35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (2024)

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (1)

We've all had those days where we couldn't find the time to grocery shop. But don't let that get in the way of dinner! With these delicious pantry recipes, you can easily make the most of your stocked shelves, freezer stash, and the veggies already in your fridge to make a tasty meal for the whole family.

We've gathered our favorite meals that take advantage of what's likely already in your pantry for interesting and flavor-packed meals. From crowd-pleasing pasta dishes to cheesy polenta, the grain possibilities are endless as a base for a family meal. Plus, if you're on a budget, inexpensive pantry meals are the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner routine.

From tuna recipes to plenty of bean recipes, you're sure to be armed with delicious dinners, no matter the occasion. Your pantry is a great resource to get dinner on the table fast!

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1

Pot Sticker Stir-Fry

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (2)

The best part about a stir-fry is that it works with plenty of veggies. Whatever you have in your fridge will work here – try asparagus, frozen peas, bell peppers, or anything else you have on hand for a nutrient packed dinner the whole family will love.

Get the recipes for Pot Sticker Stir-Fry »

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2

BBQ Beef Nachos

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (3)

Barbecue sauce is the secret ingredient that gives these nachos a little extra spice. No one will really know how easy it was to season this delicious dinner.

Get the recipe for BBQ Beef Nachos »

RELATED: 37 Delicious Game Day Food Recipes Your Party Guests Will Love

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3

Jalapeno-Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (4)

These two-cheese griddled sandwiches, with a deliciously crunchy parmesan crust, really pack a punch (read: jalapeños).

Get the recipe for Jalapeno-Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese »

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4

Chicken With Creamy Spinach and Artichokes

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (5)

Sour cream is the secret ingredient that adds rich creaminess to a simple veggie side that zests up the classic chicken breast.

Get the recipe for Chicken with Creamy Spinach and Artichokes »

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5

Smoky Maple Turkey Chili

Flavored with chipotle and maple syrup, this recipe can be frozen for up to three months. Make a big batch on the weekend and stock up for those days when you don't feel like cooking!

Get the recipe for Smoky Maple Turkey Chili »

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6

Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (7)

Prep the ingredients for this one-pan dinner in five minutes, sit back, and relax. A flavor-packed supper is a quick roast away.

Get the recipe for Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken »

RELATED: 16 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners That Make Cleanup a Breeze

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7

Mini Meatballs With Garlicky Tomatoes

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (8)

These mini (and flavor-packed) bites are a new twist on meatball parmesan and can be tossed with pasta or white beans or spooned over polenta.

Get the recipe for Mini Meatballs with Garlicky Tomatoes »

RELATED: 51 Delicious Ways to Have Meatballs for Dinner

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8

White Bean and Tuna Salad With Basil Vinaigrette

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (9)

This easy salad is the perfect way to turn canned tuna into a delicious dinner.

Get the recipe for White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette »

RELATED: 17 Delicious Tuna Recipes That Put Your Average Tuna Sandwich to Shame

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9

Crunchy Chickpeas

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (10)

Turn a can of trusty chickpeas into a deliciously crave-worthy snack.

Get the recipe for Crunchy Chickpeas »

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10

Double Bean Nachos

Top tip: To make the best bites in a whole batch of nachos, toss chips with sturdy ingredients and cheese. Then, once baked, top with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes for a cooling fresh hit of veggies.

Get the recipe for Double Bean Nachos »

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11

Chickpea and Kale Soup

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (12)

For extra added flavor, simmer the soup with leftover pecorino rinds. They add an extra cheesy flavor that makes any vegetarian soup richer.

Get the recipe for Chickpea and Kale Soup »

RELATED: 21 Healthy Soups and Stews That'll Warm You Up

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12

Spring Herb Frittata

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (13)

Upgrade your eggs with any herbs that you have hanging out in the fridge. They turn an ordinary dish into a crowd-pleasing brunch menu must-have.

Get the recipe for Spring Herb Frittata »

RELATED: 45+ Easy Egg Recipes for Your Best Brunch Ever

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13

Tuscan Ragu

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (14)

The addition of Italian sausage packs on the flavor without needing to invest in a whole bunch of dry spices.

Get the recipe for Tuscan Ragu »

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14

Patty Melts

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (15)

This delicious mashup between a burger and a grilled cheese is made with ingredients you already have in your house.

Get the recipe for Patty Melts »

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15

Ravioli With Brown Butter & Spinach

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (16)

Spinach adds a dose of key nutrients to this decadent pasta dish. But if you don't have any on hand, another leafy green, like baby kale or Swiss chard, is the perfect swap.

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16

Chili Dogs

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (17)

A spoonful of homemade chili takes this summer classic (well, anytime classic!) to the next level.

