10 Kitchen Essentials You Need to Make Good Food Fast at Home
Ever feel like dinnertime is a race against the clock?
Between busy schedules, picky eaters, and the temptation of the drive-thru, making meals at home can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be.
When your kitchen is stocked with the right tools, you can prep, cook, and serve delicious meals in 30 minutes or less—without the stress. Whether you’re brand new to cooking or just want to make it easier, these 10 kitchen essentials will help you save time, cut back on food waste, and enjoy more meals around the table.
Let’s break down the must-have tools every busy family needs to make good food fast—starting today.
- Manual Chopper
A quality manual chopper is your shortcut to fast meal prep. It’s perfect for chopping onions, nuts, herbs, and more in seconds—no electricity or food processor required.
Why it matters:
– Cuts your prep time in half
– Easy to use and clean
– Great for everything from salsa to salad toppings
Tool I recommend: SuperSonic Chopper System
This isn’t your average manual chopper—it’s a prep station in a compact container. With a simple pull of the cord, you can finely chop onions, garlic, herbs, nuts, and more in seconds. It comes with three precision blades, a paddle whisk for mixing dressings and sauces, and even a funnel for easy emulsifying. Available in two sizes, it’s ideal whether you’re prepping a single meal or batch cooking for the week. Easy to use, quick to clean, and no plug required!
- Microwave Cooking Appliance
A microwave cooking system doesn’t just reheat—it actually cooks full meals. Think baked potatoes, steamed veggies, ground beef, even cake… all in minutes.
Why it matters:
– Cook dinner without turning on the stove
– Steam, roast, and bake—all in one system
– Perfect for weeknight meals and busy nights
Tool I recommend: Stack Cooker System
The Stack Cooker is like having an extra set of hands in the kitchen. This multi-level microwave cooking system lets you cook a full meal—from meat to side dishes to dessert—all at the same time. It browns ground beef, steams veggies, even bakes cake, all in the microwave. Each layer is thoughtfully designed to nest or stack depending on what you’re cooking. It’s the ultimate time-saver for busy weeknights.
- Bowls with Airtight Lids
Every kitchen needs mixing bowls, but ones with airtight lids? Total game changer.
Why it matters:
– Mix, serve, and store in one bowl
– No spills, no wasted ingredients
– Ideal for prepping ahead or tossing quick salads
Tool I recommend: Thatsa Bowls
These aren’t just any mixing bowls. Thatsa Bowls are built to work with you—with an ergonomic thumb handle for better control and airtight seals to keep ingredients fresh longer. Available in a variety of sizes, they’re perfect for tossing salads, mixing batters, marinating meats, or serving snacks. Lightweight but durable, they’re kitchen staples that go from prep to serve to storage without missing a beat.
- Microwave Pasta & Rice Maker
No more waiting for water to boil. These microwave tools help you get dinner on the table fast—with perfectly cooked rice or pasta, every time.
Why it matters:
– No babysitting the stove
– Cook and serve in the same container
– Built-in strainers and grain guides
Tool I recommend: Microwave Pasta Maker & Rice Maker
These two microwave must-haves take the hassle out of cooking grains and pasta. The Rice Maker includes cooking guides for 9 different grains so you can get it right every time. The Pasta Maker lets you cook, drain, toss, and serve in the same container—no boiling water, no waiting, no separate colander. They’re perfect for quick lunches, last-minute dinners, or picky eaters who want pasta now.
- Microwaveable Storage Containers
Store it, reheat it, eat it. Containers that go from fridge to microwave without making a mess are a must.
Why it matters:
– Meal prep once, eat all week
– Steam vents for safe reheating
– No spills or splatters
Tool I recommend: CrystalWave Plus Containers
These containers were made for leftovers—but they do so much more. Designed with a built-in steam vent, they let you safely reheat food in the microwave without taking off the lid or worrying about splatters. The seal stays on during reheating to prevent spills, and the durable material means they hold up meal after meal. Perfect for portioning out lunches or planning your week’s dinners in advance.
