These are the pantry and fridge staples I reach for almost every night when I’m cooking simple meals — soups, casseroles, quick sides, and easy weeknight dishes. Keeping these on hand makes dinner so much easier (especially on busy days!). Not affili...
Sections
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Pantry Basics for Quick Dinners
Cozy Seasonings I Use Constantly
Freezer Staples for Easy Weeknights
My “Comfort Meal” Add-Ins
Quick Flavor Boosters
Pantry Basics for Quick Dinners
These are the everyday pantry staples I reach for when I need something fast, cozy, and comforting. They’re simple, reliable ingredients that make weeknight meals come together with almost no effort.
My favorite neutral, high-heat cooking oil — perfect for quick dinners.
100% Pure Avocado Oil | Cooking Oil
Adds instant cozy flavor to soups, sauces, and casseroles.
Better Than Bouillon
My go-to base for quick bowls, skillet meals, and leftover makeovers.
Jasmine Rice
Great for pasta dishes, quick sauces, or hearty comfort meals.
Canned Tomatoes
A tiny bit that brings big flavor to soups, stews, and sauces.
Tomato Paste
Adds fast, savory flavor to veggie bowls, stir-fries, and marinades.
Soy Sauce
A little splash brings depth to casseroles, soups, and skillet meals.
Worcestershire Sauce
Perfect protein for last-minute meals — no prep needed.
Canned Chicken
Easy, comforting, and perfect for soups or casseroles. A true weeknight lifesaver.
Pasta
Cozy Seasonings I Use Constantly
My go-to spices that make everything taste a little more homemade. These give quick meals better flavor, without any extra work — perfect for soups, casseroles, and busy nights.
Adds quick flavor to everything without chopping.
Garlic Powder
Perfect for soups, dips, casseroles, and seasoning blends.
Onion Powder
A simple way to make any dinner cozy and aromatic.
Italian Seasonings
Adds warmth and depth to soups, chicken, and skillet meals.
Smoked Paprika
A soft finishing touch for soups, stews, and casseroles.
Dried Parsley
Fresh pepper makes even simple meals taste better.
Pepper Grinder
Adds a little warmth to one-pot meals and cozy soups.
Cajun Seasonings
Freezer Staples for Easy Weeknights
These freezer items save me on the nights when I’m tired or low on groceries. They’re easy add-ins that make dinners heartier, faster, and a lot more comforting.
My shortcut for soups, rice bowls, and quick stir-fries.
Birds Eye Steamfresh Frozen Mixed Vegetables
Perfect for casseroles, pastas, and creamy comfort meals.
Frozen Peas
A lifesaver when you’re tired — all the flavor, none of the chopping.
Frozen Seasoning Blend
Great for pastas, sheet pans, and creamy baked dishes.
Frozen Broccoli
Quick protein that transforms into everything from soups to casseroles.
Ground Sausage
Quick protein that transforms into everything from soups to casseroles.
Ground Turkey
Easy, cozy sides for soups and pasta nights.
Dinner Rolls Frozen
My “Comfort Meal” Add-Ins
These are the creamy, cozy ingredients that turn simple dishes into comforting weeknight meals. They’re my favorite little boosters for soups, casseroles, and skillet dinners.
Adds creamy, cozy texture to casseroles and bakes.
Cream Of Chicken Soup
Melts beautifully into soups and skillet meals.
Cream Cheese
Adds tangy creaminess to casseroles and sauces.
Sour Cream
Instant comfort for baked dishes, soups, and pasta.
Shredded Cheese
The fastest way to make a meal feel hearty.
Rotisserie Chicken Hot
Perfect for topping casseroles or thickening soups.
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Quick Flavor Boosters
Fast, flavorful add-ins that make dinner taste special — even when you’re rushing. These little jars and packets add warmth, depth, and cozy flavor in seconds.
Convenient and adds instant homemade flavor to any dish.
Minced Garlic
Turns pasta or veggies into a full meal in minutes.
Jarred Pesto
Sweet heat that’s delicious on chicken, veggies, or bowls.
Hot Honey
A cozy, familiar flavor for casseroles and dips.
Ranch Packet
Quick weeknight flavor for bowls, wraps, and skillets.
