If you're going to do something well (and enjoy it) you must have the right tools for the job. Enjoying cooking is no exception. Having great cooking accessories makes a world of difference when it comes to the process of meal prep and cooking. The right "tools" help make the process more efficient and more enjoyable. Today, I'm sharing my top-ten, "can't live without" kitchen essentials. I hope they help make your time in the kitchen easy, fun, and efficient.

Elite Collection 14-Cup Food Processor

This is hands down my number one favorite kitchen essential (I love it so much. I may or may not have named it.). If I could only choose to keep one kitchen accessory this would be it. I literally use it almost every day. This food processor is a bit of investment but pays itself back and then some. I use it to grind oats, puree foods, mix meats, and knead dough, just to name a few. When it comes to meal prep this is a game-changer. If you want meal prep and cooking to come together with greater ease, I would, without hesitation recommend this amazing food processor.

Ninja BL480 Professional Blender

When it comes to blenders the choices are many and it can be a bit overwhelming. Having a really good, high-powered blender is very helpful when it comes to cooking. There are a variety of blender options ranging from very affordable to very costly. I really like the Ninja because it falls somewhere in the middle while still providing amazing power. This blender easily turns full ice cubes into snow in seconds. It effortlessly blends my protein shakes and smoothies. It holds a lot so making things like soup and sauces is also easy and convenient. I've had mine for years and I still really like it and it's still going strong!

Emeril Lagasse Air-Fry Toaster Oven

The food processor is my top-pick for kitchen essentials, but a great toaster oven is a close second! Toaster ovens are a great addition to a well-stocked kitchen and make meal prep so much easier. It's not uncommon for me to use my primary oven to make one meal and have a batch of DD muffins or cookies baking at the same time in the toaster oven. This little oven allows you to multi-task and accomplish so much more without taking up much space. Plus, on hot summer nights, it's lovely to be able to bake dinner without heating up the whole kitchen. I use mine EVERY single day! I recommend buying a larger version so you enjoy more flexibility, mine is large enough to bake a whole pizza or a large casserole dish. I love that!

Le Creuset Signature Cast-Iron Round Wide Dutch Oven

Let's just address the elephant in the room, right? They aren't cheap! I know these seem a bit steep for something as simple as a pot, but let me assure you, once you invest in one there's no turning back. I discovered these years ago and now have two because one is ALWAYS in use. These pots really are amazing. I use mine for everything. I cook up ground meat, saute veggies, bake casseroles, cook loads of soup and chili, they hold so much! I love these too because they clean up amazingly well in the dishwasher and they are heavy-duty like you won't believe! If you're ready to up your cooking game, I definitely recommend treating yourself to one of these, you won't be sorry!

Wusthof Gourmet Knife Set

Really good knives are a must-have when it comes to meal prep and cooking. I've used these for years. They are the real deal. Sharp, sharp, sharp, and they last! They're really resilient and feel good in your hand when you use them. I think you'll love them!

HOMWE Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitts

For years I used fabric oven mitts until I discovered these! I love them! They hold up amazingly well. They're also so nice because the silicone makes them "grippy" so they never slip. My favorite thing about them though is that they are easily washed up. No more gross stuck-on food and grime like you get with cloth mitts. They're a great price for a great product!

BLACK+DECKER Family-Sized Electric Griddle

Some variety of DD pancakes are almost always in my weekly meal prep rotation. Trying to cook them one or two at a time in a skillet would make me a crazy woman! I love that I can literally whip of a batch of pancake batter and cook enough for the whole week in minutes. This holds anywhere from 6-8 pancakes at a time when I make them. I've also used to it make big batches of things like grilled cheese sandwiches, and even quesadillas. It's another kitchen essential I simply couldn't do without!

Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop

I know including an ice cream scoop in my list of must-have kitchen essentials seems odd, but I use this for SO much for than simply scooping ice cream! Using an ice cream scoop is a fabulous way to make pretty looking cookies, protein balls, meatballs, and, of course, ice cream. Give it a try! I think you'll be glad you got the "scoop" on this kitchen tip!

Zojirushi Rick Cooker & Warmer

My husband and son are BIG eaters. It takes so much food to fill their hungry bellies and ridiculously high metabolism! One cost-effective way I do that is by serving most of their meals on a bed of brown rice or quinoa. Without fail, I cook a big pot of each when I meal prep at the beginning of the week. This rice cooker makes that so easy. It's pretty amazing! I literally pour in rice and water, push a button, walk away, and come back to perfectly cooked rice and quinoa. It's awesome!

Melamine Pour Spout Mixing Bowls

These bowls may seem like a simple addition to stocking your kitchen, but I actually adore them. I've used them for more than a decade and only had to purchase them twice because they hold up so well. I still love them. Like so many of my must-haves I use them nearly every day for mixing up every DD baked good you can imagine, washing fruit, storing noodles and salads, the list goes on! A definite kitchen essential in my opinion.