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    $5 Dinners | Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals

    Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals and Cooking Tutorials for the Busy Home Chef

    Join Erin's 5-Ingredient Challenge in 2023

    Pantry Staples List

    March 17, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 66 Comments

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    I recently asked on the $5 Dinners Facebook Fan page what you would like to see in a “grocery shopping list” template.  And while I have a few shopping lists in the works, several of you asked for a basic pantry staples list.  So I wanted to ask everyone for help in creating an Pantry Staples List.

    • What ingredients MUST be in your pantry at all times?
    • What ingredient would you make a special trip back to the grocery store if you ran out?
    • What is your favorite “pantry” meal…meaning a meal that you can whip together with a few ingredients from the pantry?!?

    Thanks for helping me put together a comprehensive and useful Pantry Staples List!

    P.S. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Erin Go Bragh!!!

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    Filed Under: How To Cook, Shopping

    Comments

    1. Heather says

      March 17, 2010 at 8:28 am

      flour, sugar, butter, salt, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, brown sugar, tomato/pasta sauce, pasta, rice, chicken/beef/veggie broth, cinnamon, pepper, italian seasoning, jar minced garlic, garlic powder,shredded/block cheese

      id make a special trip back for flour seen as most of the stuff i make doesn’t come out of a box now so this is a staple.

      a go to meal would be spaghetti and sauce

      Reply
    2. Connie Petertonjes says

      March 17, 2010 at 8:31 am

      My staples are:

      Canned Potatoes
      Canned Carrots
      Canned Tomatoes
      Broth (chicken, beef and vegetable)
      Cream of Chicken Soup
      Noodles
      Pasta Sauce
      Peanut Butter
      Soups (like chicken noodle, vegetable beef, etc.)
      Cereal
      Pancake Mix
      Syrup
      Peaches
      Madarin Oranges
      Pudding mix

      These are the things that I hate to be without. I figure, I can always whip up some soup and sandwiches on a night when things don’t go as planned. I love using canned potatoes in things like stews and even for stuff like pot roast. Same with canned carrots. That way, I don’t have to worry about whether or not they are done. I add pureed tomatos to things like taco meat and sloppy joes so my kids get some extra veggies. I always like to have pasta and sauce on hand. It is super easy to brown some frozen ground beef or turkey, add some cheap pasta sauce and serve over pasta for a quick and easy meal. ANd, I seem to use broth and cream of chicken soup in a lot of recipes. We are cereal fanatics, so we go through that like crazy. And, when all else fails, we can always have pancakes or waffles for dinner and the kids think it is a super special dinner, when in reality, I am just exhausted and don’t feel like doing anything else! Instant pudding and a little whipped cream makes a super fast dessert. Finally, I like keeping peaches and oranges in the pantry because I try to serve fruit at every meal.

      Reply
    3. Megan says

      March 17, 2010 at 8:38 am

      Flour, potatoes and eggs. It has to be stocked at all times otherwise I will make a special trip to the store. With that I can always throw together some pancakes/waffles, hashbrowns and eggs and everyone is happy.

      Reply
    4. Mama Laundry says

      March 17, 2010 at 8:49 am

      Must be in my pantry:
      white flour
      AP Flour
      Salt/spices (Cumin, cinnamon, cream of tartar, nutmeg, garlic and onion pwdr)
      Crisco (I know, I know…but I can’t make a good biscuit without it and I AM a southern girl )
      Sugar – white and brown
      Ritz Crackers/Bread crumbs
      Confectioner’s Sugar
      Olive Oil
      Vegetable Oil
      Baking soda and powder
      Rice

      I always have ingredients in my pantry for Chicken Enchiladas. It’s one of my family faves! Something is drastically wrong if I am out of the ingredients for it.

