25 Recipes Using Pantry Staples. We are all aware of what’s going on in our country, in our world right now. It’s important not to panic. I wanted to share a list of recipes that can help you use what you have in your pantry.
PANTRY AND FRIDGE ESSENTIALS
I know it’s difficult right now. We’re all in this together. We’re seeing completely empty grocery store shelves, long lines at the grocery store and people hoarding and stocking up on toilet paper, hand sanitizer and everything. Please let me say this. Hang in there. Talk to your local grocery stores and Costco. They are working very hard to re-stock shelves and I believe they are re-stocking every day based on what they have and what they are receiving on a daily basis. If you weren’t able to buy beans and pasta, go back again in a day or two. Call your local grocery store and try to go in the morning if you can.
I believe most of us right now, depending on your profession, are all at home now and working from home. And those of us who are parents are now at home with our children. I am just going to take this one day at a time. I’m going to limit my kids’ screen time, talk to them about what’s going on but not scare them and am going to take them outside everyday to get some exercise and fresh air. Beyond that, it’ll be reading books, educational apps, movies, and games.
Looking for this recipe, click here.
ARE YOU A TEACHER?
If you are a teacher or just someone who has other ideas, please leave a comment below. I’d love to know what else I can be doing. Right now, it’s two weeks but I heard that may become two months depending on how many more confirmed cases and deaths happen during this time frame.
WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
Again, I just want to urge us all not to panic. Stay informed. Read and watch the news. Say thank you to your mail man, grocery store clerk and anyone who is still working so that we can keep some normalcy right now.
All I can do is help with in food category and recipes. Because we all need to eat.
Lots of you asked me to share my list of pantry staples and I shared this on Instagram yesterday and got an overwhelming response and had double the people watching my Instagram stories. Again, if you don’t have these items, don’t panic. Call your local grocery store and ask them when they are re-stocking. If you have these essentials at home, you should always be able to cook a meal and feed yourself and your family.
I have added more here than I shared yesterday on Instagram
IN YOUR PANTRY
- Pasta: all types
- Potatoes: all types
- Rice
- Lentils
- Beans: all types
- Quinoa
- Chicken stock, beef stock, vegetable stock
- Soups
- Jarred or canned tomato sauce
- Canned diced, crushed tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Canned tuna
- Oils (olive oil, coconut, vegetable etc)
- Nut butters
- Herbs and spices: Chili powder, Lemon pepper seasoning, Cumin, Paprika, Hot chili pepper flakes, oregano, Italian seasoning, powdered ginger, just to name a few
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
- Dijon mustard
- Vinegar (red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar)
- Onions
- Garlic
- Bread: all types
- If you like to bake: flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, vanilla extract, chocolate chip morsels
ASIAN FOOD PANTRY STAPLES
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Hoisin sauce
- Rice wine vinegar (or brown rice vinegar)
- Oyster sauce
IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR
Obviously, we all know fresh fruits and vegetables are not long lasting. You will have to use them within the week but I still urge you to keep buying and eating fresh fruits and vegetables during this time. Eat your greens!
- Fresh vegetables; I am stocked with carrots, cucumbers, celery, spinach, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes and bell peppers
- Fresh fruit: apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, lemons and limes, whatever you can get
- Eggs
- Milk
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Butter
- Protein: chicken, beef, pork, tofu, fish, deli meat: Now this has been the hardest to purchase. Beef and chicken around me in PA is very hard to find. I was able to buy some pork chops yesterday. Remember, don’t panic. You can get your protein through other food sources
IN YOUR FREEZER
- Frozen vegetables: green beans, peas, carrots, corn just to name a few
- Frozen fruits
- Toaster waffles
- Frozen rice packs
- Frozen pizza
- Frozen ready made meals
- Frozen cookie dough balls; if you know me, you know this. Recipes I use: this and this
25 Recipes Using Pantry Staples
If you have some of the grocery items listed above, you can make these recipes. Hang in there. Focus on the positives. Spend time with your family, read a book, organize your closet, bake a cake, and cook.
If you don’t have every ingredient for these recipes, it’s fine. Use what you have at home and substitute things. Use the base of these recipes as guidelines and inspiration.
- Chili; just make this a 3 bean chili
- Tomato Soup with grilled cheese
- Stir fry; this can be vegetarian if you don’t have any beef or chicken and you can use frozen vegetables
- Pasta with beans and tomatoes
- Orzo Pasta with Tuna; this works with any type of pasta
- Easy weeknight or one pot pasta
- Homemade macaroni and cheese, or level up boxed macaroni and cheese like this or this
- Super Simple Lo Mein
- Fried Rice; if you have ground beef, great! If not, just use eggs and keep it meatless
- A Frittata!
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Skillet Beans and Rice
- Pasta e fagioli
- Minestrone Soup
- Beef and Barley Stew
- Potato and Leek Soup
- Four Cheese Risotto
- White Cheddar Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Weeknight Pasta with Turkey and Spinach; if you don’t have ground turkey, simply omit
- Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Italian Pasta Bake; this can easily be meatless
- Fettuccine Alfredo– no heavy cream needed!
- Skillet Lasagna; this can easily be meatless
- Orecchiette with Corn and Spinach; works with any type of pasta
- Tortellini Recipe
