Times are weird right now. With social distancing and quarentine at the forefront of our minds I’ve compiled a list of simple pantry recipes using staple ingredients.

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Keep reading for recipes that feature dry goods, non perishables and frozen foods that are commonly in your home. Any possible substitutions will be included as well.

My hope is these simple pantry recipes will keep you warm and cozy during these hard times.

1. Cheeseburger Meatloaf

This Cheeseburger Meatloaf features common ingredients including ground beef, ketchup, mustard, cheese, bread crumbs, egg and onion.

There are easy substitutions you can make here too during quarentine. Don’t have a fresh onion? Use 2 tablespoons of dried minced onion or a teaspoon of onion powder.

No sliced cheese? Top it with more shredded cheese instead.

Throw a leftover slice on some bread for a meatloaf sandwich the next day.

2. Minestrone Soup with Cheese Ravioli

This soup uses classic pantry staples, canned tomatoes, canned beans and broth/stock.

Cheese ravioli are definitely not a pantry item so use whatever pasta you have at home instead. You can throw in some parmesan cheese, if you have it, to add some cheesiness that the ravioli would normally add.

There is some perishable produce in this recipe. If you have them, awesome but if not you can still make the recipe. Keeping hearty veggies on hand such as carrots, celery and onions helps add some freshness to meals when you can’t go to the store. They will last a long time in the refrigerator so you don’t have to worry about waste.

3. Baked Enchilada Chicken

This 5 ingredient recipe is SO simple using a few pantry and freezer staples. You’ll need chicken, frozen corn, canned black beans (or whatever beans you have), enchilada sauce and shredded cheese.

It all gets layered and baked. Seriously couldn’t get any easier. Have your kids make it for a culinary/creative/adulting lesson.

If you don’t have a can of enchilada sauce, it’s actually suprisingly easy to make with, you guessed it, pantry staples. Here is the enchilada sauce recipe I love.

4. Bean and Cheese Burritos

These Bean and Cheese Burritos are an ultimate pantry recipe. You’ll need a can of refried beans, cheese, sour cream and flour tortillas.

If you don’t have refried beans, rinse a can of whole beans and mash them up with a fork. Use whatever cheese you have on hand. No sour cream? Sub in plain Greek yogurt or just skip it all together.

Not only are they super simple to make but they are freezer friendly so you could make a big batch to make meals easier. Then all you need to do is pop one in the microwave and lunch is served.

5. Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Making your own chicken nuggets is super simple with just a few spices, some flour and boneless skinless chicken breasts.

They are obvs very kid-friendly and they can even get in on the fun by helping you prepare them. They’ve now added culinary arts to their school day.

6. Breakfast Fried Rice

Maybe bacon isn’t considered a staple for you but I personally always have a pack in my freezer. If you don’t have any bacon, you could substitute breakfast sausage or just leave it out all together.

You could also make this for any meal of the day and be totally satisfied. The leftovers are great too.

7. Everything Bagel Seasoning

Don’t worry about running out of your favorite seasoning. You can make your own SO easily at home with a few spices.

Once you’re done making it, which takes approximately 2.2 seconds, sprinkle it on:

8. Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Break out your Instant Pot for another one of my favorite no-brainer pantry recipes. If you don’t own one yet, do yourself a little online shopping. I know it makes me feel better. Plus, you’ll have a new thing to learn.

All you need is chicken thighs and your favorite spices. I have a list of spices in the recipe but use whatever you have at home.

Make a giant batch to make lunches and life easier throughout the week.

9. Individual Baked Penne

Sure you can make a full sized baked penne but this indivdual version is fun adn we all need some of that right now.

Cook your pasta, douse it in a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, portion it in a jumbo muffin pan (or ramekins) top with mozzarella and bake. Super easy, quick and filling.

10. 5 Bean Vegetarian Chili

This recipe is the epitome of pantry recipes featuring tons of canned beans and canned tomatoes. Spice it up with some simple spices and thin it out with some veggie broth and you’re good to go.

