Some days I just don’t know what to cook. Even if I’ve made a meal plan, I sometimes don’t feel like fixing it or I forgot to thaw the protein. So, my go to are pantry dinners. These are dinners that you can whip together with the ingredients you always have on hand. The ingredients often have long shelf lives so you can have them ready for just these occasions.
The ingredients you have in your pantry will be different based on your food preferences, but having a few basics available will always provide you with the means to making a quick meal when things just aren’t coming together for dinner.
The Ingredients
A well stocked pantry can feed you for quite awhile after your budget has run dry if you make sure to have it well stocked with common items. Some ingredients to consider having on hand:
- Dry or canned beans
- White or brown rice
- Canned tuna
- Other canned meats
- Diced and stewed tomatoes
- Canned vegetables
- Dry pasta
- Chicken broth or stock
- Olive oil
- Spices and dry herbs
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
The Meals You Can Make with Pantry Ingredients
- Beans and Rice
- Pasta
- Tuna and…
- Pantry Tuna Penne
- Tuna Rice Casserole
- Tuna Patties
- Vegetarian Chili
- Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) such as pancakes or waffles
- Waffle Mix
- Basic Fritatta Formula (to make your own creations)
- Veggie Fried Rice
- Sandwiches, Melts or Open-faced sandwiches
Share your recipes! I’d like to know what your go-to meal ideas are when you have no drive to cook or no fresh ingredients. Link to recipes or write them out in the comments!
