How to Stock a Pantry, According to Our Kitchen Expert
Updated: Jan. 29, 2021
Keep everything you need for quick dinners and easy snacks with our favorite pantry staples.
Keeping the pantry stocked with everything you might need is a daunting task. One of our favorite secrets for maintaining a well-stocked pantry is to keep it simple. Look for versatile pantry staples that can double as dinners or snacks. We’ve rounded up our favorite healthy and inexpensive foods to have on hand for easy meals.
Peanut Butter
Full of protein and healthy fats, peanut butter is a staple for simple lunches and snacks. From classic PBJ sandwiches to ants on a log, there are so many quick and easy recipes for peanut butter lovers to try.
Beans
Beans provide quick protein and fiber to fill you up without requiring a long recipe or multiple ingredients. Keep a few cans in supply for a quick cowboy caviar snack or hearty slow-cooked chili dinner.
Pasta
Pasta is the ultimate pantry staple; it’s cheap, quick to prepare and makes an entire meal itself. Opt for long spaghetti noodles or short macaroni and get creative with our favorite 30-minute pasta dinners.
Rice
Brown rice or quinoa can be a nutritious side dish on its own or a hearty base for tonight’s dinner. Look for simple rice dishes like lemon chicken and rice or Spanish rice with ground beef.
Bread
Having an extra loaf of bread on hand is always a good idea for morning toast, lunchtime sandwiches or a dinner side. Upgrade your usual turkey sammie for a toasty hot sandwich tonight.
Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are a versatile pantry staple that can go from pasta dish to homemade salsa. Stock up on different flavors like garlic and green chilies. We can answer the question “is canned fruit healthy.”
Potatoes
Did you know the right way to store potatoes is in the pantry? Keep a bag on the shelf for baked potatoes on busy weeknights or crispy baked fries at any time.
Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
No salad dressing? No problem. Keeping olive oil and balsamic vinegar in the pantry means you’ll have homemade salad dressing or an easy marinade anytime you need it.
Italian Seasoning
As long as you have Italian seasoning in your pantry, you can whip up a flavorful dinner in no time. Recipes using Italian seasoning like meatloaf, pasta and soup are always a hit.
Trail Mix
When the afternoon sweet tooth strikes, resist your child’s stale Halloween candy by reaching for a crunchy handful of trail mix. It’s a satisfying snack on its own, or up the wow factor with trail mix slices.
Soup
Can’t get to the grocery store and need a fast dinner? Stocking up on low-sodium soups like tomato and chicken noodle can save even the craziest day’s dinnertime conundrum.
Flour and Sugar
There’s just something about baking from scratch that calms us down and brings us back to the present moment. Keep baking staples in your pantry for those unexpected, quiet afternoons when you need a family activity.
Canned Fish or Chicken
Keeping canned fish or chicken in the house will come in handy for making a lunch salad or adding protein to a rice or pasta dish.
Baking Mix
If you’re stuck at home with the kids and can’t go out, you’ll be glad you kept that extra box of baking mix in the pantry. And shh—here’s the secret to making cake mix taste homemade.
Oats
Oatmeal is a filling, fiber-rich breakfast and so much more. Keep a container of quick-cooking oats in the pantry to be used for cookies, breading and protein balls.
Try These Recipes to Make with Pantry Staples
During last-minute menu planning, I often include this classic ambrosia salad recipe because I keep the ingredients on hand. —Judi Bringegar, Liberty, North Carolina
Take a look at these healthy canned fruit recipes. 
Pressure-Cooker Mushroom Pork RagoutSavory, quickly made pork is luscious served in a delightful tomato gravy over noodles. It’s a nice change from regular pork roast. I serve it with broccoli or green beans on the side. —Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware.