      -Lauren

      Reply
    5. Jennifer Markowski says

      March 17, 2010 at 8:51 am

      Not including basic baking supplies & spices, I’d say:
      rice, lentils, canned tomatoes, pasta, breadcrumbs, almonds, walnuts, raisins, dried cranberries, honey, cornmeal, snack crackers for baby, dark chocolate

      Reply
    6. Debbie says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:01 am

      A must for MY pantry is
      1. Pasta
      2. chili beans
      3. canned tomatoes
      4. soup
      5. crackers
      6. olive oil
      7. pasta sauce
      8. beans
      9. rice
      10. spices
      11. flour
      12. sugar

      Reply
    7. Annie says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:07 am

      Yeast is a must for me. I make a lot of pizza dough and other breads that require yeast and I would totally make a special trip to the store to get some.
      As far as other staples; I would say the other ladies have pretty much covered all the basics for me.

      My pantry meal is homemade pizza! It’s so versitile! You can keep it simple with just cheese or make it with whatever meat and veggies you have on hand!

      Reply
    8. Tacy M says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:18 am

      Flour is a must in my baking house, butter too. My kids would say tortillas.

      Reply
    9. Amanda says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:49 am

      My basic pantry list: sugar, flour, butter, baking soda, spices, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, breadcrumbs, cornmeal, olive oil or vegetable oil, eggs, ketchup, peanut butter, bread, potatoes, canned or frozen veggies, pasta sauce, beef/chicken broth cubes or liquid broth, shredded or block cheese. These are things I don’t usually go without. My favorite pantry meal is spaghetti or any pasta with tomatoes or sauce.

      Reply
    10. KNC says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:50 am

      In addition to what everyone else wrote, I always have:
      canned beans (black, garbanzo, kidney)
      canned corn
      jars of artichoke hearts
      enchilada sauce
      canned olives
      canned chiles
      Great topic!

      Reply
    11. Candi says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:55 am

      Rice
      Potatoes
      Dried Beans (various kinds)
      Flour
      Baking Soda
      Baking Powder
      Cornmeal
      Grits
      Vegetable Oil
      Sugar
      Brown Sugar
      Powdered Sugar
      Honey
      Spices (various but definitely Salt & Pepper)
      Peanut Butter
      Pasta Sauce (spaghetti sauce)
      Canned Tomatoes
      Pasta/Noodles
      Pickles
      Applesauce
      Cereal
      Popcorn
      Canned Green Beans (the only kind my hubs will eat)

      I’d run back out to get sugar, flour, oil (eggs or milk).

      My easiest pantry meal is Chicken & Rice Casserole.

      Reply
    12. Jen says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:55 am

      Besides baking essentials (flour, sugar, baking powder and soda) and several seasonings (cumin, cinnamon, Italian seasoning), I always have canned tomatoes, re-fried beans, tuna and pasta of some sort.

      Reply
    13. fairydust says

      March 17, 2010 at 10:27 am

      brown rice, pasta, canned broth, jar salsa, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, canned beans, dried beans, lentils, honey, tuna, soup, evap milk, green chiles, dried fruit, nuts, olive oil.

      Honestly, now that it’s just the hubs and me (or more recently just me), I can’t think of anything other than milk that I’d run to the store for, and probably not even that.

      Reply
    14. Allison says

      March 17, 2010 at 10:30 am

      canned tomatoes, canned black beans, chicken broth, rice (typically both brown and white), pasta, pasta sauce, soy sauce, cream of mushroom soup, baking mix, plus all the baking stuff like flour, sugar (brown, powdered, & granulated), vanilla, baking soda & powder, yeast

      My go-to meal is pasta & sauce (or something with the canned tomatoes) and I usually have a bag of frozen meatballs to throw in. Or we’ll have breakfast for dinner as a go-to meal, typically pancakes and eggs.

      Reply
    15. fairydust says

      March 17, 2010 at 10:36 am

      whoops, forgot a biggie — peanut butter!

