Turn those pantry ingredients into delicious, unforgettable meals

Your pantry can be a great place to “food shop.” [Today On The Spruce]( [The Spruce Daily]( [Today On The Spruce]( [Today On The Spruce] [Lemon Heading Photo]( [Turn Those Pantry Ingredients Into Delicious, Unforgettable Meals]( [Jess Kapadia]( One of my favorite places to “food shop” is in my own [pantry](. I may be a food editor, but I’m definitely not an inventory specialist, and I routinely forget what I have in the back of my cabinets. Last year, when everyone was Kondo-ing their homes (thank you for everything, Marie) I got rid of about a third of the stuff in my apartment, which involved taking everything out of everywhere (kitchen included). I made [pantry meals]( all week with what genuinely felt like new ingredients, and so can you! With a little inspiration, and by letting your cravings guide your finished product, your [pantry]( can help breathe new life into tried-and-true dishes and help you discover new favorites. Whether you’re staying inside to avoid chilly winter weather, working from home to [prevent spreading coronavirus](, or simply committing to finishing what’s on your shelves ahead of spring cleaning, there’s a wealth of delicious potential hiding in those cupboards. Canned fish, like tuna and salmon, is perfect for [casseroles](, pastas, sandwiches, and my personal favorite: [croquettes](. Experiment with the condiments in your refrigerator to make tangy, zesty, or spicy dipping sauces for these crunchy, savory croquettes and you may discover your favorite new appetizer for a hungry crowd. Jarred tomato sauce is another pantry staple that lends itself well to any number of comforting, easy-to-make meat and pasta dishes. One of my favorite pantry dishes that uses quick or pre-made tomato sauce — [classic “porcupine” meatballs]( — calls for other cupboard staples as well: garlic powder, seasoning salt, and uncooked rice, plus ground beef you may already have in the freezer. But the best thing about pantry cooking is how easy these recipes are to make, and how effortless they are to scale up to feed a lot of people. [Red beans and rice]( is a classic dish that’s packed with protein, fiber, iron, zinc, and other essential nutrients that can be spiced up with chili flakes, flavored with ham or bacon, or simply served as a side dish. Or turn on your crock pot and turn just [four ingredients]( into an amazing meal. Fresh out of beans or don’t feel like making them? Substitute lentils in most recipes, or [discover your favorite new way]( to prepare this budget-friendly, nutritious pulse that actually takes less time to cook. Hint: a [flavor-packed soup]( recipe is always a winner, and a great way to use up even more pantry items like chickpeas, canned tomatoes, dried mushrooms, and noodles. And if you’re stuck at home with plenty of time on your hands, there’s no better time to whip up a [fresh loaf of bread](. So pare down that pile that’s doing you no good just sitting there, and get cooking! -Jess Kapadia Food Editor, The Spruce Eats [READ MORE]( [Today On The Spruce](#) Recipes We Love [Sugar]( [Prepping for Coronavirus: How to Use Your Quarantine Stash]( [Classic Porcupine Meatballs Are an Old-Fashioned Favorite]( [Sugar]( [Tuna Croquettes Will Feed a Crowd]( [There’s No Right or Wrong Way to Make Red Beans and Rice]( [Today On The Spruce](#) One Thing [Heading Living Room]( [Perfect Pantry Pasta]( [Watch & Learn]( [Today On The Spruce]( [Spruce Eats Banner]( [Today On The Spruce](#) More From The Spruce [Love British and Irish Food, Then Feast Your Eyes on These]( [24 Scrumptious Quick Breads to Tempt Your Tastebuds]( [A Collection of the Best Meatball Recipes]( [Trending Topics](#) [Breads]( [Slow Cooker Meals]( [All-Star Pastas]( [Seasonal Produce]( [Soups, Stews, and Chili]( [Breakfast Casseroles]( Did somebody forward you this email? [Sign Up for The Spruce Eats Newsletter!]( [The Spruce]( [The Spruce]( [The Spruce]( [The Spruce]( You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to The Spruce Eats newsletter. [Unsubscribe](page=spruce) © 2020 Dotdash.com — All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy.]( A DOTDASH BRAND 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036