As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
Having a list of pantry recipes you can make in a pinch can help you save money and time. No need to run out for take-out, just turn to the pantry and cook up a pantry meal.
I’ve rounded up 30+ pantry recipes that rely mostly on shelf-stable ingredients. Keep reading for what ingredients to keep on hand and what pantry substitutes you can use instead of certain fresh ingredients.
Jump to:
- Why It Matters
- Ingredients to Keep on Hand
- Types of Pantry Recipes
- Pantry Recipes
- What are your favorite pantry recipes?
Fridge busted? Kitchen remodel? Difficulty stocking up on fresh items?
There are myriad reasons why you might want to prep pantry recipes instead of fresh, farmer’s market type fare, including but not limited to supply chain issues, lack of refrigeration, or simply more storage space for shelf-stable groceries.
But what can you make that calls for shelf-stable ingredients? Having an arsenal of pantry recipes is a great money-saving strategy.
Why It Matters
There are lots of reasons to cook from your pantry. You can save time, money, and a whole lot of stress when you keep some basic pantry staples on hand for easy pantry recipes.
When you find yourself staring into the cupboard wondering what to make for dinner, you can relax, knowing that you can pull together a great meal, no matter what’s in the fridge.
Jot down your favorite pantry recipesmade with pantry staples and tack it inside the cupboard.Mischief managed!
Ingredients to Keep on Hand
You might not normally give thought to keeping shelf-stable ingredients on hand and focus on filling the fridge.
You certainly don’t need to buy a case of these pantry items, but just a few of these ingredients worked into your regular shopping will make it easier to make great meals on the fly — at any time.
Keep the following on hand for prepping pantry recipes:
- beans (dried and canned)
- noodles (ramen, spaghetti, penne, macaroni, etc)
- grains and cereals such as rice, oats, and quinoa
- crackers, pretzels, and bread crumbs
- olive and nut oils
- canned tuna and chicken
- canned tomato products (sauce, paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes)
- spices and herbs
- dried fruits and vegetables such as onion flakes, celery flakes, dried cranberries, raisins
- canned fruits and vegetables
- nut butter, nuts, and seeds
- milk or cream in aseptic containers or canned coconut milk
- stock or bouillon
These ingredients are generally very affordable and easy to keep on hand since they require no refrigeration. They may even be cheaper than their fresh counterparts.
They are the perfect building blocks to aFrugal Pantry and essential to an emergency 14-day supply.
Types of Pantry Recipes
Here’s a review of nine types of pantry recipes that you can include in your repertoire of emergency meals:
Beans and Rice, Rice and Beans
This traditional budget meal, Beans And Riceis super tasty and easy pantry recipe to make. Don’t think it’s fancy enough? Pile on the toppings! That’swhat Chipotle does, and they call it a “burrito bowl”. Who knew something so easy and cheap could cause people to stand in line and fork over 8 bucks?
Make enough to feed an army with your eight dollars!
Mix it up with Mexican Rice, Homemade Pintos or Instant Pot Black Beans, freshly made Salsa, and other fun toppings.
Everyday Marinara Sauce
Pasta is a go-to meal for being hearty as well as inexpensive. You can easily find pasta for $1.00/pound or less — even organics. Stock up!
While you’re at it, load up on canned tomato products, such as crushed tomatoes so that you can whip up a homemade marinara sauce in minutes.
This Everyday Marinara Sauce is such a simple pantry recipe, you’ll wonder why you ever purchased commercial spaghetti sauce. Add meat or a sprinkling of parmesan or keep it simple for a filling, yet frugal meal.
Homemade Pizza
If you’ve got flour and yeast on hand, you’ve got the makings of pizza! I know, pizza might not be first pantry recipe on your mind when you look in the pantry, but when you make my favoriteBurrito Pizza, you’re just a handful of cheese away from an awesome pantry meal.
Alternatively, whip up a quick pizza sauce and you’ve got the start to a traditional pie.
Pro tip: Don’t restrict your pantry recipes to just nonperishables. Shredded cheese is easy to keep on hand in the fridge or freezer, so you can basically make pizza whenever you like!
Tuna Sandwiches
Tuna salad is a mainstay pantry recipe when you’re eating on a budget or with a limited kitchen. That humble can of tuna can do wonders in aTuna Saladthat you can stuff into Pita Pockets, tuck into a sandwich, or meld into a panini with cheese.
You can dress up or dress down your tuna sandwiches, depending on what you have on hand and how your mood strikes.