      Reply
    16. Robin says

      March 17, 2010 at 10:38 am

      Flour
      Salt
      Pepper
      Italian Spices
      Spaghetti Sauce (which lately has been my own canned tomatoes)
      Spaghetti Noodles (preferably whole wheat)
      Egg Noodles (also preferably whole wheat)
      Tuna
      Mushroom Soup
      Canned Green Beans
      Canned Peas
      Canned Chicken
      Rice
      Taco Seasoning

      Now if we add in the fridge and Freezer…
      Hamburger (any kind)
      Eggs
      Milk
      and most important!! Cheese! (any kind)

      My off the cuff meal would be spaghetti or tuna noodle casserole.

      Reply
    17. Suz says

      March 17, 2010 at 10:43 am

      our fave pantry meal is California Baked Beans & Mac & Cheese

      requires 1# frozen pre-browned ground beef/chuck
      1 can baked beans
      ketchup
      brown sugar

      box of mac & cheese, margarine, milk

      can of green beans or corn for a veggie, boxed brownie mix baked up for dessert

      my kids & dh inhale it. every time.

      Reply
      • Kristine says

        March 17, 2010 at 11:19 am

        @Suz,

        AMEN on the brownie mix! We are always having a luncheon or some type of get together at work. When I forget to plan ahead, brownies are the easiest thing for me to bake!

        Reply
    18. Kristine says

      March 17, 2010 at 11:17 am

      All of my staples have already been covered, but some of my favorite pantry meals are:

      1. Taco bake: salsa, macaroni and cheese (from a box), and beef
      2. Shake n’ Bake: it can be adapted to whatever meat is on hand
      3. Canned tomatoes and rice will always make a meal if you have some chicken on hand.
      4. Of course spaghetti!
      5. I ALWAYS like to have a can of cream of chicken soup!! It can go with any kind of meat, then add a can of veggies and we have dinner!

      Reply
    19. Reid says

      March 17, 2010 at 11:32 am

      Cream of Chicken (or mushroom)
      wheat flour
      AP flour
      canned pumpkin (make homemade waffles for the kids)
      Flax seed meal (goes in waffles and alot of other stuff)
      Splenda
      coffee
      rice
      French onion and Beef consume soup (to whip up brown rice)
      different kinds of pastas
      speghetti sauce
      tomato sauce and paste
      diced tomatoes
      cheeses (ok, not pantry technically but always make sure we have some on hand)
      chicken broth
      chicken and beef boullion
      onions

      ok, I think that it he majority. And while there isn’t one specific ‘pantry meal’ I like to whip up, I always make sure I have Speghetti supplies on hand. And now that I make my kids’ waffles at home (to add protein in), I usually have all those things stocked as well. A double batch will last me two weeks. Love those!
      Thanks,

      Reply
    20. Marie @ Filling My Family says

      March 17, 2010 at 11:50 am

      I wrote a post answering your questions here: http://fillingmyfamily.blogspot.com/2010/03/maries-pantry-staples.html

      Reply
    21. Amy says

      March 17, 2010 at 12:24 pm

      HMMMM. Some of your readers have things in their pantries that I never buy – let alone stock regularly.
      My staples:
      salt/pepper/spices (especially no-salt seasoning)
      rice (different kinds)
      beans (canned & dried – different kinds) lentils & the like
      quinoa
      barley
      pasta
      canned tomatoes (paste/sauce/diced)
      potatoes (fresh – sweet & white)
      onions (fresh)
      canned mushrooms
      pasta sauce

      not unlike most of the other responders – pasta & sauce with a can of mushrooms is an “in a pinch” pantry meal. But I also can easily make your lentil bake – with just the addition of cheese.

      Reply
    22. Amy says

      March 17, 2010 at 12:29 pm

      I forgot
      Oatmeal
      olive oil
      & your basic baking supplies – flour, sugar (white & brown), baking powder, baking soda
      tea
      coffee

      & several baby/toddler foods that I hope we will start to phase out. Seriously for how long do you give them puffs/cheerios?

