5–6 quart air fryer
A roomy basket allows a single layer; smaller baskets require extra batches.
The 15-minute kitchen
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Cookware
Three pieces that do almost all the work in a 15-minute recipe.
Rimmed baking sheet
Space for vegetables and small pastry bakes.
2.5-liter microwave- and oven-safe casserole dish
Use only a dish rated for both appliances when the method specifies them.
18–20 cm nonstick skillet with lid
A small covered pan for gentle stovetop cooking.
Microwave oven
For packet rice, quick mug cakes and vegetable steaming. Adjust timings for wattage.
12-inch stainless steel skillet
Wide enough to sear a pound of shrimp in one layer and then toss the pasta right in. Tri-ply heats evenly.
6-quart pasta pot with strainer lid
Drain through the lid — no colander, one less thing to wash on a weeknight.
Fast-boil electric kettle
Our #1 speed trick: boil water in the kettle while the pot heats. Cuts 4–5 minutes off any pasta recipe.
Tools
Small tools that shave minutes off prep.
Mixing bowls
For dressings, batters and combining ingredients.
Shallow meal-prep containers
Portion meals and keep wet dressings separate from crisp ingredients.
Instant-read food thermometer
Check internal cooking and reheating temperatures.
Box grater
Quickly grate vegetables and cheese.
Toaster
Toast bread while preparing toppings.
300 ml microwave-safe mugs
Room for small cakes to rise; fill only halfway and avoid metallic decoration.
Blender
Blend smoothies and sauces; follow the manufacturer’s hot-liquid instructions.
12-inch locking tongs
Flip shrimp one by one and lift pasta straight from the pot into the skillet.
Microplane zester
Fluffy lemon zest and snowy Parmesan in seconds. The tool we reach for most after a knife.
Stainless garlic press
Five cloves in 20 seconds, no sticky fingers. You don’t even need to peel them first.
8-inch chef’s knife
One sharp, balanced knife handles 90% of weeknight prep.
Lemon squeezer
Every drop of juice, zero seeds in your sauce.
Pantry
Upgrades that make simple food taste like effort.
Bronze-cut spaghetti
The rough surface grabs sauce, so the garlic butter clings instead of pooling.
Parmigiano Reggiano wedge
Real Parmigiano melts into a glossy sauce; pre-grated cheese often clumps.
Diamond Crystal kosher salt
Easy to pinch and hard to over-salt. All our recipes are tested with it.