These family-friendly meals all start with pantry ingredients like beans, lentils, canned goods, pasta, rice, and broth, plus or minus some fresh staples and things that keep well in the freezer or refrigerator. These flexible recipes are all about using what you have on hand to make easy, delicious lunches and dinners!
During these uncertain times, more than ever, we’re all cooking a whole lot more. We’re home for what feels like an endless stretch and everyone is hungry. Is it just me, or is your family eating something like three times what they normally eat? 🤣
Truly, I feel like I have been living in the kitchen. 🙈 I make breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus snacks, all day every day, and though I do truly love to cook, there have been plenty of points where I feel totally uninspired in the kitchen without a little recipe inspiration.
Cooking From the Pantry and Freezer
If you’re anything like me, your pantry is stocked with things like beans, tuna, and canned tomatoes, there are frozen vegetables and chicken breasts and trays of ground meat in the freezer, and some days, despite all of the stuff, you just for the life of you can’t seem to come up with what to make for dinner (or lunch.) But cooking from your freezer and pantry is just plain smart. Using what you have helps to stay on budget, and it teaches you to find creative uses for what’s already in your home.
Trying new dishes, easy meals packing a whole lot of flavor, family-friendly dishes with a twist, etc., have really helped me to feel like spending this much time in the kitchen isn’t all that bad.
I’m turning to tried-and-true classics from around the world and dishes that aren’t too hard to make, aren’t all that labor intensive, don’t require a million steps or a lot of prep work, but satisfy everyone; things like pasta, soups and stews, casseroles, meals that can be made in an Instant Pot or slow cooker, sheet pan dinners, freezer meals, and more.
These 100+ Pantry Meals and Freezer Lunch and Dinner Recipes all use mostly shelf-stable ingredients, canned goods, dry goods, things you’re likely to have in your pantry, freezer staples, and things that are still pretty readily available at the grocery store. These recipes are also flexible and substitutions for things you may not have shouldn’t be a problem. These recipes help to make the most of what we have and will ease the “What’s for dinner” stress.
via Happy Kitchen
It also helps to keep a running tab of staple ingredients that will always be there to help you whip up an easy, healthy, hearty meal. These are a few of my favorite go-to pantry must-haves.
Standard Pantry and Shelf-Stable Staples:
- Beans (canned and/or dry beans)
- Lentils
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Pasta
- Canned Tuna
- Canned Tomato Products (crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce)
- Salsa
- Enchilada Sauce
- Canned Corn
- Broth (chicken broth, vegetable broth)
- Spices
- Flours (all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, bread flour, gluten-free flour, almond flour, corn meal)
- Sugars (white sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, turbinado sugar)
- Honey
- Oils (olive oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, toasted sesame oil)
- Vinegars (apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, white wine vinegar)
- Raw Nuts and Seeds
- Jam and Jelly
- Nut Butters (peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower butter, cashew butter, etc.)
- Syrup
Over 100 Pantry Meals and Freezer Lunch and Dinner Recipes
Take the guesswork out of what to make for dinner with this huge list of easy pantry and freezer dinner recipe ideas. Having a list of pantry meals you can make in a pinch can help save you money and time. (In addition to your sanity!)
Instant Pot Beef and Pasta Inspired by Beefaroni
Ridiculously easy, comforting, and delicious, this Instant Pot Beef and Pasta inspired by Beefaroni is going hit the spot! Made with ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen!
Easy Vegetarian Black Bean Chili
This easy vegetarian black bean chili recipe is a great meatless meal to throw together with pantry staples when you don’t know what’s for dinner! Naturally gluten free.
Simple Homemade Ramen Noodle Soup
When you just want a bowl of hearty noodles (because, carbs) covered in endless topping options that give you the power to make a bowl your very own, this simple ramen noodles recipe (made in under 15 minutes) might just be the key to at-home ramen bliss.
Classic Marinara Sauce
This 3-ingredient tomato butter sauce; a.k.a., the richest, most delicious marinara sauce, the one chefs and food bloggers alike love, is unbelievably simple to make, produces a velvety rich sauce, and is sure to become a staple recipe in your kitchen.
