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Whether you’re watching your grocery budget or just want to save a trip to the store, having a few pantry staple recipes in your back pocket is always a good idea. This collection of recipes doesn’t skimp on flavor while relying on affordable ingredients like dry lentils, canned beans, and broth. Stretch your paycheck even further with quick swaps for your favorite baking mixes, spices, and drinks. These simple yet satisfying recipes are a must for your kitchen.

A bowl of red lentil soup with a jar of lentils and sliced bread.
Red Lentil Soup. Photo credit: Stetted.

Cheesy Polenta

A serving dish of creamy polenta with cheese on top.
Cheesy Polenta. Photo credit: Stetted.

Dry polenta is transformed into a creamy side dish with your favorite cheese. It’s simple to make and rounds out any dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Polenta

Red Lentil Soup

White bowl of red lentil soup with a tan napkin underneath.
Red Lentil Soup. Photo credit: Stetted.

Ready in just about 30 minutes, red lentil soup is a great vegetarian dinner or lunch. Round it out with tender carrots, celery, onion, and spices.
Get the Recipe: Red Lentil Soup

Classic Three Bean Salad

Two wooden bowls filled with three bean salad, featuring green beans, wax beans, kidney beans, and chopped celery, set on green napkins with two forks nearby.
Classic Three Bean Salad. Photo credit: Vintage Recipes.

Canned beans make this classic three bean salad a quick and easy option. A tangy dressing pulls it all together.
Get the Recipe: Classic Three Bean Salad

Homemade Pancake Mix

A container filled with pancake mix next to a plate with pancakes.
Homemade Pancake Mix. Photo credit: Stetted.

Skip the box and make a batch of your own homemade pancake mix. You probably already have everything you need!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Pancake Mix

Crispy Baked Chickpeas

A striped bowl filled with roasted chickpeas seasoned with spices, placed on a white surface.
Crispy Baked Chickpeas. Photo credit: Happy Snackcidents.

Canned chickpeas are coated in spices and roasted for a crispy, crunchy snack. Delicious as a salad topper, too!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Chickpeas

Chicken Tortilla Soup

A comforting bowl of tortilla soup topped with shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and lime—perfect for pantry staple recipes. Served with tortilla chips on the side, plus gold spoons and a halved avocado nearby.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Feast and West.

Use leftover chicken and ingredients from the pantry to whip up chicken tortilla soup. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup


Homemade Granola

A mug with homemade granola and yogurt next to a large jar filled with granola.
Homemade Granola. Photo credit: Stetted.

Love granola? Make it yourself! This homemade granola is flavored with warming spices and studded with dried fruit for a crunchy, fragrant breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Granola

Mason Jar Cake Mix

A jar of white cake mix with a recipe tag sits on a blue napkin, next to a dish of sprinkles and a frosted cake in the background.
Mason Jar Cake Mix. Photo credit: Walking on Sunshine Recipes.

Homemade cake mix is a great option for stocking the pantry ahead of birthday party season. Give as a gift to a fellow baker or grab to use whenever you need a delicious cake.
Get the Recipe: Mason Jar Cake Mix

Homemade Ranch Seasoning

A plate with a variety of spices on it to make ranch seasoning.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning. Photo credit: Stetted.

Everyone loves the tangy flavor of ranch, so make your own homemade ranch seasoning! It’s perfect for making dressing, dip, or seasoning your favorite dishes.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ranch Seasoning

Homemade Chai Concentrate Recipe

A handmade blue ceramic mug filled with coffee sits on a dark surface.
Homemade Chai Concentrate Recipe. Photo credit: Life Currents.

Enjoy the deliciously warming flavor of chai at home with this homemade chai concentrate. It only needs a handful of ingredients so you can enjoy as a hot or iced drink!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chai Concentrate Recipe

Easy 3-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe

A bowl of clear soup with diced potatoes and herbs, next to two slices of bread on a wooden board and a silver spoon.
Easy 3-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

You only need three ingredients to create this humble, yet delicious potato soup! Perfect for busy nights, budget stretching, or when you just want a bowl of something cozy.
Get the Recipe: Easy 3-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe

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A woman in a black shirt smiling in a kitchen.

About Megan

I learned how to cook by exploring seasonal ingredients, and you can too! Meal time shouldn’t be stressful or complicated, and with fresh ingredients and easy methods, I’m here to help you enjoy the time spent in the kitchen. Read more…

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