You'll never worry about what's for dinner again
What you need for last-minute meals
Even if you’re not the type to leave dinner until the last minute, everyone has those days. Stock the essential ingredients below so that when you’re in a pinch, you can still throw a delicious—and easy—dinner together.
In your pantry
- Bread (buns, loaves, pitas and Old El Paso tortillas)
- Pasta
- Rice
- Cereal
- Canned beans
- Canned meats (chicken, salmon, tuna)
- Canned tomatoes
- Pasta sauce (Alfredo and spaghetti)
- Tomato paste
- Canned broth (beef, chicken and vegetables)
- Soup (canned or dry)
- Peanut butter
- Pickles and olives
- Ketchup, mustard and mayo
- Salsa and chips
- Soy and marinating sauces
- Hamburger Helper
- Vegetable oil (canola and olive)
- Vinegar
In your spice rack
- At a minimum: garlic powder, basil, oregano, thyme, curry, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaves, ground red pepper
In your fridge:
- Cheese, such as cheddar, cottage, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Parmesan
- Milk
- Eggs
- Packaged salad greens
- Fruit juice
- Sour cream
- Butter or margarine
- Yogurt
In your freezer:
- Ground beef or turkey
- Chicken (boneless skinless breasts)
- Ice cream or frozen yogurt
- Fruit juice concentrate (lemonade and orange)
- Green Giant vegetables
- Berries (for smoothies and desserts)
- Bread crumbs (for stuffing and breading fish)
What can you make with these ingredients?
Try Easy-oven enchiladas, Turkey and broccoli pasta or Fiesta chicken, to name a few.