Is the pantry looking a bit sparse, or are you having to prepare meals while at home alone? Don’t worry! We’ve curated three delicious recipes that you can make at home with simple, budget-friendly ingredients that are usually found within most pantries. There’s no need for fancy tools or complicated techniques here—just your desire to create hearty, comforting food that’s perfect for feeding your fellow housemates, or for enjoying a quiet night in. Let us know what you think of these home-cooked delights.
1. Hearty Tomato Soup
A classic comfort food, tomato soup warms you from the inside out. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make with a few pantry staples.
Ingredients:
- 1 large can (28 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 1 small can (6 oz) of tomato paste
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- Olive oil
Directions:
- Heat a splash of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, sautéing until they are soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with the juice), tomato paste, vegetable broth, sugar, and dried basil.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender or a countertop blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency. Be careful, as the soup will be hot.
- Return the soup to the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve your homemade tomato soup with a side of crusty bread and enjoy!
2. Easy Pantry Pasta
This pasta dish is delicious, filling, and can be adjusted based on what you have on hand. A simple garlic and olive oil base is elevated with canned goods and dried herbs.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz of pasta (any type you have on hand)
- 1/3 cup of olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh or dried parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about a cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until the garlic is golden.
- Add the diced tomatoes (with the juice) and cannellini beans to the pan. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the pasta with a sprinkle of parsley and a bit more Parmesan on top. Buon appetito!
3. Sweet and Simple Banana Bread
Use up those overripe bananas by making this moist, delicious banana bread. It’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup of melted butter
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 4×8-inch loaf pan.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
- Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Finally, mix in the flour.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a rack. Remove the banana bread from the pan, slice, and serve.
In these times, it’s great to know that you can create delicious, filling meals using ingredients that you already have in your pantry. These recipes are not only easy to make but also adaptable to what you have on hand. So, unleash your inner chef and get cooking! Remember, the best meals aren’t always the most expensive or complicated ones—they’re the ones made with love and creativity. Enjoy your meal!
