Easy Pantry Meals to Save You Time and Money
Being able to make simple pantry meals is a great way to save money. When you have items on hand, you are more likely to cook meals at home. This reduces the likelihood that you will end up ordering take out or going out to eat. It also reduces the number of trips you'll make to the grocery store when you've forgotten a key ingredient. We all know what happens when we go to Target just to get that box of spaghetti we forgot to buy on our last trip.
I recently posted a list of pantry essentials that I have on hand at all times to make meal planning a lot easier.
Here's a list of some of my family's favorite meals to make with those items:
Burritos: This basic recipe can be easily adapted to include items you have around. Chicken, steak, pulled pork, or beans are all excellent options for the protein.
Spaghetti: A good way to enhance tomato sauce from a jar is to first saute some onions and garlic. Then add the sauce, ground beef or Italian sausage (if desired), and some Italian seasonings.
Eggs and toast
Omelets
BLTs
Tuna Sandwiches
Quesadillas: I usually make these with leftover steak or chicken and serve with salsa.
Tomato Basil Pasta (one pot or pasta bake with mozzarella)
Grilled Chicken
Sheet pan meals with Italian sausage links and any vegetables. My favorites are regular potatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, and green beans.
Tacos
Quinoa Patties
Quinoa or Rice Bowls: Take some meat or beans, add some vegetables, put on a sauce and you're good to go.
Italian Meatballs: I make something like this, except with Italian sausage. Adding a pinch of nutmeg and ground cloves takes this to the next level.
Breakfast Burritos: These are easy to make with some scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa. I like to add crumbled bacon and spinach to mine.
Nachos with leftover taco meat: Any toppings are great, but I just melt cheese over some chips and taco meat and serve with salsa.
Homemade Mac n Cheese (Or the boxed variety if that's your thing. My kids know how to make that on their own, so it is an easy lunch for us.)
Loaded baked potatoes
Homemade pizza or this really amazing cast iron pizza.
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