      Reply
    23. Kim says

      March 17, 2010 at 1:23 pm

      My pantry favorites have pretty much been covered, but one of my go-to meals would be risotto. 1 cup of arborio rice, 3-4 cups chicken broth, simmer, stir in whatever other stuff you have on hand at the end (veggies, meats, cheeses, pretty much anything goes) and you have a delicious one pot wonder!!

      Reply
    24. Jennifer says

      March 17, 2010 at 1:30 pm

      spaghetti sauce
      mozzarella cheese
      hot dogs
      bread
      milk
      taco bell dinner kit (DH doesn’t eat any other brand lol)
      Ground meat
      cereal (mommy just isn’t a morning persons)

      I will leave the house to buy just milk but the rest are things i will buy weekly if I don’t have any in the stockpile.

      Reply
    25. Shandra says

      March 17, 2010 at 1:50 pm

      flour,sugar, pastas,potatoes,tea, cream of mushroom and chicken.

      Will run out for sugar and potatoes

      Reply
    26. Jenn says

      March 17, 2010 at 3:05 pm

      All my standards have been covered. As long as you have canned tomato products, cream of X soup, rice, pasta, spices, oils and soya sauce you can always whip up something.

      My favorite totally pantry meals are tuna noodle casserole (tuna, noodles, cream of X soup, canned peas, onion flakes and dried dill – if not limited to just the pantry I’d rather use fresh onions and frozen peas and top with shredded cheese). Another all pantry meal is vegetarian chili – tomatoes, sauce, kidney beans, canned corn, onion flakes, chili powder and cumin. Adding ground beef and fried onions and green peppers makes it much better but it can be done completely from the cupboard.

      Reply
    27. Jenn says

      March 17, 2010 at 3:08 pm

      We all got hung up on the food and completely missed the most important item. COFFEE!

      Reply
      • Kristie Speakman says

        March 20, 2010 at 10:14 am

        @Jenn, If we were out of coffee I couldn’t even make it out to get more, I would have to send the husband!!!

        Reply
    28. www.commoncentshome.blogspot.com says

      March 17, 2010 at 3:18 pm

      Canned Soup (especially of the creamed varieties)
      powdered eggs
      sugar
      flour
      shortening
      rice
      dried beans
      whole wheat

      Those basics can create many meals for us!

      Reply
    29. Laura @ PARING DOWN says

      March 17, 2010 at 3:23 pm

      I would add Ro-tel tomatoes and Ranch-Style beans.

      Happy SP Day!

      Reply
    30. Tina says

      March 17, 2010 at 4:34 pm

      I need to show you a picture of mine. I all my baking items in a basket. So when I bake all i do is pull it out and ready to bake.

      Reply
    31. Hilary says

      March 17, 2010 at 4:57 pm

      I think the only thing I would run to the store for is milk. I grew up on a dairy farm and milk is essential for every meal.

      Pantry meal definitely pasta and sauce. We also make soup and sandwiches as a quick meal.

      Reply
    32. janet says

      March 17, 2010 at 5:39 pm

      My staples are all very similar to those listed. Honestly, I will not make a special trip for anything. I will work around what I have available.

      My “go- to” pantry meal is crock pot chili. Anything and everything can go into it and it is a fabulous, unique dish each time 🙂

      Reply
    33. Makenzie says

      March 17, 2010 at 6:17 pm

      I think you’ve got the pantry covered. My go to meal is taco soup. All from cans!! Love it!

      Reply
    34. Laura K. says

      March 17, 2010 at 6:18 pm

      In addition to what others have said…chocolate chips, raisins, honey, and oats.

      Reply
    35. Betsy says

      March 17, 2010 at 6:29 pm

      Rice is a big one for me, too. Salsa, coffee. I was thinking the other day–the only things I would run out for in an emergency would be coffee (for me) and milk (for my kids). Everything else can wait.

