The image of the person cooking everything from scratch is inspiring, but it’s not necessarily realistic for most of us. If you have the time and capacity to do that, great! But if not, it’s OK to use some workaround to make it less stressful to make dinner. Here are 10 dinner shortcuts that I frequently use to save time as well as buying expensive ingredients that I won’t use very often!
10 Dinner Shortcuts to Make Cooking Easier
Swedish Meatballs
You can use frozen meatballs and jarred or gravy mix packets to make a recipe like this one. Just follow the directions on the packet instead of making the sauce and continue the recipe from there. Additionally, frozen meatballs often go on sale!
Chicken Parmesan
Use frozen, breaded chicken cutlets and jarred marinara to make a recipe like this. Use pre-shrededed mozzarella and serve over pasta!
Chicken Pot Pie
This recipe calls for refrigerated pie crusts and canned soup already, and you can make it even easier by using pre-cooked chicken (like from a rotisserie chicken).
Here’s a deal on something you hope you won’t need to use but is definitely better to have in case you do!
This 55-Piece Emergency Roadside Kit is just $16.18 at Walmart (reg. $29.95)! Includes 12ft 10-gauge jumper cables, a complete tire repair kit, screwdrivers, and work gloves for roadside fixes. Also comes with a flashlight with a detachable tripod, an emergency blanket, bungee cords, first aid kit, and an emergency sign.
What a great gift for a new driver or anyone who travels long distances!
Get the deal:
55-Piece Emergency Roadside Kit – $16.18 (reg. $29.95)
Offer valid for a limited time only. Shipping is free with Walmart+ or free with orders of $35+.
See more deals at Walmart.
Tomorrow is the last day to head to Walgreens Photo to get this 10 x 14 Photo Puzzle with Tin for 70% off after a coupon code. That makes it just $10.50 – a fabulous last-minute gift!
Enter code 10PUZZLE at checkout to get this deal. Plus, you can get free same-day pickup!
This Photo Puzzle comes fully assembled to ensure all pieces are included. It includes 252 pieces!! The included tin has the puzzle image on the lid.
This offer is good through tomorrow, 10/3. Choose free same-day pickup.
See more deals at Walgreens.
I love to see sales on Annie’s Organic products! Get Annie’s Mac & Cheese for just 99¢ per box with this easy Kroger deal.
Kroger Annie’s Organic Deal (ends 10/6):
- Annie’s Mac & Cheese, $1.99
-$1 off Annie’s Organic Mac & Cheese, 6 oz., use up to 5x per transaction, Kroger (exp 10/6) eCoupon
-.70/1 Annie’s Natural Mac & Cheese, 6 oz., use up to 5x per transaction, Kroger (exp 10/6) eCoupon
(use $1, makes it 99¢)
Check out the full Kroger ad for more great deal ideas.
Prime Members can save money on gas for the rest of the year! Starting 10/2, members save 20¢ per gallon on Fridays through 1/29/2027!!
Savings are available at BP, Amoco and ampm locations. Just head here to activate your new benefit. You will need to link your Amazon account to the earnify app to start saving right away!
If you’re not a Prime member yet, you can get a free 30-day trial right now. The fuel savings are just one of the many perks you’ll enjoy!
See more offers from Amazon.
Right now you can get $5 metallic posters from CVS Photo! Order online and use the CVS code METALLIC5 at checkout for a 16×20!
Even better, they have lots of other deals right now so you can knock out a bunch of heartfelt gifts! Check out the codes below and start your project!
CVS Photo Codes:
- METALLIC5 – Get a 16×20 metallic poster for $5 (reg. $23.99)
- TAKE60 – Get 60% off all other posters and wall decor
- SHOP40 – 40% off photo books and enlargements
- DRINK8 – $8 15oz. Mugs or 11oz. Can Coolers
These deals are good through 10/10 so go ahead and make your project now! Pick it up sometime this week when you’re out!
See more Christmas deals!
Save big on frozen pizza at Lowes Foods this week! Screamin’ Sicilian Pizzas are B1G1, and you can add in a printable coupon to pick up a pizza for just $4.99.
Lowes Foods Screamin’ Sicilian Pizza Deal (ends 10/6):
- Screamin’ Sicilian Pizza, 16.35-25 oz, B1G1 at $11.99 ($5.99)
-$1 off Screamin Sicilian Pizza (sign up) printable
(use printable, makes it $4.99)
See the full Lowes Foods Ad for more great deals.
This deal always sells out early! Right now at Woot! Get a refurbished iPad for as low as $89.99! Even better, use this code to get an extra 10% off!
To get the deal, use code APPLETEN at checkout. You can enter the code at the very last stage of checkout. This makes iPads as low as $80.99!
There are lots of styles and specs to choose from. This is a great chance to get an iPad for a really discounted price!
Deal Ideas:
– Use code APPLETEN
Makes it $80.99
This deal is good thru 10/8 and while supplies last (this deal has sold out early the last two times). Shipping is FREE for Prime members!
See more online shopping deals!
In case you missed them, this week’s Amazon Top Sellers are all in one place! We rounded up 10 of the best-selling products on Amazon that shoppers can’t seem to get enough of right now. And because we couldn’t resist, we’ve added a couple of bonus picks to the list, too.
Consider this your weekly peek at what’s trending on Amazon, what shoppers are loving, and which Amazon best sellers are worth checking out before you miss them again!
Top Deals
Diet Coke 16.9 oz 6 Pack – $5.39
Save $10 when you buy $30 of select items
GODONLIF Candle Warmer Lamps – $13.79
clip the on-page coupon
Bob Ross by the Numbers Mini Book – $7.01
Scotch Heavy Duty Packing Tape 6 Rolls – $10.74
