what prepackaged foods do you still buy?

**Telephus44** · 06-09-2005, 09:49 PM

Hamburger Helper! (also Tuna Helper, Chicken Helper..) this is our version of fast food. It will be ready in 10 minutes and I know that I'll have enough leftovers to take to lunch tomorrow.

Frozen dinners when they're on sale (again, quick lunches to take to work)

Cake and Brownie Mixes - I prefer the taste of "box" brownies to homemade. Cake I like to make from scratch, but sometimes I don't have the time.

Gravy Seasoning Packets - also Sloppy Joes and Stir-Fry seasoning packets.

Rice Packets/Pasta in suace packets. These often substitute for a meal in our house when one of us eats by ourselves instead of together as a family.

**Mamaw** · 06-09-2005, 10:11 PM

I actually have quite a bit of those items in the pantry but I only buy when they are on sale and my store doubles coupons so I never pay more than a few cents for any of them. I dont think I could make them cheaper.

Cake mix/ taco seasoning/ rice r roni/ noodle roni/ potatoe casserole( Betty Crocker stuff) hot cocoa mix. I think the most I paid for any of these was 30 cents for the potatoes. I guess I do need to reevaluate this and be certain it is worth buying.

**bamamomto4** · 06-09-2005, 11:02 PM

spaghetti sauce,cake mix (make my own frosting),hamburger helper,frozen pizza,canned soups,salad dressing,frozen lasagna,seasoning packets, tv dinners (for when Steve is on nights),chicken nuggets,french fries,...Seems I buy a lot lol

**pip** · 06-09-2005, 11:47 PM

Guess I buy just about everything that people have listed, but usually store (Aldis) brand, so not terribly expensive. I like to keep things simple and easy. We do eat whole grain cereals and breads, fresh fruit, and fresh or frozen veggies, so I think our meals are fairly healthy.

**Michele Annette** · 06-10-2005, 10:34 AM

I still buy certain prepackaged foods because of my work schedule.

*Flour Tortillias (I will make my own if I have a good chunk of time on a weekend.)
*Salsa
*Annie's mac and cheese (for quick dinners)
*bread for toasting and sandwiches.
*A few canned soups if DH is stuck fending for himself.

* Brownie mix-if we are having company and I want to make a quick dessert.
*Beer and Wine (We have made our own wine before, but we don't drink very often) for specail occasions.

**Hollyhandi** · 06-13-2005, 10:53 AM

Wow! great question,
never thought of it before but Hamburger and Tuna Helper
( although lately I have been making most of it from scratch )
Spaghetti sauce although we can alot of home grown also.
Never thought about that I could make my own taco and sloppy joe seasonings.
Well now I have something to think about while mowing the lawn.

**AmyBoz** · 06-27-2005, 05:03 PM

I actually buy quite a bit of prepackaged food, but for my time, it's worth it to me, and buy huge amounts when I can get them for cheap. I won't buy it if I have to pay alot. For example, I just bought 8 boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks and only had to pay approximately .33 a box. That's worth it to me, since Julia gets these as a treat every so often and not on a daily basis. They last forever and it's easy to pull out when it's a special occasion.

I also buy bread and pasta sauce. I buy ShopRite mashed potato mix, but I make real mashed potatoes on holidays. I just don't have the time for it everyday. I buy canned vegetables because I don't have a garden.

I buy frozen broccoli for when I make cavatelli and broccoli. I buy boxed cold cereal, but again, only when I can get huge bags of Malt-o-Meal for .74 a bag. I currently have a pantry full of Malt-o-Meal because of the last sale and the coupons I traded for.

I buy cake mixes and peanut butter cookie mix, but I like to make chocolate chip from scratch.

I make my own baked macaroni and cheese. I like it so much better. I will sometimes buy the ShopRite version of the Kraft boxed mac and cheese, but only if I'm leaving it for gramma who's babysitting.

I'm sure there is more. That's all I can think of for now.

**AmyBoz** · 06-27-2005, 05:04 PM

I don't buy it anymore, but I used to be the queen of Hamburger Helper. I can't get it cheap enough anymore for it to be worth it to me. It's SO bad for you with all of the sodium, but GOOD LORD I LOVED IT!

**guest000** · 06-27-2005, 05:08 PM

I buy spaghetti sauce, cake mixes, bread (my pour dusty bread machine... *sigh*), pancake mix, canned soups, frozen meals (works with my diet), chicken nuggets, tater tots.... I could go on. This is where my money goes... sad.

**favesis37** · 06-27-2005, 05:27 PM

WOW, i guess i am really bad. i buy almost every thing pre packaged. but am working on it. instant mashed,spag. sauce, spices, cakes, you name it and i tend to buy it. i need some really good recipes.