When you store these items and keep a list of recipes you can make from them, you will never be caught off guard, whether your teenagers are 'starving' in the middle of a blizzard or you just don't want to venture out in the subzero cold. And while browsing through the foods, you'll come up with more ideas: adding sun dried tomatoes and olives to tomato sauce for pasta; mixing shrimp and canned fruits and their juices with some cooked pasta for a quick salad; grilling a mixture of ground ham, Parmesan cheese, olives, and mayonnaise on some cracked wheat bread. Here's my pantry staples list:
- canned tomato products, including diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, and pasta sauces
- an assortment of pastas, including whole wheat pasta and, yes, mac and cheese mix
- basmati, arborio, long grain brown, and wild rice
- canned meats, including crab, shrimp, chicken, and ham
- canned broths and soups
- potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage
- beans and legumes, including canned and dried varieties and mixes
- dried herbs and spices
- mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup (unopened)
- canned fruits, including mandarin oranges, pears, and pineapple
- canned vegetables, including corn, chilies, green beans, wax beans
- peanut butter and other nut butters
- jellies, jams, raisins, dates
- nuts, including pecans, walnuts, pine nuts
- olives, sun dried tomatoes, tapenade
- flavored vinegars, olive oil
- baking ingredients, including flour, sugar, baking powder, extracts, brown sugar, whole wheat flours, cornmeal, gelatin
If you make your own mixes, you'll have an even better collection of potential recipes on hand. And remember, if you can't find or don't want to buy convenience mixes like beans and pasta, you can substitute an equivalent quanitity of pasta or canned beans or both, and use your own herbs and spices.
Look through these recipes, then browse through your local supermarket and your own pantry. You'll come up with many recipes you can make with a well stored pantry; and I feel that's one of the best ways to feel secure in this uncertain world.
Pantry Meals
- Crockpot Turkey Cassoulet
You can substitute a 12 oz. can of white meat chicken, drained, for the turkey tenderloin to make this a true pantry recipe. - Crockpot White Beans and Sun Dried Tomatoes
Creamy beans and spicy sun dried tomatoes combine to make a delicious and super easy vegetarian entree. - Tomato Cabbage Bisque
This lovely soup can be made with evaporated milk instead of fresh milk; that means it will be a bit more rich. - Risotto
True risotto uses arborio rice, chicken broth, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. But you can use regular rice and (gasp!) canned Parmesan cheese in this simple and comforting recipe. - Brown Bread Sandwiches
Dried fruits are very nutritious and full of fiber. This filling works well with any type of dark bread; whole wheat or cracked wheat would be delicious too. And try grilling it for a whole new taste! - Florentine Crab and Bean Soup
This simple soup tastes so rich and elegant, yet is ready to eat in about 25 minutes. - Skillet Spaghetti
Leave out the meatballs, and this quick and easy skillet main dish recipe is just as delicious. - Black Beans and Fusilli
Having a selection of bean, pasta, and rice mixes will really add to your pantry staple collection. Find a brand you like; companies are coming up with new combinations all the time. - Cracker Bread Rollups
These easy and pretty spiral sandwich recipes are made using staple pantry ingredients, all rolled up in cracker bread to make a wrap sandwich. - Baked Turkey Sandwiches
Use canned chicken instead of the turkey, and good old canned Parmesan cheese instead of the Swiss and this recipe can be made with shelf stable ingredients. - Spicy Red Beans and Rice
Zatarain's is one brand of the mix used in this easy and super quick recipe. - Beans and Pasta in Clam Sauce
Canned clams add great flavor to a simple bean and pasta convenience mix in this delicious recipe. - Ham and Rice Skillet Meal
Just leave out the broccoli if you don't have it, or substitute canned drained green beans. Keep a few very small canned hams on hand for meals like this. - Updated Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Try grilling this great sandwich recipe on some whole wheat or rye bread; yum. - Greek Shrimp and Rice
Good old canned Parmesan cheese along with canned shrimp, a rice pilaf mix, and onions combine in this delicious and easy main dish recipe.
