25 Flavorful and Healthy Meals Using Pantry Essentials

Let’s be real, we all have those days when we look into our pantry and wonder what to cook with what we already have. It can be a challenge to come up with tasty and healthy meals without running to the store for extra ingredients. That’s why I’ve put together this list of 25 delicious and nutritious recipes using pantry staples. These dishes are not only easy to make but also packed with flavor and goodness.

Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs

Combine 1 pound of ground beef, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper in a skillet, browning the meatballs. Add 1 can of crushed tomatoes and simmer until the sauce thickens. Cook 1 pound of dried spaghetti separately, then mix into the skillet. This comforting one-skillet dish is easy to clean up and perfect for a hearty family dinner with minimal fuss, combining tangy tomato sauce and savory meatballs.

Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Mix 2 cups of cooked rice, 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, 2 cups of canned chicken, and 1 cup of mixed vegetables in a baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. This creamy and filling casserole combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vegetables for an economical and satisfying one-dish meal.

Chickpea and Spinach Stew

Sauté 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of cumin in olive oil. Add 2 cans of chickpeas, 1 cup of vegetable broth, and 1 package of frozen spinach. Simmer until heated through, then add a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with crusty bread. This hearty stew is packed with protein and fiber, offering a savory and slightly tangy flavor.

Lentil Bolognese

Cook 1 cup of lentils according to package instructions. Sauté 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil, then add 1 can of crushed tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of Italian herbs. Mix in the cooked lentils and simmer until thickened. Serve over cooked pasta. This vegetarian twist on Bolognese offers a robust and hearty flavor with meaty lentils.

Black Bean Tacos

Heat 2 cans of black beans with 1 packet of taco seasoning. Fill tortillas with the beans and top with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and avocado slices. These easy and delicious tacos are both hearty and fresh, offering a satisfying savory taste with a hint of spice.

Tuna and White Bean Salad

A refreshing and protein-packed salad perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Mix 2 cans of tuna, 2 cans of white beans, and the juice of 1 lemon with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and serve chilled. This refreshing and protein-packed salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, offering a light and tangy flavor with a creamy texture.

Tomato and Basil Soup

Sauté 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil, then add 2 cans of crushed tomatoes and 1 cup of vegetable broth. Simmer with 1/4 cup of chopped basil until flavors meld, then blend until smooth. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil. This classic soup is rich and aromatic, offering a deep tomato flavor with a hint of basil.

Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Peppers

Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions. Mix with 2 cans of black beans and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Stuff into 4 halved bell peppers and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until tender. These stuffed peppers are savory and slightly sweet, offering a satisfying and hearty filling.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Blend 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 banana, and 1 cup of milk until smooth. This creamy and delicious smoothie is perfect for breakfast or a snack, offering a rich and creamy flavor with natural sweetness from the banana.

Veggie Fried Rice

A quick and easy fried rice that’s both colorful and packed with vegetables. Sauté 2 cups of mixed vegetables in olive oil, then add 3 cups of cooked rice and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Stir-fry until heated through. This quick and easy fried rice is both colorful and packed with vegetables, offering a savory and umami-rich taste.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Mix 2 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of raisins, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of butter, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. These chewy and delicious cookies are perfect for a snack or dessert, offering a sweet and chewy texture with a hint of cinnamon.

Chickpea and Tomato Salad

Toss 2 cans of chickpeas, 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and serve chilled. This vibrant and fresh salad is quick to prepare and full of flavor, offering a balanced combination of savory and sweet.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Cook 1 pound of spaghetti and set aside. In a bowl, whisk together 4 eggs and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Cook 1/2 cup of diced pancetta until crispy, then combine with hot pasta and egg mixture, stirring quickly to create a creamy sauce. This classic Italian pasta dish is rich and creamy, offering a luxurious texture.

Minestrone Soup

A hearty and nutritious soup loaded with vegetables and beans. Sauté 1 cup of mixed vegetables in olive oil, then add 4 cups of vegetable broth and 2 cans of beans. Simmer with 1 cup of pasta until everything is tender. This hearty and nutritious soup is loaded with vegetables and beans, offering a rich and savory flavor.

Baked Beans on Toast

A simple yet satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare. Heat 2 cans of baked beans and serve over 4 slices of toasted bread. This simple yet satisfying meal is quick to prepare, offering a comforting and savory taste.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Sauté 1 diced sweet potato in olive oil, then add 2 cans of black beans and 1 packet of chili seasoning. Simmer until the sweet potato is tender. Serve with cornbread for a complete meal. This chili is hearty and flavorful, offering a rich and spicy taste balanced by the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.

Rice and Bean Burritos

These burritos are filling and easy to make, with a delicious combination of rice and beans. Fill tortillas with 2 cups of cooked rice and 2 cans of black beans, then wrap and heat until warm. These burritos are filling and easy to make, offering a savory and hearty combination.

Split Pea Soup

A thick and hearty soup that’s both nutritious and flavorful. Simmer 2 cups of split peas, 1 diced carrot, and 4 cups of vegetable broth until the peas are tender. Serve with a slice of bread. This thick and hearty soup is both nutritious and flavorful, offering a rich and earthy flavor.

Tuna Pasta Salad

A light and refreshing pasta salad that’s perfect for warm days. Mix 1 pound of cooked pasta, 2 cans of tuna, and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. Serve chilled. This light and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for warm days, offering a tangy and creamy texture.

Lentil Soup

A nutritious and filling soup made with pantry staples. Sauté 1 cup of diced carrots and celery in olive oil, then add 1 cup of lentils and 4 cups of vegetable broth. Simmer until lentils are tender. This nutritious and filling soup offers a rich and savory flavor with a robust, earthy undertone.

Chickpea Curry

A flavorful curry that’s quick and easy to prepare, using pantry staples. Simmer 2 cans of chickpeas, 1 can of coconut milk, and 2 tablespoons of curry powder until flavors meld. Serve with rice. This flavorful curry is quick and easy to prepare, offering a creamy and spicy flavor with a hint of coconut sweetness.

Tomato Basil Pasta

A simple yet flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for a quick meal. Sauté 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil, then add 2 cans of crushed tomatoes and 1/4 cup of chopped basil. Toss with cooked pasta. This simple yet flavorful pasta dish is perfect for a quick meal, offering a fresh and tangy flavor with aromatic basil notes.

Quinoa Salad

A light and nutritious salad that’s perfect for a healthy meal. Mix 2 cups of cooked quinoa with 1 cup of diced cucumbers and 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice. Serve chilled or at room temperature. This light and nutritious salad offers a mix of textures and flavors.

Pasta Primavera

A colorful and delicious pasta dish loaded with vegetables. Sauté 2 cups of mixed vegetables in olive oil, then toss with 1 pound of cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. This colorful and delicious pasta dish offers a fresh and light flavor with a blend of crisp vegetables and tender pasta.

Black Bean Soup

A thick and hearty soup that’s packed with flavor and nutrition. Sauté 1 diced onion and 1 teaspoon of cumin in olive oil, then add 2 cans of black beans and 4 cups of vegetable broth. Simmer until thick. Serve with a dollop of sour cream. This thick and hearty soup is packed with flavor and nutrition, offering a rich and savory taste with a hint of smokiness from the cumin.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout

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