10 Recipes to Make Using Pantry Staples

March 12, 2020

Recipes using pantry staples don’t have to be boring! These 10 recipes are flavorful, simple to make, and delicious, all using pantry staples from your cupboard, freezer, and fridge!

I know I’m not alone when I say a large majority of my mental space has been dedicated to the dreaded C-word lately: CORONAVIRUS.

Most of the country seems to be freaking out. If it’s not from actually contracting the virus, maybe it’s the confusion from listening to the news too much or anxiety about being self-quarantined. Or maybe it’s because they really don’t have many answers about the trajectory of the virus.

The world is 100% a tad scarier than it was a few months ago, especially if you or someone you love is elderly, immunocompromised, or has a pre-existing condition.

Personally, I have lung disease, so it’s especially frightening. We’re doing the best we can to stay “socially isolated” and minimize exposures, but living in New York City it’s hard. I can’t keep a 9 month old cooped up either, so inevitably there are elevator rides to the lobby of our apartment building to get to walk through the park.

We’ve made some hefty changes in our day-to-day lives, like my husband now working from home and cancelled birthday parties and classes for my son.

I know I’ve never lived through something like this and the unknown (ANY unknown) is scary. I’m leaning into my fear, and trying to be as productive as possible, without reaching the level of hysteria.

But I do think it’s important to be a responsible citizen…

Wash your hands properly
Stay away from others if you don’t feel well
Disinfect surfaces and keep up proper hygiene
Prepare your home as if you have to self-isolate for 14 days (more on this below)
Do what you can to boost your immune system (like sip this Ginger Lemon Tea) and eat vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, peppers, broccoli, kiwis, strawberries, etc.)

Even more, we’re prepared if we need to self-quarantine, which means stocking the pantry.

As a food blogger and dietitian, my pantry is always stocked. (Check out my favorite pantry items!) We’ve made sure it’s extra-stocked at a time like this.

I consider my pantry to have 3 components: the pantry cupboard, the fridge, and the freezer.

My FREE Dietitian-Approved Pantry Staples Checklist covers the dry goods.

When stocking the fridge, aim to include foods with far expiration dates and long-lasting produce, like:

Eggs
Cheese
Yogurt
Milk (dairy or plant-based)
Chicken sausage
Packaged organic deli meats
Onions
Carrots
Garlic
Winter squashes (butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
Cabbage
Radishes
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Apples
Bananas
Melons

When stocking your freezer, aim for balance, as you would balance your plate with frozen:

Veggies (spinach/kale, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.)
Fruits (berries, mango, peaches, etc.)
Proteins (fish, shellfish, poultry, chicken sausage, ground meats, etc.)
Starches (bread, tortillas, peas, corn, etc.)
Treats (make room for fun!)

But what do you do with all of your pantry staples?

Download my FREE Dietitian-Approved Pantry Staples Checklist!

Here are 10 Recipes Using Pantry Staples During a Coronavirus Quarantine:

1. Veggie Bean Chili

There’s no better use of canned beans and tomatoes (in my opinion) than CHILI! You can make SO MUCH with pantry staples, a few long-lasting produce items (like onions), and freezer staples (frozen corn kernels, for example).

If you stocked your freezer with meat, you can also make this Easy Turkey Chili, which is a fan favorite!

2. Egg Frittata

Eggs last a while in your fridge, so stock up now (we always have 3 cartons on hand). You can add ANY (frozen and thawed) veggies you have on hand to a frittata. Simply combine eggs, a splash of milk, and veggies. If you have cheese on hand you can add that too.

Here are some examples:

Spinach and Artichoke Frittata – Use frozen spinach and canned artichokes to boost your veggie intake
3-Ingredient Frittata – consider this recipe your frittata blueprint
Egg Muffins are another great choice to make ahead

3. Garlic Lemon Pea Pasta

Pasta is a perfect pantry staple – it’s full of fiber and protein (especially if you choose whole wheat). This springy recipe is made from some pantry and freezer staples and long-lasting produce, including pasta, garlic, lemon, and frozen peas. It’s so delicious and easy to make!

4. Grain Bowls

Another great choice to use up pantry staples, and perhaps whatever fresh produce you have on hand are grain bowls. Whole grains stay fresh for months in your pantry, so it’s not a bad idea to always have them on hand. Plus, nowadays you can find whole grains in the freezer aisle.

Here are some grain bowl ideas:

5. Oatmeal

Another “grain bowl” that’s easy to make with pantry staples is oatmeal. There are SO many varieties and flavor combinations possible, but of course my favorite is my Chocolate Protein Oatmeal Bowl. I always have oats, chia seeds, some form of protein powder, and cocoa powder on hand.

You can also make baked oatmeal, if you’d like. Personally, my carrot cake baked oatmeal is a favorite. Carrots are a long-lasting vegetable.

6. Breakfast Tacos

Grab some tortillas (they freeze great!) + eggs and top with jarred salsa for a flavorful breakfast taco that even works great as breakfast for dinner!

Look for a tortilla with at least 4 grams of fiber per serving to help keep you full. There are some delicious options on the market with up to 8-12g per tortilla!

7. Nut Free Energy Bars

Don’t forget about the SNACKS!!! I always have dried fruit + SunButter on hand, so it’s easy to whip up these energy bars.

Speaking of snacks, it’s a good idea to stock up on some healthy items if you think you’ll be living off of pantry staples for a while. Here are some other ideas:

8. Healthier Baked Ziti

I already mentioned how pasta is a great pantry staple (full of fiber + protein!), so pairing it with cheese (it’s a long-lasting fridge staple) and jarred tomato sauce is a great way to make a filling meal from pantry staples. This recipe uses fresh collard greens, however, you can use any frozen greens on hand instead.

9. Healthy Bean Tostadas

Anything with beans is great to make when you’re relying on pantry staples because they’re either dried or canned. The Healthy Bean Tostadas in my ebook are fabulous to make when relying on pantry staples. The recipe uses:

Tortillas
Canned refried beans
Cheddar cheese
Jarred salsa or pico de gallo

You can skip the romaine lettuce if you don’t have it and opt for shredded cabbage, which is a long-lasting vegetable.

I have tons of other pantry staples recipes in my ebook, including:

Pesto pasta
Black bean sweet potato burgers
3-minute quesadillas
Baked potato bar
Savory oatmeal bowl
Lentil tacos
Lentil mushroom bolognese
And MORE!

Get your copy HERE!

10. Salmon Patties

Canned salmon is an excellent source of protein and convenient. We always have a few cans in our pantry (I always order from Thrive Market – check out more of my Thrive Market staples HERE!)

You can make:

You can also whip up an easy salmon salad or tuna salad with canned fish + mayo, a squeeze of lemon, plus salt and pepper.

And there you have it… 10 recipes using pantry staples that you can make during a coronavirus quarantine.

When you have a well-stocked pantry, it’s easy to whip up nutritious and delicious meals!

What will you make?
XO