IN THE KITCHEN
The Best Store-Bought Shortcuts for Busy Fall Nights
Time-Savers You’ll Actually Use
The Season of “I’ll Cook Tomorrow”
Fall has a funny way of turning calm evenings into mini marathons. One second, you’re lighting a cinnamon candle and admiring the leaves, and the next—you’re juggling school forms, work emails, and a dinner that’s somehow both burning and undercooked.
That’s why store-bought shortcuts are the unsung heroes of the season. And I don’t mean sad freezer dinners or cans of “mystery soup.” I’m talking about smart shortcuts—those little cheats that taste homemade, save time, and still make you look like you have your life together.
The truth is, fall cooking doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. You can mix a bit of ready-made convenience with fresh ingredients and still get that “cozy home-cooked” vibe. Think of these products as your kitchen’s supporting cast: they make you the star without forcing you to peel another butternut squash at 8 p.m.
So grab your grocery list (or your phone, let’s be real), and let’s stock your pantry with time-savers you’ll actually use.
1. Pre-Cooked Proteins
When it’s dark by 6:00, nobody wants to dice raw chicken. Grab rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked chicken sausage, or frozen meatballs. Add them to soups, pastas, or tacos and—boom—dinner in minutes.
Pro tip: Shred rotisserie chicken while it’s warm and freeze it in meal-size portions. It thaws perfectly and makes weekday meals a breeze.
2. Fresh Pasta & Ready Sauces
Fresh pasta cooks in two minutes flat, and a good-quality jarred sauce can rival homemade if you know where to look. Try Rao’s Marinara, Trader Joe’s Cacio e Pepe sauce, or Classico’s Roasted Garlic Alfredo. Add a handful of spinach and a sprinkle of Parmesan, and you’re officially “cooking.”
3. Pre-Cut Veggies & Steamer Bags
Yes, you could peel your own carrots—but why? Fall markets are overflowing with pre-cut squash, onions, and broccoli florets. Steamer bags of veggies are also lifesavers for quick sides or stir-fries.
Bonus: Pre-chopped mirepoix (that onion-carrot-celery blend) is like gold. Use it as your base for soups, stews, or anything that smells like “fall at Grandma’s.”
4. Mashed Potato & Rice Packets
Shelf-stable mashed potatoes and microwave rice pouches are weeknight magic. They’re ready in 90 seconds and taste shockingly good. Mix them with butter, herbs, or leftover gravy, and your side dish is done before your entrée even leaves the pan.
Try: Bob Evans mashed potatoes or Ben’s Original jasmine rice pouches.
5. Bakery Bread & Ready Dough
Warm bread transforms any meal into comfort food. Grab a par-baked baguette, frozen garlic bread, or ready-to-bake biscuits. They turn soups and casseroles into complete dinners without dirtying a single bowl.
The Smart Shortcuts You’ll Thank Yourself For
Cozy Nights, Simplified
6. Pie Crusts, Puff Pastry & Frozen Doughs
Fall desserts get a serious upgrade when you skip the rolling pin. Use pre-made pie crusts for pumpkin or apple pies, or turn puff pastry into hand pies, tarts, or fancy cheese twists that make you look way more ambitious than you were.
Try: Pepperidge Farm puff pastry or Pillsbury refrigerated crusts.
7. Jarred Garlic, Ginger & Flavor Bases
Shortcut flavor? Absolutely. Keep jars of minced garlic, ginger paste, and pre-made herb blends in your fridge. They eliminate chopping and make everything taste intentional.
Chef’s move: Mix garlic paste with a touch of butter and honey—brush it over roasted veggies or chicken for instant “I worked hard on this” energy.
8. Shredded Cheese & Bagged Salad Kits
A little lazy? Sure. But they save real time. Pair a bagged Caesar salad with a store-bought rotisserie chicken, and you’ve got dinner for two before the leaves even hit the ground.
Pro tip: Buy cheese in bulk, freeze it in small portions, and you’ll never run out mid-recipe again.
Final Thoughts: Real Life, Real Food
The best fall cooking isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. If store-bought shortcuts help you actually sit down and enjoy dinner instead of frantically stirring a pot while answering emails, that’s a win.
So this season, give yourself permission to take the easy route now and then. Stock the fridge with helpers, not guilt. Because the best kind of “homemade” meal is the one that gets you to the table—with time to actually enjoy the company (and maybe a slice of that pre-made pie).