I haven’t been grocery shopping in about two weeks or something. Which means, it’s time for pantry cooking.
Life gets busy, or you’re out of town, or you’re sitting on the couch weighing the options between dallying on Facebook or putting on some decent clothing to go to the store.
Facebook always wins.
A girl’s gotta eat though.
And so does a girl’s husband.
And both of them are trying to save money.
(The key word there is trying). So lately, the routine has been to go stand blankly in front of the fridge or the pantry and try to come up with a super creative dinner using only tortilla chips, spaghetti sauce and brown ‘n’ serve sausages. Gross.
Realistically though, we all have certain things that take up permanent residence in the pantry or fridge.
And even more realistically, life doesn’t always allow for last-minute grocery runs, if it allows for grocery runs at all.
Therein, it seems like a good idea to have some pantry-friendly options for those nights (or weeks) when fresh or gourmet is out of the question and you’re desperately looking for that big red “Easy” button.
Of course, I am not advocating a grocery store boycott, as I think fresh ingredients are vital and should be used when – and as much – as possible.
So here are some simple and delicious dinner options, that, for the most part, can be made using ingredients that you probably have sitting at home right now (with the possible exception of the meat).
I can vouch for all of them, having made each at one point or another. The first are variations on recipes that I grew up with and still make.
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken from Creme de la Crumb
Lazy Lasagna from Olga’s Flavor Factory
Crispy Bourbon Glazed Salmon from How Sweet It Is
(Disclaimer: I realize that while Jim Beam seems to have made himself comfortable on my pantry shelves due to my rampant pecan pie-making, bourbon or whiskey may not really qualify as a pantry staple for everyone).
28 Comments
Meal Planning 101
April 17, 2013 at 4:17 am[…] Source […]
Pretty. Good. Food.
June 3, 2011 at 1:52 amOh man, now I’m hungry!!! 🙂
Olga @ mangotomato
June 2, 2011 at 8:08 pmall these look great. I especially like the combination of mustard and curry.
Can I give a tip? I learned this from Sara Moulton: use woton wrappers for a lazy lasagna: they are super thin, easy to work with and don’t require pre-cooking.
Sawsan@chef in disguise
June 2, 2011 at 7:05 pmI am bookmarking the tuna pasta immediately!
I loved all your pantry meals..it is a situation we all face and your options are heavenly
Robyn | Add a Pinch
June 2, 2011 at 12:58 pmThese all sound delicious and perfect for pulling together a quick meal. I love to keep items like this on hand in the pantry for when we return home from a trip. No need to worry with the grocery store and you can pull it all together quickly. Thanks for sharing these beautiful recipes. I can’t wait to try the chicken.
JulieD
June 1, 2011 at 10:36 pmI actually need to shop out of my pantry more often! It’s packed full and I keep going shopping. I love your honey mustard chicken, sounds really good!
Kate@Diethood.com
June 1, 2011 at 2:01 pmI love cleaning out my pantry and then eating it! 🙂 I then feel like some weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can finally go to the grocery store and do some damage. 🙂
I’m going to have to try the lazy lasagna… hubs will fall in love again!
jessica
June 1, 2011 at 12:01 pmThis is so awesome. What a great post for everyone and that salmon looks mag picture perfect. You always have the best how tos and tips. your rock.
Gina (The Candid RD)
June 1, 2011 at 11:49 amLazy lasagna?! This is right up my alley! Great looking recipe, and lazy meals are my thing 🙂
I’m not a fan of anything bourbon. The smell nauseates me. I think I may have had a bad bourbon experience in high school or something….it’s really too bad because I know it’s great to cook with.
Barbara
June 1, 2011 at 10:37 amThese are some great pantry recipes, Maris. Mine needs a good sorting out right now as well. Wonder what I’ll find? A trip to the grocery store is getting to be so expensive!
I like the curry powder in the honey mustard sauce….
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
June 1, 2011 at 3:14 amHow wonderful and what a perfect timing… I’m bookmarking lazy lazagna and tuna pasta right away. I need something easy to cook this week as I don’t feel like standing in the kitchen. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
Roz
May 31, 2011 at 9:55 pmThis is a great reminder to check and see what is in the pantry before planning the next few days meals. Thanks for this Maris!!!
Maria @ Scandifoodie
May 31, 2011 at 6:15 pmI love this! What a great recipe round-up, that salmon sounds especially delicious!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
May 31, 2011 at 10:46 pmWhat simple yet flavorful recipe..I m sure to try that mustard chicked and tuna pasta..they look amazing!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
May 31, 2011 at 7:50 pmMy mom always make lazy lasagna and I think it tastes so good! I have been in the mood for tuna pasta lately. Yours looks so good!
Caroline
May 31, 2011 at 7:19 pmI’m always trying to use what I have in the pantry as well, which definitely forces me to be creative with my meals. All of these dishes look delicious, and I love the minimal ingredients. Great post, as usual. 🙂
Juliana
May 31, 2011 at 6:47 pmI am like you, always stocking stuff in the pantry and fridge, and my husband always reminding me that it is just two of us living in the house….I need to do what you did…stop going to the grocery and use up what I have. You came up with great recipes and they all look delicious. Love them all…
Have a great week ahead Maris 🙂
Sukaina
May 31, 2011 at 5:36 pmI haven’t been grocery shopping in 2 weeks either and have no excuse!!! This is a handly recipe list for someone like me 🙂
The Teacher Cooks
May 31, 2011 at 4:57 pmThe whole post looks very cookable for me. I think that I may have to do all of them!
lynn @ the actor's diet
May 31, 2011 at 4:26 pmi love pantry meals!!!
Blond Duck
May 31, 2011 at 3:43 pmI’m printing out the whole post!
Geni
May 31, 2011 at 3:06 pmThe funny thing is that I think I do have almost ALL of these ingredients necessary for these dishes minus the salmon. These truly are great pantry meals. I love the addition of curry to you honey mustard chicken. It’s a great twist on my typical one.
Lucy @ The Sweet Touch
May 31, 2011 at 1:18 pmI think I could handle most of these. In fact, I am making my grocery list today – thanks for the menu!:)
Vivienne
May 25, 2011 at 12:49 pmyou seem to stock a lot of stuff in your pantry at all times! i think if i don’t go grocery shopping i wont be able to make such awesome meals as these with what i have in the pantry! btw, that lasagne recipe looks great – all the recipes ive tried take ages to make!
Nelly Rodriguez
May 25, 2011 at 12:44 pmPantry Meals are pretty much like going on Chopped that night! Being resourceful and creative is one of the best traits to have as a cook! Love all of these recipes!
Erica
May 25, 2011 at 12:19 pmI’m a HUGE fan of pantry meals. I find myself without a dinner plan at least once a week and am always looking to add to my list of go tos! The lasagna sounds yummy!
Daryl
May 25, 2011 at 12:18 pmThis is such a great recipe to make with ingredients we probably all have sitting in our pantry
Heavenly Housewife
May 25, 2011 at 12:08 pmHubbs and I both think this tuna pasta looks amazing. I am bookmarking it 😀
*kisses* HH