Some nights, “what’s for dinner” isn’t a question you want to think hard about. That’s what a well-stocked pantry is for — a handful of staples that turn into something worth eating with almost no planning at all. Here are five worth always having on hand.
Good canned tomatoes. A can of quality crushed or whole peeled tomatoes is the fastest route to a soup or sauce that tastes like it simmered all day. It’s the backbone of our Roasted Tomato & Basil Soup.
Coconut milk. One can turns a pot of vegetables or lentils into something rich and a little indulgent. We lean on it in both our One-Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry and our Thai Coconut Curry Soup.
A tin or two of chickpeas or black beans. Already cooked, already protein-packed, ready to go straight into a curry or a pot of chili — see our Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili.
Peanut butter. Not just for toast — whisked with a little soy sauce, lime, and chili, it becomes a sauce that makes noodles disappear, like in our Spicy Peanut Noodles. It’s also the whole point of No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites.
A good box of pasta. When nothing else sounds appealing, pasta usually does. Keep a box around for nights that call for something as comforting as our Stovetop Mac and Cheese.
None of these need a special trip to the store — that’s exactly the point. Keep them stocked, and dinner stops being a decision and starts being a short list of good options.
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