All of my favorite pantry meals are gathered here in one place!
After many requests for a single post with my go-to pantry meals, I put them all together and grouped them by category: pasta, grains, beans, potatoes and squash, breads, soups and snacks. Most of these are full dinners, with a few breakfasts and a large snack section at the end.
In addition to canned and shelf-stable items, I often keep a handful of frozen or fresh ingredients on hand. For recipes that call for fresh produce, frozen or canned substitutes usually work well. Feel free to swap grains, pasta shapes or seasonings to suit your pantry and tastes — these ideas are meant to be flexible and adaptable. I’d love to see what you make, so tag me on Instagram if you share any of these creations!
125+ of My Favorite Pantry Meals
Pantry Meals: Pasta
Pasta is the ultimate pantry staple — fast, versatile and comforting. Here are many of my favorite pasta-based pantry meals.
creamed spinach mac and cheese
homemade spaghettios
shredded brussels and kale spaghetti
cacio e pepe pie
charred cauliflower carbonara
cajun chicken penne
harvest squash pasta sauce
butternut squash baked ziti
lemon spaghetti
one pot mushroom swiss chard pasta
spicy garlic pasta with chickpeas
weeknight peanut noodles
sweet potato cream pasta with crispy kale
15 minute sesame ramen noodles
easy pasta frittata
one pot chili cheese pasta
brown butter garden vegetable pasta
weeknight bacon broccoli pasta
sheet pan gnocchi
caramelized shallot, spinach and goat cheese pasta
gruyere mac and cheese with caramelized onions
kale cacio e pepe
butternut squash stuffed shells
butternut squash carbonara
spicy parmesan shrimp skillet
farfalle with marinated feta and arugula
toasted gnocchi with herb brown butter
cheesy bucatini pie
four cheese skillet rigatoni mac
bacon egg and brussels carbonara
brown butter parmesan chicken linguine
Pantry Meals: Grains
Grain bowls are endlessly adaptable — swap rice, farro or quinoa based on what you have. These recipes showcase grain-forward meals and bowls.
best ever veggie burger
hummus halloumi bowls
quinoa burrito bowls
crispy rice salad with kale
strawberry burrata quinoa salad
pineapple chorizo rice bowls
garlic kale cashew fried rice
bacon brussels fried rice
slow roasted tomato farro salad
thai chicken quinoa bowl
white chicken quinoa chili
buffalo quinoa sliders
sweet potato quinoa cakes
pineapple cashew fried rice
crispy quinoa sliders
portobello brown fried rice
breakfast fried rice
grain bowls with maple chipotle brussels and coconut roasted sweet potatoes
roasted cauliflower farro salad
breakfast quinoa
BBQ quinoa salad
Pantry Meals: Beans
Beans are a pantry hero — protein-packed and versatile for soups, mains and snacks.
game day beer chili
the best hummus platter
crunchy roasted chickpeas
marinated white beans with olive oil toast
black bean tostadas
green goddess falafel
tuscan tomato bean soup
everything white bean hummus
baked black bean taquitos
avocado hummus
slow roasted tomato hummus
hummus with roasted cauliflower
chickpea curry with coconut rice
white bean tortellini soup with havarti toasts
white bean soup with crumbled bacon
Pantry Meals: Potatoes and Squash
Potatoes and winter squash keep well and form the base of many satisfying meals and sides.
crispy smashed potatoes
smashed rosemary potatoes with burrata
sweet potato pierogies
slow roasted sweet potatoes with spicy garlic chickpeas
grilled gorgonzola potatoes
french onion stuffed sweet potatoes
lemon butter spaghetti squash
spaghetti squash parmesan
butternut squash french breads
hasselback butternut squash
butternut squash pot pie
butternut squash kale salad
sweet potato chowder
sweet potato ginger soup
whipped bourbon bacon sweet potatoes
cheesy black bean stuffed sweet potatoes
veggie fajita stuffed sweet potatoes
sheet pan sweet potato breakfast hash
spicy roasted squash with feta and herbs
roasted squash with pepita relish
Pantry Meals: Breads
Baking from scratch can be simple and rewarding — many basic pantry ingredients turn into delicious breads and rolls.
skillet cornbread
pretzel focaccia bread
brown butter herb garlic knots
caramelized onion garlic butter focaccia
white cheddar beer bread
asiago cheese bagels
garlic herb parker house rolls
everything fontina biscuits
beer cheese soft pretzel garlic bread
sweet potato honey dinner rolls
buttery cloverleaf rolls
homemade croissants
Pantry Meals: Soup
Soups are perfect for pantry cooking — they often combine canned tomatoes, beans, pasta or grains for big flavor and ease.
minestrone with kale pesto
curried tomato tortellini soup
chicken parmesan soup
the best tomato soup EVER
chicken taco soup
spicy sausage, kale whole wheat pasta soup
lemon chicken soup
butternut squash quinoa chili
chickpea pasta soup
creamy chicken and dumplings
smoky gruyere squash soup with spicy chickpeas
creamy cauliflower soup
Pantry Meals: Homemade Snacks
Homemade snacks are great to make ahead and keep on hand — from no-bake bites to crunchy mixes and bars.
easy no bake oatmeal peanut butter balls
bursting blueberry muffins
smoky savory fire crackers
chipotle caramel snack mix
party mix
superfood jam and peanut butter cups
chocolate dipped clementines
chocolate stuffed oatmeal bars
champagne caramel popcorn
toasted quinoa cashew butter cups
brown sugar sriracha sesame popcorn
addictive homemade snack mix
chocolate covered coconut marshmallows
no bake almond joy snack mix
crunchy quinoa granola
chocolate chip cookie dough peanut butter cups
coconut butter granola
milk chocolate cashew butter
no bake peanut butter marshmallow squares
homemade peppermint patties
