40 Nourishing Recipes You Can Make With Pantry Staples
In light of current events, many of us are spending a lot more time at home these days, and that means cooking nutritious meals using simple ingredients has become more necessary than ever. When you’re finding supermarket shelves emptier than usual or don’t want to get out and go shopping, your own pantry or freezer is usually the best place to look for inspiration.
To help out a bit in these tough times, we’ve rounded up some of our best pantry staple recipes, along with a few from some of our favorite food bloggers. Scroll through the categories below for 40 recipes to make with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Rice, Pasta & Grains
It’s always a good idea to keep plenty of rice, pasta, grains and flour stocked in your pantry for making all kinds of hearty and filling dishes when you can’t get to the store. Check out a few of these recipes for meal ideas from breakfast to dinner.
- Scarlett’s Chicken and Rice
- Spaghetti With Chunky Tomato Sauce
- Spinach-Arugula-Walnut Pesto Over Whole-Wheat Penne
- Instant Pot Cacio e Pepe with Crispy Garlic Basil Chickpeas
- 4-3-2-1 Biscuits
- Whole Grain Jalapeño Cornbread
- Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Bake
- Sprouted Flour Biscuits
Beans & Lentils
Beans and lentils are a great option when you want to get more protein and nutrients into your diet, especially when you don’t have any meat on hand. Try these bean recipes for a quick, healthy and satisfying meal.
- Four Bean Salad
- Oriental Chicken Salad with Lentils
- Maple Apple Baked Beans
- Classic Hummus
- Turnip Greens and White Beans Saute
- Spicy Black Bean Soup
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken with Black Beans and Corn
- Lemony White Bean Tuna Salad
Soups & Stews
Soups and stews are perfect for those nights when you want something warm and comforting but don’t want to go out to buy tons of ingredients. You can make most of these recipes with canned or frozen items, and many of the ingredients are interchangeable with whatever vegetables or protein options you have on hand.
- Black Bean Tortilla Soup
- Easy Creamy Tomato Soup
- Classic Minestrone Soup
- Spicy Sausage Stew
- Hearty White Bean Chicken Chili
- Posole (Pork BBQ and Hominy Stew)
Casseroles
Making a casserole is a great way to prepare a large portion at once to feed the whole family. Plus, casserole leftovers usually freeze well for enjoying later. Try a few of these family-friendly casseroles made with basic pantry staples.
- Enchilada Egg Bake With Salsa Verde
- Lentil Baked Ziti
- Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Green Chili Rice Casserole
- Four-Cheese Shells & Greens Bake
Eggs
Eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients you can keep on hand. Perfect for enjoying on their own or in a range of dishes like quiches, frittatas, casseroles and more, eggs provide a nutrient-packed protein option for any meal of the day. Start with a few of the following egg recipes, which can easily be adapted to include other fresh or frozen ingredients you might have at home.
- Classic Deviled Eggs
- Country Quiche
- Spinach Quiche
- Herb and Veggie Frittata
- Huevos Rancheros
- Shakshuka (Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce)
Snacks
Can’t get out and go shopping for your favorite snacks? Make your own with simple pantry ingredients like nuts, popcorn, peanut butter, oats, dried fruits and more. Here are a few simple snack recipes to get started.