Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Chef Boyardee brings sizzle to skillets
Chef Boyardee is whipping up a new addition to its menu with a line of skillet meals.
The skillet meals allow Chef Boyardee, best known for its Italian-inspired offerings, to enter a growing category as consumers look for easy, budget-friendly meal solutions that don’t compromise on taste. The lineup features five varieties: Beef Pasta, Cheeseburger Mac, Cheesy Italian Shells, Meat Lasagna and Chicken Alfredo.
“Families today are looking for meals that check every box — quick to make, affordable, and something everyone at the table will love,” Dan Anglemyer, COO at Hometown Food, said in a statement. “Chef Boyardee Skillet Meals deliver exactly that, combining the brand’s rich Italian heritage with the convenience modern households need.”
The Chef Boyardee Skillet Meals are available at select retailers, with nationwide expansion planned this summer.
The launch represents a “major milestone” by Hometown Food, part of private equity firm Brynwood Partners, to revitalize Chef Boyardee after purchasing it from Conagra Brands last year for $600 million. The deal added to Hometown’s portfolio that includes Pillsbury, Birch Benders and Hungry Jack.
At the time, Brynwood Partners CEO Henk Hartong said the firm planned to “reinvigorate” Chef Boyardee and bring it into new formats.
Anglemyer said in a statement that the Chef Boyardee Skillet Meals are “just the beginning” of the brand's innovation plans, noting that consumers can expect to see it in “several new places” in the store in 2026.
— Christopher Doering
Buldak spices up macaroni and cheese
Samyang Foods, the maker of the spicy Buldak ramen, is bringing the heat to macaroni and cheese.
Buldak Mac & Cheese marks the Korean company's first entry into the category and gives consumers a nostalgic comfort food with a global, spicy twist. It will be offered in two varieties: Sweet Corn Buldak Mac & Cheese and Carbonara Buldak Mac & Cheese. The product will be available at Walmart from May until late fall.
"Traditional Mac & Cheese has remained unchanged for decades, leaving a massive opportunity for a product that speaks to the modern palate," Youngsik Shin, CEO at Samyang America, said in a statement. "By combining the creamy indulgence of Mac & Cheese with the signature Buldak sauce, we are creating an entirely new eating occasion that moves beyond the pantry staple into a cultural experience."
Buldak's extra hot noodles have built a following on TikTok, where users film themselves reacting to the intense spiciness. "Buldak Noodles Challenge" has more than 251 million posts on the platform. The noodles are especially popular among Generation Z and Generation Alpha consumers.
By launching a macaroni and cheese, Samyang is speaking directly to what's become its biggest market. Americans made up the majority of the 1 billion Buldak instant ramen packets sold in the second half of 2025, Samyang America told The Korean Times.
Sales reached $419 million last year, up from $50 million three years ago, according to the publication.
— Sarah Zimmerman
‘Breaking Bad’ stars break into tequila
“Breaking Bad” actors Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are expanding their mescal company to include tequila.
Dos Hombres, which was founded by the actors in 2019 and is partially owned by Constellation Brands, is launching tequila offerings in blanco and reposado varieties, each with a 40% ABV.
The alcohols are made in partnership with Tequilera Tap Distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. The spirits are double-distilled and are made with slow-roasted Tequilana Blue Weber and volcanic water, according to a press release.
“Tequila is the natural next step for Dos Hombres and emphasizes our passion and appreciation for agave spirits,” Cranston said in a statement. “We did a great deal of research, visited multiple sites and fell in love with the people, products and craftsmanship at Tequilera Tap Distillery.”
The blanco variety, which hit the market on May 1, has flavor notes of black pepper, lime and orange zest. The reposado was aged in bourbon barrels from Four Roses, giving it an oak character. The product will become available later in 2026.
Dos Hombres is also updating its packaging with new bottles and label designs as part of the launch.
Priced at $39.99 and $49.99, the latest Dos Hombres spirits tap into growing interest in high-end and premium tequila offerings, a segment that has outpaced the rest of the category.
— Laurel Deppen
