My Organized Pantry + Recipes! If you cook as much as I do, you need an organized kitchen and pantry. These new bins from The Home Edit by iDesign Wooden Collection, from the Container Store helped me to get organized!
I also share some pantry essentials and some great recipes down below.
Disclosure: I am a Brand Ambassador for The Container Store.
The Home Edit by iDesign Wooden Collection
This line is the first sustainable collection by The Home Edit, made with responsibly sourced Paulownia wood, The Wooden Collection is crafted with renewable materials, and the products can be used anywhere in your home: your bathroom closet, your storage closet, your work space, wherever you need to get organized!
The bins are light weight but still durable and sturdy. I love how they match the countertop I have in my pantry. Now, everything is organized and categorized. And if you cook as much as I do, you really need to know where everything is! I was on the fence about leaving some items in their boxes. I wasn’t sure if I wanted everything in a bin. Let me know what you think and how you have your pantry space organized! Would love to hear some feedback! Click here to check out the products and more pantry basket type containers.
Pantry Essentials
I always say that with a well stocked pantry, you can always find something to cook. This is what I like to keep in my pantry at all times.
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. My advice for the new school year? Start meal planning, stock that fridge, pantry and freezer and let’s get cooking!
If you don’t have every ingredient for these recipes, that’s fine. Use what you have at home and substitute things. Use the base of these recipes as a foundation and for inspiration. That’s how you learn and grow as a cook! I hope these can get you started this new school year!
- 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