      My best pantry meal is probably beans and rice, with salsa and usually cheese.

      Reply
    36. Barbara(fast, fit, frugal, foodie says

      March 17, 2010 at 6:58 pm

      Im in agreement with many items above, the abosolutes “musts” I CANT do without are- salt(kosher preferably) extra virgin olive oil, canelloni beans, canned tunafish, whole wheat noodles, garlic cloves, canned diced tomatos. I can make many a meal out of those items, and very frugally(:

      Reply
    37. Barbara(fast, fit, frugal, foodie says

      March 17, 2010 at 6:58 pm

      Im in agreement with many items above, the abosolutes “musts” I CANT do without are- salt(kosher preferably) extra virgin olive oil, canelloni beans, canned tunafish, whole wheat noodles, garlic cloves, canned diced tomatos. I can make many a meal out of those items, and very frugally(:

      Reply
    38. Lou Ann says

      March 17, 2010 at 7:58 pm

      I am a bachelor living on unemployment benefits and when I am not I still living on a tight budget, so my pantry has easy stuff to make in a couple of minutes.
      Peanut Butter
      Soups
      Crackers
      Mac N Cheese
      Canned fruit
      Canned diced tomatoes
      Pasta
      Jar of spagetti sauce
      Oatmeal
      Seasonings –especially Natural Seasonings which has several seasonings in it. I can put that on anything from meat to salads
      Salad dressing
      Tuna
      Rice
      Rice a roni pasta
      Fruit cups
      Beans

      I would run back to the store mostly for tuna, pasta and fruit cups–for pantry.

      My favorite pantry meal seems to be a meal only people from Indiana know about. It is called macroni and tomato. It is very simple.

      Macroni or some other pasta of your chosing
      Can of diced tomatoes
      Margarine
      Salt
      Pepper

      You just boil water, put in elbow macroni or what ever pasta you want to use and cook it till it is done. Then drain the water from the macroni, add some margarine, add the whole can of diced tomatoes with the liquid, salt and pepper to taste and return the pot to the burner and cook till the tomatoes are warm. Then serve as a side dish. I like to use diced tomatoes with jalapenos in it. It makes it spicer and has more flavor.

      Reply
    39. Katharine says

      March 17, 2010 at 8:56 pm

      For my pantry: Canned beans, canned tomatoes, rice, pasta, canned corn – I always have the basics (salt, pepper, olive oil, spices, flour, etc.)
      I’d definitely go back for: Canned beans/canned tomatoes
      Go to meal: A fave for all of us – Beans and rice – with corn, diced tomatoes, lots of spices and salsa – yummy, quick and healthy!

      Reply
    40. Rachel says

      March 17, 2010 at 9:55 pm

      My go-to pantry meal has to be Tuna Burgers – 3 cans tuna, bread crumbs, mayo, dijon mustard, hot sauce, s/p. I cannot be without the ingredients for Tuna Burgers! They are extremely economical – especially when you can get tuna for less than $0.50/can.

      Reply
    41. Jen Hames says

      March 18, 2010 at 2:01 am

      I would probably go back for eggs and milk.

      And my “go-to” pantry meal is “rice stuff” – rice, canned tomatoes, some sort of canned beans, spices, and whatever veggies I have on hand.