Homemade Cherry CrispOur family loves this pretty, tasty dessert. It uses convenient pie filling, so you can make it in no time—and it takes mere minutes to heat in the microwave. —Laurie Todd, Columbus, Mississippi
Quick and Easy Vegetable PotpieThis meatless Monday superstar comes together quickly and is inexpensive as well. My 4-year-old always asks for seconds! You can substitute any canned or frozen beans for the canned lentils in this easy vegetable potpie. We also like using frozen edamame. —Maggie Torsney-Weir, Los Angeles, California
Pineapple Pretzel FluffI often bring this salad to potlucks, and everyone goes crazy for the sweet and crunchy combination. Be sure to add the pretzel mixture right before serving to keep it crispy. —Beth Olby, Ashland, Wisconsin
Spicy Chicken EnchiladasCooked chicken strips and canned enchilada sauce hurry along this zesty entree. I came up with this spicy chicken enchiladas recipe shortly after I got married. It's a delicious dinner for two that's easy to double for company. &mdashAmy Dando, Apalachin, New York
Pineapple Appetizer MeatballsKaren Mellinger Baker of Dover, Ohio blends a can of crushed pineapple into her meatballs to create a taste-tempting treat. Best of all, the sweet and tangy glaze that coats this big batch of bite-sized snacks is a snap to prepare.
Cherry GruntBack when I was cooking the hot lunch main dish for about 1,300 students a day, I liked to make this simple old-time dessert for my husband and sons. A scoop of ice cream is perfect.
Jalapeno Popper SpreadI've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
Taco BowlsWe love this delicious taco-style dish because of its super simple prep. Each serving is so easy to customize to everyone's individual tastes thanks to the toppings. It's become a regular when we're entertaining. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio
Creamy Pumpkin HummusI love to serve this pumpkin hummus with sliced apples, pears and pita chips. Top it with toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of pumpkin oil and even fried sage leaves. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Simmered Turkey EnchiladasI discovered a different way to serve economical turkey thighs. I simmer them in tomato sauce, green chiles and seasonings until they're tender and flavorful, then serve them in tortillas with our favorite fresh toppings. —Stella Schams, Tempe, Arizona
Chicken and Swiss Stuffing BakeI love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri
Quick Mexican Bean SoupIt never hurts to have a few meals that you can whip up in very little time, and this hearty soup is one of my busy-day favorites. Green chiles and chili powder give it some oomph. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Jalapeno Mac and CheeseMany years ago after I had had knee surgery, a friend brought me a big casserole of mac and cheese along with the recipe. I have fiddled with the recipe over the years, most recently adding jalapenos at the request of my son. What an awesome spicy twist! —Teresa Gustafson, Elkton, Maryland
Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry BarsWith tangy dried cranberries tucked inside and a creamy brown butter frosting, these mildly spiced pumpkin bars are doubly delightful. It's a good thing the recipe makes lots, because once you taste one, you won't be able to resist going back for more!
-Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona
Tex-Mex Bean Bake with Cornbread ToppingI frequently cooked this dish when I was on the cross-country team in college. We loved this veggie-packed bake so much I would have to make two! For a meaty version, substitute shredded chicken for half of the potato. —Samantha Westveer, Kentwood, Michigan
Skillet Bow Tie LasagnaThis quick recipe tastes just like lasagna, but you make it on the stove. It's very tasty and is always a hit with my family. —Arleta Schurle, Clay Center, Kansas
Slow-Cooked Peachy SpareribsCanned peaches make a delightful addition to my flavorful sparerib sauce. Served over rice, the sweet-tangy ribs make a sensational meal any time of the year.—Jeanne Brino, Woodbury, Minnesota
Bratwurst SoupI came up with this recipe one day when I had some leftover bratwurst. It has been a favorite of my husband's ever since and is requested whenever the guys are hanging out. —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa
Creamy Turkey CasseroleI sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for this casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota
