50 Pantry-Staple Recipes

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Cooking from your pantry doesn't have to be boring! Having a well-stocked pantry is a lifesaver when you need quick and easy dinner ideas, or when you're cooking more at home — like we all are right now. Pantry staples can include items from your fridge, freezer, or dry goods in your actual pantry. We've put together a comprehensive list of ingredients to stock your pantry with, whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out. You'll know you have achieved success when you only have to shop for fresh, perishable ingredients like fruits and vegetables, some proteins, replacements for your stocked pantry goods, and specialty ingredients for specific recipes.

Meal planning can certainly help with this and we have resources to get you started. Read our Ultimate Meal Planning Guide, then check out our Best Amazon Meal Prep Containers and Five-Day Meal Plan. Plus, here are some of our favorite meal planning lists you can buy.

With a little creativity, you can turn these items into delicious and nourishing breakfasts, lunches, dinners — and even desserts — with a little effort and inspiration. And don't forget — if you don't have an ingredient, don't worry about it! For most recipes, there is either a substitution you could make (example: water for stock) or you can omit it completely. Here are some of our favorite pantry meals.

Pantry Breakfast Ideas

Whether it's breakfast for breakfast or breakfast for dinner, with a little protein, cheese, vegetables, and eggs, you can have something on the table.

-American-Style Large Curd Scrambled Eggs
- French-Style Small Curd Scrambled Eggs
-Hash Brown & Egg Breakfast Cups
- Breakfast Burritos
- Cinnamon-Cocoa Babka
- Aebleskiver
- Sweet & Spicy Oven-Baked Bacon
- Spanish Tortilla

Pantry Pasta Recipes

Most people have at least a couple dried pasta shapes in their pantry. Put them to good use with one of these simple pantry pasta recipes.

• Cacio e Pepe
  
• One-Pot Ragu with Italian Sausage
  
• Instant Pot Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Pasta
  
• Pasta & Peas
  
• Chicken Carbonara with Peas & Bread Crumbs
  
• Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce
  
• Pork Ragu wtih Olives & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  

Soups

• Italian Chickpea Soup
  
• Pasta e Fagioli
  
• Mediterranean Chicken Soup
  
• Bean & Bacon Soup
  
• Roasted Tomato Soup with Pecan Cream
  
• Southwestern Potato & Pepper Jack Cheese Soup
  
• Vegan Lentil Soup
  
• Chicken & Noodle Dumplings
  
• Tuscan Potato, Arugula & Cannellini Bean Soup with Parmesan Croutons
  
• Steak & Ale Soup with Potatoes
  

Protein-Filled Main Dishes

From vegan and vegetarian to chicken and seafood, there's a main dish full of protein here for you. These may require pulling from your protein stash in the freezer, so make sure to plan ahead.

• Creamy Ranch Chicken Noodle Casserole
  
• Chicken & Bacon Burritos
  
• Spicy Beef Fried Rice
  
• Buffalo Chicken & Bacon Flatbreads
  
• Steak & Potato Foil Packet
  
• Baked Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
  
• Loose Meat Sandwiches
  
• Pork Tenderloin with Savory Date Relish
  
• Red Lentil Daal
  
• Broccoli-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
  
• Tofu Stir-Fry with Black Pepper Sauce
  
• Instant Pot Braised Chicken & Veggies
  
• Tuna Salad Melt with Sweet Piquanté Peppers
  
• Spicy Orange Fish Fillets
  
• Pan-Roasted Pork Chops with Milk Gravy
  
• Southwestern Tuna Melt Quesadillas
  
• Red Cabbage Salad Bowls with Chickpea Cakes
  
• Caesar Salad with Meatballs Croutons
  

Desserts from Pantry Ingredients

• Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies
  READ MORE: Baking with Kids: Rainbow Sprinkle Cookie Edition
• Angel Food Cake
  
• Shaker Lemon Pie
  
• Tahini Cookies
  
• Chocolate Chubby Cookies with Pecans & Walnuts
  
• Best-Ever Banana Bread
  
• Chocolate Pudding Cakes
  

What's your favorite pantry staple recipe? Let us know in the comments!