These simple pantry recipes are easy to make, include only shelf-stable and frozen ingredients and are low-cost!
We are in a period of trying to avoid going out to stores as little as possible. By stocking up on pantry staples, this can easily be done with limiting shopping trips to at least every two weeks and even longer if you are creative while preparing meals.
Here in Michigan, we have been hit especially hard and have a stay at home order until the end of April (subject to change at any time).
We are doing everything we can to follow this order by staying home, avoiding unnecessary travel, staying clear of others on walks/runs/bike rides around our neighborhood and at our local parks. I am also limiting my grocery shopping trips to as few as possible.
Does that mean I’m purchasing a ridiculous amount of food and hoarding it?! No. It means I picked up more canned goods and frozen foods than normal and few extra snacks.
I do feel blessed that we are able to purchase enough food to feed our family comfortably and feel for so many individuals and families struggling with losing jobs, being furloughed or are simply struggling through this difficult time.
That’s one reason I wanted to create a post that provides low-cost pantry recipes that are simple to make. Even if you’re not an essential worker and have more time on your hands when it comes to cooking, you may not feel up to cooking and you may be concerned about visiting the grocery store as well.
Here are a few meal ideas using only shelf-stable ingredients that I make for my family. Hope you enjoy!
Breakfast
- Oatmeal: old fashioned or quick oats, honey and frozen fruit or nut butter. This is one of our favorite simple breakfasts. (Please ignore the pictures, they are one of the earliest pictures I took early when I first started Chocolate Slopes.)
- Pancakes/waffles: just add water mix, add frozen blueberries (thawed) or serve with canned fruit.
Lunch
Bean Salsa Dip
- 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 (15 oz.) can sweet corn, drained and rinsed
- Tortilla chips
Combine black beans, salsa and corn. Serve with tortilla chips.
Easy Four Bean Salsa Dip: I love this bean dip as well. If you don’t have fresh peppers or red onions you can leave those out and use dried cilantro in place of fresh.
Tuna & Salsa
- 2 (5 oz.) cans tuna canned in water, drained
- ¾ cup salsa
- Whole wheat crackers
Combine tuna and salsa. Serve with crackers.
Dinner
Pesto Pasta
- ½ cup pesto
- 10 oz. whole wheat pasta
- Parmesan
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions. Save 1 cup of pasta water.
- Drain the remaining pasta and place it in a bowl.
- Combine ¼ cup pasta water with pesto. Add pesto to pasta and additional water as desired.
- Add salt and black pepper and top with Parmesan cheese.
Italian Baked Chicken Tenders: This recipe calls for Parmesan cheese but you can do without if you don’t have any on hand. Also, Italian dressing or Ranch salad dressings work great.
Side Dishes
Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds
Parmesan Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Directions
- In a small saucepan combine the orzo and butter. Stir regularly and lightly toast the orzo (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add broth and garlic to saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring regularly until orzo is tender and broth is absorbed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese.
I hope these recipes provide you with a few healthy meal ideas while trying to minimize grocery store visits.
Stay healthy and safe!
This Simple Low-Cost Pantry Recipes post first appeared on Chocolate Slopes.
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