I think we can all agree that things are a bit crazy right now, which is why I've compiled 17 healthy pantry recipes for you.
Meal planning and prep can be (even more) difficult and frustrating sometimes.
Some of us only have pantry, refrigerator and freezer staples and not a ton of fresh ingredients.
Or, we may just be trying to stay home and not frequent the grocery store or get takeout, so we're spending more time making meals at home.
The good news is - this doesn't have to suck!
There are oodles of yummy recipes we can make with kitchen staples.
Tuna Noodle Potato Chip Casserole
My version of tuna casserole is made without "cream of" soup, but is still super easy to make!
The noodles are tender, the sauce is creamy and delicious and there is plenty of albacore tuna and spring peas.
Oh, and lots of crispy, crunchy and salt potato chips on top.
It's the BEST comfort food.
I'll start by sharing some of the ingredients I like to keep in my pantry, fridge and freezer that, when times get tough, I can rely on to make a nutritious meal.
You don't necessarily need all of these things, and all of our pantries look different, but this is a great place to start!
Pantry:
- Canned beans, tomatoes, vegetables and fruit
- Canned tuna and/or salmon
- Unsalted stock (vegetable, chicken and/or beef)
- Rice and pasta (and other grains, if you wish)
- Nuts, seeds and nut butters (mainly PB in my house)
- Oils (olive and avocado), condiments (vinegars, honey, etc.) and dried spices and herbs
- Baking ingredients like flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt
- Oats, ground flax, chia seeds, coconut, dates or raisins and cereal
- Coconut milk (my secret weapon in many dishes!)
Freezer:
- Frozen vegetables and fruit
- Frozen beef, chicken, pork, fish and/or seafood / frozen ground meat
Refrigerator:
- Eggs
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, butter)
- Condiments (soy sauce, mayo, Dijon, maple syrup, etc.)
- Fresh produce, if I'm able
Coconut Date Energy Bites
These little coconut date energy bites made my day... Something about them just hit the spot.
Maybe it's the characteristic sweetness from the dates.
Maybe it's the loads of shredded coconut, or maybe it's the nuttiness from the almonds and walnuts.
Or maybe it's the chewy texture that brings these little bites together.
Or maybe it's all of the above.
A few of the recipes might have a fresh ingredient or two that you don't have on hand - maybe a handful of cilantro or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
If you don't have them, just skip 'em this time around.
The last thing we need right now is to stress over whether the recipe is "perfect" or not - these are simply ideas to help you make balanced meals that taste pretty darn spectacular.
(And don't forget to use those frozen veggies and fruit as sides or to add to any meal you wish!)
Simple Spaghetti with Peas, Garlic & Parmesan
Simple spaghetti with peas, garlic and Parmesan: just a few ingredients gets you the most luxurious pasta ever (and it's super simple).
With a mix of al dente spaghetti, spring peas, fresh garlic and loads of Parmesan "carbonara style", this will be your new favorite weeknight dish.
Healthy family favorite recipes
- Strawberry Cashew Smoothies - Utilizes frozen strawberries and bananas, cashews and the milk of your choice (I like to keep soy milk on hand because it lasts a long time and I prefer the taste).
- You could use any nut and any frozen fruit to make this smoothie!
- Sheet Pan Chili Nachos - I use leftover chili made of black beans, kidney beans, canned tomatoes and loads of dried spices to make the chili (you can add ground beef if you have some) and toss it over a bed of tortilla chips (or eat it by the spoonful!).
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites - If you have oats, canned pumpkin, PB and chocolate chips, you're golden!
Coconut Dark Chocolate Granola
Easy-to-make dark chocolate granola with oats, coconut, chia seeds, flax and nuts.
It's like a dessert, but with health benefits (and lots of them)!
- Pepita-Crusted Tuna Cakes - Canned tuna, crushed nuts, Dijon, breadcrumbs and dried herbs/spices make these high protein cakes delicious and satisfying.
- If you don't have greens to make a salad, serve them up with frozen or canned veggies!
- Walnut Oat Bars with Dates - Dates, oats, walnuts, coconut, honey and chia seeds make for a yummy, kid-friendly snack!
- Chili Hummus - Whirl together canned kidney beans, tomato juice or sauce, tomato paste and spices to make a fun hummus-like dip!
Chickpea Coconut Curry
If you're looking for an easy recipe that uses mostly pantry staple ingredients, this one is for you!
This chickpea coconut curry has loads of greens, chickpeas, tomatoes and coconut milk. And is flavored with garam masala, lime juice and ginger.
You're going to absolutely love it!
- Mediterranean Chickpea & Tuna Salad - You can skip the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers if you don't have them.
- But use up canned chickpeas, canned tuna, artichokes, vinegar, olive oil and dried herbs to make for a delicious lunch.
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats - YUM is all I have to say.
- If you have oats, PB, jelly (or frozen berries) and your favorite sweetener (honey or maple syrup), you got this!
- Chicken Taco Casserole- Rice, canned beans, canned tomatoes, taco seasoning, canned tomatoes and green chilies and canned or frozen corn make up one scrumptious weeknight casserole!
- I like to add chicken, but if you don't have any, the vegetarian version is equally delicious.
Blueberry Date Muffins
Everyone loves blueberry date muffins, right?
Well I'll tell you what - these babes are super duper good, made with hearty whole grain pastry flour, some dark brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, chopped up dates and loads of blueberries.
- Beet Hummus - A unique snack, but a delightful one! Swirl canned beets together with chickpeas, olive oil and tahini for a very colorful dip.
- Swedish Meatballs - Last, but certainly not least - the BEST Swedish Meatballs out there.
- If you have meat in the freezer and some egg noodles in the pantry, THIS is what's for dinner tonight.
See! I knew you'd find something delicious on this list!
And isn't it exciting when you have ALL (*or almost all of*) the ingredients to make a dish?
Now, let's get cooking.
