You open the fridge. Almost empty. You check the pantry. A few cans, some pasta, eggs. "There's nothing to eat," you think. But there's always something. Here are 15 meals you can make from pantry staples when it feels like you have nothing.
Pasta, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt. That's it. Cook the pasta, saute minced garlic in olive oil with pepper flakes, toss together. Add parmesan if you have it. Done in 15 minutes.
Leftover rice, eggs, soy sauce, any vegetable scraps. Scramble the eggs, add cold rice, splash of soy sauce. The key is using cold rice (fresh rice is too moist and gets mushy).
Tortillas + cheese = quesadilla. Add whatever you have: canned beans, leftover chicken, hot sauce, onion. Cook in a dry pan until crispy.
Flour, eggs, milk, baking powder, sugar, salt. Basic pantry items that make a satisfying meal any time of day. Add chocolate chips or banana if you have them.
That can of soup in the back of your pantry? Add an egg (poach it in the soup), leftover rice, frozen vegetables, or a handful of spinach. Suddenly it's a real meal.
Canned beans (mashed with a fork), tortillas, cheese, hot sauce. Heat the beans, mash them, spread on a tortilla with cheese. Fry until crispy. Add salsa if you have it.
The simplest pasta dish. Cook pasta, toss with butter and parmesan. Add black pepper and a pinch of salt. It's comfort food in 10 minutes.
Eggs, salt, pepper, whatever fillings you have. Cheese, leftover vegetables, ham, herbs. A 3-egg omelette is a complete meal.
Instant ramen + an egg + frozen vegetables + soy sauce. Crack the egg into the boiling water, add vegetables, cook noodles. Way better than plain ramen.
Bread, butter, garlic, salt. Mix softened butter with minced garlic and salt, spread on bread, bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Great alongside soup or salad.
Canned tuna, mayo (or olive oil), salt, pepper, any crunchy vegetables (celery, onion, pickle). Mix together. Eat on bread, crackers, or straight from the bowl.
Rice + canned beans + cumin + salt. A complete protein, cheap, and filling. Add hot sauce or salsa for flavor.
Bread, eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar. Whisk eggs with milk and cinnamon, dip bread, fry in butter. Top with syrup, honey, or powdered sugar.
Bread, butter, cheese. Butter the outside of the bread, add cheese, cook in a pan until golden on both sides. The perfect pantry meal.
Pasta + canned tomatoes + garlic + olive oil + salt. Saute garlic, add canned tomatoes, simmer while pasta cooks. Toss together. Add red pepper flakes or dried herbs if you have them.
Can't decide what to make? Try our free Random Food Generator for instant meal ideas.
Pasta, rice, canned beans, canned tomatoes, eggs, butter, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, onions, and cheese. With these, you can make dozens of different meals.
Salt, acid (lemon juice, vinegar), and fat (butter, olive oil) make everything taste better. A squeeze of lemon on pasta, a pat of butter on rice, or a splash of vinegar on beans transforms bland food.
Rice and beans. A serving costs about $0.50 and provides complete protein, fiber, and sustained energy. Add hot sauce for flavor.