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This collection of pantry staple recipes features treats, dinners, pastas, and sides that are all made from basic pantry ingredients.

A collection of pantry staple recipes.

We Love Easy!

Pantry staple recipes come in handy during weeks when the budget is tight, or in cases of emergency where you can’t get to a grocery store (or there isn’t much at the store). 

It’s the best way to go through all of your groceries rather than just acquiring more than you need and letting stuff expire. We love to keep a list to both keep our pantry stocked and ensure we use what we have. Using pantry staples also gives you the chance to be creative with your meal planning!

If you need a quick dinner, don’t have time to run to the store, or are working to stick to a budget, these easy dinner ideas are for you! They all use pantry staples, and all are delicious.

THIS POST has a more comprehensive printable list of pantry staples! Be sure to check it out!!


Our Top 10 Pantry Dinner Ideas

1 Taco Soup Recipe

Taco Soup Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

Taco Soup is one of the EASIEST dinner recipes of all time! Just dump, simmer, and enjoy in under 20 minutes!
5 from 29 votes
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2 Green Chili Smothered Burritos Recipe

green chili smothered burrito with olives, cilantro and avocado on plate
Green Chili Smothered Burritos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Pull together canned items in your pantry to make super easy green chili smothered burritos. This flavorful meal comes together in a pinch!
5 from 6 votes
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3 Fry Bread

Fry Bread
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

Crispy, golden fry bread—also known as Navajo Tacos—is a versatile treat perfect for sweet or savory toppings. This easy, authentic recipe delivers light, fluffy, and irresistibly delicious fried dough!
4.99 from 702 votes
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4 Sopa de Fideo

Sopa de Fideo
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

Mom's famous sopa de fideo (Mexican noodle soup) has been a quick and simple family favorite for generations!
4.99 from 272 votes
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5 Best Chili Recipe

Best Chili Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

You're going to fall hard for this spicy, hearty homemade beef chili. This best chili recipe is not only simple, but delicious!!
5 from 83 votes
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6 Hawaiian Haystacks

Hawaiian Haystacks
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

Totally customizable Hawaiian haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings!
5 from 16 votes
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7 Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

Enjoy the flavors of a taco in this easy chicken tortilla soup – preps in minutes and simmers all day for a comforting and easy dinner!
5 from 391 votes
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8 Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

Chicken Spaghetti is a new twist on your favorite pasta dinner! This dish is creamy + cheesy, making it the epitome of comfort food.
5 from 100 votes
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9 Tostada

Tostada
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

An crunchy open-face tostada is topped with all of your favorite Mexican ingredients and on the table in 20 minutes!
5 from 23 votes
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10 Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas

Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes

Recipe Video

With just 5 minutes of prep, our hot and cheesy crock pot chicken enchiladas make dinner a breeze! Just let the crock pot do the work.
4.98 from 42 votes
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More Pantry Staple Recipes

11 Easy Goulash Recipe

Easy Goulash Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

This old-fashioned easy goulash recipe is a one-pot family favorite! It's the perfect go-to dinner recipe for any night of the week.
4.97 from 605 votes
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12 Hamburger Helper Recipe

Hamburger Helper Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

Better than the box, Homemade Hamburger Helper is a perfect one-pot meal that comes together in under 30 minutes!
4.97 from 62 votes
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13 Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

Chicken noodle casserole is filled with veggies and topped with a buttery cracker crust making it a flavorful family favorite.
5 from 13 votes
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14 Tamale Pie Recipe

Tamale Pie Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

Tamale pie is bursting with spice and hearty meat with a fabulous crust of tamale goodness. It is a delicious easy-to-make one-pan meal!
5 from 13 votes
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15 Cheese Quesadilla

Cheese Quesadilla
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

Look no further for the best cheese quesadilla! They are everything you want in a queso-filled golden brown slice of heaven.
5 from 9 votes
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16 Baked Ravioli Recipe

Baked Ravioli Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes

Recipe Video

Easy Cheesy Baked Ravioli is a quick, simple, and delicious dinner recipe that the whole family loves! It's so cheesy and so tasty!
5 from 44 votes
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17 Chicken Tacos

Chicken Tacos
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

Skip the wait and cost – whip up restaurant-quality chicken tacos at home in under 30 minutes for a satisfying crunch and explosion of flavor!
5 from 84 votes
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18 Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Flavorful and tender Lemon Pepper Chicken is simple and requires just a few ingredients. Served on its own or over rice, this buttery chicken dish is perfect any night of the week for a simple, quick dinner idea.
5 from 1 vote
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19 Ground Beef Tacos Recipe

Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

Ground Beef Tacos are fried to golden perfection and filled with lettuce and tomatoes. They are a family favorite!!
5 from 19 votes
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20 Cheese Crisp

Cheese Crisp
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

A cheese crisp is a crunchy open-face quesadilla that is an Arizona favorite!! They are quick, easy, and perfectly dippable.
5 from 34 votes
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21 Kid-Friendly Spaghetti

Kid-Friendly Spaghetti
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

Our favorite spaghetti is kid-friendly and simple with a delicious homemade sauce making it the perfect family dinner recipe!
5 from 365 votes
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22 Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

Cheesy broccoli rice casserole will please the pickiest eaters. It's creamy and delicious, a perfect family dinner!
5 from 3 votes
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23 Breaded Pork Chops

Breaded Pork Chops
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

Crispy breaded pork chops are made with just a handful of ingredients and cook in 30 minutes for a go-to family favorite!
5 from 7 votes
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24 Chicken Drumsticks in Oven

