance flavor?
I buy a type of pimento cheese that's called "Palmetto Cheese", made on Pawleys Island. It's strongly-flavored and I add a couple of spoonfuls to grits, mac-and-cheese, scalloped potatoes, etc. Ramps up the flavor. Also, I use Cavenders Greek Seasoning in everything.
I like cheese sauce on broccoli, so sometimes I'll make a boxed mac & cheese, only use half the pasta, steam some broccoli, and toss it in with the mac & cheese
I used to when my grocery store had a cottage cheese that contained flacks of minced veggies. It made a nice addition, but they discontinued it. But being single, I have to freeze leftovers...there's only but so much room. (I used to make my own baked beans from dried beans.)
I still make baked beans from scratch. My husband likes them. The house smells so good when the beans are slow baking. I freeze them in small servings for him. But, like Heidi said, I wouldn't cook that much if I was by myself. I probably would just eat peanut butter out of a jar.