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March 16, 2020 Leave a Comment

Meals You Can Make with Pantry and Freezer Ingredients

picture of three meals and one dessert that can be made with pantry and freezer ingredientsThroughout life there are occasional reasons that cause the need to cook from your pantry and freezer. In this particular moment in time I and I assume, many of you are finding yourself in the position to utilize your pantry and freezer. This list of Meals You Can Make with Pantry and Freezer Ingredients is a great resource to give you ideas on how to utilize the ingredients you have in your fridge, freezer and pantry.

I am also including a list of foods that are great to have on hand because they can last 2-4 weeks. Right now my family is home bound, like many of you. We are on day 2. I made a huge effort to get what we would need to comfortably last 2-4 weeks without going to the grocery store. We have enough food in our house to last longer than that…but after four weeks it will definitely get less exciting. We don’t have a lot of freezer space so I had to be selective about what freezer items to buy. I mostly filled it with frozen vegetables and meats. There was only room for one carton of ice cream. 🙁

what will last 2-4 weeks:

Of course canned foods and things like dry beans, legumes and rice will last much longer than 2-4 weeks. Anything that can be put in the freezer will also last much longer than two to four weeks…but what about fresh fruits and vegetables…

There are actually quite a few fruits and vegetables that will last 2-4 weeks in the fridge or even out of the fridge. Here are the things I stocked up on knowing they would last and that they would be worked into meals:

  • Bell Peppers, onions, fresh garlic, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, cucumbers (usually last about 2 weeks), zucchini (usually lasts about 2 weeks), cabbage.
  • Oranges, mandarins, apples, grapes (will last about 2 weeks), banana’s (once brown I freeze for smoothies or banana bread). I also bought some strawberries, but I knew we would need to use those in the first 3-4 days.
  • I bought A LOT of shredded cheese and tortillas, they last at least 2-4 weeks in the fridge and can also be frozen if you have room in your freezer.
  • Sour cream, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream are ingredients I use often. I bought extra of these also. Cream cheese can be kept in the fridge for a long time. The expiration date is almost always a month or two out from when I buy it. Sour cream and heavy cream can be frozen and taken out later to use in recipes. …check the expiration dates though…you might not need to freeze them.
  • I also like to make sure I have plenty of diced tomatoes and canned beans. A lot of the foods my family likes and is familiar with have diced tomatoes and or canned beans in them.
  • And DO NOT FORGET THE TREATS! Don’t underestimate how much you (and everyone in your family) will want comfort food during this time. Make sure you are mindful of what keeps everyone in your house happy. I stocked up on corn chips, salsa, chocolate chips, Easter candy, and my kids favorite cereals and potato chips.

The amount of chocolate chips and marshmallows I have in my house right now is almost laughable…but I’m not taking any chances.

During the next few weeks I am going to post what we eat for lunch and dinner on my Instagram, I hope this might give you inspiration for how to use that ground beef in the freezer or zucchini in the fridge that is about to go bad. I would love to see what you are making too…I love getting new ideas for what to make for dinner.

Before I get to sharing the meals you can make with pantry and freezer ingredients, I want to share some tips for how to use your food wisely during this time.

Last night I was going to make pork chops but realized we still had a large amount of leftover Pineapple Salsa Chicken, from a few nights ago. I decided to make rice to serve it over, bust out one of the five bags of corn chips I grabbed before quarantine and finish off the leftovers. I will save the pork chops for another night this week. Here is my advice:

1. Look at what you have in your fridge that is perishable

  • Take stock of what you have in your fridge, how long until it will go bad?
  • Is it something that could be prepped and frozen for future use or do you need to use it in x days?
  • What could you use random fruits and vegetables for so they don’t go to waste? Smoothies, mixed roasted veggies, a snackie lunch? (we call, mom throwing random things onto a cutting board, a snackie lunch..usually includes some combination of fruits, veggies, cheese, meat, pickles, olives, nuts…whatever I have and want to get rid of.)