      Reply
    42. Leann says

      March 18, 2010 at 9:00 am

      Must have
      Beef/Chicken Broth
      Chicken Breast
      Milk
      Eggs
      Cheese
      Flour
      Pancake mix
      Turkey Bacon
      Syrup
      Potatoes
      Bread

      Reply
    43. Becca says

      March 18, 2010 at 9:27 am

      I keep a 3 month supply of ready to go pantry foods in my house, so almost anything we eat can come from the pantry (especially if you include the freezer). That being said here is a rundown of meals we can make from the pantry:
      1. Soft Tacos (we don’t season the meat and we can use lentils or beans if we run out), cheese, Rotel and if we have it fresh spinach or lettuce
      2. Mac&Cheese. Nothing fancy here, my husband and toddler LOVE it from the box.
      3. Spaghetti with pasta sauce and parmesan cheese
      4. Tuna salad sandwiches
      5. Shepherd’s Pie (canned meat is ok in this, as is lentils instead of meat or mixed with meat; I have also made a version with chicken that was greatly enjoyed)
      6. Lentil and Rice Casserole
      7. Anything you can think of with rice in it, I can make from my pantry (including veggi sushi with scrambled eggs as the protien because we keep the seaweed wrappers in the pantry).

      I heavily rely on my pantry for cooking. The only time my pantry has not been stocked was when I made several months worth of freezer meals right before by baby was born. And now that he is 2 months old we have been stocking it up again. I haven’t even mentioned the super simple recipes like canned chili or soup and crackers (for those nights when 15 minutes is too long a wait for dinner).

      Reply
    44. knikki2000 says

      March 18, 2010 at 9:51 am

      My pantry is mostly covered already, but has to have:

      Rice – Brown and Arborio
      Tomatoes – Sauce, diced, and paste
      Green beans
      Tuna
      Mac and Cheese
      Pasta – Egg noodles, rice noodles, and spagehtti
      Pasta Sauce
      Baking stuff – flour, sugar, yeast, etc.
      Quinoa
      Beans – Black and kidney at a minimum, usually garbanzo and white and others as needed or on sale
      Spices – I have one cupboard full

      My go to meals are Hillbilly Housewife’s 5-can bean soup or mac and cheese with tuna and peas (always have these in the freezer)

      The only thing I will make a special trip to the store for is milk and that is only because I have a 21 month old at home who needs it every day. Even with milk we usually keep a coupld of boxes of LaLa brand shelf stable whole milk in the cupboard. It is about the wam price for a quart that we usually pay for a gallon, but I like to have one or tow in reserve incase we run out and can’t get to the store. Plus I buy it on sale so it is not so bad.

      Reply
    45. Rhonda Hall says

      March 18, 2010 at 9:53 am

      Staples have pretty well been covered but I keep canned chicken on hand and can make chicken enchillada casserole in a pinch..Layer tortilla chips in a 9x 13″ dish ,(mix in a bowl ) 2 cans of chicken, 1 can rotel tomatoes with chiles,1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 medium onion cut up, and 1 egg. pour on top of chips then add a layer of any kind of shredded cheese and bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes…Fast and Good!
      I would make a trip to the store for French Vanilla Creamer..Can’t have coffee without it!! Powered or liquid

      Reply
    46. Alyssa says

      March 18, 2010 at 3:41 pm

      Have you created the list yet? Will you be posting it here on the BLOG?

      Reply
      • Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says

        March 18, 2010 at 4:00 pm

        @Alyssa,

        Working on it! And yes, I hope to share it next week!

        Reply
    47. teresa says

      March 19, 2010 at 9:59 am

      In addition to what are the general basics for most folks, I always have:

      Canned Tuna in water
      canned black beans
      canned corn
      jar of yeast
      3 or 4 different styles of salsa
      misc canned veggies (canned due to health issues otherwise I would only have fresh)

      Yeast is probably the one ingredient I would make a special trip to the store for. This is besides eggs and milk.

      As long as I have tuna, butter, flour & milk, I can make Creamed Tuna. Served over either pasta, rice, or toast. That is my main pantry meal as my kids love it. My 20yo asks for it frequently and has made it into her one ‘go to’ meal when she is cooking for her boyfriends family.

