25 Meals To Make When You Only Have Basic Ingredients On Hand

No one embodies the mantra of "make the most of what you have" quite like a home cook. We would all like to have endless budgets and massive pantries that allow us to collect a myriad of unique ingredients — some of which we may only use once. But when there's the pressure to get dinner on the table fast, sometimes you just have to stick to what you know — and what you have on hand. 

It's precisely why we wanted to make a list of some of our favorite basic-ingredient recipes. We purposefully selected recipes with short ingredient lists, as well as ones that only call for familiar, widely accessible ingredients – meaning we're not going to send you all over creation looking for a specialty spice, unique meat, or something that will take you more time to track down than it will to prepare. You may have most of the ingredients needed to make these recipes already in your pantry or in your fridge, and can pick up the remainder on your next grocery-store run. We also made an effort to only include hearty and complete meals or noted ways that the dishes can be built out with protein, sides, and enhancements to make them not only tastier but also more satisfying and filling.

Eggs are something most of us have on hand, and so long as you have cottage cheese and salt, you can transform them into this tasty Starbucks egg bite dupe. Although our recipe doesn't call for enhancements, you can always clean out your crisper drawer or use up deli meats by adding ham, shredded cheese, and/or chopped veggies to the cups. Just be advised that harder mix-ins, like bell peppers and onions, may need to be cooked beforehand to soften them. 

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Egg Bites

It doesn't get any easier than a bowl of pasta tossed with crushed peppercorns, Pecorino Romano, and butter. Think of this recipe like an upgraded take on buttered noodles, courtesy of a bit of umami goodness from the dry cheese and bite from the freshly cracked peppercorns. Our recipe calls for bucatini, but you can swap in other pasta shapes in a pinch. Serve it alongside a salad or with a decent wine for an easy, curl-up-on-the-couch-worthy meal. 

Recipe: Simple, Classic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Macaroni salad is a simple dish, and this variation brings together pantry staples like noodles, mayonnaise, and bagged slaw. Of course, this is only the beginning; for a higher-protein rendition, swap out the regular pasta for a protein pasta and add chopped deli meat to the bowl before giving everything a stir. Our recipe calls for just salt and pepper, but you can also peruse your spice cabinet to find something that appeals to you. 

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Macaroni Salad

Burgers are one of the unfussiest meals around. This recipe is made with a couple of easy-to-find ingredients, including ground turkey, shredded cheese, and jarred salsa, all seasoned with salt and pepper. Once the patties are made, you can easily plop them in a pan (cast iron is best, though any material will work), brown them, and flop them onto your plate. If you don't have any buns available, serve them atop rice, with greens, or in a tortilla. 

Recipe: Juicy 3-Ingredient Tex-Mex Turkey Burgers

Give taco night an encore with this elevated baked potato recipe. You can make your beef fresh or use the leftovers from a previous night. 

As long as you have sturdy baking potatoes on hand (we recommend russets), you can turn this basic protein into a hearty meal. It's also a perfect occasion to scour any leftover condiments you may have, like jarred salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese, to personalize your spuds.

Recipe: Taco Night Twice-Baked Potatoes

Canned beans are an excellent grocery item to keep stocked in your pantry, and this protein-dense recipe is one excellent way to use them. Three types of beans (one of which is pork and beans) are tucked into a Dutch oven with ground beef, bacon, spices, and broth and slow-simmered until deeply flavorful. You can add spices or create your own riff with ingredients like chipotles in adobo, chopped bell peppers, or alliums, and it's excellent paired with our basic stovetop steamed rice recipe or homemade cornbread dressing.

Recipe: Cozy Stovetop Calico Beans

You may have all of the ingredients you need to make a date night-worthy chicken fettuccine Alfredo and might not even know it. This recipe requires a little more attention than others we've included here, but the result is worth it. As with all the recipes on this list, swaps are possible to make it easier, including using a frozen piece of chicken instead of dredging and frying your own, or using a high-quality store-bought Alfredo sauce instead of DIYing it.