- Fruit & Vegetable Storage Containers
Category: Fruit & Vegetable Storage Containers
Keep produce fresh longer—and actually use it before it goes bad.
Why it matters:
– Built-in venting system
– Reduces waste
– Saves money on groceries
Tool I recommend: FridgeSmart Containers
These containers are smart in every sense of the word. With a built-in venting system that controls airflow, plus a permanent produce chart to tell you exactly how to store each item, FridgeSmart helps your fruits and veggies stay fresher—up to twice as long. No more wilted spinach or wasted berries. Stackable and easy to use, they’re a true money-saver for produce lovers.
- Freezer-Safe Containers
Batch cooking is one of the best time-savers for busy families—but only if you have the right containers.
Why it matters:
– Protects food from freezer burn
– Perfect for leftovers and make-ahead meals
– Stackable and space-saving
Tool I recommend: FreezerMates Plus Containers
Say goodbye to freezer burn and hello to fresh-tasting meals—even from frozen. FreezerMates are designed to protect your food while keeping nutrients and texture intact. The flexible yet durable design makes them easy to open straight from the freezer, and their stain-resistant finish keeps them looking new. Stack them neatly to save freezer space and simplify batch cooking.
- Airtight Storage Containers
An organized kitchen is a happy kitchen. These containers help you keep track of ingredients—and avoid the dreaded pantry avalanche.
Why it matters:
– Keeps dry goods fresh longer
– Easy to stack and store
– Helps you avoid overbuying
Tool I recommend: Modular Mates
When it comes to organizing your pantry like a pro, nothing beats Modular Mates. Designed with an airtight seal to lock in freshness and a stackable, space-saving design, these containers transform cluttered cabinets into streamlined, easy-to-navigate spaces. Their modular shapes make the most of every inch of storage, whether you’re corralling baking supplies, snacks, or pasta. With Modular Mates, you can see what you have at a glance, keep food fresher longer, and make meal prep faster and more efficient.
- Oven Cookware
A great piece of oven-safe cookware means fewer dishes and more time at the table.
Why it matters:
– Cooks, stores, and reheats in the same container
– Safe for oven, microwave, and freezer
– Lightweight and easy to clean
Tool I recommend: UltraPro Ovenware
UltraPro is the one dish that does it all—cook, store, reheat, and serve. Made from a unique lightweight material that’s safe for the oven, microwave, fridge, and freezer, it’s ideal for casseroles, roasts, baked pasta, or even dessert. Its sleek design transitions beautifully from oven to table, and because it’s nonstick and dishwasher-safe, cleanup is a breeze.
- Reusable Cooking & Storage Bags
Ditch the plastic and upgrade to silicone bags that do way more than store snacks.
Why it matters:
– Reusable and eco-friendly
– Great for freezing, marinating, and microwaving
– Stand up on their own for easy filling
Tool I recommend: Ultimate Silicone Bags
These aren’t just reusable—they’re multiusable. The Ultimate Silicone Bags are made from high-grade platinum silicone and are safe for the microwave, fridge, freezer, oven, and dishwasher. Use them to store leftovers, freeze smoothie ingredients, marinate meat, or carry snacks on the go. They stand upright for easy filling and seal tight to keep food fresh without waste.
You Can Do This!
You don’t need to be a chef to feed your family well. You just need the right tools. With these 10 kitchen essentials, you’ll spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the people around your table.
Let’s ditch the stress, the takeout bags, and the “what’s for dinner” scramble. Let’s make good food fast—together.
Ready to simplify your kitchen life? Visit my landing page to shop the collection and grab your free 10 Kitchen Essentials Guide.
Ready to ditch the drive-thru and make good food fast at home?
Join my exclusive email list and get:
✔ My FREE guide: 10 Kitchen Essentials to Help You Ditch the Drive-Thru
✔ A weekly email packed with tools, tips, and tricks to make meal prep quick and easy for your family
Sign up today and start saving time, money, and stress in the kitchen!