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    Home » All Recipes

    15 Easy Pantry Staple Meals You Can Make Now

    Published: Mar 13, 2020 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    143 shares

    Here are 15 super easy, super simple pantry staple meals. These recipes call for simple and common ingredients that you can get in one shopping trip. 

    These days are tough for all of us and many of us avoid shopping trips as much as we can. When you have everyone (including kids!) at home for quite some time, it's important to make and eat nutritious food that helps our immune system and also doesn't require ingredients that might be hard to find. 

     

    I've gathered a collection of 15 main dishes with side dish suggestions for you to try these days. This post also includes a shopping list that you can save and reuse. 

    Pantry staple meals

    1- Chicken lentil soup

    Nothing beats the comfort of a warm bowl of soup. You can make a large batch of this easy lentil soup (instant pot and crock pot instructions included) and enjoy it for a few days or freeze it to use up later. Skip the fresh dill if you don't have it and use any fresh or dry herb you have at hand. 

    Enjoy an easy chicken lentil soup that’s full of Mediterranean flavor. Seasoned with warm spices and packed with veggies, this soup is great for dinner.

    2- Mujadara

    One of my very favorite vegan recipes, mujadara is a Lebanese lentil and rice dish that's made with onion, rice lentils and spices such as cinnamon and cumin. This simple dish is filling, and you can serve it as-is or as a side dish with some chicken. 

    Mujadara is a simple Lebanese lentil and rice dish with crispy onions that’s packed with flavor. This lentils and rice recipe calls for a few ingredients and is very easy to make.

    3- Kabab Tabe i (Persian pan kebab) 

    Ground beef keeps very well in the fridge and there is a lot you can do with it. Serve it with some rice for  a satisfying meal.

    Kabab Tabei is a delicious dish that you can make if you like to have kebabs but you don't want to use a grill or you don't have one. It's simple and can be ready in an hour with a handful of ingredients!

    4- Mediterranean three bean salad

    For days you don't want to turn on the stove, simply grab any three cans of beans you have at hand and mix with vegetables such as artichoke and olives. Drizzle with an easy vinaigrette and your dinner is ready. You can make this salad with any combination of vegetables you have at home such as bell peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers. 

    5- Salmon croquettes

    An easy dish that both kids and adults love. You can use leftover salmon or, better yet, canned salmon. And if you don't have any salmon, simply use canned tuna to make this recipe. With just a few ingredients, you can make this easy pantry staple recipe. 

    Croquettes are one of the most popular tapas in Spain and they come in different varieties. This salmon croquettes recipe is an easy way to use up leftover salmon and make it into a delicious appetizer or light dinner.

    6- Mediterranean lentil soup

    Many of you have already made and love this soup. Lentils are a great source of protein and this soup is one of the best ways to use them. Instead of spinach, you can use kale or any other green you have on hand or just simply leave it out altogether. 

    This green lentil soup with a Mediterranean twist is the perfect weeknight dinner. Packed with vegetables and spices, this healthy lentil soup is a favorite.

    7- Healthy chicken salad with walnuts

    Unlike the classic chicken salad, this one is not packed with mayonnaise and is healthier since we use a homemade yogurt dijon dressing. The recipe calls for tarragon and dill, which you can simply swap for fresh or dried parsley or any other herb you have. 

    Try a healthy chicken salad that’s perfect for a light and easy lunch. This healthy chicken salad is made with a delicious Greek yogurt dressing.

    8- One pot tomato rice

    Another easy Persian recipe that can come in handy these days. Got canned tomatoes, potatoes and rice? You're good to make one of the easiest rice recipes on the internet. Serve it as is or with some grilled or baked chicken.

    Persian One Pot Tomato Rice – Dami Gojeh Farangi is an easy vegetarian dish full of amazing flavors. Tomato rice is made with very few ingredients and can be prepared in no time!

    9- Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) 

    This Mediterranean style meatballs are perfect for batch cooking. Instead of a beef and lamb combo, opt for beef only and use the spices you have on hand. Serve it with some bread such as pita and an easy side salad for a complete meal. 

    These Greek meatballs are a delicious treat! You can serve these meatballs as a crowd pleasing appetizer or a complete meal.

    10- Caprese chicken

    I would say this is one of the easiest chicken recipes on the blog. Only 4 ingredients (chicken, pesto, mozzarella and tomatoes) and 20 minutes. This is beyond easy. It's exactly what we need now!

    Here’s an easy caprese chicken recipe that’s ready in only 30 minutes. Made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto, this is a delicious easy weeknight dinner. Learn how to make this easy chicken recipe at home with our video and step-by-step tutorial.

    11- Curry lentil soup

    This soup went crazy on Instagram and Pinterest, proving that you all love red lentil soup as much as I do. The recipe calls for 7 ounces of coconut milk but you can go ahead and use the whole can if you like. You can also double the recipe to use up the whole can. 

    Here’s an easy caprese chicken recipe that’s ready in only 30 minutes. Made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto, this is a delicious easy weeknight dinner. Learn how to make this easy chicken recipe at home with our video and step-by-step tutorial.

    12- Instant pot chicken and rice

    Everything is cooked in one pot and is packed with veggies and so much flavor. Don't own an instant pot? No problem. Follow the instructions but simply cook everything in a pot over medium heat. You might need to add ½ cup more water for even and complete cooking. 

    Instant pot chicken and rice is ready in less than 30 minutes! Packed with veggies and so much flavor, this dish is perfect for a quick dinner!

    13- Potato patties

    Persian potato patties are very economical and simple to make. Potatoes and eggs are the main ingredients and you can make a large batch to save in the fridge. 

    These potato patties are crispy on the outside and creamy and soft on the inside. This is an easy potato patties recipe to make a light meal.

    14- Pastitsio

    This is true Mediterranean comfort food. It takes some time to make, but it's very rewarding. The leftovers are awesome and you can even freeze it easily. The recipe calls for both ground beef and lamb, but you can easily leave out the lamb and only use ground beef. 

    Pastitsio is a Greek pasta bake that’s bursting with flavor. Learn how to make pastitsio recipe with this step-by-step tutorial and video.

    15- Shish Tawook

    The flavors in this chicken recipe are out of this world. Tender chicken flavored with a delicious yogurt marinade and cooked to perfection. You can serve this dish with pita or rice. 

    Pastitsio is a Greek pasta bake that’s bursting with flavor. Learn how to make pastitsio recipe with this step-by-step tutorial and video.

    Side dish suggestions

    Here are a few side dishes you can make at home to go with these pantry staple meals:

    • Greek oven baked fries (leave out the feta if you don't have it)
    • Greek roasted potatoes
    • Instant pot brown rice
    • Instant pot white rice
    • Lemon garlic oven roasted brussel sprouts

    The shopping list

    I've put together a shopping list that you can print and use to make these recipes at home. 

    « Greek Oven Baked Fries
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