12 Easy Dinners You Can Make with Pantry Staples

When you’re staring at a pantry full of canned goods and wondering what’s for dinner, these recipes are your lifesaver. They rely on pantry staples you likely already have, along with some other ingredients.

They’re budget-friendly too, making the most of what’s in your pantry without requiring a big grocery haul.

1. Chicken Tortilla Casserole

This layered casserole brings together rotisserie chicken, salsa verde, and Monterey Jack cheese for an easy dinner. The tortillas hold up beautifully during baking, while the creamy chicken mixture infused with tangy salsa verde creates a dish the entire family will love.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Casserole

2. Lentil Potato Soup

Brown lentils and chunky potatoes simmer together with cumin and smoked paprika for a filling soup. The key is cooking everything low and slow so the lentils become tender without turning mushy, while the potatoes hold their shape perfectly.

Get the Recipe: Lentil Potato Soup

3. Cornflake Chicken Nuggets

These crispy nuggets get their golden crunch from a coating of crushed cornflakes mixed with panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. A splash of pickle juice in the egg wash adds a subtle tang that makes these much more interesting than your average chicken nuggets.

Get the Recipe: Cornflake Chicken Nuggets

4. Chicken Spaghetti

This one-skillet dish combines spaghetti with shredded chicken in a creamy sauce made from Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, and Colby Jack cheese. The dish gets finished under the broiler for a bubbly, golden top that’s absolutely irresistible.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti

5. Oven Pork Chops

Just four simple ingredients come together to create this tasty dinner. Boneless pork chops get smothered in a sauce made from cream of mushroom soup for a meal that’s on the table in 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Oven Pork Chops

6. Dutch Oven 7 Can Soup

This dump-and-go soup combines beans, corn, Rotel tomatoes, and fiesta nacho cheese sauce for a hearty meal that tastes like a cross between chili and tortilla soup. Everything goes into one pot with no draining required, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven 7 Can Soup

7. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Three ingredients and a slow cooker create the most versatile shredded chicken you’ll ever make. Chicken breasts, salsa, and taco seasoning transform into tender, flavorful meat that’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or piling over baked potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

8. Chicken Noodle Casserole

All the comforting flavors of chicken noodle soup get transformed into a bubbly casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. The homemade cream sauce coats everything, making for a satisfying meal you’ll want to add to your rotation.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole

9. Chili

This flavor-packed chili delivers plenty of protein per serving thanks to ground beef, black beans, and kidney beans. Unsweetened cocoa powder adds richness and depth while keeping the heat level kid-friendly.

Get the Recipe: Chili

10. Tuna and Rice Casserole

This 30-minute casserole proves that canned tuna can be the star of a satisfying dinner. Basmati rice gets mixed with tuna, corn, and a simple egg-milk mixture, then topped with melted cheddar cheese for a meal that’s cheap to make.

Get the Recipe: Tuna and Rice Casserole

11. Chickpea Curry

This curry transforms canned chickpeas into something extraordinary with warming spices like cumin, garam masala, and fresh ginger. The creamy coconut milk base balances the spices perfectly, while fresh tomatoes add brightness to every spoonful.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Curry

12. Tex-Mex Chicken Rice Skillet

This one-pot recipe cooks jasmine rice right in the skillet with chicken, black beans, and peppers for a complete meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. The rice absorbs all the flavors from the chicken broth and spices, while frozen corn adds sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Chicken Rice Skillet