We all have those days - we're tired, the weather’s not cooperating, or the thought of running to the store just isn’t gonna happen. That’s when having a stocked pantry really pays off.
These pantry meals are made with simple, shelf-stable ingredients you likely already have on hand. Whether you’re feeding a hungry farm crew during harvest or just trying to make dinner work on a busy weeknight, these easy meals will help you get something on the table without an extra trip to town.
Want to make pantry meals even easier? See my pantry checklist so you always have what you need on hand for quick, no-stress dinners.
What Are Pantry Meals?
So glad you asked! Pantry meals are simple recipes made using shelf-stable ingredients like canned goods, dry pasta, rice, and freezer staples. They’re perfect for busy nights, tight budgets, or anytime you need to make dinner without heading to the store.
Which Pantry Meal Should You Make First?
- Need something quick? Go for Pasta with marinara or tuna pasta
- Feeding a crowd? Head towards chili mac or taco bowls
- Want comfort food? Try a pasta bake or soup and grilled cheese
- Breakfast for dinner? Whip up some sheet pan pancakes or classic eggs and toast
Easy Pantry Meals You Can Make Right Now
These are meals you can whip up without a recipe or with very little effort. Things like:
Pantry Pasta Meals
- Pasta with jarred marinara + canned mushrooms
- Tuna pasta with peas
- Baked pasta casserole
Pantry Tex-Mex Meals
- Taco bowls (rice + canned beans + taco seasoning)
- Pantry chili
- Nachos with canned toppings
Breakfast for Dinner
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- Pancakes or waffles
- Eggs and toast
- Oatmeal with peanut butter
Simple Comfort Meals
Looking for more easy dinner ideas? Check out my easy ground beef recipes or these leftover taco meat recipes for simple meals your family will love.
- Grilled cheese and tomato soup
- Sloppy joes (from pantry ingredients)
- Mac and cheese with add-ins
🥔 Stretch-It Meals (Feed a Crowd)
- Rice and beans
- Potato skillet (if you have potatoes)
- Soup using canned vegetables
Pantry Staples That Make These Meals Possible
Keeping a few key ingredients on hand makes it easy to pull together a meal anytime.
- canned beans
- pasta
- rice
- canned tomatoes
- broth
- peanut butter
- flour + sugar
- spices
If you want to take the guesswork out of stocking your pantry, my Pantry Staples that I keep on hand - it walks you through exactly what to keep on hand so meals like these come together quickly.
Farm Wife Tip:
I always keep a few pantry meals in my back pocket for harvest season. When the days get long and people are hungry, having a no-thinking-required meal plan makes all the difference!
Tips for Making Pantry Meals Taste Better
Pantry cooking doesn’t have to be boring! A few simple tricks go a long way.
- use spices generously
- add butter or oil for richness
- mix textures (crunchy + creamy)
- add cheese when possible. Always. 😬
Pantry Meals FAQ
A pantry meal is made using shelf-stable ingredients like canned goods, dry grains, and freezer staples.
Yes! Many meals rely entirely on pantry items like pasta, beans, rice, and canned vegetables.
Focus on versatile basics like pasta, rice, canned beans, tomatoes, broth, and spices.
Pantry meals like pasta, chili, rice and beans, and grilled cheese are great options when you don’t want to go to the store.
Focus on versatile staples like pasta, rice, canned beans, tomatoes, broth, and basic seasonings.
Before you go, make sure you grab my Pantry Staples Checklist. It’s a simple way to keep your kitchen stocked so you’re never stuck wondering what’s for dinner.
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