46 Easy Pantry Recipes That Make Weeknight Cooking a Breeze

Cooking a satisfying family dinner doesn’t mean you have to run out to the grocery store for fancy ingredients. Sometimes the heartiest, most comforting meals are made from humble, unfussy pantry staples like beans, pasta, canned tomatoes or tinned tuna. Stocking versatile pantry staples and canned goods can help busy weeknight meals come together quickly and easily. The best part? Pantry recipes are super affordable.

This list of recipes is packed with shelf stable or freezer-friendly ingredients. That means you can whip up a simple soup or bowl of baked beans using the few ingredients you have on hand, no trip to the store needed.

Hearty, healthy and totally affordable, this soup is made completely of ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. If you’re looking for a filling dinner that makes use of the humble black-eyed pea, this soup does just that. Thick-cut bacon and a smoked ham hock add extra meaty flavor.

Cacio e pepe is one of the most famous pantry dishes out there. Calling for just five ingredients, this version relies on olive oil to add a little grassiness and Parmigiano-Reggiano, in addition to the classic Pecorino-Romano, to round out the flavors and add an umami richness. Perfect as a dish on its own, this dinner can also be served with a light side salad or hunk of bread.

It sounds like a joke on paper, but this cake is the definition of “trust the process.” A can of tomato soup somehow adds a ton of moisture and vanishes into the background while a trio of warm spices—cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves—take the lead. With a list of common pantry items, a lightning-fast assembly and the perfect balance of flavor, it’ll quickly become your go-to cake.

Create the pantry side dish of your dreams with a few humble ingredients; eggs, bacon, Parmesan and beans! It’s everything you love about traditional carbonara, but with protein-packed cannellini in place of the pasta. Serve it as a filling and nutritious side dish at your next big dinner party.

Traditionally, minestrone is slow-simmered with Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds to impart a rich umami flavor to the broth. In our shortcut version, soy sauce is used instead, adding instant depth to this pantry-friendly soup. Ready in just 25 minutes, this hearty and healthy soup is perfect for a busy weeknight.

Ready in just 25 minutes, these easy corn cakes are full of flavor. Buttermilk, sharp cheddar and dried chives add bold, zesty flavor to the buttery, flakey biscuits. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of super-sweet maple syrup.

It doesn’t get much simpler than spaghetti aglio e olio. Ready in under a half hour, this pantry dinner calls for less than ten ingredients, most of which (like red pepper flakes, garlic, olive oil and kosher salt) you probably already have in your pantry. A squeeze of lemon juice helps brighten it up with the perfect amount of freshness.

Making cookies from scratch can feel like a big task, but when you use ingredients you already have stocked in your pantry the process feels much more approachable. We love these monster cookies that are loaded with candy-coated chocolates like M&M’s. The candy pieces dotted throughout the tender dough make for cookies that are chewy and crunchy at the same time.

If you’re looking for a simple, filling dinner you can make quickly, turn to tortellini soup. This easy dish is super versatile, and our version uses canned stewed tomatoes for bright, vibrant flavor. Frozen spinach makes it extra nutritious, while a sprinkle of shredded cheese adds extra umami flavor.

These Belgian-style waffles are crispy on the outside, but the applesauce keeps them moist and almost muffin-like on the inside. Even better, you can make them when you are out of milk and eggs. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon.

If you’re tired of standard side dishes, this spinach recipe is a fun way to add extra umami-packed flavor. Pantry staples like soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and sugar come together to make a tangy sauce that perfectly coats each spinach leaf. Drizzle with tahini for extra sesame flavor and creamy texture.

Sloppy joes don’t have to be packed with meat to be super hearty. The humble, pantry-friendly lentil makes the perfect swap for beef in this lightened-up recipe that uses bell peppers and carrots for extra flavor. Pile the lentil mixture high on hamburger buns and top with cheddar cheese and pickles.

When you’re light on groceries this tasty pasta dish is easy to whip up between shopping trips. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s filling and hearty without requiring too many ingredients. Olives and artichoke hearts help add tangy flavor and chewy texture.

