If you mainly cook from scratch, what ready-made stuff do you use?

[masterstef]

I cook about 90% of my meals from scratch (no, I don't make my own sausages, bake my own bread, make my own pasta or smoke my own salmon but you know what I mean).
Generally I think it tastes loads better but since having kids I have resorted to microwave rice, pre-made mashed potato, pre-prepared meat and potatoes on the odd occasion.

I've even made my own hummous in the past (not particularly worth it except if weaning) and guacamole (totally worth it)

However, I've always used some stuff from jars, like:
Dolmio bolognese sauce (always thought it was full of crap but it's not, only quite sugary)
Sacla pesto (the chargrilled aubergine one is amazing)
Ambrosia custard/rice pudding (I did make my own custard when I lived abroad and it was lush, but no time for that now)
Stuffing from a packet
Bisto gravy (would love to make my own gravy one day)
Spice Tailor curry kits
The odd stir-fry sauce although my own one is awesome, just a bit time-consuming

That's about it, I think, but would be interested in other shortcuts that work well!

[octopusrus]

Thanks for your replies! Lots of good ideas, thank you. Got him peeling and chopping veg for their dinner tonight which he seemed pleased with so will start with cookbook shopping next 👍

[TryingtobePrepared]

octopurus the naydia bake me a story book is great dd7 does a mean goats cheese and red onion tart and her flapjack are pretty good. It has some good short cuts but the recipes are really well written for a child to follow.

[Moomicorn]

Aivar
Tinned potatoes for quick sauté potatoes
Plain cooked rice for quick fried rice

[BillyWilliamTheThird]

Filo pastry, Quorn nuggets and fillets for emergency meals, oven chips ditto. Usually have a jar of curry paste - never sauce, I make my own - knocking about.

I've never made jam as I deffo cba with the mess. I make my own hummus, pastry, pesto, yoghurt and bread though as they're (a) cheaper and (b) part of our effort to use less plastic. I have attempted making my own sausages, but it was NOT a success. And I occasionally make our own fruit squashes too - so much nicer than shop bought. But I do like cooking though...

[Weenurse]

My girls started cooking at 7 and 8. Same meal every week initially, then branching out. Number 1 did chops with French onion soup mix, pillowed in alfoil and cooked low for an hour with baked spuds and salad. Advantage was she could prepare it and put in the oven for an hour and get on with her day.
Daughter number 2 did spag bol with garlic bread and salad.
Both are good cooks now.
We have had a chore chart on the kitchen door since then with everyone’s night to cook listed. Even though they are grown now.
I buy pastry, gravy and pasta and jams and biscuits.

[Birdinthetree]

Puff pastry, jams and chutneys, spice pastes, gluten free bread.