Cooking from the pantry

Here are our ideas to turn pantry staples like pasta, canned tomatoes and grains into complete meals

Allie Ginwala

and we’ll add to this list.

READ ALSO: NWNY Covid-19 resource list for immigrant women, from food access and financial support to reliable sources of information about the virus.

Grains
Canned beans salad
Canned black beans and corn make the base for this affordable and quick dinner. Toss them in a bowl and season to your liking. You can dress it up with whatever veggies you have on hand. Black beans can be substituted by cannelini beans, chickpeas, black-eye peas or lentils.

Canned chickpeas
This versatile legume is used in many Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines. Try it in soups, salads, stews, curries or make it roasted (a healthy snack alternative) or in a 5-minute hummus.

Beets, potatos and other root vegetables
They last for a long time and are as versatile as other staples in our list. Beets are delicious roasted, puréed (a great addition to your hummus), as a salad or in soups, like the Russian borscht, which can be served hot or cold. Feeling adventurous? Beets do well in desserts. Try this moist chocolate cake.

Canned tomatoes
Shakshuka
Canned tomatoes are the base of many pasta recipes, but they also can be used as a starting point for this adaptable Mediterranean dish. Add spices and poached eggs and you will have another meal, and a complete different texture.

Boxed pasta
Pasta salad
Pasta, along with canned olives and whatever greens you might have, make a quick meal. Other interesting additions are canned fish and capers. Toss in a bowl and season to your liking.

Chickpea Pasta
Ingredients: Pasta, canned chickpeas, tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes
Instructions: Fry two cloves of garlic and chilli flakes in olive oil, then add three tablespoons of tomato paste and let it fry in the oil until it browns. Add canned chickpeas, dried pasta, and boiling water. Cook in one pot according to box instructions.

Creamy tomato pasta
Ingredients: Angel hair pasta or spaghetti, pasta sauce, cream cheese
Instructions: Cook pasta according to box directions. Add pasta sauce to a separate pot, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer, covered. Stir in cream cheese until smooth. Once pasta is cooked, toss with sauce. 

Pasta with butter tomato sauce
Ingredients: Pasta, butter, garlic, canned tomatoes, pepper
Instructions: Mince garlic and add to skillet butter. Sauté over medium heat for about a minute. Add the can of tomatoes and pepper. Stir and let simmer. Cook pasta according to box directions. Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. 

Chicken and bacon pasta 
Ingredients: Pasta, 3 slices bacon, rotisserie chicken breast, Greek yogurt, seasoning mix
Instructions: Cook pasta according to box directions. Slice the bacon and cook over medium heat. Shred chicken breast and then warm it in the bacon grease left in the pan. Drain pasta and add to skillet. Stir in the bacon, ½ cup yogurt, and seasoning. Toss and serve.

Vegan vodka pasta
 Ingredients: Olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, vodka, coconut milk, pasta
Instruction: Sauté 3 cloves garlic in ¼ olive oil, add 16-ounce can tomato paste and stir. Add ¼ cup vodka and let it sizzle. Add 14-ounce can of coconut milk and let mixture simmer. Cook pasta according to box directions. Drain and toss with sauce.

Instant ramen
Cheddar Broccoli Ramen
Ingredients: Ramen, 2 packets Rice-a-Roni cheddar broccoli powder mix
Instructions: Microwave ramen in a bowl for about 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Pour in powder and stir, let sit and enjoy.

Chili Ramen
Ingredients: Can of chili, ramen, cheese
Instructions: Microwave ramen in a bowl for about 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Drain excess water and pour in chili, top with cheese

Chicken Soup Ramen
Ingredients: Can of creamy chicken soup, ramen
Instructions: Microwave ramen in a bowl for about 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Drain excess water, add soup

Easy add-ins for your ramen
If you’re feeling adventurous boost the flavor with these easy ingredients: swap out the flavor packet for a spoonful of miso paste. Toss in a hardboiled egg or crack an egg in the broth to cook. Add frozen veggies to the broth. Add a teaspoon of soy sauces or sriracha to your bowl.

Macaroni and cheese
Taco Mac 
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, taco meat, toppings (sour cream, tomatoes, jalapenos, salsa, olives)
Instructions:  Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions. Divide into bowls and add toppings

Bacon and Chipotle Mac
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, 4 slices of bacon, chipotles in adobo
Instructions: Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions. While pasta is boiling, crisp bacon. Once pasta is done, stir in ½ teaspoon chipotles in adobo and crumble in bacon

Sausage and Spinach Mac
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, precooked sausage, baby spinach
Instructions: Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions. While pasta is boiling, heat sausages. Drain pasta and add back to the pot. Stir in spinach and add cheese sauce. Slice sausage and mix in

Green Chile and Chicken Mac
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, canned green chilies, rotisserie chicken
Instructions: Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions. Drain canned chilies and shred chicken. Stir in with finished pasta.

Canned Beans and Salsa Mac
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, canned beans (black, baked, kidney), salsa
Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions. Drain and rinse beans, mix into pasta with ½ cup salsa (or Rotel).

Tuna Casserole Mac
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, frozen peas, canned tuna, shredded cheese, breadcrumbs
Instructions: Boil mac according to box directions. Halfway through, add ½ cup of frozen peas. Drain pasta and peas and add cheese as directed. Mix in drained canned tuna. Place in an ovenproof casserole dish. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs. Broil 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Chicken and Rotel Mac
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, chicken, Rotel tomatoes, chile powder, cumin
Instructions: Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions. Add 2 cups chopped chicken, ½ can Rotel tomatoes (or any canned tomatoes and chiles), ½ teaspoon chile powder and ¼ teaspoon cumin

Broccoli and Ham Mac
Ingredients: Box of mac and cheese, broccoli florets, ham
Instructions: Boil pasta with 2 cups of broccoli florets. Add cheese sauce according to box directions. Mix in small chopped ham

Easy add-ins for your mac and cheese
Looking for a quick mac and cheese upgrade? Just make your mac and cheese then toss in any of these easy ingredients: 
Meat: Hot dogs, drained can of tuna, ham, ground beef, pepperoni slices, bacon, meatballs
Veggies: Peas, can of diced tomatoes, broccoli, cannellini beans, spinach, mushrooms, diced apples (for cheddar mac and cheese)