Store-Bought Shortcuts: What's Worth It, What's Not

Instant Mashed Potatoes

Worth it. True, experienced chefs might turn their noses up at this cooked, mashed and dehydrated side dish in a box. Even if you'd never stop making mashed potatoes just like your mom did, there are other reasons to keep instant versions in your cupboard. If you're baking potato bread, you'll need at least a cup of mashed spuds, and insta-ones will work fine. The flakes are also an excellent meatball filler and soup thickener. And if you plan ahead and buy potatoes to mash yourself but then learn that four more people are coming to dinner, you can add the flakes to your homemade version to bulk it up.