I cook almost every meal each week for our family of 9. Cooking for a family of any size is always a labor of love and the task can take multiple hours of your day from prepping, cooking, and cleaning.
Over the years I’ve found a few favorite kitchen gadgets that have made cooking easier for me and these gadgets stand out as some of my favorites!
I’d buy each one of these again in a heartbeat!
Ninja Foodie / Instant Pot: Must Have Multi-Cooker for Families
I swear everyone needs a multi-cooker like the Ninja Foodie or Instant Pot. Whether you’re cooking for a big family or just want to save time in the kitchen, this gadget has been a game-changer for me. I can pressure cook a giant roast to fall-off-the-bone perfection in an hour, air fry chicken nuggets for my kids’ lunch, or slow cook soups all day so dinner practically takes care of itself.
There are a bunch of great options out there. We’ve had our Ninja Foodie for six years, and while it appears they don’t make the same model anymore you can find some refurbished ones with great reviews. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp with the Ultimate Lid looks similar to our older Foodie. I had an Instant pot pressure cooker prior to our Foodie and loved it!
Whichever one you choose, I promise a good multi-cooker will make cooking for your family so much easier—and more enjoyable!
This gadget was a total life upgrade! Not only has it let us stop buying pre-shredded cheese, but it also makes slicing veggies lightning fast for salads, sandwiches, and snacks. It’s easy to clean and so much safer than a traditional grater. My kids love helping prep meals with it, and I love that I don’t have to worry about anyone losing a finger.
A rotary cheese grater is one of those small tools that makes a big difference in everyday cooking—especially for busy families.
I’ve wanted a Blackstone griddle for years, and finally got one this summer—and honestly, it changed my life. I now cook almost every meal I would normally make on the stove outside on the Blackstone in a fraction of the time. Burgers, stir fry, tacos, grilled chicken—you name it!
Many people ask if it’s hard to clean, and I promise it’s a breeze. I watched a few quick videos on maintenance from Blackstone’s page, and keeping it ready to go only takes a couple of minutes.
For families who love cooking outdoors or just want to save time in the kitchen, a Blackstone griddle is a game-changer.
I grew up eating off my grandma’s Corelle dishes, and after 30+ years of use, I knew I wanted the same durability for my own family. These plates and bowls are thin enough that I can stack 12 together in less space than 4 Fiestaware plates—no contest!
After raising 7 kids, multiple moves, and plenty of dropped dishes on tile and wood floors, we’ve only lost a few. I also got the big serving bowls and loved them so much I bought a set for my grandma, and now they’re her favorite too. And if you love a deeper plate, these are great!
Why it’s great for families: These dishes are classic, space-saving, and survive the chaos of a busy household—perfect for everyday and nice occasions!
I can’t say enough good things about this Chef Mixing Bowl Set! With multiple sizes that nest inside each other, they’re sturdy without being heavy. We use them for meal prep, serving, and even storing food.
They’re especially perfect for giant bowls of popcorn on movie night or mixing up big batches of dough, sauces, or salads. A simple tool that makes everyday family cooking and entertaining easier.
This is my favorite deep baking pan! It’s deep enough for huge batches of enchiladas, pasta bakes, and cakes and also perfect to double as a serving platter on burger night. I use it multiple times a week—it’s truly a workhorse in our kitchen.
I also swear by theselarger cookie sheets; once you bake cookies on them, you won’t go back. I own four and they’re the best for Christmas cookie season!
Every kitchen needs a simple magnetic meat thermometer. I keep ours on the side of the fridge so it’s always within reach to quickly check meat temperatures. It delivers fast, accurate readings and is super easy to clean.
Having a dinner bell is just so much fun and makes calling everyone in for meals, snacks, and family meetings a little more whimsical. This is the bell we have; the quality is wonderful and it looks like it’s been in our family for years.
Cooking for a big family is never simple, but the right kitchen gadgets make it faster, easier, and more enjoyable. I’ve rounded up these favorites—and more of my go-to kitchen tools—on our Amazon storefront for easy browsing.
What’s your must-have kitchen gadget? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear!
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