Make the most of your pantry staples with this list of my 43 Favorite Pantry Recipes. With everything from bean recipes, pasta recipes, sweet potatoes, and breakfast recipes, there's sure to be a recipe or two you love.
What do you make for dinner when you are short on time, haven't been out to the grocery store for a while, or are stuck inside for a while like we are right now with the Coronavirus? Hopefully, this list of 43 Favorite Pantry Recipes will help! With everything from sweet potato and beans recipes to soups, pasta, and breakfast recipes, this round-up recipe post will keep your family well-fed and nourished from the inside-out.
As most of us have experienced, the last couple of days have been a bit wild. With the quick transition from coronavirus being a distant threat to having to social distance and hunker down in just a matter of days, it's been hard to know what end is up.
But instead of talk about more of what we can find on Instagram or the news, let's focus on what we can do to feel better about life as we find it, shall we?
Because the only real thing we can control is ourselves, I'm focusing on my favorite coping mechanisms and ways to make the most of the time (and closed restaurants) and pantry staples I have on hand.
Judging by the number of non-perishables that aren't on the grocery store shelves right now, I'm guessing that you may have some pantry staples on hand as well. So, whether you're reading this post in 2020, or on a snow day in 2026, know that I'm doing my best to have you covered with this list of my 43 Favorite Pantry Recipes. Now take care of yourself now, huh? <3
How do you cook with pantry staples?
There are so many recipes you can cook with pantry staples! You can make everything from pasta and soup to main dish dinners and breakfasts.
When you're looking for pantry recipes, chances are you don't have a lot of fresh ingredients on hand. And that's okay! We all get busy, bad weather hits, or we're stuck inside like we are right now for the Coronavirus. So, if you don't have some of the fresh vegetables, you can sub in or omit frozen ones. Same goes with meat -- if you don't have it, you can omit it, or -- in some cases, use canned beans in its place.
What are the best pantry staples to have on hand?
Once you have pantry staples on hand, it's so much easier to make healthy and budget-friendly meals at the drop of a hat! Set yourself up for success by keeping as many as you can of the following on hand.
- Rice -- brown, white, basmati, jasmine, or arborio
- Pasta
- Canned or dried beans
- White or sweet potatoes
- Onions & garlic
- Vinegar -- balsamic, white balsamic, apple cider, white, and red wine vinegar
- Canned tomatoes
- Dried seasonings
- Lentils
- Couscous
- Quinoa
- Flour -- all-purpose, whole wheat, or even pastry flour, too
- Oatmeal
- Broth
- Lemons and limes
- Sandwich bread -- freeze it to last longer!
- Root vegetables or hearty squash (when in season) -- butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, etc.
Other recipe round-ups you might enjoy:
- 31 Best Salad Recipes
- 15 Quick & Healthy Dinner Recipes
- Most Popular Recipes of 2019
- 49 Best Back-to-School Dinner Recipes
- 9 Best Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Best Pasta Pantry Recipes
Pasta is such a common pantry staple. It's versatile, lasts forever, pleases almost any crowd, and can stand up to so many flavors.
These recipes are healthy ways to enjoy a beloved carb. See each recipe notes for substitution ideas and recommendations for any ingredients.
Don't let this unassuming pasta fool you. Flavor bombs of garlic, oil, parsley, and salt make this a balanced and satisfying pasta with loads of flavor but with minimal fuss. Ready in under 25 minutes.
A refreshing vegetarian chickpea salad with savory Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Rinse the orzo with cool water after cooking it so it doesn't wilt the vegetables. To make this recipe vegan, simply omit the feta cheese from the recipe.
Use whatever fresh veggies you have on hand or defrost spinach or lightly steam some green beans in place of the veggies if you're low on them.
An easy one-pot sausage and pasta dish that the whole family will love! Make sure to purchase raw or bulk sausage and add extra salt at the end if using low sodium chicken broth.
If you're vegetarian or don't have sausage, simply omit and use whatever vegetables you have on hand.
A light but filling orzo salad. Get your veggies chopped ahead of time and then whip up the dressing while your orzo cooks. Also, toss your orzo with the dressing as soon as it’s drained as the pasta soaks up the flavor the best while it’s hot.
Use frozen spinach if you don't have fresh, or omit entirely!
A quick and flavorful gluten-free pasta dish. Breaking the pasta before cooking it helps the pasta to absorb the sauce better and be easier to eat with a fork.
To make this vegan, simply omit the cheese or replace with vegan parmesan cheese.
If you don't have gluten-free pasta, use any type. Use frozen spinach in place of fresh or omit if you don't have it!
Saucy and juicy ground turkey meatballs that are easy to make, healthy, and perfect for reheating. Serve these ground turkey meatballs over pasta, on toasted sandwiches, or on their own with a green salad for a satisfying meal!
If you can't find turkey sausage, feel free to sub in raw sweet Italian chicken sausage.
