OMAHA, Neb. – Food manufacturers are tapping into the consumer trend to want homemade food without tons of work by churning out products that make cooking easier, the Omaha World reports. A recent NPD Group report found that prepared food from grocery stores and other retailers would soar 10% during the next 10 years.

“I think there's a constant struggle between wanting to make meals from scratch and the reality of getting food on the table,” said Jen Wulf, consumer insights manager for P.F. Chang's Home Menu and Bertolli brands, which are owned by ConAgra Foods. “These types of products fit that sweet spot of convenience you can feel good about,” she said.

For instance, supermarkets and other retailers are stocking pre-made meals in bags, restaurant-quality sauces in pouches, ready-to-grill meat and produce packaged together, and ready-to-bake meals from in-store chefs.

ConAgra offers bagged dinners that are designed for cooking in a skillet. The dinners are made for two, come frozen and include sauce “pucks,” chunks of meat and recognizable vegetables. “There's definitely a higher engagement level of cooking it in a skillet,” Wulf said. “You still have to clean a pan, but it's only one pan.” 

Kraft has a Sizzling Salad line that offers a sauce for chicken and salad dressing. Kraft’s Recipe Makers provide the ingredients for quick meals like sweet-and-sour chicken. Campbell’s Skillet Sauces are more upscale, with flavors such as creamy chipotle and Thai green curry. Even old standbys, such as Hamburger Helper, are getting a makeover to appeal to a new generation of shoppers.