Loaded Sweet Potato
The ultimate vegan loaded sweet potato – packed with kale, black beans, and topped off with a homemade green goddess dressing. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Easy as 1-2-3 Chicken Pot Pie
This recipe is not glamorous. It’s not fancy or time-intensive. But it’s delicious, and simple, and truth be told: I make it for dinner all of the time. It’s a huge hit in our house and proves for some pretty great leftovers.
Vegetarian Peanut Soup
This West African-inspired peanut soup recipe is a creamy and comforting, spicy vegan soup. Made with a combination of peanut butter, tomato paste and collard greens, this soup comes together quickly and is a great weeknight meal.
Simple Vegan Chili Sin Carne
This hearty and super simple chili will be your next favorite go-to! Using only convenient staple foods, this meatless meal is whipped up in just 10 minutes and very nutrient-dense. You can use any veggies on hand, fresh or frozen, or omit them altogether!
Stuffed Shells
These stuffed shells are cheesy, saucy, and stuffed with the most delicious ricotta and spinach filling. They’re also easy to make a real crowd-pleaser.
Tortellini en Brodo (Tortellini in Parmesan Broth)
This rich tortellini soup, served with a few ladles of good Parmesan-infused broth is the perfect easy meal. It’s light and fresh and ridiculously simple to make.
The Easiest Slow Cooker or Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken
Skip the hot grill and make delicious, sweet, and tender barbecue pulled chicken in your slow cooker! Just throw a few ingredients right in the pot and let your crock pot or instant pot do the rest. Yum!
NOTE: Sometimes I’ll make a big batch of the shredded barbecue chicken and serve it with corn on the cob or roasted sweet potatoes. Other times I’ll use the pulled chicken to top pizzas for the best ever at-home barbecue chicken pizzas. We also top salads with this pulled barbecue chicken (add corn, beans, tomatoes, avocado chunks, and ranch dressing for a delicious bbq chicken salad … YUM!). And sometimes I’ll make these yummy barbecue chicken sandwiches, topped with coleslaw, for a hearty and delicious BBQ chicken sandwich. Any way I serve it, everyone in the family approves!
Instant Pot Penne Pomodoro Recipe
Penne pomodoro is an easy pasta recipe that will please everyone in your family. Making this vegetarian pasta dish in the Instant Pot turns this meal into an easy one pot wonder, perfect for the busiest of weeknights or even for kids lunchbox!
Healthier Classic Protein-Packed Tomato Soup
Looking for an easy and delicious healthier soup for dinner tonight? Look no further than this spin on classic tomato soup, made healthier and protein-packed. And, bonus: it can be made in a slow cooker or instant pot!
Vegetarian Garlic Butter Pasta
This vegetarian garlic butter pasta takes just 15 minutes from start to finish and uses only 6 ingredients! It’s the easiest, most flavorful weeknight dinner ever and even the pickiest of eaters in your family are going to LOVE it!
Creamy Tomato Soup
Quick cooking delicious creamy tomato soup. This homemade soup can be on the table in just ten minutes! Use tomato sauce and tomato paste along with a few seasonings and you have the best tomato soup!
Easy Caprese Pizza with Balsamic Glaze
Our kids love pizza night, especially when we make our own. We buy Trader Joe’s pre-made pizza dough (extra easy), and top it with our favorite toppings. This caprese pizza with basil, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and a simple-to-make balsamic glaze is always a winner. And tastes amazing!
Homemade Pizza Dough
This Easy Homemade Pizza Dough recipe yields the best ever homemade pizza in 30 minutes FLAT! It’s made with only 5 ingredients and does not require any rising!
If you don’t have pre-made pizza dough, here’s an easy homemade pizza sauce recipe.