These meatballs freeze well if you want to save some for another day, too!
A rich and satisfying way to enjoy pesto that is big on veggies as well as flavor!
This pesto recipe makes about twice as much as you need for this amount of squash. Either halve the recipe or freeze the remaining pesto (see the directions in the recipe notes) for an easy way to enjoy it again later.
Best Sweet Potato Recipes
Make sweet potatoes the highlight of your pantry recipes with these eight recipes. These recipes are easy-to-make, feature many different flavors, and I also point out easy substitutions for any ingredients you might not have on hand.
Perfectly spiced turkey taco meat, cheese, avocado, and cilantro are served stuffed into perfectly baked sweet potatoes for a filling and nutritious dinner.
For the best flavor use a ground turkey mixture of breast and thigh meat.
Don't have turkey? Use rinsed and drained black beans instead! Substitute frozen spinach for fresh if you don't have that on hand, either.
Fuel for life with whole grains and healthy veggies in this sweet potato & lentil bowl. Make Lemon Tahini Dressing (below recipe card) while the potatoes and lentils are cooking.
A healthy sweet potato casserole with maple syrup, orange zest, coconut milk, and vanilla.
This Healthy Sweet Potato Souffle is straightforward to make, gluten-free, dairy-free, and has no processed sugar! It's the perfect surprisingly healthier Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish.
It does also require eggs and oranges, but is worth it if you have them on hand!
A butternut squash soup recipe that's so easy it only takes 4 steps.
To keep the soup vegan, make sure to use vegetable stock or broth instead of chicken.
Both sweet potatoes and carrots are delicious in this soup as well, so use whatever of the vegetables you have on hand.
Spicy, tangy, and naturally sweet, this gluten-free salad is perfect for a quick weeknight main dish salad or for weekend barbecues! Follow the notes below to make this salad vegan.
Use as many of the fresh ingredients that you have on hand. If you don't have leafy greens or cheese, simply omit. This salad would also be tasty with dark raisins instead of golden!
Enjoy these meaty sweet potato hash brown burgers with layers of flavor and smokiness. They're the perfect pantry recipe, as they use beans, quinoa, and spices!
A filling stew-like soup made with lentils, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, and harissa. This recipe has instructions for both turkey and a vegetarian/vegan option.
Use as many of the fresh veggies as you can. If you don't have fresh kale, you can omit it!
A hummus with a complexity of flavor unlike no other. Preserving the lemons (recipe below) only takes 20 minutes, but make sure to do ahead of time.
Best Bean Recipes
Don't eat boring beans! Beans can be the perfect highlight or the hidden star of so many delicious recipes, from Black Bean Enchiladas to Date Brownies! Scroll for all of my best bean recipes and find your next favorite bean recipe today.
One of the best comfort foods made healthier, these Black Bean Breakfast Enchiladas are lower in fat and sodium than the traditional or pre-made options and are brimming with just as much flavor, zest, and melty cheese. Make these for your next brunch!
Bonus points: enchilada sauce is made entirely with pantry staples. If you don't have the red and green pepper, just omit it.
These enchiladas are perfect reheated!
A healthy side dish! This Mexican bean recipe is vegan, gluten-free, ready in less than 15 minutes, and full of so much flavor. Prep your ingredients ahead of time because cooking will go quickly.
If you don't have cilantro, simply omit it. If you don't have lime juice, try subbing in a light vinegar or lemon juice!
A warm and crunchy gluten free fritter. Chill from 20 minutes up to 12 hours, depending on how long you need.
A quick and affordable pressure cooker or Instant pot recipe, this Pressure Cooker Bean Soup recipe is plant-based, delicious, made with pantry staples, and ready in about an hour! Make it for a quick and healthy dinner, or add it to your weekly menu as a plant-based recipe the whole family will love.
Enjoy the classic fudgy dessert without any of the butter or sugar. Just throw all the ingredients in a blender, run it until smooth, and then stir in chocolate chips before baking.
Enjoy a steamy, delicious, and hearty bowl of vegan chili to satisfy your comfort food cravings while nourishing your body, too.
Adjust the level of cayenne pepper to your liking, or omit it entirely. Have all your veggies chopped and beans strained ahead of time, too, as the cooking will go fast!
Also, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce if making this gluten-free.
A creamy, complex hummus with a spicy-sweet finish and the flavors of your favorite curry.
I used Mae Ploy's Panang curry paste, but feel free to experiment with other types of curry pastes. To make this recipe vegan, sub in coconut aminos (to keep it gluten-free) or soy sauce.
Enjoy savory and sweet in this crave-worthy summer salad.
Use frozen or canned corn to make this recipe with pantry staples!
Best Pantry Breakfast Recipes
Don't worry about making an extra trip to the grocery store just for breakfast! Work with the pantry staples you already have on hand to enjoy a satisfying and homemade breakfast the whole family will love.