Recipe: Ultra Creamy Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Don't automatically reach for a cup of instant mac or ramen when the craving strikes, as this rendition of a comfort food classic is just as simple to prepare. It calls for shredded cheese (we use Gruyère, though feel free to swap it with an appropriate melting cheese, like cheddar or American), milk, cooked pasta, oil, and basic seasonings. Opt for a higher-protein pasta if you need something more macro-friendly, and add your own spices, like a pinch of dry mustard or nutmeg, for more oomph.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Baked Mac & Cheese

Is it a dip? Is it a meal? No, it's cowboy caviar! Our five-ingredient rendition comes to save the day, and it's loaded with pantry and fridge staples like canned beans, black-eyed peas, frozen corn, and grape tomatoes. The lime really ties it all together, and you can always swap it out with a squeeze bottle of lime juice if your fresh citrus options are limited. Serve it on tortilla chips or with rice for a simple dinner.

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Cowboy Caviar

Egg salad is a beloved lunch for a reason. This club version gives it a facelift and can be dressed up or down to your liking. Use hard-boiled eggs you have on hand, or make your own for this recipe; they're mixed into a classic filling before being layered on bread with complementary toppings. This is an easy-to-make sandwich that packs the protein, so you can eat it for an upgraded lunch or a quick and easy dinner — preferably alongside a handful of crispy kettle chips. 

Recipe: Egg Salad Club Sandwich

There's no sad sandwich-chain tuna here. Our version is loaded with the familiar canned fish that you love, along with a surprise quick pickle made with celery and onions. The pickle gives the sandwich a light, acidic, and snappy bite, while the roasted tomatoes add color and depth. It's an elevated version of a deli classic, and a sandwich that you'd be just as proud to serve at a picnic in the park as you would to make for yourself in between meetings. 

Recipe: Elevated Tuna Salad Sandwich

You shouldn't be surprised to see a lot of macaroni and cheese recipes on this list because its ingredient list is rather short. This rendition, offered by Erin Wade and Allison Arevalo, is a favorite, and one that you'll want to try if you prefer a pasta dish with a little more of an adult edge than, say, Kraft.

It brings together both Pecorino Romano and sharp cheddar and finishes things off with a crunchy panko topping. It's a homey, stick-to-your-ribs dish that you'll want to serve at Thanksgiving or to a crowd. 

Recipe: Homeroom's Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese

Chef Sydney knew exactly what she was doing when she whipped up a Hamburger Helper rendition on FX's "The Bear." And now, you can bring that same gourmet energy into your kitchen with this version. 

Although the recipe contains common fridge and pantry staples like cheddar cheese, butter, onion, Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni, and ground beef, it comes together to create a dish worthy of a Michelin Star. We consider it a family favorite, and it's even better that it comes together in under half an hour.

Recipe: "The Bear"-Inspired Gourmet Hamburger Helper

Because what else are you going to serve with your grilled cheese? This cozy soup will make you forego your trusted can of Campbell's for good. Although the recipe list may seem long, many of the items are canned or spices, and none of them are unfamiliar to the home cook. 

Unlike other tomato soup recipes, this one has extra body because it's made with shredded chicken (swap rotisserie chicken if you need), heavy cream, and chicken broth. You could even skip the grilled cheese accompaniment and plop some frozen tortellini or lasagna sheets into it instead. 

Recipe: Smoky Chicken Tomato Bisque

Sometimes, nothing beats the classics. Tomato soup gets a facelift with this garden-fresh recipe, which brings together roasted tomatoes (cooking them beforehand adds sweetness), garlic, fresh basil, and myriad seasonings. A touch of heavy cream adds body and richness, but you can always swap coconut milk for a dairy-free version. Grilled cheese is a natural pairing for this soup, and any crusty bread that can be dunked into it can also serve as an accompaniment.

Recipe: Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup

If you have some extra time on your hands, whipping up a batch of fried chicken for a Sunday dinner isn't such a bad idea. Our recipe uses lard, which yields a crispy fry, though you could swap it for vegetable oil if your fat selection is limited. 

There are endless foods that pair well with fried chicken, and many of them don't require a separate trip to the grocery store. Prepare a store-bought cornbread mix, instant mashed potatoes, or frozen veggies for a simple yet complementary side. 

Recipe: Simple Classic Fried Chicken

If you're looking for a way to make beans more palatable to kids, we may have just found it for you. This dish brings the familiar flavors of pizza — courtesy of jarred tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella — to canned white beans, like cannellini or butter beans. 

