Spice up your cupboard!

We selected 11 updated basics in the PEOPLE Food Awards that will help you cook dinnertime magic. Stock your cabinet with a “faster than takeout” microwaveable meal, a tangy boxed macaroni and cheese and bake sale-championing brownie mix.

Best Spice Blend

Lawry’s Seasoned Cajun Seasoning

Turn up the volume on everything from meat and seafood to vegetables and tofu with this bold, Southern-inspired blend of paprika, red pepper, garlic and onion.

Buy it! $6, mccormick.com

Best Stew

Patak’s Madras Yellow Dal

The Indian comfort dish of “luxuriously silky” lentils cooked in curry-spiced coconut milk is a “weeknight dinner dream,” said one staffer. Ladle it over hot basmati rice or with naan for scooping.

Buy it! $4, amazon.com

Best Baking Mix

Bob’s Red M

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