Just make sure you have flour, oats, eggs, and milk (any kind will do!) on hand and you'll have endless breakfast options at your fingertips.
Healthier whole wheat Belgian waffles that are fluffy, crispy, and a breeze to whip up.
Make sure to use whole wheat pastry flour if you have or can find it and spoon the flour into the measuring cups or weigh it for best accuracy.
Top with any and all of your favorite waffle toppings: maple syrup, nut butter, confectionary sugar, fruit, whipped cream, chocolate chips, etc.
Tender gluten-free pancakes whip up in a blender and then are ready for the griddle! Don't worry about getting oat flour-- all you need are whole old fashioned oats for this recipe.
Read the notes below the recipe for directions on how to make your own buttermilk!
Light and fluffy pancakes that boast the benefits of whole grains. Make sure to let the batter rest before cooking your pancakes.
A delicate bread that has all the texture and goodness of blueberry muffins, this Lemon Blueberry Muffin Bread has a delicate crumb, a crunchy sugar topping, is brimming with bright lemon flavor, and only takes one bowl to make! Serve slices lightly toasted with a light spread of butter for the best brunch or snack!
Use whole wheat pastry flour and full-fat sour cream (not low-fat) for the most tender crumb.
Use frozen blueberries if you don't have fresh-- they're still delicious! If using frozen, do not thaw them before mixing them into the batter.
A healthier but just as delicious version of the breakfast classic. Blend up the eggs in the blender for the easiest soak, but you can also whisk them rapidly by hand.
A delicious 1-bowl chewy cookie recipe that has so much flavor it's hard to believe that it's full of plant-based protein, healthy fats, is gluten-free, and made with pantry staples!
A delicious, crunchy granola recipe that is gluten-free and has no processed sugar.
Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats and let the granola cool completely before breaking into clumps and serving.
A heart warming spicy, clumpy, crunchy granola. Perfect for yogurt, smoothie bowls, on its own, and more!
A healthy and filling, but not overwhelming dessert or snack. Bake your granola while pudding chills for 1 1/2 hours.
This Coconut Maple Chai Breakfast Risotto is a spicy, creamy, and rich but healthy start to the day!
If you don't have fresh berries, you can use any frozen & defrosted berries. Substitute walnuts or pumpkin seeds in place of the almonds if you don't have them.
A classic coffee cake that can either be made traditionally or vegan. Just use eggs, dairy milk and butter if traditional or nut milk, flax "egg" and coconut oil for a vegan preparation. Either way, make sure the milks and eggs are at room temperature for best results.
Best Healthy Soup Recipes
Keep your body warm and your soul happy with a nice large bowl of soup! Almost all soups are full of pantry staples, make amazing leftovers and freeze well. Browse for a great soupe recipe to make for lunch or dinner tonight!
A hearty Italian soup that comes together in under 30 minutes, is rich and flavorful and makes the perfect leftovers.
See the cooking notes below for tips on how to de-case sausage, my thoughts on the best type of broth to use, and other handy tips.
If you don't have sausage, use one extra tablespoon olive oil, add 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and throw in an extra can of beans.
A creamy and satisfying healthy fall soup recipe.
If making this gluten-free, make sure your chicken broth doesn't contain gluten.
If you don't have fresh spinach, use frozen!
A butternut squash soup recipe that's so easy it only takes 4 steps.
To keep the soup vegan, make sure to use vegetable stock or broth instead of chicken.
Both sweet potatoes and carrots are delicious in this soup. For a sweeter flavor, use sweet potatoes. For a more vegetable-forward flavor, use carrots in the soup.
Other Healthy Pantry Recipes
Check out these other miscellaneous healthy pantry recipes. Make delicious & crunchy potatoes, oatmeal raisin cookies, whole-foods based Larabars, or a healthy vegetarian stir-fry!
Crispy smashed baby potatoes with a delicious garlic parmesan topping.
These potatoes serve perfectly anywhere french fries or roasted potatoes are. I love them with a burger and salad!
Pressure cook or boil the potatoes first and then smash them before finishing them up with an air fry to crisp.
For potatoes that smash "cleanly," use the gold potatoes. Red potatoes still smash, but they do tend to fall apart a bit more than the golden ones.
Tender one-pot potatoes that are on the table in under 40 minutes.
Stir-fried vegetables and spices over fluffy quinoa. Omit eggs and use agave syrup for a vegan option and use liquid aminos for a gluten-free option.
Versatile buttery roasted hash browns that complement everything from eggs and bacon to BBQ burgers or grilled chicken.
These "larabars" use only whole, clean ingredients to recreate an adult version of a childhood favorite. Enjoy as a snack or grab for an on-the-go breakfast.
Chewy and utterly addictive Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Wow any crowd you serve them to with their complex and nutty-sweet flavor and chunks of chocolate and raisins.
For best results, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before using.
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