Budget-Friendly Pantry-Staples 6-Day Meal Plan
Pantry staples can be your saving grace for those weeks when the clock seems to be ticking by faster than ever. Keep a few essential pantry items on hand-such as canned tomatoes and beans, frozen veggies, dried herbs and spices-to help get a healthy dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. Using pantry staples means your grocery list will be short, so you'll also save plenty of money with this week's meal plan.
- One-Pot Pasta with Tuna
Ready in: 35 minutes
One-Pot Pasta with Tuna: Use the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs.
Kitchen Staples: Whole-wheat spaghetti, lemon, salt, pepper, canned tuna & olive oil
What to Buy Fresh: Castelvetrano olives & fresh dill
- Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach
Ready in: 25 minutes
Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach: Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Kitchen staples: Olive oil, garlic, canned crushed tomatoes, canned chickpeas, salt, eggs & pepper
What to buy fresh: Baby spinach, heavy cream & fresh thyme
- Black Bean Tacos
Ready in: 25 minutes
Black Bean Tacos: Mixing mashed canned beans with whole beans and seasonings makes an incredibly simple taco filling from your pantry. Top these speedy 5-ingredient tacos with lettuce, tomato and salsa or any of your favorite taco toppings.
Kitchen staples: Canned black beans, cumin, garlic powder & shredded cheese
What to buy fresh: Hard taco shells and fresh toppings of your choice, like lettuce, tomatoes or sour cream.
- Chili-Topped Sweet Potatoes
Ready in: 30 minutes
Chili-Topped Sweet Potatoes: Top as you see fit, with whatever ingredients you may have on hand. Sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and sliced jalape?os are all tasty choices.
Kitchen staples: Onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, canned tomatoes, sweet potatoes
What to buy fresh: Lean ground beef, red bell pepper, shredded cheese
- Chicken-Quinoa Fried Rice
Ready in: 25 minutes
Chicken-Quinoa Fried Rice: Regular fried rice gets a protein boost when rice is swapped for quinoa in this healthy dinner recipe. Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand-broccoli, green beans and mushrooms are all good options. Serve with hot sauce if desired.
Kitchen staples: Peanut oil, eggs, garlic, quinoa, soy sauce, frozen peas, soy sauce & sesame oil
What to buy fresh: Ginger, chicken thighs, red bell pepper & carrots
- Black Bean Soup
Ready in: 25 minutes
Black Bean Soup: This Southwestern-flavored black bean soup is made with canned beans and pantry-staple spices, so it comes together in minutes. Serve with bread to sop up any remaining soup, or tortilla chips with salsa.
Kitchen staples: Canola oil, onion, chili powder, cumin, canned black beans, prepared salsa & salt
What to buy fresh: Lime juice, sour cream & cilantro
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