Quick Indian Lentil and Kidney Bean Curry
Inspired by a traditional Indian recipe that combines two tasty, high-protein legumes, this already-vegan lentil and kidney bean curry makes a filling, quick, and easy dinner. Canned lentils + Canned kidney beans + Indian simmer sauce + a quick and delicious dinner.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Flatbread
This Hummus Flatbread is made using traditional pizza dough and is then topped with roasted red pepper hummus, red peppers and feta cheese and is a great tasty, vegetarian lunch, dinner, or snack.
Copycat Trader Joe’s Harvest Chili
Obsessed with Trader Joe’s Harvest Chili? Looking to whip up a delicious family dinner on a budget? Make your own easy copycat crockpot Trader Joe’s harvest chili. (Say that three times fast!) This soup is vegetarian and so yummy.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato and Spinach Pasta
A quick and easy pantry pasta that tastes super gourmet with just a few things you probably already have on hand. Pure comfort food when. you need it most!
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This creamy chicken pot pie soup recipe is a great way to feed a crowd with affordable chicken, frozen vegetables and other pantry staples.
5-Ingredient Pesto Chicken Pasta
Pesto Chicken Pasta is an easy, 20 minute meal that’s made with just five shelf-stable ingredients. Bow tie pasta and chicken are coated in a rich and flavorful pesto sauce.
Easy Black Beans and Rice with Sausage
This Black Beans and Rice is a gluten-free main dish made with sausage, bacon, and vegetables. It’s a complete dish that is pure flavor –and comes with 2 methods to choose from: pressure cooker and stovetop methods.
Sweet Potato Lentil Curry
Dinner is sorted with this delicious, healthy and hearty Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry. It’s an easy one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes and made with pantry staples including chickpeas, tinned diced tomatoes and turmeric!
Instant Pot Tortilla Soup
Simple to make and loaded with authentic Mexican flavor, this tortilla soup is a great family friendly dinner!
Garganelli Pasta with Tuna Bolognese
This super simple but yummy 3 ingredient pasta with tuna recipe from Bologna is probably the easiest Italian pasta recipe I know. Apart from pasta all you need is canned tuna, fresh or tinned tomatoes and an onion. Great with spaghetti too!
Goat Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Peas
Goat Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Peas is and updated version of the classic comfort food dish – goat cheese macaroni and cheese with peas – is deliciously creamy and cheesy, a touch decadent, with a perfect brightness added by the peas.
Our Favorite 10-Minute Naan Bread Pizza
Dinner (or lunch) is a breeze with this simple twist on pizza; Osur Favorite 10-Minute Naan Bread Pizza! It bakes up with a crispy, golden crust, is topped with tomato sauce and bubbly cheese, and is so easy to put together. The whole family loves making and eating these delicious simple at-home pizzas.
10-Minute Corn & Bean Quesadillas
All your need are tortillas, canned corn, beans, and cheese to make these quesadillas in no time. Then, get as fancy as you’d like with yummy toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, etc.
Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
I’m not sure there’s anything quite like homemade macaroni and cheese, and the secret to amazing mac ‘n cheese: the rich and creamy bechamel sauce. This recipe has it all. It’s everyone’s favorite and has been a classic in our house for years.
Grilled Chicken Spiedini with Lemon Butter Sauce
This Grilled Chicken Spiedini Recipe with Lemon Butter Sauce is perfect to grill! Plus, this crispy chicken spiedini is super simple and ready in about forty minutes!
Classic Beef Chili
Loaded with beef and secret spices, it’s a hearty crowd-pleaser and a go-to week nigh dinner! It’s also super simple to make and freezer-friendly!
Vegetable Lasagna
This vegetarian lasagna is cheesy (of course), hearty, and loaded with vegetables, spinach and a simple tomato sauce.
Easy Three Bean Curry
Gently spiced with coriander, cumin, smoked paprika and healing turmeric, this creamy, vegan, Easy Three Bean Curry can be whipped up in 20 minutes and is delicious served with some ready to serve rice.
Tuscan White Bean Skillet
This vegetarian skillet meal is made from pantry staples for a quick weeknight dinner!
Black Bean Tamale Pie
This weeknight meal is healthy, delicious, and filling! Black Bean and Zucchini Chili topped with homemade cornbread and baked to perfection, with vegan with Gluten-Free options as well.