      Reply
    48. Becky says

      March 19, 2010 at 11:01 am

      Most of the basics are covered, but I always have:
      1. AP flour (I buy in 25 lb bags from Sams)
      2. Bread flour (same, in 25 lbs bags, I bake my own bread)
      3. Yeast
      4. Kosher Salt
      5. Any baking supplies – baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, honey, brown sugar, powdered sugar, etc
      6. Old-fashioned oats
      7. Goldfish (my toddler’s favorite snack!)
      8. Pasta sauce or tomato sauce
      9. Pasta
      10. Dried beans
      11. Seasonings – taco seasoning and other spices
      12. Eggs
      13. Shredded cheese
      14. Butter
      15. Chocolate chips 🙂

      I also have to have some bananas on hand for snacks and there are always a few in the freezer for quick banana bread – also a favorite snack for the toddler and DH. I buy flour, honey, yeast and butter in bulk for bread making, pancakes, other baked goods and granola for cereal and for chewy granola bars. I PANIC when I’m low on flour, butter and eggs. 🙂 I can’t wait for the comprehensive list. My go to meals are usually in the freezer, but if nothing is there, we do pasta and sauce with homemade bread, butter and garlic salt (and cheese if we have it) under the broiler for garlic cheese toast. That is DIVINE. 🙂

      Reply
    49. The Prudent Homemaker says

      March 19, 2010 at 7:17 pm

      My pantry list:
      http://theprudenthomemaker.com/awellstockedpantry.aspx

      Two weeks worth of meals from pantry-only items:

      http://theprudenthomemaker.com/strictlypantry.aspx

      I don’t usually go to the store for just one item. I rarely have that luxury, as we’re often living from our pantry for months at a time!

      Reply
    50. Debbi says

      March 19, 2010 at 9:56 pm

      I shop at Costco and buy a lot of things in bulk. I feed about 12 people per week with daycare, sometimes more so we go through a lot of food. Items that I always have on hand, cream of chicken and mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, rotel, canned beans, mostly black and kidney but then I keep white, chickpeas, pinto and refried too. Pasta and noodles are a weekly meal for the kids. I buy my chicken and ground turkey in bulk and always have baggies of frozen chicken portions and portioned out ground turkey. I always have a variety of canned soups and canned pastas (spaghetti-o’s) when they are on sale and I can match up with coupons. I almost always have at least one can of artichokes, pumpkin and green chiles. Peanut butter of course. And syrup as we eat a lot of french toast and pancakes. I keep several kinds of vinegars, white, balsamic, red wine and apple cider. I always have canned fruit, usually in the big 10# cans that are much cheaper. Plus I keep a steady supply of ritz crackers and pretzels to subside the munchies. That’s just the cupboard items. In the frig, we always have brick colby jack cheese and salad lettuce. We always have ham and turkey lunch meat and a variety of veggies. Always apples on the counter and usually banana’s as well. Those are pretty much the items that are ALWAYS here. Hope this helped. Thanks!

      Reply
    51. Kellie says

      March 19, 2010 at 10:49 pm

      All of my pantry basics have been covered by previous posts except for one:

      Canned Salmon

      I make salmon patties (croquettes) with canned salmon, egg, bread crumbs and a few other ingredients. Delicious and nutritious!

      Reply
    52. Kellie says

      March 19, 2010 at 11:02 pm

      I would make a special trip to the store for eggs or coffee. My husband would make a special trip for orange juice. My children would for ice cream!

      Reply
    53. Stephanie says

      March 21, 2010 at 12:24 pm

      Here’s my list:

      pasta (thin spaghetti, elbows, rotini)
      spag. sauce (although I’m going to start making it after seeing your book)
      canned tomatoes (to throw into rice, etc)
      tuna
      soups
      boxed mac & cheese
      rice
      mustard
      ketchup (we go through this like water!)
      sandwich meat (usually ham & turkey)
      amer cheese (buy it in bulk @ costco)
      string cheese (for snacks….kids & me!)
      fat-free milk (my growing boy can’t get enough!)
      waffles (need to make my own, as my 7 yr old daughter eats them just about every day!)

