What prepackaged foods do you use but doctor up first? (organic, bbq)

[NicoleJ]

I use boxed mac & cheese b/c the kids hate the homemade stuff. I always add butter, a little half & half, some shredded cheese, and black pepper.

When I use the yellow rice mixes, I sometimes add peas or corn.

I always add extra pepperoni to frozen pizzas.

[PennyLane2]

I was using create-a-meal (teriyaki or szechuan) and doctoring it up a bit, and it always turned out really good. However, they just changed it and no longer include a separate sauce pouch. Now it's not too good.

[findinghope]

boxed mac and cheese i add peas
yellow rice mix i add popcorn shrimp, or peas and onions

[arsbadmojo]

None if I can help it.

I get a little sad if I cook dry pasta. (just a little sad, making pasta isn't hard, but it makes a mess)

I do use some prepared sauces, (mustards, mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire) but even then I'm always trying to think about doing it myself once I finish the bottle. I'm embarrassed that I've never tried to make my own mayonnaise, because it's supposed to be wonderful.

Oh, I thought of one! Concentrated orange juice. I have a juicer, it's great for a lot of things but terrible for oranges. (I don't think I'm using the right kind of oranges either).

[lexingtongal]

I sometimes buy the refrigerated mashed potatoes. I add a little sour cream and butter and bake them. Might add a little parmesan on top if the mood strikes. They are very good.

[South Range Family]

Bush's baked beans are great, but we like to doctor them with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apples, and golden raisins. It's a whole new level of living then.

[Ohiogirl81]

Bush's baked beans with onions, mustard, molasses or brown sugar, ketchup and pepper, baked for 30 minutes.

Hot chocolate mix -- I add everything from peppermint candies to kahlua to the syrup from maraschino cherries. Whatever tastes good.

Plain yogurt -- Again, whatever tastes good: fresh or frozen fruit, ground spices, mashed squash.

If I want to relive my college years, I'll dump a can of tuna into a box of mac and cheese. The differences are that it's not the cheapest ground tuna anymore (solid white), nor is it generic mac and cheese (Annie's organic instead). Tastes good with a beer.

[crash330]

I buy those Knorr noodle sides. We use the Asian side dishes and add some shredded carrots and peas. I saute chicken in a pan with teryiaki sauce or sweet and sour sauce adn then add it all together with the noodles. Makes a great Asian bowl dinner.

[DontH8Me]

I always add toppings to a frozen pizza (I keep at least 2-3 in the freezer at any given time for "emergency" dinners). We add our own prosciutto, pepperoni, bell peppers, shaved garlic, red onions, mushrooms, ham, even some extra grated/shredded cheese if it needs it. It all depends what we've got on hand.

[stan4]

Mac and cheese - add tabasco
Raman noodles - add spices
Stovetop stuffing - add sauteed onions and celery and extra butter

Don't eat any of these very often.