8 Pantry Staple Meals
Skipped the supermarket shopping, hibernating over winter, or just in search of a simple meal? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Creating recipes with basic ingredients is easier (and tastier) than you think.
We’ve rounded up 8 recipes that make the most of pantry staples – and even a few leftovers – from flavour filled dinners to cheesy scones and warm, comforting desserts.
Open your pantry, pull out a few staple ingredients and let’s get cooking…
1. Greek Chicken and Potatoes
As if oregano and citrus chicken wasn’t tempting enough, it’s a sheet pan meal that only uses a couple of bowls and an oven tray! Swap the red potatoes for white potatoes, the broccolini for broccoli and the red onions for brown depending on which staples you have in your pantry. Don’t have fresh oregano? No worries! Mix up the flavors using herbs and spices that you have on hand. Get cooking here.
2. Classic Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin is a fantastic pantry staple to have on hand, it’s so versatile and a whole pumpkin will last for months if stored properly! This classic pumpkin soup recipe utilises warming ginger and curry flavours, doesn’t use any dairy products, and the bacon can easily be left out. (Feel free to substitute crushed ginger from a jar for fresh ginger.) Get the recipe for this winter favourite here.
3. Egyptian Style Beans
Make the most of dried herbs and spices with this flavourful, filling (and cheap) dish using pantry staples like beans and tinned tomatoes. Egyptian style beans are traditionally served as a breakfast dish, but we love them for lunch and dinner too! Serve with flatbreads if you have them, but toast will do just as well.Treat your tastebuds here.
4. Fried Rice
Fried rice is an easy way to use whatever meat or vegetables you have at home. Beef, pork or seafood, fresh, frozen or tinned veges, eggs or tofu – they all make for tasty fried rice! Follow this fried rice recipe or make it your own.
5. Pasta with Tomato, Onion and Butter Sauce
Pasta is the king of pantry staple cooking, you can add just about anything to it! This easy recipe uses tinned tomatoes, brown onions and butter (it also calls for a bit of Parmigiano cheese but don’t be afraid to use whatever you have) to create a simple but delicious sauce. Even better, it only uses two pots!
The recipe works with any variety of pasta. Throw in some herbs or veges if you have them, but honestly it’s amazing on it’s own. Get the recipe here.
8. Cheese Scones
Cheese scones are a Kiwi favourite, and with only 6 ingredients you can throw them together from basic pantry ingredients. Feel like a change? Give the classic cheese scone recipe a twist with mashed leftover veges, sundried tomatoes or chopped ham. Serve warm cheese scones for lunch with this recipe, or add a little spice with a chilli cheese variation here.
7. Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake
Indulgent chocolate cake with only 7 ingredients? Sign us up! Perfect for when you’re craving a home baked cake but flour is a little too hard to find. This flourless chocolate cake recipe is delicious on its own, and extra delicious with icecream or a couli made frozen berries. Indulge here.
8. Pantry Pudding
Comfort food at it’s finest! Pantry pudding is exactly what the name suggests, an old fashioned dessert made with basic ingredients and a trusty tin of canned peaches. Perfect for cold nights, we recommend serving it warm with ice cream, cream or custard – yum! Get cozy and enjoy some pantry pudding with this recipe.
Can’t wait for a trip to the bach? Whip up one of these pantry staples meals and settle in to find your perfect vacation home.
