Pantry Recipes – whether you are trying to use up what you have in your kitchen or prepping for an emergency here are 40 pantry recipes to get you through!
With all that is going on lately, I have been getting requests for recipes that use pantry staples. With fears of the coronavirus and what is going to happen with COVID 19 people are stocking up on food and prepping to be stuck inside. I put together over 40 Pantry Recipes for Emergency Preparedness. I am including dinner recipes as well as side dishes and a few homemade bread recipes. There are plenty of no bake desserts and other baking recipes, but I am skipping those in this round up.
What Is A Pantry Recipe
There are a lot of definitions around about what people consider a recipe from the pantry. For this list I am including both room temperature non-perishable ingredients, but also things that you can keep in the freezer. I am skipping fresh fruit and vegetables (aside from onions and garlic, because those both last forever, and if push comes to shove you could leave them out.) But if you can freeze it (meat, cheese, or butter) those are included. I have left out milk, cream, and eggs from these recipes.
What Ingredients Are Included In Emergency Preparedness Planning
- Non-perishable items that are stored at room temperature. These include things like pasta, canned tomato products, beans, flour, sugar, rice, dried spices, peanut butter, bread, tortillas, evaporated milk, cream soup etc.
- Fresh Foods – these are ones that can last in the fridge for a long time or can even be frozen. Meat, blocks of cheese, butter, ginger, and bread.
- Frozen Foods – Frozen vegetables (these are great to have for side dishes as well as using in a recipes)
How to Freeze Ingredients
- Meats. I like to buy these in bulk normally, and then divide into 1 pound packages. I place them in a freezer safe plastic storage bag and then it is easy to take out and thaw when I need it.
- Cheese. Blocks of cheese are very easy to freeze. You can either cut them into smaller pieces, so you only take out what you need at the time, or freeze in the package directly from the store.
- Butter. All you have to do is place the package of butter in the freezer as is. Then you can take out a stick of it when you need it.
- Ginger. I always buy a big piece of ginger at the store. Just peel and then tightly wrap in plastic to store in the freezer. When you need to use it, it is very easy to grate the amount you need from the frozen form.
- Bread. I like to freeze both hamburger and hot dog buns as well as loaves of bread. To limit the freezer burn, I take the store bought package and then tie it in a plastic bag. This keeps it fresher longer.
Pantry Dinner Recipes
Pantry Recipes - whether you are trying to use up what you have in your kitchen or prepping for an emergency here are 32 pantry dinner recipes to get you through!
Easy Taco Soup - a hearty and comforting taco flavored soup that is ready in minutes. Top with your favorite toppings to make it even better!
Cashew Chicken - Skip the take out and make this super easy cashew chicken recipe at home. Comes together in minutes using ingredients you probably already have!
Crock Pot Chili - thick and hearty chili made in the crock pot. Easy, delicious, and super comforting for a cold day!
One Pan Pizza Chicken - get all the flavor of pizza in a one pan chicken dinner! Super easy recipe to get you through those tough weeknights.
Southwest Baked Chicken - a baked chicken recipe that is ready in no time, with tons of flavor. Just 4 ingredients and dinner is done!
Cheesy Skillet Chili Mac - Two comfort foods come together in a one skillet dinner the whole family will love. Plus it is ready in only 20 minutes!
Oven Baked Pork Chop Recipe -juicy pork chops that are seasoned and baked to perfection. Quick and easy for those busy weeknights.
Old Fashioned Goulash - The same American goulash recipe that you grew up with. A hearty recipe that the entire family can enjoy any night of the week.
Southwestern Chicken Corn Chowder - a super fast and easy soup you can make any night of the week. This recipe for corn chowder is thick, creamy, and actually good for you!
Chicken Enchilada Chili - a favorite mexican dinner gets turned into a 20 minute warm and comforting chili! Great for any night of the week.
Crispy Baked Shrimp - get all the crispiness of fried shrimp in a quick and easy healthy way. Super crunchy, ready in minutes, and delicious!