2. Take an inventory of your meat or protein sources

  • What proteins do you have on hand? Cans of Tuna, chili, cheese, chicken, beef, beans, legumes? Make a list of all of these and cross them off as you use them up.
  • Ask yourself, “Can I reduce the amount of meat I am using in my favorite recipes?” Most recipes are not affected by reducing the amount of meat. When using ground beef you can add shredded carrot, zucchini, spinach, celery, potatoes, onion, even a small handful of quick oatmeal to make it go further in recipes like spaghetti, sloppy joes, taco’s ect…In taco’s another great way is to add beans to the meat.
  • Try to prepare recipes that don’t have meat as the shining star. When possible use meat to enhance the meal, not to be the meal. This will help it go much further.

3. Make a plan

  • Once you have inventoried your meat, inventory the rest of your freezer and your pantry too.
  • Use that information to write out a two week plan for meals. If you’re like me and don’t like to feel tied down to a certain thing each day, make a list of meals you have everything for and then you can pick what sounds good each day.

If you aren’t used to cooking from your pantry it can be overwhelming to plan meals using those ingredients. I have many recipes on my site that are simple, easy, delicious and use ingredients you most likely have in your pantry and fridge/freezer right now. I hope this list will be helpful and give you some good ideas for recipes your family can enjoy together during this unprecedented time we are experiencing.

Also, you can type a specific ingredient into the search bar on my site and any of my recipes that have that ingredient in them will come up for you to look through.

Here are my favorite picks for recipes you can make with pantry and freezer ingredients.

Ground Beef

Amazing Spaghetti SauceAmazing Spaghetti Sauce
Chili with ground beef, black beans, kidney beans and delicious tomato and spices. topped with cheese and sour creamAward Winning Chili
Cabbage-Roll-Soup-recipeCabbage Roll Soup
best-tator-tot-casseroleBest Ever Tater Tot Casserole

Classic-Meatloaf-recipe--Classic Meatloaf Recipe…just like mom used to make.
classic-taco-soupClassic Taco Soup
Creamy-Beef-and-Green-Chile-Casserole-6Creamy Beef and Green Chili Casserole
Easy-Lasagna-Casserole-Leftover-Makeover-1Easy Lasagna Casserole

Ketchup-Sloppy-JoesKetchup Sloppy Joes {15 minute meal}
Korean-Beef-Bowls-Easy-RecipeKorean Beef Bowls
mexican-casserrole-perfect-week-night-mealMexican Casserole {Perfect Weeknight Meal}
perfect-taco-meatPerfect Taco Meat

Olive-Garden-Pasta-Fagioli-SoupOlive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup
Skillet Taco and Rice Dinner
Easy-Slow-Cooker-Hobo-Dinner-1Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner
Taco-Spaghetti-Skillet-Recipe-Real-Life-Dinner-FamilyTaco Spaghetti Skillet Dinner Recipe

Chicken

Chicken-taco-and-rice-skillet-dinner-recipe-one-pot-mealChicken Taco and Rice Skillet Dinner
Chicken-Tortellini-Soup-with-Extra-VeggiesChicken Tortellini Soup with Extra Veggies
Delicious-Chicken-Zucchini-Skillet-with-Cannellini-beansChicken Zucchini Skillet with Cannellini Beans
Chicken and Black Bean ChilaquilesChicken and Black Bean Chilaquiles

Baked-Honey-Curry-Chicken-with-Green-BeansBaked Honey Curry Chicken with Green Beans
baked-sweet-and-sour-chicken-thighsBaked Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs
broccoli casseroleBroccoli Casserole with Chicken…can be made in 30 minutes or less…
Broccoli-Chicken-Casserole-With-Egg-NoodlesBroccoli Chicken Casserole with Egg Noodles

homemade chicken noodle soup in a pot with a ladle taking out a big scoop of soup. You can see carrots, celery and chicken in the soup along with the homemade noodles.Classic Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles
Creamy Chicken Green Chili Enchiladas
Favorite-White-Chicken-Chili-Favorite White Chicken Chili
Green Curry with Chicken and PotatoesGreen Curry with Chicken and Potatoes

Instant Pot

Instant-Pot-Beef-Stroganoff-3Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
Instant-Pot-Creamy-Cajun-Chicken-Pasta-StepsInstant Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Instant-Pot-Creamy-Chicken-Pasta-with-Asparagus-and-MushroomsInstant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms
The_Best_Instant_Pot_Macaroni_and_CheeseThe Best Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Other