Chicken Drumsticks in Oven
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

These perfectly seasoned chicken drumsticks in oven are a healthier alternative to fried chicken and are finger-licking good!
4.87 from 45 votes
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25 Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
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26 Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole
Total Time: 33 minutes
This 30-minute cheeseburger casserole with ground beef, pasta, and loads of cheese delivers all the burger flavor without the bun!
5 from 9 votes
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27 Mexican Soup Recipe

Mexican Soup Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

Filling and flavorful Mexican soup is packed with chicken, beans, and veggies with just a little bit of heat!!
5 from 8 votes
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28 Bisquick Chicken Pot Pie

Bisquick Chicken Pot Pie
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

Bisquick chicken pot pie is a unique twist on a classic with the addition of hard-boiled eggs and a quick biscuit topping!
4.67 from 15 votes
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29 Cheese Enchiladas

Cheese Enchiladas
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

These authentic red cheese enchiladas are a family-favorite recipe—deliciously cheesy, saucy, and loved by all!
4.96 from 761 votes
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30 Meatball Soup

Meatball Soup
Total Time: 30 minutes
Veggie loaded Meatball soup is filling and delicious. Your entire family will love and devour this kid-friendly dish!
5 from 7 votes
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31 Beef Enchilada Casserole

Beef Enchilada Casserole
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

A simple twist on a favorite, our layered beef enchilada casserole is prepped in 15 minutes for a comforting classic, perfect for weeknights!
5 from 42 votes
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32 Easy Meatloaf

Easy Meatloaf
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Recipe Video

This easy homemade meatloaf recipe is hearty, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned—just like the classic comfort food you grew up with!
5 from 31 votes
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33 Hamburger Macaroni Soup Recipe

Hamburger Macaroni Soup Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

Hamburger Macaroni Soup is packed with flavor and it only requires a handful of pantry staples. It's hearty and delicious!
5 from 120 votes
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34 Homemade Biscuits Recipe

Homemade Biscuits Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

Easy homemade biscuits are buttery, deliciously flaky, and SO simple! They make the perfect side dish for any meal.
5 from 20 votes
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35 Homemade French Bread Recipe

Homemade French Bread Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

Soft, simple and no-fail, this homemade French bread has simple step-by-step directions and comes out perfect every time!
4.98 from 233 votes
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36 Easy Yeast Roll Recipe

Easy Yeast Roll Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
These easy yeast rolls can be made in under an hour with just 4 ingredients! With how quick and simple they are, they will become your new go-to dinner rolls.
4.93 from 26 votes
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37 Flour Tortilla Recipe

Flour Tortilla Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

Great Grandma Bean Burro's soft and easy FAMOUS flour tortilla recipe is whipped up with only 5 Ingredients!
4.98 from 72 votes
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38 White Bread Recipe

White Bread Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

This simple white bread is perfect for both the bread novice and pro baker. It's tender, delicious, and SO easy!
4.98 from 48 votes
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39 Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Cornbread Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

This gooey cornbread casserole recipe is an elevated take on a classic boxed cornbread that will have you coming back for more!
5 from 26 votes
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40 Italian Bread Recipe

Italian Bread Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Recipe Video

It is so easy to make our Italian bread recipe at home! This soft, crust bread is delicious and takes just 6 simple ingredients.
4.94 from 92 votes
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41 Spanish Rice Recipe

Spanish Rice Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice (aka Mexican Rice), that is easy to make and tastes like it came straight from the restaurant, and is the best side dish to any Mexican entree.
4.99 from 5800 votes
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42 Jiffy Corn Pudding

Jiffy Corn Pudding
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

Jiffy corn pudding is a creamy, buttery, and sweet side dish perfect for any dinner or holiday, and comfort food at its finest.
5 from 97 votes
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43 Lemon Rice Recipe

Lemon Rice Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
This bright Lemon Rice is the perfect addition to any meal. It's quick and delicious and always a crowd pleaser.
4.86 from 7 votes
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44 Easy Green Bean Casserole

Easy Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

This easy green bean casserole is a holiday classic, featuring sauce-covered green beans and crispy onions baked to golden perfection.
5 from 97 votes
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45 Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe

Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 hours

Recipe Video

Nutrient-rich pinto beans are cooked to perfection. These make a great meal or a tasty side dish to any of your Mexican dishes.
5 from 45 votes
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46 Homemade Tortilla Chips

Homemade Tortilla Chips
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

Make restaurant-quality homemade tortilla chips with just 3 ingredients and 30 minutes! They're our favorite, irresistibly delicious snack.
5 from 9 votes
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47 Baked French Fries Recipe

Baked French Fries Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Baked french fries are a healthy twist on a crunchy comfort food. They are still packed with flavor and will satiate all of the fried potato cravings.
5 from 6 votes
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48 Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes

Recipe Video

This golden flaky buttermilk biscuits recipe is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Enjoy them on their own, with jam, or smothered in gravy!
5 from 29 votes
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49 Canned Refried Beans

Canned Refried Beans
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

Get perfectly creamy restaurant-style beans by adding just THREE extra ingredients to your canned refried beans!
5 from 49 votes
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50 Homemade Fried Rice Recipe

Homemade Fried Rice Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

Skip the restaurant takeout and try making fried rice at home. Flavorful Homemade Fried Rice is ready in under 30 minutes!
4.98 from 34 votes
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51 Corn Souffle

Corn Souffle
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

Creamy corn souffle is a light and fluffy casserole version of classic cornbread for a deliciously versatile side dish.
5 from 3 votes
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52 Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Dinner wouldn't be complete without rich, flavorful crock pot creamed corn! It's creamy, buttery, and preps in minutes – a holiday favorite!
5 from 19 votes
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About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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