Want to turn ‘ there is nothing to eat’ into something delicious?! Some days, the pantry looks like a puzzle, or the thought of going grocery shopping is just… meh. I’ve got you: I’ve rounded up my best pantry staple recipes that make the most of the ingredients you already have hiding in your pantry, freezer, and fridge. Plus, I’ve added some tips about easy ingredient swaps so you can use whatever is on hand.
Some days, a grocery run just isn’t in the cards, and that is when the pantry becomes your best friend. This round-up contains the best pantry staple recipes, giving you plenty of options to keep dinner delicious without the need to grab your car keys. The beauty of these recipes is that they’re flexible—you can easily substitute ingredients or make them your own. So, put that box of mac and cheese away and whip up something delicious with what you already have. Remember, there are no rules here—you can use these recipes as inspiration and adjust them according to your needs.
What are pantry staples?
Pantry staples are basic items you always have on hand—things like rice, pasta, flour, canned tomatoes, jarred goods, condiments, dried herbs, spices, and so on. For example, you’ll always find olive oil, salt, and pepper in my pantry.
My fridge always has garlic, milk, eggs, onions, and some other vegetables. My freezer has proteins hiding in there for when I’m in a pinch and need easy options—I can just thaw them out, and I’m set for dinner!
Pantry staple recipes with chicken
Ahh, chicken – the ultimate protein! This versatile protein is a kitchen staple, taking on different flavors and being easy to cook – whether grilled, baked, or cooked in the skillet. It’s essentially a canvas, soaking up spices, sauces, and marinades. If you only have one protein in your freezer, let it be chicken. For a rich and nutty twist on your chicken dinner, try this peanut butter chicken recipe. This pantry staple recipe combines peanut butter, a can of crushed tomato, some chicken stock, and staples like spices and salt. It’s as easy as it is tasty! Use this chicken salad recipe as your inspiration. Combine a bunch of ingredients in a bowl with chicken, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard—you’re good to go! If you have some chicken, mushrooms, and white wine on hand, you can whip up this delicious chicken and mushrooms recipe . No fresh thyme? No problem – you can use dried thyme or other dried herbs instead.
For a flavorsome dish with a sticky, finger-licking glaze, try my Chinese 5-Spice Chicken . With just chicken and a pantry staple like Chinese 5-spice, you’re in for a crave-worthy meal that’ll have you coming back for more. And finally, if you have cilantro, lime, and chicken, you’re all set for cilantro lime chicken ! The recipe calls for avocado oil, but feel free to use any neutral cooking oil you have in a pinch.
Pantry staple recipes with pasta
When it comes to the best pantry staple recipes, pasta reigns supreme in my books! I mean, who doesn’t have a box of pasta tucked away in their pantry at all times? It’s the go-to ingredient for bulking up a meal without making a grocery run.
Take this garlic butter pasta , for example. It’s the definition of a pantry staple recipe – you just need pasta, garlic, butter, and a few basics like salt and black pepper. Simple, delicious, and so easy! If you’ve got potatoes and beetroots, you’re on your way to whipping up this stunning five-ingredient beet gnocchi recipe. All you need from the pantry is flour, salt, and olive oil. Making your own gnocchi means you can adjust the serving size to your preferences, too. For something a bit more hands-on (but totally worth it), try my homemade ravioli recipe , where simplicity shines. Once you’ve made the dough, the filling mixture is the chef’s choice, so you can use up whatever is left in the fridge. From butternut squash with sage to spinach and cheese or mushrooms, enjoy creating with whatever you have. Got some ground meat and canned tomato? You’re basically halfway to enjoying these meatballs in tomato sauce . The recipe uses beef, but this would taste great with other ground meats, too: turkey, pork, chicken, or Italian sausage. Especially Italian sausage! No breadcrumbs? You can use quick oats or almond flour. Everything else is common pantry staples – like salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and an egg. Then, you just have to boil up whatever pasta you have on hand.
Vegetarian pantry staple recipes
These recipes are meat-free options made with common ingredients you likely have on hand. This means they rely on staples like canned tomatoes, beans, or that bag of lentils you have stashed away.
If you have some tomatoes and parmesan on hand – the world is your oyster! You can make so many things, but I’d totally go for this delicious oven- roasted tomatoes with pesto recipe. If you don’t have pine nuts on hand, you can use anything you have to add some crunch – chopped walnuts or almonds work a treat! For a cozy and easy dish, whip up this cheesy white bean tomato bake . All you need is a can of diced tomatoes, two cans of beans, and some cheese. Parmesan and mozzarella cheese are my go-to, but you can make it work with other cheeses. If you want to clear out some cans, this slow cooker vegetarian chili is your answer. If you don’t have all of the vegetables listed, swap in whatever is left on your fridge’s produce shelf. Scatter those leftover green onions on top! And don’t forget life’s ultimate cheat code: you can have breakfast for lunch or dinner, too! There is plenty of space to hide in this zucchini tomato frittata recipe, so it’s great for using up odds and ends. Don’t have tomato? Use the leftover sweet potatoes or bell pepper on the bottom shelf instead. I always have a bag of lentils, a can of coconut milk, and canned tomatoes on hand, which means I’m basically always ready to make this lentil curry ! Use up whatever vegetables are in the fridge – potatoes, cauliflower, peppers, whatever. I usually use fresh garlic and ginger when I make this, but if you have minced versions in jars, they’ll work great.
Simple soups
The beauty of whipping up soups from whatever’s left in your cupboards is their adaptability and forgiveness – you can easily substitute ingredients or add what you have on hand. For instance, I don’t know about you, but I always have a bag of frozen peas in the freezer. This 15 minute pea soup recipe is a breeze to prepare and can be made with frozen peas. It’ll be ready by the time you would have found parking at the grocery store. Whenever I have bacon I need to use up, I turn to this simple tomato bacon soup . It requires only a handful of common ingredients—if you don’t have the celery, you can simply omit it—and the soup will still be delicious! Chicken taco soup is another one of those recipes that’s great for clearing out the cupboard and fridge. You can use another type of protein if that’s what you have, and it can be adapted with whatever veggies you have. This tomato carrot soup is deliciously creamy, simple to make, and pairs perfectly with grilled cheese— another thing that’s super easy to make from pantry staples!
Bonus: Easy spice blends for easy dinners
Have you seen the line-up of delicious spice blends on my blog before? I know my spice rack is more likely to be stocked than my fridge is, so making up a delicious blend from common spices is a good way to create a flavor base for a meal. Then, you can coat it over whatever protein you’re working with, add whatever veggies you have on the side, and call it a meal! I have a recipe for jerk seasoning , elote seasoning , a Greek seasoning blend , lemon pepper seasoning , herbs de Provence , and so much more!