Sopa de Fideo; a.k.a., Mexican Noodle Soup
Sopa de Fideo – a savory Mexican Noodle Soup made with toasted noodles and a flavorful tomato-based broth. It’s easy to make, requires simple ingredients and it’s budget-friendly, too! The whole family will love this hearty and comforting meal!
Black Bean Tostadas
A delicious and healthy meal recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes and uses pantry staples!
Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake
This brilliant recipe from the New York Times basically mimics lasagna’s edges, where sticky tomato meets crisp cheese, minus the noodles, plus white beans for protein. Scoop it up with crusty bread and you’ve got yourself a decadent meal.
Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Ground Chicken Chili
This super yummy ground chicken chili is one of our family’s favorite meals. And the best part, it all comes together in an Instant Pot or crockpot. Serve this made ahead chili with yummy toppings and a side of cornbread and you’ve got yourself an incredible, hearty, healthy, and simple dinner.
One Pan Spanish Rice Bake
Busy family? This One Pan Spanish Rice Bake is for you. Other than the produce, it’s a pantry meal, and it also comes together in a single pot!
Vegan Burritos
These vegan burritos are stuffed with brown rice, black beans, corn, vegan sour cream, and guacamole. Vegan burritos are the perfect comfort food and they’re so easy to make! Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner.
Stacked Burrito Pie Casserole
Don’t roll! Make Stacked Burrito Pie Casserole instead. Layer your favorite Mexican ingredients, from your pantry 3 layers high and bake. It’s that easy!
Vegan Lentil Soup
An easy to make, wholesome, vegan lentil soup, made with pantry/freezer ingredients.
Fully Loaded Black Bean Nachos
Any time we’re really stumped on what to make for dinner, nachos are the answer! This recipe combines a zesty black bean mix with cheddar cheese and homemade salsa and the combination is amazing.
Pasta Aglio e Olio
Light and flavorful three ingredient Aglio e Olio, a traditional Italian dish! The perfect weeknight dinner made with pantry ingredients in just ten minutes.
3-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Thai Coconut Curry Chicken
This 3-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Thai coconut curry chicken recipe – in addition to being unbelievably easy to make – is one of our family’s favorite recipes, any night of the week. I think it takes all of 5 minutes to prepare. Maybe less. And the very best part? The whole thing can be made in your slow cooker. As in, you throw all of the ingredients in. Let it slowly cook up into something magical. Lift the lid when you’re ready to eat, and dinner is served!
Vegan White Bean Soup With Potatoes
This vegetarian white bean chowder is the perfect light weeknight dinner, side dish or entrée with wholesome ingredients. The recipe is meat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, delicious and easy to make.
Creamy Instant Pot Tomato Soup
Creamy Instant Pot Tomato Soup is thick, hearty and so comforting. This delicious pressure cooker tomato soup is a healthy dump and start recipe that is made absolutely no oil at all
One Skillet Chicken Enchilada Pasta
An easy one skillet chicken enchilada pasta dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew
This Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew is the perfect comforting dish, gets rave reviews, is easy to make, and is super budget-friendly!
Pasta e Ceci
Looking for a delicious one-pot 30-minute vegetarian dinner your whole family will love? Pasta e Ceci; a.k.a., the classic Roman recipe for hearty pasta and chickpeas are the modern-day healthy Spaghettios. And OH MY GOSH, they are good!
New England Clam Chowder
This emergency preparedness recipe for New England clam chowder is a wonderful choice if you cannot get to the store. It uses all prepared or canned goods.
Broccoli Chickpea Curry
This Broccoli Chickpea Curry is a dinner staple that’s so quick and easy to make using ingredients you probably already have! It’s loaded with veggies and protein and has a secret ingredient to make it extra rich and creamy. It’s also gluten-free and vegan.
6-Ingredient Easy Tuna Casserole with Egg Noodles
This easy tuna casserole with egg noodles was always one of my mom’s go-to recipes when I was growing up… And I can totally see why. Tuna noodle casserole is quick to prep, tasty, and versatile!