Citrus Cornmeal CakeCornmeal adds a rustic quality to this delicate dessert flavored with citrus and almond. It makes a great holiday party hostess gift and is sure to be a staple in your recipe collection. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Quickpea CurryThis colorful curry is a nice change of pace for a busy weeknight. I like to substitute fresh peas for frozen when they're in season. —Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois
Southwestern Chicken Tortilla SoupThe spices really liven up this filling chicken tortilla soup. I often double the recipe, freezing leftovers for future dinners or quick lunches. —Anne Smithson, Cary, North Carolina
Chicken with PineappleI'm always on the lookout for low-fat recipes that are scrumptious, too, like this pineapple chicken recipe. Quick-cooking chicken breasts get wonderful, sweet flavor from pineapple, honey and teriyaki sauce. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota
Sausage Tortilla Breakfast BakeThis casserole is perfect for a special brunch. It combines the spices of the Southwest with the comfort of a hearty breakfast. You can spice it up by adding cayenne and hot peppers, or mellow it by replacing the tomatoes and green chiles with mild salsa. It’s versatile and easy—no wonder it’s a longtime family favorite. —Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona
Cajun Corn SoupI found this recipe years ago and substituted Cajun stewed tomatoes for a bolder taste. Now I prepare this dish for out-of-state guests who want to taste some Cajun food. Everyone who tries it gives it high marks. Plus, it's easy to prepare. —Sue Fontenot, Kinder, Louisiana
Best Ever Beans and SausageWhen my wife asks what she should make for a gathering, she's always told to bring this—and a couple of copies of the recipe! — Robert Saulnier, Clarksburg, Massachusetts
Contest-Winning Chicken Wild Rice CasseroleWhile this special chicken and wild rice casserole is perfect for a company dinner, it's so good that I often make it for everyday family meals. We think it is very nice served with some crusty rolls or French bread. —Elizabeth Tokariuk, Lethbridge, Alberta
Peach Cobbler Dump CakeThis is one of the best peach dump cake recipes in the world. It's sweet, tender cake with a beautifully crisp cobbler topping. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, and dessert's golden. —Keri Sparks, Little Elm, Texas
Slow-Cooker Pork PozoleI make this heartwarming stew with pork ribs and hominy often. It's a filling recipe of lightly spiced comfort. —Genie Gunn, Asheville, North Carolina
White Turkey ChiliHere's proof that chili doesn't have to be red. I combined several recipes and changed flavors until the recipe was just right. Trust me, this one is a keeper. —Tina Barrett, Houston, Texas
Easy Chicken EnchiladasThis chicken enchiladas recipe is so quick and easy, and I always receive a ton of compliments. It quickly becomes a favorite of friends whenever I share the recipe. Modify the spiciness with the intensity of the salsa and the green chiles to suit your taste. —Kristi Black, Harrison Township, Michigan
Seafood CasseroleA family favorite, this rice casserole is filled with plenty of seafood and veggies. It's hearty, homey and so easy to make. —Nancy Billups, Princeton, Iowa
Chicken & Cheese Noodle BakeThis is the recipe my daughters and I often make for new parents when they come home from the hospital. With its creamy spaghetti filling and melted cheese topping, this casserole holds a nice cut and comforts hungry tummies. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana
Italian-Inspired CasseroleI come from a huge family, and it seems there is always a potluck occasion. No matter what time of year, this hearty, crowd-pleasing Italian casserole is always a hit. It's easy to make and serve. —Rita Goshaw, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicken & Egg Noodle CasseroleA friend and her family went through a really difficult time, and I felt so awful for them. Bringing over this chicken noodle casserole was the one thing I could think of to help them out in a tiny way and let them know I was thinking of them. —Lin Krankel, Oxford, Michigan
Chicken Noodle CasseroleEveryone who tries this comforting cheesy chicken casserole asks for the recipe. It's so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I'm cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas
Crunchy Almond Turkey CasseroleA special cousin shared the recipe for this comforting casserole. The almonds and water chestnuts give it a nice crunch. —Jill Black, Troy, Ontario
Chicken Tortilla BakeMother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix. —Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Originally Published: March 16, 2020