Fried Rice
Fried Rice is God’s gift to pantry challengers. All you need for this pantry recipe is cold cooked rice and a few mix-in’s, such as ham, veggies, and an egg.
You can vary the mix-in’s based on what you have on hand — go vegetarian or make it meatier with a bit of chicken.
Drizzle on some soy sauce or sriracha for a little extra pizazz. Fried Rice is a cheap and filling meal you’ll want to put on repeat.
Snacky Lunch/Dinner
Snacky lunches and dinners are some of the best pantry recipes. You don’t need large amounts of any one ingredient because everyone can grab little bits of what they like here and there. It’s a perfect pantry meal.
Raid the fridge for whatever meats, cheese, veggies, fruits, eggs, and pickles you have on hand and clear out all those boxes of crackers, spreads, pickles, and olives you’ve been collecting in the pantry.
If the veggie bin is on point, you can whip up a small batch of English pickle for some extra zing!
Vegetable Soup
Soup is a fantastic pantry meal — without a red label in sight! It’s incredibly easy to stir up a pot of soup with a can of beans, a tin of tomato sauce, and some veggies from the basket.
ThisEasy Vegetable Soupmixes up quickly and easily in a matter of minutes! Add a few buttered crackers on the side and you’ve got the perfect pantry recipe for dinner!
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast for dinner is a winner of a pantry dinner. And Breakfast Burritosare no exception to the rule.
Fry or scramble some eggs and tuck them into tortillas with whatever meats and cheeses you have on hand. Breakfast never looked so good.
Don’t forget to blend up a batch ofSuper Easy Salsato add a little kick.
Tuna Mac
Macaroni salads come together in a matter of minutes, thanks to quick-cooking pastas. Make yours a little more by tossing in a can of tuna and some seasonings and vegetables.
You’ll be amazed how satisfying thisTuna Macaroni Saladis for breakfast or lunch. And it’s super easy on the wallet.
Got your list ready to tape to the cupboard door? I’d love to hear what pantry meals you’ve included.
Pantry Recipes
Want a little more direction? Check out these
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Enjoy this Tuna Macaroni Salad as a cool main dish this summer or as a substantial side dish at your next barbecue. It packs super well for lunch on the go.
Learn More
Easy Tuna Melt Sandwiches
A tuna salad sandwich and a grilled cheese sandwich get married, making this easy tuna melt, a perfect meal for busy nights or when you want some comfort food.
Learn More
Buffalo Tuna Melt Sandwich
Looking for some ultimate mom food to make sure you eat well every day? Try this Buffalo Tuna Melt Sandwich — so delicious and packed with flavor!
Learn More
Tuna Pita Pockets
Make brown-bagging it tasty and economical with these delicious Tuna Pita Sandwiches with Cucumber. Canned tuna never tasted so good.
Learn More
The Best Tuna Sandwich Recipe
Mix up a tasty tuna salad with dill, lemon, scallion, and celery for the best tuna sandwich recipe. Easy to make and super affordable!
Learn More
Instant Pot Refried Beans
Cook up a pot of healthier refried beans to serve as a side dish, to fill burritos, or to top nachos. The Instant Pot makes it quick and easy, no soaking required.
Learn More
White Bean Chicken Chili
This easy white bean chicken chili comes together quickly but is packed with flavor.
Learn More
Bean Tostadas
Simple Bean Tostadas come together quickly and easily for an affordable meatless meal, with tortillas, refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite toppings.
Learn More
Black Bean Pot Pie
Consider the pot pie. But instead of meat and gravy, fill it with beans and cheese and salsa. So delicious and freezer friendly, too!
Learn More
Bean and Rice Soup
This Bean and Rice Soup comes together in minutes. Packed with flavor it’s a great way to use up leftovers, eat well, and save money!
Learn More
Homemade Pinto Beans
Cooking pinto beans from scratch is a great way to enjoy beans as a side dish or as a meatless main dish. They are so much cheaper than canned beans.
Learn More
Pinto Beans and Rice
Pinto beans and rice are a good cheap eat, especially when you top it with chips, salsa, and some other goodies. It’s a filling meal to help you save money.
Learn More
Quinoa Pilaf Recipe
Prep this easy quinoa pilaf recipe in less than 30 minutes in one pan on the stovetop. It's a hearty side dish or base for bowl meals.
Learn More
Smoky Bean Soup
Reminiscent of canned bean with bacon soup — without the bacon or the can! — this Smoky Bean Soup is economical and filling, without much fuss.