One Pot Pantry Pasta
This easy one-pot pasta feeds a family of six for under $10!
Deliciously Herby Persian Bean Soup With Croutons
This soup has all of the good things in it – warming spices, healthy spinach and the lovely Middle Eastern addition of dried mint and lemon. Such a yummy combination.
Avgolémono; a.k.a., Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Chock full of hearty veggies, rice, and tender chicken in a bright lemony broth, this Greek lemon chicken soup is COMFORT in a bowl! Plus, it’s a totally easy weeknight dinner because you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make things just a little bit easier.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Lentil Stew
We know you’ll fall in love with how easy it is to pull off this hearty, protein-packed dinner. But what will really win you over is its savory, smoky flavor, which leaves just the faintest hint of spice on your tongue. It’s inspired by sausage and white bean soup, but we gave it a Southern twist.
Easy Black Bean Soup
The perfect vegan black bean soup recipe! It’s healthy, easy to toss together and super flavorful. Instructions included for the slow cooker and stovetop.
Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Air Fryer Salmon Patties are a quick and easy healthy pantry meal that is packed with flavor. Cooking salmon patties in the air fryer makes them nice and crispy on the outside, yet keeps them tender and moist inside.
Simple Homemade Ramen Noodle Soup
When you just want a bowl of hearty noodles (because, carbs) covered in endless topping options that give you the power to make a bowl your very own, this simple ramen noodles recipe (made in under 15 minutes) might just be the key to at-home ramen bliss.
Chickpea Tomato Minestrone
This Chickpea Tomato Minestrone is a simple but flavorful soup ideal for weeknight cooking!
Easy Lentil Ragu
A comforting hearty Lentil Ragu over whole wheat spaghetti that is done in 30 minutes! It’s got all the traditional flavors with heart healthy lentils making this a low calorie healthy pasta dish for the whole family!
Chicken Paprikash with Buttered Egg Noodles
Truth be told, they had me at buttered egg noodles. Top that with saucy chicken = yum.
Vegan Coconut Lentil Soup
This vegan coconut lentil soup is super easy to throw together and is the most flavorful, hearty, and warming meal. It’s also made with mostly pantry staples.
Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup
Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup is a meatless soup recipe packed full of flavor! Cumin, turmeric, coriander, paprika and cinnamon compliment the red lentils and carrots, creating a creamy, filling soup.
Mexican Cornbread with Ground Beef
Mexican Cornbread recipe filled with ground beef, cheddar cheese, onion and jalapeños. This is my grandma’s signature dish and a tried and true family favorite. An easy dinner for any night of the week!
Pasta e Fagioli
I love this classic Italian soup. Pasta e fagioli translates directly to “pasta and beans,” and though that may not sound terribly enticing, I assure you that this Italian stew is truly incredible.
Vegan Cuban Black Beans
These Vegan Cuban Black Beans are my all time favorite vegan dish. We eat this weekly in my house and serve them with jasmine rice fresh cilantro and limes.
Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
These chicken lasagna roll ups look AMAZING. They are everything amazing about FRENCH ONION soup. Creamy sauce, tons of caramelized onions and melty gruyere cheese., stuffed into lasagna Yum.
Sheet Pan Cuban Chicken With Citrus Avocado Salsa
Sheet pan dinners are the best. Using just one pan means less to clean, minimal hands-on time, and typically a pretty quick-cooking meal. This recipe sounds extra delicious. Serve it over rice and dinner is served!
Easy Pumpkin Tomato Pasta
This Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce is ready in under 30 minutes and is a great way to enjoy a meatless meal any day of the week. This pumpkin pasta sauce is vegan, gluten-free and has no added sugar. Serve over your favorite pasta!
10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry
This delicious one-pot 10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry is an easy vegan curry that you need in your life. It’s low in calories and fat (just 123 calories for a big serving) and you just tip everything into the pan and it’s ready less than 10 minutes later. Bursting with iron-rich spinach and protein-packed chickpeas, this curry freezes well and it’s easy to adapt depending on how spicy you like it.