Kielbasa and Roasted Vegetables….just chop, toss and bake {So Easy}
Easy-Ham-Fried-Rice-Easy Ham Fried Rice
Thirty-Minute-Terrific Tuna CasseroleThirty Minute Albacore Tuna Casserole
crustless-quiche-egg-casseroleCrustless Quiche Egg Casserole

Spicy Sweet Potato and Black Bean SoupSpicy Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soup
Split Pea Soup
Thick and Creamy Potato and Ham SoupThick and Creamy Potato and Ham Soup
Disappearing Casserole {Leftover Makeover}

Pork

Easy-Perfect-Pork-Roast-3Easy Baked Pork Roast
Oven-baked-parmesan-pork-chopsEasy Oven Baked Parmesan Pork Chops
Perfect for Tacos, tostadas, casseroles, or any of your favorite Mexican DishesEasy Shredded Pork in the Crock Pot
easy-tex-mex-shredded-pork-4Easy Tex-Mex Shredded Pork

Pancakes/Waffles

Copy Cat Diner Style Pancakes {no buttermilk needed}
german-pancakesGerman Pancakes
Overnight Oatmeal Pumpkin Pancakes…Healthy and Deliciously filling!
Diner-Style-Banana-Chocolate-Chip-PancakesBanana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Gingerbread Waffles with whipped cream and bananasEasy Gingerbread Waffles
Whole Wheat WafflesHomemade Whole Wheat Waffles
Brown-Sugar-Buttermilk-SyrupBrown Sugar Buttermilk Syrup
caramel-apple-baked-french-toastCaramel Apple Baked French Toast

Breads/Rolls

simple focaccia bread{Copycat} Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread
Delicious Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread {Made with Pumpkin Puree}
how to make whole wheat tortillasHow to Make Whole Wheat Tortillas {Step by Step Pictures and Instructions}
Lunch Lady Cafeteria Rolls..no mixer neededLunch Lady Cafeteria Rolls {Step by Step Pictures and Instructions….NO MIXER NEEDED}

The Best Banana BreadClassic Banana Bread {Mom’s Recipe}
pumpkin chocolate chip bread on a cooling rackPumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Best-Zucchini-Bread-in-the-history-of-ever--1The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe
Pumpkin Bread

Cookies/Bars/Brownies

Better-Than-the-Bakery-Peanut-butter-M&M-Cookies-recipeBetter than the Bakery Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
The-Best-classic-Snickerdoodle-Cookies-1The Best Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies
No-Bake-Peanut-Butter-Corn-Flake-Treats-recipeNo-bake Peanut Butter Corn Flake Treats
Swig Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Cowboy-Cookie-BarsCowboy Cookie Bars
Golden-Graham-Smore-Bars-4Golden Grahams S’more Bars Recipe
Chocolate-Scotcheroo-Rice-Krispie-Treats-3Chocolate Scotcheroo Rice Krispie Treats
pumpkin-choc-chip-cheesecake-bars-Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Awesome Double Chocolate Cookies
Chewy-Lemon-Drop-CookiesChewy Lemon Drop Cookies
Neiman Marcus Cookies
Knockoff Swig Sugar Cookies

Fudgy and chewy homemade brownie recipeFudgy Chewy Homemade Brownie Recipe
whole-wheat-brownies-fudge-frosting-4Crazy Good Whole Wheat Brownies with Fudge Frosting
Perfect-Mint-BrowniesPerfect Mint Brownies
Chewy-Oatmeal-Cookies-with-nuts-recipeOut of this World Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

chewy, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, perfect texture and flavorOne Bowl Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
peanut-butter-cup-barsPeanut Butter Cup Bars {No Bake}
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars
Snicker-Rice-Crispy-Treats-RecipeSnicker Bar Rice Krispies Treats

Beef, Casseroles, Chicken, Dinners, Maria's Favorites, Pork, Recipes
Freezer ingriedients, freezer meals, meals with pantry and freezer ingredients, Meals you can make with Pantry and Freezer Ingredients, Pantry dinner ideas, Pantry Meals, what to buy for a quarantine. What food to buy for a quarantine
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Welcome friends!

Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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Hi, I'm a professional recipe developer, with a degree in teaching and a minor in nutrition. I love helping busy families, like mine, "eat good" despite their crazy schedules...join the fun! Start here

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