Learn More
Easy Instant Pot Black Beans
These instant pot black beans are a game changer when it comes to serving beans. No soaking required, you can prepare tastier and cheaper black beans in less than an hour.
Learn More
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadilla
Quesadillas are a quick, easy, and delicious dinner. Try this Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadilla recipe for a meatless version with plenty of flavor.
Learn More
Black Bean and Rice Salad Recipe
Eat good and cheap with this easy, make ahead Black Bean and Rice Salad, packed full of fiber, protein, and great taste. It comes together in minutes in just one bowl!
Learn More
White Bean Salad
Enjoy this filling, yet easy and refreshing white bean salad dotted with sweet peppers this summer. This bean salad recipe is a perfect side dish for all your grilling recipes.
Learn More
Sweet and Sour Noodle Salad
Sunbutter acts as a great replacement for peanut in this quick noodle stirfry. Quick, easy, and oh-so good!
Learn More
Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
This Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe, just like Grandma used to make, is an easy and economical dish. Stir up a pot of chicken broth with tender egg noodles, chunks of tender chicken, and slivers of fresh vegetables.
Learn More
Pesto Pasta Salad with Cranberries& Feta
Enjoy an easy supper or side dish with this make-ahead Pesto Pasta Salad with Cranberries & Feta Cheese. It’s packed with flavor and makes a colorful addition to your buffet.
Learn More
Lemon Orzo Salad
Dotted with sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, marinated artichoke hearts, and tangy feta, this delicious Lemon Orzo Salad comes together quickly in less than 30 minutes!
Learn More
Easy Pasta with Lemon
Enjoy a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s good enough for guests with this Herbed Lemon Linguine. It’s light and flavorful, a perfect meatless main.
Learn More
Southwest Pasta Salad
Liven up your next pasta dinner with this Southwest Pasta Salad. It’s got all the fun south-of-the-border flavors with the ease of a noodle salad.
Learn More
Vegetable Pasta Salad with Pesto
This meatless Vegetable Pesto Pasta is hearty without being heavy. Bonus: It comes together in minutes!
Learn More
Cannellini Bowtie Pasta Salad
Summer salads are a great way to eat well on these hot summer days. Try out this Cannellini Bowtie Pasta that comes together in a flash.
Learn More
Chicken and Bowties Pasta with Sage and Nutmeg
Ready to welcome fall in style? This Chicken and Bowties Pasta dish, rich with sage and nutmeg, creamy and delicious is a perfect addition to your fall table.
Learn More
Sundried Tomato and Brie Pasta
This pasta is one of the easiest on the planet to make.It’s an upscale mac and cheese that takes just minutes to prepare with cooked pasta, sundried tomatoes, and cubed brie cheese.
Learn More
Marinara Sauce for Everyday
Skip the bottled pasta sauce. You can make your own marinara sauce, simple enough for everyday, yet tasty enough for all your favorite dishes.
Learn More
Pantry Challenge Minestrone
Mix up a pot of this quick and easy minestrone from simple kitchen staples. It’s the perfect answer to a cold and blustery day.
Alphabet Soup Recipe
Have a hankering for that Vegetable Alphabet Soup from your childhood? You can make it yourself, without the help of a can. Just good food.
Learn More
Taco Soup
Taco Soup is an easy-to-prepare dish, so easy even a 5-year old can do it.
Split Pea Soup Recipe
Split Pea Soup is super easy to make, hearty and delicious. It’s the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold winter day. Try this one on the stove, in the slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot.
Learn More
Thursday Night Soup
Enjoy an easy dinner with Thursday Night Soup. It makes good use of whatever you have in the kitchen so that you waste less and eat well.
Learn More
Stone Soup
aka Soup from Leftovers
Learn More
Vegetable Fried Rice
Vegetable Fried Rice is a quick and easy meal that you can make with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s a great way to use leftover rice.
Learn More
Cream of Rice Pudding
Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this homemade cream of rice pudding is like a rice porridge that you can vary with all kinds of toppings.
Learn More
Seasoned Rice Pilaf
Boxed rice mixes are a thing of the past, especially when you know how to make a healthier, cheaper, and tastier seasoned rice pilaf yourself. Try this homemade rice-a-roni recipe today.
Learn More
Leave a comment and let us know what your favorites are.What are your favorite pantry recipes?
This post was originally published on January 8, 2019. It has been updated for content and clarity.