Whether you’re sick, stuck at home, or just out of your mind, having some easy pantry staples in your back pocket is a lifesaver.
In this post, we’re going to cover not only what foods to keep in your pantry for easy meals, but how to store them, and most importantly: make easy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
When you think “pantry food” you probably think boring rice and beans or pasta with some marinara. While there is a time and place for basic food, we want to keep it interesting and enjoyable! This is where having varied and versatile pantry items comes in. My goal for you, after reading this post, is that you can always feed yourself even if you don’t shop for groceries during the week.
Good pantry items are shelf-stable (or fridge/freezer stable), easy to cook and versatile enough to turn into a variety of meals. For example, beans can be added to rice, pasta, casseroles, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, scrambles, and mixed into sauces and dips. Beans can be boring on their own, yes, but with the meal templates and ideas below, you’ll find tons of uses for them and other common pantry items.
When in doubt, you can always search online. There are thousands of creative ideas to spark some inspiration for those times when you’re looking through your cabinet wondering what to do with a random can of forgotten canned artichokes or refried beans. Or you can read and see what we have to offer!
Remember: You don’t need *everything* on this list. Think about what you want to make and your dietary needs/preferences. This is a great place to start!
Food Staples: What to Stock Up on for Easy Pantry Meals
*Before you go shopping specifically for pantry staples, take inventory of what you already have! I call it a pantry treasure hunt.
Pantry or closet (or wherever you can fit stuff)
- Dry Products: Pasta, noodles, rice, quinoa, farro, couscous and all your favorite grains can last for months in the pantry. They work best in airtight containers.
- Canned Products: Black beans, chickpeas, white beans, pinto beans, canned lentils, tomatoes, coconut milk, and canned vegetables will never let you down. Canned chicken and fish make very easy protein.
- oil and vinegar: My go-to oils are olive, coconut, avocado, and vegetable. Red/white wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar will make cooking much easier.
- Baking Ingredients: Flour, sugar, baking soda, vanilla, oats, and butter come in handy for breakfast, snacks, and desserts!
- Spices: Cumin, paprika, oregano, cinnamon, curry powder and onion powder are my essentials
- Production: Potatoes, onions, garlic, and squash can last up to several months in a cool, dark place
- Miscellaneous: Breadcrumbs, chicken/veg stock, protein powder, nutritional yeast, and cornstarch are all good things to have on hand.
Refrigerator
- Dairy products: You can’t beat eggs, cheddar and hard cheeses like Parmesan and butter
- Spices and Sauces: Stock ketchup, mustard, tahini, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, curry paste, miso paste, mayo, pesto, and marinara.
- Production: Apples, citrus fruits, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans have a good shelf life in the refrigerator.
- Miscellaneous: Bread, tofu, tempeh, chocolate chips, nuts (they keep well in the fridge)
the freezer
- Protein: Any animal protein of your choice; Chicken, shrimp, fish, tofu and tempeh can be frozen
- Vegetables: Broccoli, corn, peas, cauliflower, and spinach are my favorites, but there are so many great options for frozen veggies!
- Results: Berries, bananas, and mangoes are my favorite fruits to freeze for smoothies and baking, but there are many options.
- Cooking Ingredients and Food Ingredients: Bread, stock, cooked grains, sauces and herbs can all be frozen for cooking!
There is more! Click here for our complete 2-page printable pantry and freezer list.
Pantry and Freezer Storage Tips
The right ingredients will only get you so far if you don’t know the right storage methods! Pantry storage is pretty straightforward: airtight containers work best.
Here are the containers that are similar to the ones I have! Storing dry pantry products in airtight containers will make your ingredients last longer and protect against bug infestations (a real thing!).
But you can completely create your own pantry storage using jars and plastic containers from leftover ingredients. Mason jars, Talenti containers and anything that will screw with a top! Old plastic food containers also work well.
Another advantage of this is that you can actually see everything in your pantry and it will feel more organized.
Related: My Favorite Meal Prep Containers
To store food and ingredients in the freezer, the key is to keep containers and storage methods as airtight as possible. There are a few ways you can do this.
Super Cubes are one of my favorite new products and they are perfect for freezing meals, extra sauces and veggies. They are easy to store food in or fit neatly into a zip lock bag. I found that the cubes fit perfectly in some of my food prep containers!
The most ideal way to freeze food is to use a vacuum sealer like this one. I don’t have one and they seem to take up a lot of space, but definitely something to look into if you plan on using your freezer for ingredients and meals. This will keep your food safe from freezer burn.
But if you don’t want to get one of these, you can forge a vacuum seal at home for free. All you need is a large bowl of water and some zip lock bags! This method works really well for me when I freeze meat and fish in small portions.
11 Easy Pantry Breakfast Ideas
Berry Oatmeal
Chia pudding
Pumpkin Muffins
Banana pancakes
Blueberry Oat Cups
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bar (WWL Members Only)
Homemade No-Bake Granola Bars
Baked Veggie Frittata
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast sandwiches
Shakshuka
11 Inexpensive Pantry Lunch Ideas
Stir-fry the tofu and veggies into the rice
Customizable instant noodles
One-Pot Tortilla Soup
The go-to burrito bowl
Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas
Peanut Soba Noodles
Tuna Pasta Bake
Cheesy rice, broccoli and chickpeas
Chicken Noodle Soup
Pesto Pasta Salad
A classic peanut butter jelly sandwich
11 Quick Pantry Dinner Ideas
Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole
Crowd-pleasing chili
Tikka masala with rice
Veggie Fried Rice
Veggie Mac n’ Cheese
Loaded Black Bean Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Thai Coconut Curry
Budget-friendly chickpea curry
Lentil “meatballs” and spaghetti
Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos
Black Bean Enchiladas
Think outside the box for pantry staples (pasta).
Pantry foods don’t have to be boring or lack nutrients. But it is also important to keep in mind Not every meal has a protein or vegetable to be complete.
When we find ourselves in situations where we have to rely heavily on pantry foods, it’s important to break away from this rigid thinking about what constitutes “good” or “healthy” food. Your body will be fine if every meal doesn’t contain protein and/or vegetables. Trust that your body will figure it out!
When it comes to using rice, beans, and other common pantry ingredients in creative ways, I recommend looking to other cooks for inspiration! Most of the time, we’re most creative within limits – like sticking cooking out of your pantry.
Want more tips from me? Sign up to receive our free meal prep starter kit here, along with a list of our pantry and freezer essentials.