Sweet, salty and perfectly rich, these cereal-bar treats are a fun way to use up a bunch of ingredients in your pantry. Pretzels add a salty crunch, while marshmallows add chewy, creamy texture. For extra sweetness, be sure to drizzle with chocolate and chill before serving.

This vegetarian chili gets its rich flavor from caramelizing tomato paste and warming herbs, rather than long hours of cooking. You can amp up the heat by using a spicy salsa or some of the adobo paste (though the chile itself is pretty hot). Add corn for some sweetness, or canned hominy for a chunkier and funkier chili.

Potatoes and onions are a great pantry staple — they’re super versatile and therefore easy to incorporate into a variety of recipes. We love this skillet hash that combines potatoes, onions and kielbasa with fried eggs. It’s perfect for an easy breakfast and is a great way to feed a crowd if you have guests staying the night.

Tuna salad is one of the easiest pantry meals you can make. Though there are a ton of ways to whip it up, this classic recipe is one of our favorites. Chopped celery and red onion add zest and crunch to this recipe, while mayonnaise and a touch of mustard marry it all together.

A hearty, healthy soup doesn’t have to cook all day. This sweet and tangy soup relies on two things you probably have in your pantry already — chicken stock and canned tomatoes — to create a delicious dinner or lunch that can be ready in just over an hour. A bit of heavy cream helps thicken it up, while fresh herbs like parsley and thyme offer robust flavor.

Canned and jarred foods find a welcome home in this vibrant, umami-packed pasta recipe. Angel hair pasta combines with canned tomatoes, anchovies, capers and olives to create a chunky sauce that’s packed with savory flavor. Fresh parsley and garlic help brighten it up with herbal, earthy flavor.

This recipe is really just a 3-2-1 ratio with almost endless adaptations. Start with a base liquor of your choice, then add something sour (like citrus or tart juice). Finally, add something sweet, like basic simple syrup.

If you like the flavors of curry, this is a great way to put the vibrant spice blend to good use. All you need are a few cans of chickpeas and coconut milk to yield a thick and flavorful stew. Serve over rice for the perfect pantry meal.

A package of frozen agnolotti can be a dinnertime savior on busy weeknights. The hearty, filling pastas can be cooked up quickly and mixed with a variety of sauces and vegetables. Ours features a creamy sauce made with frozen artichokes, all of which can be made in just under a half hour.

This soup gets its name from a hearty bean and potato soup that’s still served in the senate cafeteria to this day. Dried navy beans, russet potatoes and a bit of ham make this creamy soup one that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. A bit of fresh parsley helps brighten it up with a bit of herbal flavor.

You don't need eggs and dairy for super-fluffy pancakes. The extra baking powder in this recipe helps add depth and tenderness. We love the flavor and moist, chewy texture that coconut oil gives these easy-to-make pancakes.

This is a one-pot meal that comes together with little preparation and is ideal for busy weeknights. When prepping, be mindful that the perfect cooking time for the chicken breast depends on its size. Plan on six minutes for a 6-ounce breast and add one minute for every extra ounce beyond that.

Chocolate hazelnut spread is a fantastic ingredient to keep in your pantry when you need a quick treat. Whether you enjoy it by the spoonful straight out of the jar or spread it on a piece of toast, it’s a creamy and shelf-stable item that can make for quick and tasty desserts. These challah sandwiches can be ready in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert.

Let this comforting rice pudding become your go-to when you need a dessert but don't have much more than pantry staples on hand. The whole dish comes together in just 30 minutes and is packed with warming flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. Dots of chewy raisins add even more sweet, fruity flavor.

When it comes to easy weeknight dinners, pasta is one of the best pantry staples you can use. In this dish we combine a box of noodles with a can of chickpeas and some wilted escarole for a hearty, healthy meal that can be made in under a half hour. Red pepper flakes, fresh garlic and grated parmesan cheese make it irresistibly delicious.

