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There’s something deeply reassuring about having a stocked pantry. Like, sure, everything might be a little unhinged out there—but I’ve got black beans and jasmine rice, so we’re fine. Maybe it’s a mom thing, a grandma thing, or just a comfort-in-being-prepared thing, but when the shelves are full, my life feels a little more under control.
We all have those go-to ingredients that we rely on to feel like we’re on top of things. Maybe they help us whip up dinner in 12 minutes flat. Maybe they just make us feel like we could, if we actually wanted to. Either way, here are the five things I always have on hand—and some other great suggestions if you’re building up your own pantry stash.
1. Pasta and Rice (Staples of My Sanity)
Elbow, penne, jasmine, basmati—one of each, minimum. Pasta and rice are my fallback plan, my comfort food, my love language. Bonus points if you also have pesto, a pat of butter, or a sprinkle of parmesan. They stretch, they adapt, they feed a crowd (or just me, twice).
2. Peanut Butter (or Other Nut Butter)
I don’t care how old I get, peanut butter stays. It’s nostalgic, it’s got some protein, is healthy fat-packed, and is one of the few things that requires zero prep. A spoonful is a snack, a meal, or a cry-for-help depending on the day (LOL). Plus you can make sauces, sandwiches, and sweet treats with it. It’s an all-around winner!
3. Chicken and Beef Broth (or Bouillon Cubes)
Even if you’re not making soup, broth sneaks its way into everything—grains, sauces, casseroles, one-pot meals. I like the kind in cartons, but I’ll also keep bouillon cubes on-hand because they last forever and make me feel like a real authentic grandma, since that what mine always used.
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Pantry List
4. Beans
Black, pinto, Great Northern (my new fave)—whatever’s on sale. Beans are my backup protein, my meatless-Monday go-to, and a staple in my meal prep lineup. I may not batch-cook like a pro, but I do have a system—and beans always make the cut. They’re ready when you are and way more versatile than they get credit for. This is one of my favorite meal prep recipes with beans.
5. Oats
I used to think oats were just for oatmeal, but they’re actually shockingly versatile. Granola, cookies, smoothies, breading for chicken, random muffins when I’m trying to be “healthy”—they’re the unsung hero of the shelf and I end up using them ALL THE TIME.
Other Pantry Must-Haves (if you’re restocking or maybe you just love lists as much as I do):
Pantry List
I don’t really think a well-stocked pantry will solve all of life’s problems—but it certainly does help with dinner, and sometimes that’s enough, haha. If you’re looking to organize your pantry while you’re stocking/restocking, you’ll want to read this post. So now you tell me, what are your go-to pantry items? I’m super nosy and I’m always looking to expand my own list. 😁
