35 Recipes Using Pantry Staples You Already Have

A well-stocked kitchen can turn simple ingredients into something surprisingly delicious. These pantry staples recipes make it easy to cook without extra trips to the store. With canned goods, dry grains, and spices, you can whip up hearty meals, quick snacks, and comforting desserts. These recipes prove great food starts with what you have.

35 Tasty Pantry Staples Recipes Using Stuff You Already Have

When short on fresh ingredients, pantry staples recipes can save the day. A can of beans, a bag of rice, or a jar of peanut butter can turn into something filling and flavorful. Simple ingredients like flour, spices, and pasta create meals that feel anything but basic. Cooking from the pantry means making the most of what’s already in your kitchen.

1. Oatmeal with Peanut Butter and Honey

Start your morning with this quick and satisfying breakfast that uses ingredients like creamy peanut butter and sweet honey to transform basic oats into a comforting meal. You can prepare this versatile dish on the stovetop or microwave, making it perfect for busy mornings.

2. Classic Pancakes

Pancakes are a breakfast hero when your kitchen feels empty. With just flour, eggs, milk, and a few basic ingredients, you can whip up fluffy stacks that taste far better than boxed mixes. The secret to perfect homemade pancakes lies in minimal mixing – a few lumps in your batter help create those airy pockets everyone loves.

3. Banana Bread (or Muffins)

When overripe bananas start spotting your counter, it’s time to transform them into something magical. Banana bread or muffins can be whipped up using ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, and baking soda. According to popular recipes, you’ll need about 1-2 cups of mashed bananas (typically 2-3 ripe bananas) to achieve that perfect moist texture.

4. Overnight Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is a pantry staple recipe for breakfast or dessert. You can create this simple treat with chia seeds, your choice of milk (almond milk works wonderfully), vanilla extract, and a touch of sweetener like maple syrup. The magic happens when you mix these ingredients and let them sit in the refrigerator overnight.

5. Savory Breakfast Rice

Transform your leftover rice into a hearty morning meal that breaks away from traditional breakfast routines. Savory breakfast rice comes together in 15 minutes with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. You can customize this versatile dish by adding whatever vegetables need using up – bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms work wonderfully.

6. Classic Tomato Soup

Nothing says comfort food like a warm bowl of homemade tomato soup. Canned tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, and garlic form the foundation of this simple yet satisfying soup. The beauty of tomato soup lies in its versatility – you can keep it basic or dress it up with herbs like fresh basil or a splash of cream for richness.

7. Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is the ultimate pantry staple hero when you need a comforting meal with minimal shopping. You likely have all the ingredients already: dried lentils, basic vegetables like onions and carrots, and common spices such as cumin or turmeric. Mediterranean versions add warming ginger and cinnamon for depth, while southwestern variations incorporate regional flavors for a different twist.

8. Potato and Corn Chowder

This comforting potato and corn chowder makes excellent use of pantry ingredients. You can create this hearty one-pot meal with frozen corn, canned corn, or fresh corn when in season. Start by sautéing diced onions and bell peppers in a bit of oil until soft. Add cubed potatoes, corn kernels, and broth, then simmer until the potatoes become tender.

9. Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is the ultimate pantry-friendly meal when you’re short on groceries. You can create this warming, protein-packed soup with canned black beans, onions, garlic, and basic spices. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Add a can of diced tomatoes for acidity, or toss some frozen corn for sweetness.

10. Chicken Noodle Soup (Using Canned Chicken)

Nothing beats a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup when you need comfort food fast. This pantry-friendly version comes together in about 30 minutes using canned chicken, which saves significant prep time. Start by heating olive oil in a large pot, then add drained canned chicken (breaking it into smaller pieces). Pour in chicken broth – either from a carton or made with bouillon cubes and water.

11. Garlic Butter Pasta

Garlic butter pasta is the ultimate quick dinner using simple items. You can create a satisfying meal in minutes with just pasta, butter, garlic, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This simple dish shines because it lets each ingredient play its role without complicated techniques or hard-to-find components.

12. Tuna Pasta Salad

This creamy dish combines canned tuna, macaroni noodles, and simple vegetables like celery and peas for a satisfying lunch or dinner. You can whip it up in minutes when your refrigerator seems empty. Many home cooks add hard-boiled egg whites for extra protein.

13. One-Pot Rice and Beans

One-pot rice and beans are the ultimate pantry staple meal that saves time and dishes. You can customize your one-pot meal with whatever you have on hand – sauté onions, garlic, and celery as a flavor base, then add your choice of beans (pinto, black, or red work great).

14. Spaghetti with Pantry Marinara

Spaghetti with marinara sauce is the ultimate pantry meal that comes together in minutes when you’re short on time. A simple jar of marinara transforms dried pasta into a satisfying dinner with minimal effort. You can enhance store-bought marinara with ingredients of minced garlic, dried herbs like oregano and basil, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

15. Fried Rice

Fried rice is the perfect pantry clean-out meal when you’re short on fresh ingredients. Start with leftover rice—day-old works best as it’s drier and less likely to turn mushy. Heat oil in a pan and add protein, like canned tuna, frozen shrimp, or diced ham. Toss in frozen vegetables, which work wonderfully in this dish and stay good for months in your freezer.

16. Chickpea Curry

Transform your pantry staples into a flavorful meal with chickpea curry, which comes together in just 20 minutes. This one-pot wonder requires minimal ingredients—canned chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, and something creamy like whole milk or coconut milk form the base. You can customize the spice level according to your preference and add any vegetables you have.

