15 Simple Recipes You Can Make with Pantry Staples
Are you tired of ordering takeout or relying on expensive meal kits? Look no further! With a few pantry staples, you can create delicious meals that are easy on the wallet and the waistline. In this article, we will explore 15 simple recipes that can be made with common pantry staples, ensuring you never run out of ideas for a tasty meal.
What are Pantry Staples?
Pantry staples are basic ingredients that are commonly used in many recipes. These ingredients include grains, canned goods, spices, and baking supplies. Having a well-stocked pantry is essential for any home cook, as it allows you to whip up a meal at a moment’s notice. Here are some common pantry staples:
- Grains: rice, pasta, oats
- Canned goods: beans, tomatoes, vegetables
- Spices: salt, pepper, cumin, paprika
- Baking supplies: flour, sugar, baking powder
- Oils and vinegars: olive oil, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar
Recipe 1: Pasta with Tomato Sauce
- 1 cup pasta
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cook pasta according to package directions. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve over pasta.
Recipe 2: Black Bean and Rice Bowl
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic until softened. Add the black beans and cook until heated through. Serve over rice.
Recipe 3: Omelette with Vegetables
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, onions, mushrooms)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Whisk the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Heat the butter in a skillet and add the mixed vegetables. Cook until softened, then pour in the eggs. Cook until the eggs are set and fold into an omelette.
Recipe 4: Baked Sweet Potato with Black Beans
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the sweet potatoes for 45-60 minutes, or until tender. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic until softened. Add the black beans and cook until heated through. Slice the sweet potatoes and top with the black bean mixture.
Recipe 5: Fried Rice
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (e.g., peas, carrots, corn)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet and add the onion and garlic. Cook until softened, then add the mixed vegetables and cooked rice. Stir-fry until combined, then push the mixture to one side of the pan. Add more oil if necessary, then pour in the beaten eggs. Scramble the eggs, then mix with the rice mixture.
Recipe 6: Canned Soup with Crusty Bread
- 1 can (14.5 oz) vegetable soup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 loaf bread (e.g., baguette, ciabatta)
Heat the soup according to package directions. Slice the bread and butter. Serve with the warm soup.
Recipe 7: Quesadilla
- 2 tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat the oil in a skillet and add one tortilla. Top with cheese, black beans, and another tortilla. Cook until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Flip and cook the other side.
Recipe 8: Roasted Vegetables
- 2-3 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, bell peppers)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, or until tender.
Recipe 9: Hummus
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Blend the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender until smooth. Serve with pita chips or vegetables.
Recipe 10: Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- 2 slices bread
- 2 slices cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Butter one side of each bread slice. Place one slice, butter-side down, in a skillet. Top with cheese, then the other bread slice, butter-side up. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Flip and cook the other side.
Recipe 11: Baked Beans
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic until softened. Add the kidney beans, tomato paste, and brown sugar. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid has thickened. Serve as a side dish.
Recipe 12: Fried Eggs
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat the butter in a skillet and crack in the eggs. Cook until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your desired doneness.
Recipe 13: Spicy Black Bean Soup
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic until softened. Add the black beans, diced tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the soup has thickened. Serve with crusty bread.
Recipe 14: Roasted Chickpeas
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, or until crispy.
Recipe 15: Cinnamon Toast
- 2 slices bread
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
Butter one side of each bread slice. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until toasted.
Conclusion
With these 15 simple recipes, you’ll never run out of ideas for a tasty meal using common pantry staples. From pasta with tomato sauce to cinnamon toast, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings and save you money on groceries and takeout. So, next time you’re in a cooking rut, remember that a well-stocked pantry is all you need to create a delicious meal.