The beans add a hefty dose of plant-based fiber and protein, making it an inexpensive and nutrient-dense option. This one-pot dish would be best served with a fresh, light, and veggie-forward side and some bread for dipping.

Recipe: Easy, Cheesy Pizza Beans

Rice alone isn't hearty enough for a meal. But when you add umami mushrooms, copious amounts of shredded cheese, and jarred pizza sauce, you'll have a tasty, kid-friendly dinner on your hands.

This is also a dish that can be customized based on what's in your crisper drawer, like cooked sausage or pepperoni slices. It comes together in just over half an hour, making it one you'll want to try on a busy weeknight or when your fridge is looking barren. 

Recipe: One-Pan Veggie Pizza Rice

Pasta salad really deserves more attention, as the carby meal can be adorned with protein and fiber to make it more well-rounded, as is the case with this BLT-inspired version. It's an excellent way to use pre-cooked bacon and the lettuce that is looking like it's on its way out. The homemade bacon-mayo dressing is proof that you don't have to keep this recipe simple, even if its ingredient list is relatively short and accessible to most home cooks.

Recipe: Over-The-Top BLT Pasta Salad

We would be remiss not to include any breakfast (or breakfast for dinner) options on this list, including a simple batch of buttermilk pancakes. If you need to, you can swap out the buttermilk for a homemade variation with vinegar or lemon juice and plain milk. Otherwise, the ingredients are simple and include flour, leaveners, butter, and eggs. 

You can scour your fridge looking for add-ins, or keep this recipe as is for a simple meal that the whole family will appreciate. We love chocolate chips or blueberries in these pancakes, though a swirl of apple butter and a drizzle of maple syrup will also do them well. 

Recipe: Basic Buttermilk Pancakes

Why should you have to pick between a Big Mac and a Crunchwrap when you can have both? We'll cure your decision fatigue with this version, which stuffs a lacy, caramelized smash burger between a tortilla and a tostada. 

You don't need to skip all your favorite burger toppings here, either; we bring the magic with a homemade special sauce, add acidity with dill pickles, and richness with cheese. Of course, you can add your favorite burger toppings here, too; just make sure they aren't too wet, as you won't get the crunch factor this wrap is known for.

Recipe: Ultimate Smash Burger Crunch Wrap

A Sunday sauce is made into a Tuesday sauce with our weeknight bolognese recipe. As long as you have ground beef (which you can swap for turkey or cooked lentils), canned tomatoes, and a couple of basic seasonings, you can have a versatile sauce that is just as tasty spooned on top of a bowl of penne as it is layered into lasagna. If you prefer an extra-rich sauce, consider drizzling in some heavy cream toward the end — and don't forget the crusty bread to sop it all up with. 

Recipe: Simple Weeknight Bolognese

Quesadillas are a low-effort meal, but if you want extra protein, you're going to want to try this cheeseburger twist on them. You could easily use pre-cooked ground beef for this, or prepare it as needed for your quesadillas. Aside from the beef, you'll want to give your wrap the full cheeseburger upgrade by adding pickle slices and shredded cheese, as well as serving it with a homemade burger sauce for dipping. 

Recipe: Loaded Cheeseburger Quesadillas

If you want to declutter your fridge within an hour, try whipping up this simple tomato and vegetable soup. Miscellaneous veggies, including celery, carrots, garlic, and onions, are all at home here, as are canned ingredients like green peas, chickpeas, and tomato paste. It's entirely plant-based and can be made even heartier with the addition of pasta or a side sandwich. 

Recipe: Basic Tomato and Herb Vegetable Soup

If you have a leftover rotisserie chicken, a bag of frozen peas, and the basic ingredients for a drop biscuit, consider it your sign to try this cobbler recipe. It's like an avant-garde take on a chicken pot pie, and the homemade biscuit topping (which you can swap with canned biscuits or a biscuit mix, in a pinch) ties the whole thing together with a homestyle bow. This would be an excellent recipe to make on a cozy night when you're in the mood for familiar flavors and don't want to make a trip to the store for an ingredient you'll only use once.

Recipe: Creamy Cheesy Chicken Cobbler