Best everyday grocery staples

Start with the beans. A can of black beans is the most useful thing in a grocery basket: cheap protein that goes into tacos, rice bowls, soups and salads without a recipe. Hanover's are well rated and plain, so you season them your way.

Who the rest suit:

• Bush's baked beans — a ready-made side for cookouts and weeknights when you don't want to cook.
• Hurst's 15 Bean soup mix — one bag, a big pot of soup, great for batch cooking.
• Great Value corn 8-pack — a pantry backup for salads, chili and sides.
• Thomas' English muffins — a fast breakfast base that beats most cereal.
• Multi Grain Cheerios — the everyday cereal pick if you want something lighter.
• Maruchan ramen — the cheap emergency meal for the back of the cupboard.
• Grated parmesan — the finishing touch that makes pasta and soup taste finished.

Skip the calendars and light fixtures that turned up in the search; they aren't food.