17. Peanut Butter Ramen

Transform ordinary instant ramen into a creamy, flavorful meal. Peanut butter ramen takes just 15 minutes to prepare and offers a satisfying twist on a budget-friendly staple. While your noodles cook according to package directions, whisk together a simple sauce of peanut butter, soy sauce, and a touch of chili oil for heat if you enjoy spice.

18. Tuna Cakes

Transform those cans of tuna sitting in your pantry into delicious tuna cakes that are both simple to make and impressive to serve. These tasty patties come together with just a few basic ingredients you likely already have. Mix canned tuna with breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings for the base recipe.

19. Black Bean Tacos

Black bean tacos are a perfect weeknight meal using items from your pantry. Start with canned black beans, which form the hearty, protein-rich base of this simple dish. You can season them with cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Add a squeeze of lime juice for brightness and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.

20. Baked Beans on Toast

This humble dish is a pantry hero when short on time and ingredients. A can of baked beans heated and spooned over toasted bread creates a quick meal that can be transformed with simple additions. Try jazzing up your beans with BBQ sauce, paprika, jalapeños, and bacon for a Southern twist. You can also create a curry version by adding spices to your beans.

21. Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

When your pantry feels bare, these flourless peanut butter cookies come to the rescue with five simple ingredients. You’ll need peanut butter, an egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of baking soda—staples most kitchens already have. These cookies work equally well with smooth or chunky peanut butter, depending on what’s in your cupboard.

22. Popcorn with Seasonings

Popcorn is the perfect blank canvas for creative flavor combinations using simple ingredients from your pantry. You can transform plain popcorn into a gourmet snack with seasonings you already have. Try sprinkling Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or smoky paprika for a savory twist. For something with a kick, Tajín or chili crunch oil adds terrific heat

23. Granola Bars

Homemade granola bars are perfect for using up pantry items like oats, honey, and dried fruits. You can make delicious no-bake versions that come together in minutes using simple ingredients. Mix oats with flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and add-ins like raisins or chocolate chips. Create a binding mixture from honey or maple syrup, oil, and an egg, then combine everything.

24. No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

These chocolate oat bars come together quickly with items you already have in your kitchen cabinets. With just five simple ingredients – butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, quick cooking oats, and chocolate chips – you can create a satisfying treat without turning on the oven. The process is straightforward: melt the butter with brown sugar and vanilla, mix in the oats, and layer with melted chocolate.

25. Baked Apple Chips

Transform those apples in your fruit bowl into a healthy snack with minimal ingredients from your pantry. Simply slice your apples thinly, arrange them on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with cinnamon before baking at 200°F for about 2 hours. This slow baking process creates crispy, sweet treats that satisfy your snack cravings without added sugars.

26. Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is the ultimate pantry staple comfort food you probably have ingredients for. Basic boxed varieties can be transformed with simple additions from your kitchen. Mix canned tuna, frozen peas, or leftover ham for added protein.

27. Rice Casserole with Canned Chicken

Transform your kitchen staples into a comforting meal with this simple rice casserole. Open a can of chicken, grab some instant rice, and mix in cream of chicken soup for a hearty base. You can enhance the flavor by adding chopped onions and butter. 

28. Chili with Canned Beans

Chili is the ultimate pantry-friendly comfort food you can make with simple ingredients. Start by browning a pound of ground beef with chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers, if available. Open your pantry and grab those canned kidney beans and chili beans—no need to drain the chili beans as their sauce adds flavor.

29. Shepherd’s Pie with Instant Potatoes

Shepherd’s pie is a perfect pantry staple meal when you’re short on time and fresh ingredients. Using instant mashed potatoes significantly reduces prep time, making this a quick weeknight dinner option. Many home cooks prefer the roasted garlic flavor variety of instant potatoes for an extra flavor boost.

30. Sloppy Joe Mix

Homemade sloppy joe mix is a dinner game-changer that relies on common pantry ingredients. You can skip the store-bought packets filled with preservatives with just some tomato paste, tomato sauce, a sweetener like maple syrup or date paste, and a few seasonings. Many families create their versions by adding hidden vegetables for extra nutrition.

31. Rice Pudding

Transform leftover rice into a sweet, creamy dessert with homemade rice pudding. This classic comfort food requires ingredients you likely have on hand: milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and of course, rice. For the creamiest texture, whole milk works best, though any type will do in a pinch.

32. Mug Brownie

When your sweet tooth hits and the pantry seems bare, a mug brownie comes to the rescue. This quick dessert requires just the basic ingredients like cocoa powder, flour, sugar, milk, oil, and vanilla. You can transform these simple staples into a fudgy, warm treat in less than five minutes.

33. Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is a classic dessert that transforms stale bread into something sweet and comforting using simple pantry ingredients. This traditional recipe combines cubed white bread with melted butter, milk, eggs, sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. You can customize your bread pudding with raisins, chocolate chips, or any dried fruits you have on hand.

34. Canned Fruit Crisp

Transform those cans of fruit in your pantry into a warm, comforting dessert with minimal effort. A fruit crisp works with nearly any canned fruit – peaches, pears, pineapple, or mixed fruit cocktail- and will all shine when topped with a simple crumble mixture.

35. Peanut Butter Fudge

Looking for a quick dessert using items you already have? Peanut butter fudge might be the perfect solution. This rich, creamy treat requires just a few basic ingredients likely sitting in your cupboard. Traditional recipes call for milk, sugar, butter, and peanut butter – all common household items.

Conclusion

Pantry cooking saves money and reduces food waste while keeping you fed during busy times. You probably have pasta, beans, canned tomatoes, and rice waiting to become something delicious right now. The next time your fridge looks empty or you can’t make it to the store, remember these flexible recipes.