
10 Pantry Staples And How To Turn Them Into Easy Meals
Est. Reading Time: 3 Minutes
From pantry to table, you can make a healthy meal using the simplest of ingredients.
Many circumstances might require us to lean on our pantry staples rather than fresh items such as coming back from vacation, traveling for work, limited transportation, or simply having the inability to get to the store.
Learning to mix and match pantry staples is a great skill that allows for trying new recipes, being creative, and exploring different flavors.
Not only is knowing how to healthfully stock your pantry important but so is knowing how to incorporate those items into a well-balanced meal. Have fun with building something delicious out of something simple.
Be flexible with swapping ingredients. For example:
The list below of non-perishable items is not comprehensive, but is a great start. Make pantry meals fun and have a fearless attitude in the kitchen!
Dietitian Tip: Turn any grain into a “flour” for homemade bread, muffins, or desserts by blending in a high-speed blender until it reaches a flour consistency.
Load up on the pantry staples above and whatever fresh produce you will use within the week. Find more Staple Ingredients for Quick Healthy Meals from the American Heart Association.
Planning for the week ahead builds confidence in your ability to use your pantry items and ensures every ingredient has a purpose. Learn more tips for Meal Planning here.
Use the FoodKeeper app to properly store foods and reduce food waste.
Use FridgeToTable.com or SuperCook.com to find recipes using what you have on hand or items that need to be used up in your fridge.
Cooking at home should be fun, so make the most of it by cranking some tunes that inspire creativity and adventure!
Registered Dietitian Anne gives her Healthy Pantry Staples List (+ Recipes with Pantry Items). McKel Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN has 20 Easy Pantry Meal Ideas to Makes from Staples You Already Have on Hand. The Nutrition Twins have 10 Quick, Easy Healthy Meals you can make from the items already in your fridge.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Hi, I’m Shannon! I’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Culinary Coach, and Personal Trainer. After dedicating over 8 years to the corporate wellness world, I began my own nutrition practice. Chef Shannon Nutrition focuses on plant-based nutrition and culinary coaching. My passion for culinary nutrition grew when I worked as a cooking instructor for a culinary entertainment company. After several years as an instructor and event coordinator, I moved into the role of Director of Culinary Entertainment where I developed all the recipes, menus, and instructor trainings. My dietetic’s expertise helped the company expand into allergy-friendly and health conscious menus to suit all clients.
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