Simple Recipes with Basic Ingredients

Searches for pantry staple recipes, depression era recipes, and recipes for hard times are increasing as we face trying to cook with what we already have during self-isolation.

Although what one person may have on hand in their pantry will be different from another person, these simple recipes using basic ingredients will give you some ideas for how you can use the ingredients you have on hand. For more tips, read Pantry Basics: Easy Recipes Using What You Have On Hand.

Spoonful of beef and beans garnished with green onion.

BBQ Beans with Beef (30 Minutes)

Tangy and delicious, BBQ Beans with Beef is an easy stovetop meal that you can have on the table in under thirty minutes. Simple ingredients and easy prep make this barbecue beef and beans a great option for a busy night.

Cheesy Tuna Casserole

Cheesy Tuna Casserole is easy, yummy family fare that goes from pantry to table in under 30 minutes. It's easy comfort food that is affordable and kid-friendly!

Chipped Beef Gravy

We love to have breakfast for dinner at our house, and one of our favorites is biscuits and gravy. This creamy chipped beef gravy is delicious over homemade buttermilk biscuits or soft rolls, or you can serve it over toast.

Easy Frozen Burrito Casserole

My frozen burrito casserole recipe starts with store-bought burritos, but with its delicious sauce and gooey melted cheddar cheese topping, no one will know it's a shortcut recipe! Using this frozen burrito hack is super easy, but this meal is so tasty it will actually become a family favorite!

Ground beef, corn, peas, diced tomotoes, and ramen noodles on a white plate.

Easy Skillet Ramen

Tomatoes, corn, peas, and ground beef perk up ramen noodles in this easy one-pan dish.

A spoonful of cooked pinto beans topped with shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro. Below the spoon is a bowl with a handle on a wooden cutting board and there is a yellow and white napkin on the edge of the cutting board. The bowl is full of cooked pinto beans topped with diced onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and cilantro.

Pinto Beans Over Cornbread

Pinto beans over cornbread is a frugal, filling, and flavorful meal.

Closeup of a spoonful of potato soup with kielbasa garnished with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onion held above a crock of the soup.

Crockpot Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup

This easy crockpot potato soup with hash browns means less prep. Just slice the kielbasa and dice the onion, combine everything in the crockpot, and turn it on for a ready-to-eat evening meal.

White chowder with sausage slices and corn, with a parsley garnish in a red bowl with a blue stripe

Smoked Sausage Corn Chowder

Serve this quick and easy sausage and corn chowder with crusty bread for dipping.

Chicken Fried Rice

This Chicken Fried Rice is an authentic recipe that I learned to make when we lived in Japan. It can be made with most any meat, or you can make it vegetarian.

Quick & Easy Black Beans and Rice

This quick stovetop Black Beans and Rice can be made in the time it takes to cook the rice. Adjust the spices to your taste by using salsa that is hot or mild, or add a chopped jalapeno to the pepper and onion.