This is a great option to keep any non-meat eaters full and happy. It reheats well making for great lunches or dinner when you don’t feel like cooking again.

11. BBQ Kielbasa Bites

This is definitely the easiest recipe on the list. You’ll need your favorite barbecue sauce and some smoked kielbasa or sausage links or bratwurst or even hot dogs. Any of it will work.

Slice your sausage into 1-inch chunks, cook it until it has all the caramelized goodness then toss it with barbecue sauce.

Boom. Done.

12. One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta

This one is so good you guys. I know there has been a theme of tomato and pasta and ground meat but that’s what we always have around so let’s find all the different ways to use them.

This recipe takes all the classic flavors and ingredients of a sloppy joe but changes out the carb vehicle from bread to pasta. You can’t be mad at that.

13. Instant Pot Rice Pilaf

Dust off the Instant Pot again for this one. Sure you can make plain rice. But why do that when you can add more flavor and texture with pretty much the same amount of work.

If you don’t have orzo in your pantry you can use broken pieces of spaghetti noodles, alphabet pasta, star pasta or anything else small.

Cook it in a big batch. You’ll thank me later.

14. Homemade Taco Seasoning

Craving tacos but don’t have any taco seasoning? Make your own with some simple spices from your pantry.

I never buy the premixed stuff anymore because this is SO easy and I get to control the flavors and spice level.

Add a few tablespoons to ground beef, ground turkey or sprinkle it on chicken before grilling. It’s delicious any way you choose to taco.

15. 3 Ingredient Swedish Meatballs

I really hope you grabbed a bag of frozen meatballs, sour cream and cream of mushroom (or chicken) because these 3 Ingredient Swedish Meatballs will totally blow your mind.

Dump everything in the slow cooker, stir and let them cook for a few hours. They are so dang good and a major family favorite around here.

You can eat them as an appetizer or with some pasta or mashed potatoes as a main dish.

16. Bacon Pinto Beans

This is another slow cooker recipe using minimal ingredients. These Bacon Pinto Beans are stupid easy to make and take pretty much no effort.

My favorite way to eat them is over some rice with a few big glugs of hot sauce.

This recipe makes a big batch so get ready for all the leftovers.

17. Sloppy Joe’s

Use whatever ground meat you have in your freezer for these Sloppy Joe’s. These have a smoky twist to them thanks to some barbecue sauce thrown in the mix.

They take less than 30 minutes to make and will definitely be loved by the whole family.

18. Buffalo Popcorn

Listen, during stressful times we all need some snacks to ease our big feelings. Popcorn is usually my go to snack for Netflix binging and board game marathons.

This Buffalo Popcorn is easy, spicy, crunchy and really addictive. Popcorn kernels, butter, hot sauce and garlic salt are all you need.

And if you don’t have kernels use microwave popcorn or Skinny Pop or whatever and adjust the buffalo sauce as needed.

19. All the Things Chocolate Chip Cookies

You’ll need the basic ingredients for chocolate chips cookies plus some fun mix ins to make these cookies.

The recipe states adding toasted coconut, toasted pecans, rolled oats, crushed corn flakes, peanut butter chips and chocolate chunks.

Maybe you don’t have these things. Do you have walnuts instead of pecans? Use them. Rice krispies instead of corn flakes. Do it girl. Chop a chocolate bar. Add that last handful of white chocolate chips.

It’s just all gonna be good.

20. Homemade Fudge Stripes

Another simple cookie coming at you. The store may be out but you can make your own fudge stripes at home. Oh, and they are way beter.

All you need is simple shortbread ingredients in addition to some chocolate. It’s time to conquer that sweet tooth.

That’s all I’ve got for you friends. Thank you for stopping by and spending time on my site. During these times of uncertainty and unexpected schedule changes, your support means more than you can imagine.

If you have any questions regarding these pantry recipes or need more ideas for easy recipes to make with what you have in your pantry, drop me an email at megseverydayindulgence@gmail.com.

Keep safe, stay in touch with your family and friends and take care of yourself. Sending so much love and virtual air hugs.