Noodles in a soy and peanut butter sauce. Light, and perfect for lunch. Add chicken, shrimp, pork, or more veggies and turn it into dinner!
Slow Cooker Pork Roast - crock pot season is here, and it is time for pure comfort food! Super easy pork roast for any night of the week.
Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas - easy enchiladas filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, and lots of cheese! Absolutely delicious with just a few simple ingredients. Get a restaurant quality dinner on the table for dinner tonight!
General Tso Chicken - this is an easy homemade takeout recipe you can make in just minutes any night of the week. A lighter version without deep fried chicken, but still so full of flavor with just a little kick.
Garlic Tomato Baked Chicken - This is a super easy chicken recipe! Baked chicken in a garlic butter with an Italian tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese! Great for easy weeknight dinners or even entertaining!
Sausage and Rice Skillet - smoked sausage and rice come together in one pan for a delicious and easy dinner. Ready in just minutes, so perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Pokey Sticks - Homemade cheese breadsticks that are the perfect addition to your next pizza night!
One Pan Spicy Garlic Shrimp - dinner is ready in 15 minutes, with this super flavorful, a little spicy, garlic shrimp recipe.
Baked Chicken Parmesan with Roasted Broccoli - a healthier version of chicken Parmesan all made on one baking sheet! Super easy, quick and definitely family friendly.
Beef Chili - a thick and chunky beef chili that is full of beans and tons of flavor. Great for chili winter nights!
Taco Pasta Skillet - All the flavors of taco night in a one pan meal, ready in 20 minutes! Homemade version of taco Hamburger Helper, with just a few staple ingredients.
Coconut Crusted Chicken Tenders - super crispy chicken tenders that are coated in shredded coconut! Perfect for a quick dinner for the whole family!
Sausage Tortellini Skillet - Your favorite tortellini comes together in a quick and easy one pan meal the whole family will love!
Dinner is great, and having frozen and canned vegetables are good too, but that can get boring fast. So here are a few side dishes and breads that you can make with dinner.
Pantry Recipes - whether you are trying to use up what you have in your kitchen or prepping for an emergency here are a few pantry side dish recipes to get you through! Easy Biscuit Recipe - these are the perfect homemade biscuits. Light, fluffy, tender, buttery, and delicious. Make in minutes any night of the week. Italian Cheese Pull Apart Bread - make this easy side dish any night of the week. Open a can of biscuits, toss with butter, seasonings, cheese and bake! Slow Cooker Black Beans - dried black beans that are cooked in the crock pot all day. Perfectly seasoned and cooked until soft and delicious. Parmesan Garlic Roasted Edamame - need a new way to get your kids to eat their vegetables? These soy beans are roasted until crispy and coated in Parmesan cheese. Great for picky eaters! Easy Garlic Knots - homemade garlic knots are so much easier than you think to make. Super light, fluffy and smothered in a garlic butter sauce and plenty of Parmesan cheese! Olive Garden Breadsticks - Soft and fluffy bread sticks topped with a butter garlic mixture. Baked Beans Recipe - The BEST homemade baked beans recipe. Super simple to make and it is all done in the crock pot! Make for all your get togethers and barbecues this summer! Classic Oatmeal Bread - Soft and tender bread that is amazing fresh out of the oven! The oats give it a great texture and makes great sandwiches and toast, or just have a slice slathered with butter. Homemade Corn Tortillas - Mexican night just got better with these easy, just 3 ingredient homemade tortillas. So much better than store bought. Mexican Rice - A Mexican style rice, that happens to be good for you. It is full of scallions and chunks of avocado. So good and a staple anytime we have Mexican food! Just leave out the avocado and green onions to make this a pantry staple. THE Rice - this rice is a super easy side dish the whole family will love. Mushrooms and french onion soup give the rice lots of great flavor.Pantry Side Dish Recipes
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Kristy says
Thank you very much for this post!!
Carrie Robinson says
Definitely keeping this handy since my daughter will out of school from Monday to ??. Great resource! 🙂
Catalina says
I think that pantry recipes are the best! I will try them!
Tisha says
This is such a great list for the current events going on. Great post!