      There is tons more, but these are the basics we use….I’m in the process of learning how to save more on groceries, and make more from scratch.

      Reply
    54. Debbie Fick says

      March 23, 2010 at 8:55 pm

      Dry onion soup mix and queen olives and crushed pineapple plus what’s covered by other peoples lists.

      Reply
    55. Julie says

      April 2, 2010 at 1:05 pm

      Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help someone build their pantry from scratch IF they only have $150 worth of food stamps a month and maybe $15/wk cash? These are some folks that just moved into housing that have been homeless for years.

      Reply
      • Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says

        April 2, 2010 at 2:38 pm

        @Julie,

        Can you teach them the basics of stockpiling…coupon matching with sale prices…to stretch that $15/week cash…turn that $15 into $30, $40, even $60!

        Reply
    56. Crystal in Cincinnati says

      October 19, 2010 at 7:36 pm

      I store dried fruits and vegetables that I always buy cheap,in bulk from several online sources. I also buy 25lb bags of tvp (textured vegetable protein) in various forms and flavors (sloppy joe mix, chili mix, beef chunks, chicken chunks, plain, ground beef, beef strips, ham, pepperoni, etc.) I also buy boxes (case) of Veggie Ribs, which are fantastic and made from wheat gluten flour. I do buy canned meat, such as salmon and tuna, but canned meat can be so expensive! I buy dried beans and lentils, mashed potato flakes, rice, pasta, jars of pasta sauce on sale and with coupon, buckets of flour and baking needs, and canned soups, fruits, vegetables and all the condiments I can store safely. Oh and also dried, powdered milk. When my husband lost his job one time, we were without income for about 3 months and had to use savings to pay the non-negotiable bills. Having a pantry that was so well-stocked meant that we may not have had fresh produce, but we ate very well just from the pantry. Having a freezer is great, but we had ours go out one year and lost a huge, full freezer of food. So frozen food storage isn’t always the best option.

      Reply
      • Angel Fowler says

        March 23, 2011 at 2:09 pm

        **Crystal in Cincinnati – I store dried fruits and vegetables that I always buy cheap, in bulk, from several online sources.**

        Can you share your online sources? Thanks!

        Reply
    57. Feifel says

      October 20, 2010 at 7:02 am

      On question about someone only having $150 a month in food stamps and low on cash, how can you help stock their pantry…here goes: Powdered Milk, rice, beans, Pam spray, cooking oil, canned salmon, canned mackeral, canned tuna, even canned spam, crackers, pasta, flour, corn meal,sugar, salt, pepper, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon. Frig and freezer speak for themselves. You always need eggs, margarine and milk. So having these basics in store will help them stretch their food allotment and give them quality meals and something to eat when food funds are almost out before next month. If you are helping, get them storage baggies and garbage bags as well. Something they always always need.

      Reply
    58. Feifel says

      October 20, 2010 at 7:05 am

      Sorry, on needed help with pantry, low income….left off mustard and ketchup, basic.

      Reply
    59. Molly says

      November 9, 2010 at 11:19 am

      I think the biggest staple in our pantry is Tony’s seasoning.. I use it on everything– meat, chicken, sausage, in gumbo, corn, potatoes.. Not much I don’t use it on actually!

      -Molly
      Antique Jewelry

      Reply
    60. Cherie Starlin says

      March 10, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      On low-income pantry – don’t forget bread! 5 basic grocery items to always check in case of winter storm watches & blizzards on way – laundry detergent, TP, bread, milk & eggs!!!

      Reply
      • HarleyGirl says

        March 4, 2014 at 7:10 pm

        I never buy store bought bread anymore. We got a bread machine (you can find them cheap at yard sales or on Craigslist) and we make our own bread now. For the cost of the ingredients, you can make many more loaves than you can buy. And you know exactly what is in the bread.

        Reply

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    I’m Erin Chase…

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