Crispy Rice and Crispy Egg Bowl with a Ginger-Scallion Vinaigrette
Crispy rice, a crispy egg, and a ginger-scallion-sauce-meets-vinaigrette — plus whatever crunchy or leftover vegetables you have around, this meal is an A+.
Slow Cooker Chicken Vegetable and Quinoa Soup
Our favorite crockpot chicken vegetable and quinoa soup is the perfect end to these easy and delicious weeknight dinner recipes for busy parents. It is healthy and hearty and requires so little work it’s kind of embarrassing. This meal is packed with flavor, and tastes even more amazing topped with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese.
Easy Instant Pot Spanish Rice Recipe
If you’re looking for something new to spice up your ordinary dinner routine, then our Quick and Easy and Way Better than Restaurant Spanish Rice is just what you need. You’ll have a stress-free dinner on the table in no time!
Buffalo Chicken Bowls
Buffalo Chicken Bowls are a delicious healthy dinner. These bowls are so easy to make and loaded with good for you protein, fats and carbs! Simple to prep ahead of time too!
Tomato and Garlic Pasta
You are less than 30 minutes away from the most delightful tomato and garlic pasta you’ve ever tasted! Fresh, ripe grape tomatoes combine with butter, garlic, white wine and a splash of heavy cream to create the lightest, creamiest pasta sauce you’ve ever tasted.
Filipino Chicken Adobo
This super easy Filipino Chicken Adobo recipe is the one pot weeknight dinner you’ve been waiting for. This chicken stewed in vinegar and soy sauce is one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines for good reason – it’s easy to make, doesn’t require any fancy ingredients, and is far more than just the sum of its humble parts.
Avgolémono; a.k.a., Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Chock full of hearty veggies, rice, and tender chicken in a bright lemony broth, this Greek lemon chicken soup is COMFORT in a bowl! Plus, it’s a totally easy weeknight dinner because you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make things just a little bit easier.
Easy Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli
Easy Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli is a delicious meal that comes together in about 30 minutes! Great flavors that the whole family can agree on. A great weeknight dinner to add to your menu!
Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
There is nothing better than some comfort food. This Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup is one of those comfort foods you can whip up quickly and the whole family will love. You need ground beef, bell peppers and pantry basics to make this easy Instant Pot dinner. Let me show you how to make it!
Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas
These black bean sweet potato enchiladas are stuffed with creamy, hearty sweet potato, plus black beans, feta cheese, and spices. Even the sauce is super easy; you can use jarred mild salsa verde or make your own simple version.
Smoky Tomato White Bean Soup
Smoky Tomato White Bean Soup – the perfect weeknight meal! Loaded with fire-roasted tomatoes, tender white beans, sautéed veggies, and warm seasonings – this soup is packed with flavor and done in no time
Rajma Masala Vegan Kidney Bean Curry
This classic Indian rajma masala uses ingredients that will store in your pantry for months, it tastes incredible and is pretty easy to make. Who said eating from the store cupboard needed to be dull?
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Crispy Baked Tofu with Honey-Sesame Glaze
This recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts and crispy baked tofu over brown rice, drizzled with an irresistible honey-sesame glaze that brings it all together, is always a hit in our house.
Sweet and Spicy Chili Mac
The absolute BEST Sweet and Spicy Chili Mac! Amazing combo of sweet and spice makes this one tasty dinner or tailgating game day fave.
Indian Curried Lentils
These easy Indian Curried Lentils are a delicious meat-free meal that’s perfect as a weeknight meal. They are vegan and gluten free and ready in just 20 minutes using items already found in your pantry!!
Shredded Chicken Chili
As healthy as it is easy, this Chicken Chili will become your new go-to meal for busy nights! Pop all the ingredients in the Crockpot. This flexible recipe will have you covered when you forgot to take chicken breasts out to thaw or when you have leftover cooked or store-bought rotisserie chicken. Everything else comes from the pantry and you’re likely to have it on hand. If not, we have substitutions you can easily make. Making this the perfect easy meal you can make anytime!
