Styling and Photography By Laurie Mosco

We might be returning to the office, but we’re keeping our at-home cooking skills. And by all predictions, this feeling won’t be simmering down any time soon (NPD Group).

As our lives speed up, and costs go up, we want the ease of ordering out with the affordability of home cooked meals (NPD Group).

Quick and easy doesn’t mean we want to level down on quality. Or fun flavors too! (NPD Group)

There are lots of ways to bring speed and superior quality to at home weeknight dinners.

Here’s 3 ways to add major impact and flavor — all with minimal effort.

1. Super Side-Kicks

A superhero is nothing without a faithful sidekick. Same goes for dinner sides. Sides are a great place to play with flavor and easily mix up your dinner routine.

Risotto is always a showstopper. Instead of having to constantly watch the pan, let Alessi Risotto with Cheese & Broccolini do the work for you. Made with real broccolini, real cheese, and Arborio rice, Alessi’s Risotto is ready in minutes without watching and stirring.

Sides of rice and grains are a good conduit for flavor. For the professional touch of a French Bistro opt for Tipiak. 

Based on traditional French recipes, Tipiak’s line of Organic Grains feature a blend of quick cooking cous cous, quinoa, and other flavorful mix-ins. Their Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil harkens the French Rivera, while their Turmeric & Herbes De Provence the French Countryside.

To spice things up in a snap, there’s Tilda Ready to Heat Rice. The longtime UK brand has created instant versions of its premium basmati rice with global flavors. 

Conjure the flavors of India with their Bombay Rice and its blend of ginger, cumin, and garam masala. If Portugal is more your speed, there’s Tilda’s Peri Peri Rice with a blend of green and red peppers, sweet tomato, bird’s eye chili, and lemon. All are ready in 90 seconds giving you no excuse not to up your game!

Another souped-up side that’s great in a time crunch is Eden Organic Cajun Rice & Beans. Organic small red beans cooked with Lundberg organic short brown rice, vegetables, and a blend of signature spices. Eden Cajun Rice & Beans brings the flavors of New Orleans to your table with zero prep work.

We’re all being a little more health conscious these days.  For a better-for you side that’s easy to cook and is full of flavor there’s RightRice. Their grain made from a blend of rice and veggies not only offers bold flavors like Lemon Pepper but is also a good source of fiber and protein too!

2. Endless Pasta-bilities

When comes to easy AND gourmet a home, pasta instantly comes to mind. But we want more than basic. There are many gourmet food brands bringing that from scratch experience home. 

Some of the premium pasta brands we’re loving at the moment are Rao’s, Garofalo, and Cucina & Amore

Rao’s brings the experience of the popular New York City Restaurant to your dinner table. Their line of pasta is made with two simple ingredients – durum semolina flour and water that’s bronze cut for authentic taste and texture.

Garofalo gets everyone in on the authentic Italian pasta experience. The company draws on its centuries of superior pasta making skills to create a gluten free line of pastas. Made using a blend of corn flour, rice, potatoes, and quinoa, Garofalo Gluten Free pasta achieves that bronze-drawn pasta texture that clings to sauces.

Can’t wait for al dente pasta? Then opt for Cucina & Amore Potato Gnocchi. Made with real potato using a traditional recipe, Cucina & Amore gnocchi cooks up in 2 minutes.

Excellent pasta is only as good as the sauce topping it. Good thing that premade sauces have finally achieved that homemade experience even when you don’t have a lot of time.

For the extra indulgent, there’s Sabatino Tartufi Black Truffle Arrabiata Pasta Sauce. The addition of black truffles to the traditionally spicy pasta sauce creates an extra bold experience.

Why not multitask and get authentic flavors in a no sugar added recipe with Yo Mama’s Vodka Sauce, or California Olive Ranch Roasted Garlic Sauce. Both are made with simple ingredients and no added sugar to keep up with today’s active lifestyles.

Even if you’re going plant based, you can get in on gourmet in an instant with Sideaway and their Pesto Carrot Noodles. The combination of premium extra virgin olive oil, Pecorino Romano, fresh basil, and garlic over carrot noodles creates a side full of light summertime flavor.

3. Cook Up Regional & International Flavor

The demand for high quality packaged gourmet foods is making it easier to bring regional and international flavors to your dinner table than ever before.

You don’t have to travel for regional seafood. Brands like Bar Harbor have packed up the rich, sweet flavor of New England lobster in their New England Lobster Bisque. 

Right now, sustainability is just as important as flavor. Good thing Cole’s Maryland Style Crab Soup brings both. Using sustainably sourced blue crab caught off the coast of Chile, the tomato-based soup is easy to prepare and brings all the spice and flavor of Maryland.

Comfort food is always welcome at the dinner table. Let’s mix it up with comforting, southern favorites from acclaimed chef Sylvia Wood’s with her line of at-home gourmet foods. 

Sylvia’s offers everything to make an authentic southern meal at home in minutes. From fish fry mix to collard greens, to fancy black eye peas. Even hot sauce to top it off!

Feeling a little more international flare. Adding exotic Indian flavors is even easier with Kitchens of India. Created by the Master Chefs from India’s top luxury hotels, ITC hotels, Kitchen’s of India brings authenticity while making it simple – from rich, earthy Paneer Spinach with Cottage Cheese and Sauce, to bold Pav Bhaji Mashed Vegetable Curry.

When TikTok’s got you inspired to play professional chef, Sushi Chef is there to help up your at home sushi game. Its selection of authentic Nori, pickled ginger, and short grain rice will have you rolling in no time.

Even when watching our budgets and crunched for time we can enjoy a restaurant-inspired meals every night of the week. With a little help from the premium prepared store-bought foods, you can easily play master chef at fast food speed and budget.

If you haven’t had your fill of specialty food. You’ve come to the right place!