Having a well-stocked pantry helps me save money and helps me put meals on the table every day! Because I keep a core inventory of the same items, I know to purchase multiples of these things when they are at their rock bottom price. I never have to pay full price for my pantry essentials! When it’s time to plan my menu, I can use these ingredients as the starting point and fill in with what’s in my fridge and freezer in addition to anything else that might be on sale that week.
We eat a pretty simple fare (read: I’m married to a super picky eater), so my pantry might be a little more basic than yours. Still, this is what works for us!
Vegetables/Sauces
- canned green beans
- canned black beans
- red pasta sauce
- canned tomatoes
Carbs
- brown rice/white rice
- spaghetti noodles
- short pastas like penne
- macaroni and cheese
- rice sides like Uncle Ben’s or Knorr
- tortilla chips
- Ritz crackers
- whole wheat bread
Baking
- peanut butter
- canned pumpkin
- yellow cake mix
- Ghirardelli brownie mix
- quick cooking or old fashioned oats
- semi sweet chocolate chips
Breakfast
- instant oatmeal
- granola bars
- pancake/waffle mix
- cereal
- coffee
- tea bags
Staples (other than items like flour, sugars, salt)
- taco seasoning
- ranch seasoning
- olive oil
- nonstick spray
- honey
- bread crumbs
- chicken & beef bouillon
Seasonings
- garlic & onion powder
- garlic salt
- paprika
- chili powder
- italian seasoning
- parsley
- cinnamon
Do you have a list of pantry essentials (whether in your head or on paper)? What’s something you can’t live without?
Come Home For Comfort 
I have many of your essentials, but I’m guessing my tea supply far exceeds yours. 😉 My tea hoard is way too big, but I won a bunch of it. Love my tea so much! That’s my must-have. Also on-hand are canned fruits, tuna (for sandwiches) and soups, along with cheddar Goldfish crackers (so good!).
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I have two different flavors of tea (one black and one herbal), so I’m sure you’re winning the tea stash competition! 🙂 Love tuna, but I don’t always keep it on hand. I should work on that!
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My tea collection has grown over the years, as I used to only have a green tea and a black. After receiving gifts of tea, I have a ton now. The best thing about tea is that it doesn’t go bad very easily, so it lasts and lasts! 🙂
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That’s me – I have a green and a black tea and I’m good!
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We keep a lot of these same staples on hand! I also love the Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad mixes! (Especially the bacon ranch flavor.) In addition to the mayonnaise that is required, I perk it up by adding canned chicken, canned black olives and canned diced tomatoes. It’s a quick, complete meal entirely made of pantry staples. 🙂
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Love Suddenly Salad!! Just ran out, so need to replenish my supply. It’s a sad summer cupboard without that!
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Yes! I love those too – they are great to take to parties or get-togethers!
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We have very similar stock piles. I usually always by double when it’s 2 for $XX. It keeps us stocked and I can pull from our pantry to make any meal, any day of the week.
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You’re so smart to stock up when things are on sale!
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Great lists! I love stocking up when things are on sale and knowing that I’ve got options for all meals/snacks in our pantry. We have a lot of the same staples. I always have a blueberry muffin mix, pancake mix & syrup, pretzels, seasoned salt, honey mustard, nuts and quick rise yeast packets. I just restocked several must have items today and it feels good knowing that I’m set for a while 🙂
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I used to always keep blueberry muffin mix on hand – I need to pick up a few of those!
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I’m married to a picky eater too! I have a list in my head, but have been wanting to make a list. I’ll use yours as a guide. Thanks!
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Cooking for a picky eater makes pantry stocking pretty simple, doesn’t it? Ha!
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I don’t think I could ever do this post because I would just have to copy your list exactly, lololol! Nailed it!
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Ha! Be my guest!
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