Loaded Cauliflower Soup
A “healthified” version of one of my favorites – loaded baked potato soup (using cauliflower instead of potatoes). This one tastes amazing.
Instant Pot Hibachi Fried Rice
Instant Pot Hibachi Fried Rice is spiced to perfection. Skip the takeout and make this delicious rice in less than 30 minutes. Canned mixed vegetables work beautifully in the recipe.
Chickpea Stir Fry
Chickpea stir fry with pineapple is a delicious, filling meal made from pantry staples. This easy weeknight dinner will be on your table in just 15 minutes!
Vegan Pesto Pasta with Beans and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy, delicious, healthy, satisfying vegan pesto pasta is the perfect marriage of comfort food and culinary art that comes together quickly and simply. This dairy-free pesto pasta dinner is flavorful and fast, making it the ideal family dinner or an easy one to use when you are meal prepping for the week.
Easy 30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Easy 30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup uses mainly pantry ingredients for a hearty and comforting soup that is sure to please the family.
Sticky Apricot Chicken and Broccoli
This apricot chicken dinner is so yummy and relatively simple to throw together. (Making this tomorrow night!)
Lentil Quinoa Soup
Lentil Quinoa Soup makes a hearty, quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love. This healthy lentil soup is the best vegetable soup you can whip up in under 30 minutes. Easily substitute canned vegetables.
Canned Fish Cakes
Some canned fish from the cupboard and add some potatoes and you are a long way to having some magic fish cakes, these are seriously good fodder!
Foolproof Shakshuka
Shakshuka is basically a mix of poached eggs in a hearty, spiced tomato and pepper sauce. You can top it with tangy feta cheese and fresh cilantro or parsley. It also tastes great with artichokes and other seasonal vegetables in it!
Slow Cooker Vegan Chili
This vegan chili recipe will delight your taste buds. It’s not only wholesome but delicious and easy to make. A vegan twist on this classic comfort food for those chilly days ahead makes for a healthy dinner packed with nutrients brimming with flavor!
Healthier Classic Protein-Packed Tomato Soup
Looking for an easy and delicious healthier soup for dinner tonight? Look no further than this spin on classic tomato soup, made healthier and protein-packed. And, bonus: it can be made in a slow cooker or instant pot!
Creamy Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta
Chicken asparagus pasta with creamy lemon sauce is a delicious dinner recipe the whole family will love, ready in less than 30 minutes.
Goulash; a.k.a., American Chop Suey
Delicious, comforting, classic Chili Mac {i.e., Goulash, American Chop Suey} is neither sophisticated nor fancy, but Mom’s Chili Mac recipe is one thing I can always depend on.
Italian Bean Soup
This Italian Bean Soup is full of fiber-rich ingredients, so important in our diets. The three varieties of beans give the soup a rich and delicious flavor!
Tomato Spinach Tortellini Soup
Upgrade a can of tomato soup with the help of some sautéed or steamed spinach and cheese-stuffed tortellini. Easy, quick, healthy, and SO tasty!
Easy Parmesan Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Canned Vegetables
Our whole family loves this Easy Parmesan Pasta with chicken sausage and canned vegetables. It’s a one pot meal you can make with ingredients you probably already have on hand! Don’t have chicken sausage? It’s a great vegetarian dish too!
Pioneer Woman’s Beans and Cornbread
Pioneer Woman’s Beans and Cornbread is a favorite comfort food meal. Homemade cornbread is smothered with homemade beans and topped with a delicious array of fixings.
Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chicken and Beans
This is great comfort food for an easy dinner: Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chicken and Beans. Make these as tacos and enjoy!
Love this Pantry and Freezer Recipes Roundup? Head to our recipe page to check out what else we’re dreaming up in the kitchen!
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See Also → 100+ Delicious Soup Recipes + 50+ Easy and Delicious Weeknight Dinner Recipes for Busy Parents
I’ll be sure to update this post whenever I stumble across another freezer and/or pantry-friendly dinner recipe. If you try and love any of these yummy meal recipes, be sure to tag me on instagram @glitterinclexi or leave me a comment below!
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