The name of this recipe shows just how pantry-friendly it is. With seven different canned foods (like diced tomatoes, black beans and chili) this easy recipe is affordable and quick. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s hearty, healthy and packed with nutrients from heart-healthy beans.

Cooking quinoa with rice is a great way to make your side of grains extra nutritious. Cooking them together couldn’t be simpler: put them in the pot together and let them simmer until tender. It's really as simple as that! Use the fluffy grains as a side dish or base for a grain bowl.

We've combined all the elements of a s'more into this delicious bark. It's got crunch from the graham crackers, richness from the chocolate and fire-roasted flavor from broiling the marshmallows (which is much easier than toasting them over a campfire). It’s a fantastic treat to make with kids; they'll love mixing all the ingredients then breaking off a piece once it’s cooled.

Most of the ingredients for Giada's hearty pasta toss are probably already in your pantry and refrigerator. Just pick up some pancetta, or swap in bacon as a substitute.

Oats, peanut butter, honey and some dried fruits and seeds are the perfect combination for power balls. Simply pulse all of the ingredients in a food processor until fully combined, then let the mixture rest in the refrigerator. Roll into balls and serve.

Romesco is a Spanish sauce made with bread (as a thickener) and roasted peppers and nuts. This version twists those components into a kind of pesto that is wonderfully smoky and tangy. We've made it with roasted almonds and smoked paprika, but you can also try it with smoked almonds and regular Spanish paprika.

Black beans are a great pantry staple because they’re so versatile; the hearty legume can be used in both savory and sweet dishes and easily adapts to the flavors that its cooked within. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy dip gets extra flavor from white wine vinegar, cumin and a bit of lemon juice. It’s perfect on crackers or as a dip for crudités.

Depending on how you cook it, polenta can be either creamy or crunchy. Either way, it easily soaks up the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with. In this case, we’re relying on pantry staples like canned tomatoes for extra flavor and saucy texture.

Frozen ravioli are a great ingredient to keep in your freezer because they cook quickly and are super versatile. Frozen peas add pops of sweet, fresh flavor. Heavy cream, parmesan cheese and a pinch of nutmeg make for the perfect sauce.

This bold and vibrant dish is so impressive, no one will know it’s made almost completely from ingredients in your pantry. Rice wine vinegar, curry paste, peanut butter and dry spaghetti combine to create a noodle dish that’s packed with complex, fiery flavors. Sliced cucumbers and carrots make it taste extra fresh and crunchy.

Using fresh or frozen shrimp plus basic pantry ingredients, you'll have this tasty pasta on the table in under 30 minutes. Though we’re using rigatoni here, you can easily use any type of boxed pasta for this dish. Fresh basil helps add deep, complex flavor.

Ready to dress up your average bag of microwave popcorn? Try adding a few seasoning packets from a bag of chicken-flavored ramen! Garlic and scallions add vibrant, zesty freshness too.

Root beer and baked beans might not be the most traditional combination, but the pairing is a home run in this fun bean recipe. Garam masala adds bright, bold flavor, while mustard adds complexity. It’s sweet, tangy and totally irresistible.

This fun spin on classic peanut noodles is a great way to utilize two major pantry staples: peanut butter and ramen noodles. Bulk it up with a bag of frozen stir-fried vegetables and some shredded rotisserie chicken. A squeeze of lime juice helps brighten up the creamy sauce.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is a great way to brighten up a batch of couscous. Tomato paste and spices are pantry staples that are easy to keep on hand at all time, and they combine to make a flavorful sauce for this easy side. Serve it alongside roasted chicken, grilled fish or seared steak.

With 30 minutes and ingredients from the pantry, you can cook up a tasty and hearty chili. Ground turkey mixes with spices, chicken stock, Mexican beer, and chipotles in adobo for a spicy, flavorful chili. Better yet, the whole thing gets topped with a corn cake made from boxed cornbread mix.

Who knew it was so easy to dress up some white rice from the pantry? This recipe proves just how easy it is to do. Simply mix in some curry powder and fry the rice with scallions in a bit of sesame oil. It’s a tasty spin on traditional fried rice that makes for an easy side dish.