Get the recipe for Chili Dogs »

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17

Chili Pie With Cornbread Crust

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (18)

No need to make cornbread and chili — in a cast iron skillet, with this dinner recipe, you can make both at once, pie-style.

Get the recipe for Chili Pie with Cornbread Crust »

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18

Hasselback Potatoes

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (19)

This elegant side is made with only five ingredients (and they're already in your kitchen!).

Get the recipe for Hasselback Potatoes »

RELATED: 44 Easy Potato Recipes That Are Bursting With Flavor

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19

Spaghetti Bolognese

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (20)

When you taste how hearty and flavorful this classic meal is, you'd think someone carefully prepared it in the kitchen all day. In truth, it only takes 25 minutes!

Get the recipe for Spaghetti Bolognese »

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20

French Onion Soup

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (21)

Onions, slowly cooked until deep brown and caramelized, give this classic its distinctive flavor. Great for a party, this recipe is easily doubled; Simply cook the onions in two skillets.

Get the recipe for French Onion Soup »

35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer (2024)

FAQs

What foods can I make and freeze? ›

Here are 10 faves for the freezer – most will keep for up to six months.
  • Fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs**
  • Stocks and soups.
  • Hot and cold sauces (such as marinara and pesto**)
  • Chili and stews.
  • Baked pasta dishes**
  • Cookie dough (shape into balls before freezing)**
  • Baked brownies.
  • Bread, rolls and flour tortillas.

What can I have for tea? ›

Foodie - What's for tea?
  • Aubergine and Halloumi Curry – Skinny Spatula. Aubergine and Halloumi Curry – Skinny Spatula. ...
  • Baked Orzo Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables with Halloumi. ...
  • One-tray haloumi and chickpea bake. ...
  • Halloumi Curry {30 Minute Meal} ...
  • Danielle Almond. ...
  • Potato tagine with baked halloumi.

What meals can I batch cook and freeze? ›

Freezable family recipes
  • Sausage pasta bake. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  • Meatballs in tomato, cardamom & lime sauce. A star rating of 3.8 out of 5. ...
  • Chicken & chorizo ragu. ...
  • Broccoli stem falafel bowl. ...
  • Creamy halloumi & tomato curry. ...
  • Chicken & bacon pie. ...
  • App onlyCheesy potato patchwork pie. ...
  • Peanut butter chicken.

How to make freezer meals for seniors? ›

10 easy make-ahead freezer meals for elder family and friends
  1. Chicken and Vegetable Hand Pies. These pot pies filled with chicken and vegetables and whole-grain dough make for a hearty meal. ...
  2. Turkey Chili. ...
  3. Chicken Strips. ...
  4. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
  5. Baked Oatmeal Cups. ...
  6. Ham & Bean Soup. ...
  7. Lasagna Cups. ...
  8. Vegetable Beef Soup.
Feb 7, 2019

What homemade food sells best? ›

Here are some ideas that are likely to sell quickly:
  • Candy and other confectionery.
  • Cookies, pastries, and other baked goods.
  • Dry herbs, seasonings, and herb mixes.
  • Homemade fresh bread.
  • Hummus and other dips.
  • Jams, jellies, and other preserves.
  • Nuts, coated, and uncoated.
  • Pickles and other pickled vegetables.

What can I make with barely any food in my house? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  • 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  • 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  • 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  • 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  • 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  • 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What are the best foods to cook and freeze? ›

Freezable recipes
  • Chicken tikka masala. ...
  • Meatballs in tomato, cardamom & lime sauce. ...
  • App onlySteak sarnies with fiery beetroot remoulade. ...
  • Slow cooker meatballs. ...
  • Jamon & wild garlic croquetas. ...
  • Roasted spaghetti squash. ...
  • App onlyParsnip, brown butter & hazelnut loaf cake. ...
  • Lemongrass & lime pork meatballs with pickled veg.

What fresh foods freeze well? ›

Mushrooms, avocados, spinach, rhubarb (yes, it is a vegetable!); beans, carrots, broccoli can all be frozen. If they naturally have a high-water content, it's best for them to be pureed, sautéed, stewed before freezing.

What foods Cannot be frozen? ›

Here are 12 common ingredients that don't freeze well due to quality issues and safety concerns.
  • 01 of 12. Milk. ...
  • 02 of 12. Mayonnaise. ...
  • 03 of 12. Cream Cheese. ...
  • 04 of 12. Cucumbers. ...
  • 05 of 12. Zucchini. ...
  • 06 of 12. Lettuce and Cabbage. ...
  • 07 of 12. Tomatoes. ...
  • 08 of 12. Baked and Boiled Potatoes.
Oct 5, 2022

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