When I was in college and first learning how to cook for myself, it always seemed to take forever to prepare meals. Over time, I learned the importance of having the right kitchen tool for the job. For example, it took me way less time to chop vegetables for scrambled eggs with a nice chef’s knife instead of trying to cut everything with tiny steak knives. This also carried over to the quality of the food I prepared. I didn’t have to suffer dried oven-baked chicken breast anymore once I discovered the wonderful power of the George Foreman grill and the slow cooker. Stocking my kitchen with the appropriate tools made it much quicker and less daunting to prepare healthy, tasty food at home.

Failure to cook most of your own meals is one of the biggest obstacles to healthy eating. For many people, cooking and preparing food is a cumbersome and frustrating process. Even with decent cooking skills, a poorly-stocked kitchen makes meal preparation much more challenging. If you want to make it easier to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals, invest in a few key pieces of equipment. This article gives you my go-to kitchen tools for easier home cooking.

Pots, Pans, and Cooking Utensils

There are three essential pots and pans you can use for all your cooking. The first is a frying pan. This is my go-to pan for day-to-day cooking. Frying pans can be used to scramble eggs, sautée veggies, and make one-pot meals, including stir-frys and curries. You can also use them to cook certain cuts of protein including steaks, seafood, and pork chops. A cast iron pan is especially versatile since you can use it in the oven as well.

Second, you need a large pot and a small pot. Both can be used to steam, boil, or blanch vegetables. I use my small pot to cook grains such as rice, oats, quinoa, and couscous. The larger pot is more versatile, allowing you to make homemade soups or chilis, boil a dozen eggs at once, poach chicken breasts, and more.

Although you can purchase these three items separately, it often makes more financial sense to purchase a pots and pans set. Any store selling housewares (Target, Walmart, Kohls, Amazon, etc.) will carry these. Look at several brands, read reviews online, and choose an option that works best for your budget. Smaller sets are best for those just starting out with cooking or who have limited kitchen space.

You should also purchase one silicon spatula, one silicon ladle, one silicon slotted ladle, and one wooden spoon. These may come with your set of pots and pans or can be purchased in a separate set. These four tools will cover all basic cooking needs.

Sharp Knife and Cutting Boards

A single, high quality chef’s knife is all you need for most basic kitchen tasks. It is safer and less time-consuming to cut meat and produce with a chef’s knife than a steak knife or another small knife. Chef’s knives can be pricey, so read reviews and find an option that works best for your budget. If you have a larger budget or are a more advanced cook, you can purchase an entire knife set. Just remember that this isn’t necessary for people who just want to make basic, healthy meals.

To keep your preparation space sanitary, you should purchase one cutting board for raw meat and a second cutting board for everything else. Choose the largest cutting boards that fit on your counter so you are not cramped. There is no real advantage to different materials for the beginner cook, so pick the option that works best for your budget.

Slow cooker

The slow cooker is the ultimate appliance for people who want great tasting, healthy food but don’t want to put much effort into cooking. For a delicious dump-and-go meal, add a big hunk of protein, a bit of salt and other spices, some heartier vegetables or legumes such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and beans, and set to low for 8 hours. The long cook time brings out tons of flavor from even the toughest cuts of meat and requires little hands-on time.

If you don’t already own a slow cooker, I recommend splurging for a large size (6 quarts is ideal) that is programmable. Larger sizes allow you to double or triple your recipes, leaving you with plenty of food for leftovers. A programmable slow cooker allows you to put in the ingredients and then leave for a long period of time with peace of mind that your meal won’t be overcooked. This is also a great option for cooking meals overnight.

Grill pan or George Foreman Grill

Indoor grilling is another great way to prepare fast, delicious meals. A grill pan or a George Foreman grill allow you to capture some of the delicious flavor and texture of grilled meat indoors, all year round.

Grill pans are generally made of cast iron and sit on top of your stove. The George Foreman grill is a plug-in countertop appliance that uses a lid to cook both sides of the meat at once. The grill pan has a longer cook time and works better for thick cuts of meat such as steaks and bone-in chops. The George Foreman is a bit faster and is ideal for boneless cuts of meat and burgers. You can use either of these tools to quickly cook large batches of protein. Simply preheat the grill, season the meat, and cook until it hits the desired level of doneness.

There are many different sizes and costs for both grilling options. Be realistic about how much meat you want to cook at once and purchase an appropriate size so you don’t end up extending your prep time because your grill is too small.

Blender

My final appliance recommendation to round out your well-stocked kitchen is a blender. Blenders combine multiple ingredients into smoothies, shakes, sauces, spreads, and soups. Smoothies and protein shakes are an especially valuable time saver for people with hectic mornings. If possible, I recommend investing in a high-end blender as cheap blenders tend to break down with frequent use and end up costing you more in the long run.

Tupperware and Freezer Bags

If you prep large amounts of food, you need a way to store the leftovers or take food on the go. Invest in a high quality food storage set (such as Tupperware or Rubbermaid) for effortless storage and more portable meals. Choose a set with various container sizes that are BPA free and microwave-safe. In addition,  quart and gallon freezer bags are great to freeze leftover meals or raw ingredients to ensure you always have healthy meals available if you can’t make it to the grocery store.

Cooking at home doesn’t have to be a daunting process. With the right tools and a bit of practice, you’ll have a much easier time navigating your kitchen. You don’t need to spend a ton of money or buy the fanciest model of an appliance. Think about how much space you have, how much you want to spend, and then use online reviews to determine the best option for you.

Appliances are an important piece of the puzzle, but how do you know what food to make? If you’re struggling to come up with easy, healthy, homemade meals, I’ve created a solution I’ll think you’ll love. Eleven Easy Meal Templates is a totally free PDF guide to my go-to meals for busy people. Grab your free copy using the box below.