This roundup of 25 Easy and Nutritious Pantry meals includes everything from pastas to soups, curries, and home made breads that are made with everyday essential pantry items.
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25 Easy and Nutritious Pantry Meals
Pantry meals that can be made using only essential panty items such as canned goods, pasta, flour, and soup stocks can often be life savers. Whether you’re looking to save a few dollars on your grocery bill or staying in due to weather or sickness, it’s always handy to have a few essentials on hand. Many of the meals in this roundup are quick to make, high in nutrients, and suitable for various diets.
Pantry Meals as Comfort Food
Comfort food. What does this phrase mean to you? For many it means familiar flavours that have survived the special and not so special times in their lives. A familiar flavour that brings you back to another time or place. It sets your soul and mind at ease.
Pantry meals can be comforting during rough times. Just thinking about this soul warming and flavourful Homemade Tomato Soup or this Israeli Mejadra, made with rice, lentils, and onions makes me smile. I hope you find a few recipes in this roundup that bring you comfort and make you smile as well.
How to Stock a Basic Pantry
Whether you are limited by pantry space, income, time, or food availability, here are a few useful tips to keeping a well stocked pantry. These items have a long shelf life, are cheap, and can be used in many kinds of recipes.
Pasta – Good old boxed mac n cheese is delicious and it’s gotten many a university student through a tough time. Additionally, spaghetti and other shapes are great for variety’s sake. Pasta is so very versatile as it can be used in many different cuisines. Additionally, the rush you get from extra carbs will give you the warm fuzzies inside.
Everyone loves a tasty pasta dish. Carbs are so satisfying and versatile, they're the perfect pantry meal during tough times. Pumpkin pasta sauce is made entirely from pantry items for a simple meal that really delivers on flavour. It’s a fun, family friendly meal loaded with flavour. This vegan lentil Bolognese sauce is hearty, nutritious, and only takes 25 minutes to cook! Made with basic pantry ingredients it’s also cheap to make, and freezes well. This Tuna Pasta Bake (a.k.a Tuna Casserole) is made with everyday store-cupboard ingredients and comes together in minutes. Pesto Chicken Pasta is an easy, 20 minute meal that’s made with just five shelf-stable ingredients. Bow tie pasta and chicken are coated in a rich and flavorful pesto sauce. Noodles are a girls best friend and these easy garlic sesame noodles are without a doubt my favorite noodle recipe to date! They require just a few ingredients, are gluten free, ready in 15 minutes, and can be eaten hot or cold!Perfect Pasta Pantry Meals
Great soup doesn't have to come from a can. If you have stock, a can of tomatoes, some spices, and pulses or legumes, you have the perfect pantry meal. Ezo Gelin Corba is a spicy lentil soup made with red lentils, bulgur wheat, spicy red pepper paste, and tomato paste. While this hearty lentil soup is often enjoyed in Turkey for breakfast, it's perfectly comforting any time of day. At a quick glance, everyone’s Nonna has their own rendition of Pasta e Fagioli. What everyone does agree on is that this soup is absolute comfort food. Farro and been soup, Tuscan style, beginning with a great mirepoix, your classic celery, carrots and onions, some spices and this flavor-packed white navy beans and farro, and some homemade croutons, and you have the makings of a delicious and scrumptious winter soup. Tomato Chickpea Soup is thick and creamy with a spicy kick. It’s gluten-free and vegan, and comes together quickly in the Instant Pot using pantry staples. This easy Lentil Soup channels the flavor of my favorite crock-pot lentil dish in a delicious vegetarian soup!Sensational Soup Pantry Meals
Breads are one of the things that are difficult to store so it's very useful to know how to make even a simple loaf. It's not difficult and could be a fun family activity. Cheesy Cheddar Stout Soda Bread is a flavourful take on the original Irish Soda Bread. Adding sharp cheddar and stout beer make it a hearty and delicious addition to any meal. This delicious Pumpkin No Knead Bread looks like you’ve been slaving in the kitchen for hours but really is so easy to make. Enjoy it with your favorite fall comfort soup or stew. This easy recipe is a must for the next time you are craving homemade naan. Besides, it may be the greatest way to use up that extra can of pumpkin puree that has been stuck in your pantry. Skip the take-away and make authentic Italian homemade pizza at home, just 5 pantry ingredients needed. There’s absolutely nothing like soft, steaming fresh baked bread to warm up a cold winter day. Our mom’s (Grandma’s!) homemade easy bread recipe is a household favourite that doesn’t last for long!Beautiful Breads
Everyone likes to sink their teeth into a burger now and then. Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burgers piled high with all your favorite toppings!These easy peasy burgers are vegetarian with gluten-free and vegan options. Using basic pantry items, chickpea tacos are an easy and affordable way to provide your family with the protein they need! This Best Black Bean Burger vegan recipe gets some of the highest reviews on this website. People love that the patties are firm and can even be cooked on the grill without. Easy and delicious slow cooker sloppy Joe's are vegan and will feed your tribe. This freezer friendly meal can be made with frozen carrots and are a healthy take on an American classic.The fun stuff - AKA Tacos and Burgers
Dill Tuna and Chickpea Appetizer Bites with Lemon Caper Mayo (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free)
Who wouldn't love a soul warming curry? These recipes use a combination of lentils, chickpeas, and legumes to create simple, flavourful pantry meals. Warm up your tummy with the ultimate in healthy comfort food: Make this delicious Kabocha Squash Daal for those chilly fall nights. A sweet and spicy curry with vegan and non vegan options This dairy-free, Chickpea & Spinach Curry is not only simple and easy to make, but it’s tastebud tantalizingly delicious and oh so hearty! Best under 30 mins vegan Chickpea tikka masala! perfect creamy smooth gravy goes so well with rice or naan. Rich. Spicy. Exquisite. A mouthwatering and aromatic Indian dish, Daal Makhani is a thick, hearty lentil curry, made with brown lentils and red kidney beans in a creamy coconut and tomato sauce and seasoned with traditional Indian spices.Comforting Curry Pantry Meals
Daal Makhani | Coconut Lentil Curry | High Protein, Vegan, Gluten Free
Other Useful Pantry Items
The following may not be essential, but will help to create delicious meals for your family:
Hardy Vegetables- This includes veggies such as beets, potatoes, squashes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, onions, and garlic. Keep them in a cool, dry, dark spot and they’ll last for quite a while.
Cooking Oil/Condiments- Cooking oil is maybe a bit more necessary than condiments but what we’re aiming for is survivial with a little flair. Ketchup, soy sauce, mustard, vinegar, etc. It helps to keep a list of what your family uses regularly.
Canned Meat/Tomato Sauce & Canned Tomatoes- They help give a nutrient boost while building a little variety and taste in many dishes. If you have spaghetti sauce and pasta…you’ll never starve.
Coffee/Tea/Milk- Can you do without your daily cuppa? Why chance it. Stock up on your regulars and while you’re at it grab some shelf stable milk in tetras or powdered form. Don’t forget the coconut milk for a dairy free option.
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