Learn to cook from your pantry staples! When you are looking at a pantry full of ingredients, it can be overwhelming to try and decide what to make! With this list of recipes by ingredient, you'll be eating in no time!
Whether you are used to cooking from scratch or not, these simple recipes will help you make the most of your food supply and pantry staples.
WHAT ARE PANTRY STAPLES?
Pantry Staples are generally shelf stable ingredients that can then be used to make a variety of recipes.
Some examples of pantry staples include (but may vary depending on your preferences):
- Flour
- Sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
- Pasta
- Beans
- Rice
- Canned meats (tuna or chicken)
- Canned vegetables and fruits
- Spices / seasonings (including yeast, chocolate chips, and so on)
- Condiments
But I would go further than the "common pantry staples" and include a few long-lasting fridge and freezer items as well!
- Butter
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cheese
- Frozen Vegetables or Fruit
- Frozen meats
When you have a good store of basic food items, then you can whip up many different meals whenever you need to!
Being prepared for whatever life throws you way with a well stocked pantry will help keep your family fed and your stress level low!
I'm breaking this down by ingredient group to make it easy to choose a recipe! Click through on the image or the link to get the full details.
Please note: There is an assumption of items like spices, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, and vanilla extract.
Recipes for Flour, Sugar, Butter, Eggs, Milk
While not every single recipe in this section needs every ingredient listed above, as long as you have those pantry staples you'll be able to make these recipes!
Breakfast Recipes
Simple and quick recipes for breakfast using pantry staples! If you have bacon, eggs, or fruit to go along with any of these, then great! If not, they are a great breakfast option on their own.
Pancakes
These homemade pancakes can be made with or without chocolate chips, and paired with breakfast meat and a side of fruit if you have them.
Waffles
A wonderful breakfast recipe, these einkorn waffles can be eaten fresh, or made in bulk and frozen for later!
Cinnamon Rolls
Though we normally keep cinnamon rolls for special occasions, however when you are trying to make it through tough times, a little cinnamon roll action goes a long way!
These ooey-gooey homemade cinnamon rolls can be made in advance and frozen, and are delicious with or without the icing.
Bread Recipes
Whether you need sandwich bread or hamburger buns, the ingredients for bread products are generally all the same! Check out these easy bread recipes for exactly what you need to keep your meal plan moving forward.
No-Knead Sandwich Bread
Being able to make your own bread is crucial for using your pantry staples! And this super simple no-knead homemade bread recipe is great for beginners and experienced bakers alike!
Yeast Rolls
Perfect for sopping up gravy, or making sliders for dinner - these Texas Roadhouse copycat yeast rolls are a winner any time!
Hamburger Buns
Hamburger buns may be in short supply during game days, severe weather, or other events - but if you have flour and yeast in your pantry, you can make homemade hamburger buns any time!
Cut-Out Biscuits
Another classic recipe is cut-out biscuits. Made in a food processor, this homemade biscuit recipe only takes a few minutes to pull together and is almost foolproof!
Drop Biscuits
If you need a dairy free biscuit recipe, these easy drop biscuits are made without milk or eggs, but are still tender and delicious!
Flour Tortillas
Another classic recipe, homemade tortillas are super versatile and can be made in bulk and frozen for a fast dinner option like fajitas or tacos - or fill them with bacon, eggs, and cheese for a breakfast burrito!
Cracker Recipes
Crackers are a great staple item on their own, but instead of spending 3x more than you need to just to buy a box of crackers, why not make your own!
Here are our favorite homemade cracker recipes to get you started!
Animal Crackers
While you may not have a tiny animal shaped cookie cutter set, these homemade animal crackers are just as delicious in the shape of squares or circles!
Homemade Butter Crackers
If you're craving club crackers, this recipe for homemade butter crackers is just what you need! Serve with cream cheese and jelly, or alongside your favorite soup or easy chili recipe.
Homemade Graham Crackers
Another recipe that is perfect for kids - and can be turned into s'mores or a cheesecake crust! Make your own homemade graham crackers today, it's easy easier than you think (and so yummy)!
Pie Crust Recipes
A simple pie crust recipe can turn into a savory dinner or a delicious dessert! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Apple Pie
- Shepherd's Pie
- Pie Crust Cookies
Recipes for Canned Vegetables
Have a pantry full of canned goods and need some quick dump recipes for dinner tonight! These easy recipes for soups and casseroles using canned goods will help you feed your family from the pantry staples you have on hand!
Beef Vegetable Soup
Even if you don't have any beef, you can still make this easy beef vegetable soup without the meat and have a delicious vegetable soup!
7 Can Soup
An easy taco soup recipe, that can be made in a crockpot, is perfect for dinner tonight! Serve on its own, with chips or rice, or use homemade tortillas!
NOTE: This recipe does use a few additional ingredients such as taco and Ranch dressing seasoning packets, but you can just season with salt, pepper, garlic, chili powder, and dill to taste if you don't have those on hand!
Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl
This Instant Pot Burrito Bowl is easy, delicious and budget friendly! Make it with or without chicken and you have a whole family meal ready in about 45 mins!
Simple Greek Bean Soup
This Greek Bean Soup is a simple take on the traditional Fasolada recipe. Full of savory flavors from onions, garlic, and good quality olive oil. A delicious one-pot soup that simmers slowly for warming weeknight meal.
Delicious Recipes Using Beans or Rice
Beyond flour, sugar, and eggs... beans and rice are a classic pantry staple for people all over the world! Here are a few recipes to help you use your stock of beans and rice!
Southern Style Pinto Beans
Growing up in Texas, pinto beans and cornbread was a staple in our home my entire life! Super easy to make and extremely cost effective, Southern style pinto beans are a great option for an easy dinner!
Crockpot Refried Beans
Let your Crock Pot do the cooking! Make delicious, nutritious, refried beans in your slow cooker--with your choice of spices and seasonings.
Quinoa and Black Bean Tacos
If you are trying to avoid some of the classic grains, these quinoa black bean tacos are a perfect option! You can serve in a lettuce wrap or in a homemade tortillas (if you're not avoiding classic grains).
Easy Baked Beans
A little too sweet for a stand-alone meal, homemade baked beans are a delicious side dish for a beef dinner and a side of crusty bread!
Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup
While this does contain kale, which you may not have one hand, remember that you can have kale ready to harvest in just a few weeks! Then you'll be able to make all the white bean and kale soup you want!
Pinto Bean Bread
Extend your flour stock and use some of your pinto beans to make this homemade pinto bean bread! An innovative recipe for stretching your pantry staples!
Vegan Red Beans Soup
This vegan red beans soup is cooked in the instant pot and traditionally served with warm fresh bread & a salad!
Easy Vegetable Fried Rice
With just a few frozen vegetables, an egg or two, and a few cups of rice, you can have a hearty and delicious meal with this vegetable fried rice recipe!
Cilantro Lime Black Beans and Rice
A delicious recipe for black beans and rice can be eaten on its own or served as a side for grilled chicken or fish!
Broccoli Cheddar Rice
This creamy broccoli cheddar rice recipe is perfect for sneaking a few green vegetables into your kids. With the creamy texture, they probably won't even mind!
Garlic Butter Instant Pot Rice
Probably not a stand-alone recipe, but perfect for serving with whatever else you have for dinner tonight. Make this easy garlic butter rice in your Instant Pot and it will be ready in just 15 minutes total!
Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
This flavorful Mexican Rice recipe is easy to make at home on the stove top or in a rice cooker! It is the perfect side dish for all your favorite Mexican foods.
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