Easy Dinner Food Recipes Using 3 Pantry Staples

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You stand in front of the fridge. It is 6 PM on a Tuesday. You are tired from a long day. The shelves look empty, and you do not want to order takeout again. We have all been there. You need simple dinner food recipes that do not require a trip to the grocery store. It is time to look at your pantry. You can make a great meal with just three basic items. Let us look at how to build dinner from what you already own. If you want to eat better without stress, checking out simple meal planning ideas is a great place to start.

The Crispy Chickpea and Rice Bowl

This is one of my favorite dinner food recipes when the fridge is bare. All you need is a can of chickpeas, a bag of rice, and some soy sauce. Most of us have these items hiding in the back of the cupboard. Rice is cheap and fills you up. Chickpeas give you plenty of protein. First, cook your rice according to the package directions. While the rice cooks, drain your chickpeas and pat them dry with a towel. Toss them in a hot pan with a little oil until they get brown and crispy. This step takes about ten minutes. Add the crispy chickpeas on top of your warm rice. Pour a splash of soy sauce over the bowl. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or black pepper if you want more flavor. I make this bowl at least once a week when I am too tired to chop vegetables. It is simple but very satisfying.

The Classic Garlic and Tomato Pasta

Pasta is the king of easy dinners. For this recipe, you need spaghetti, a can of crushed tomatoes, and fresh garlic. If you do not have fresh garlic, garlic powder works too. First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta until it is soft but still has a bite. While the pasta cooks, heat some oil in a pan. Add your chopped garlic and let it cook for one minute. Do not let it burn or it will taste bitter. Pour in the canned tomatoes and let them simmer. Once the pasta is ready, toss it right into the sauce. This meal tastes like you spent hours cooking. It is much better than jarred sauce. For more ideas on quick cooking, you can read our guide on healthy meal prep to save time.

Simple Black Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

Do you have tortillas, a can of black beans, and shredded cheese? If so, you have a hot dinner ready in five minutes. This is one of those dinner food recipes that kids and adults both love. Start by draining and rinsing your black beans. Place one tortilla in a dry skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle a layer of cheese on one half of the tortilla. Add a few spoonfuls of black beans on top of the cheese. Add another layer of cheese to help it stick. Fold the tortilla in half to make a pocket. Cook it for two minutes on each side. The outside will get crispy and brown. The inside will be warm and cheesy. You can slice it into triangles. If you have some salsa or sour cream in the fridge, you can use them as a dip. But even without them, this meal is great on its own.

How to Make Simple Pantry Meals Taste Better

You do not need fancy ingredients to make good food. You just need to use basic kitchen items the right way. Here are three quick tips to make your three-ingredient meals taste amazing.

• Use enough salt. Salt brings out the natural flavors of cheap ingredients like beans and rice.
• Add some acid. A squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar can wake up a dull dish.
• Do not fear oil. A little butter or olive oil adds richness to simple dishes.

Spices are your best friend here. A dash of chili powder or oregano can change a dish completely. Keep these items in your kitchen at all times. They last a long time and make cooking easy.

Your Next Step in the Kitchen

Cooking does not have to be hard. You do not need twenty ingredients to make a good dinner. Next time you think you have nothing to eat, open your pantry. Pick three items that sound good together. Experiment with what you have. You might find a new favorite dish. What three ingredients do you have in your cupboard right now?