Is it just me or does last week feel like a lifetime ago? Many of us are at staying home, doing our part to flatten the curve. Our locations are intentionally separate, but we are still working together. Over the last few days, I’ve heard from many of you who are scrambling to adjust your meal plan to cook from shelf-stable ingredients and freezer items. During this time of disruption and uneasy feelings, I hope this post will be a resource to help you find healthy, delicious recipes that use pantry staples and freezer-friendly ingredients.

While putting together this post, I was pleasantly surprised to find that DOZENS of my existing easy, healthy recipes use mostly (if not only!) pantry, basic refrigerator, and freezer items. Further, many recipes that don’t rely heavily on these items can be easily adapted to use what you do have on hand.As we adjust to this new, unfamiliar phase of life, I’m happy to report that making yummy, healthy recipes that the entire family will love is still attainable. I hope these recipes help alleviate some stress and enable you to find comfort in the kitchen with those nearest to you.
Below, I’ve grouped recipes by common pantry and freezer ingredients. You’ll find dozens of healthy dinners and lunches. Because there are few happy distractions like baking, I also included a selection of my favorite wholesome baked goods and easy desserts. I think we could all use a warm, cozy muffin and a matching cookie right about now, don’t you?
Healthy Recipes from Pantry and Freezer Ingredients
I’ve grouped the recipes by common pantry and freezer ingredients, but you’ll find some overlap (many recipes use ingredients from multiple categories, for example). Don’t be afraid to make adjustments based on what you have on hand. You can often swap one vegetable for another, use frozen vegetables instead of fresh, or change up the type of beans the recipe calls for, to name but a few examples.
When in doubt, you can always leave a comment on the corresponding recipe post, and I’ll do my best to respond within a day.
Scoped out this list and can’t find what you are looking for? Feel free to use the search bar at the top of the page, or browse my full recipe index, which groups the recipes into dozens of helpful categories. You can also search recipes by specific ingredient.
Rice
Rice is one of the most versatile pantry staples. Rice can be used to make stir fries, burrito-style bowls, casseroles, soups, and so much more!
- Homemade Fried Rice
- Sausage and Rice Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup
- Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Instant Pot Mexican Casserole
- Crock Pot Chicken and Rice
- Golden Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Fiesta Chicken
- Mexican Chicken and Rice
- Healthy Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
- Crock Pot Mexican Casserole
Beans
Beans are a powerhouse when it comes to healthy pantry recipes. They’re filled with protein and fiber, which help keep you full, and taste deliciously creamy once cooked. Most of the recipes below call for canned beans. You also can the beans yourself from dried, then swap them in for recipes that call for canned beans.
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- 15 Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Refried Beans
- Crock Pot Pinto Beans
- Tofu Tacos
- Instant Pot Black Beans
- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Chili
- Freezer Breakfast Quesadilla
- Slow Cooker Turkey Quinoa Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans
Lentils
If you’re looking for a pantry staple that’s low in calories and high in protein, lentils are your answer! Lentils add wonderful body to soup and curry recipes and bring hearty, filling protein to vegetarian recipes. They’re also quick cooking.
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup
- Crockpot Lentil Soup
- Red Lentil Curry with Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Lentil Curry
- Lentil Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Red Lentil Cauliflower Curry
- Lentil Mushroom Stroganoff
Pasta
A classic pantry staple that the entire family loves! These pasta recipes include mainly simple and shelf-stable or frozen ingredients, but they’re also easily adaptable to whatever you have on hand. I like to use whole wheat pasta for maximum nutritional benefits.
- Adult Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Broccoli Ziti
- Pressure Cooker Beef and Noodles
- Crock Pot Pasta
- Taco Pasta
- Mediterranean Pasta
- Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Crockpot Tortellini Soup
- Penne Alla Vodka with Chicken
- Crock Pot Tomato Soup
- Turkey Bolognese
Frozen Vegetables
Frozen veggies are one of my favorite items to stock up on and use in healthy recipes. This list has ideas for using them in pasta, pot pies, soups, or roasted on their own.
- Roasted Frozen Broccoli
- Roasted Frozen Brussels Sprouts
- Healthy Chicken Pot Pie
- Quinoa Fried Rice
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
- Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Crockpot Beef Stew
- Crock Pot Hamburger Soup
- Chicken and Biscuits
Pantry Baking: Simple Breakfasts and Desserts
During these anxious times, nothing warms my soul quite like a scrumptious baking recipe. I especially love when that recipe is also filled with wholesome, simple ingredients that I already have in my pantry. I hope you’ll try one of these comforting recipes soon and that it will bring a smile to your face!
- Healthy Banana Muffins
- Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Healthy Peanut Butter Cookie
- Chocolate Hummus
- Vegan Pancakes
- Pumpkin Oatmeal
- Chocolate Mug Cake
- Vegan Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Banana Bread
- Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
- 2 Ingredient Homemade Hot Chocolate
- Edible Cookie Dough
- 2 Ingredient Quinoa Chocolate Bark
Freezer-Friendly Recipe Ideas
In addition to searching for recipes by specific pantry or freezer ingredient, I know many of you are also seeking all-around recipes that you can generally make ahead and freeze.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of meal categories that are generally very freezer-friendly. Click on any category to view the recipes within it. From there, choose a recipe that looks good to you. In that recipe’s post, wherever possible I’ve listed specific tips on freezing and reheating it.
- Soups, Stews, and Chilis
- Pastas
- Stir Fries
- Slow Cooker
- Instant Pot
- Chicken Recipes<—I know that it’s hard to get ahold of boneless, skinless chicken breasts right now (at least it is near us!). Most of these can be made with chicken thighs, which are also lean and especially delicious in the slow cooker as they are less likely to dry out than chicken breasts.
- Vegetarian Recipes<—You don’t need meat for a fabulous, filling meal. Many of these are freezer friendly.
- Casseroles
I’m here to be a resource for you! Be sure to join The Well Plated Community Facebook Group, where we will be sharing even more healthy pantry recipe ideas. If you have a specific request, feel free to leave it in the comments section below.
Yes, it feels like last week was ages ago! Last Friday, I cut my long-time long hair, to donate two 15-inch ponytails to Wigs For Kids. They are a Westlake, Ohio organization that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair. I hope to encourage others to do the same. ?
Thank you so much for this overview of ideas for meals from the pantry and freezer, which should prove helpful to all of us. Cooking and baking is good therapy! ?
Carolyn, that is so touching and generous of you! Thank you for sharing <3 Stay safe and healthy!!
I love this post! I have cooked many of these recipes already, but to have them indexed like this is super! I will bookmark this entry for when I’m in a hurry.
Thank you so much for this kind comment, Nancy! I hope it’s helpful for you!
Thank you for this post, Erin! Lentil soup is on the stovetop as I type. We have already enjoyed so many of your recipes this week. Looking forward to many more in the weeks ahead. Take care.
Thank you for this kind comment, Amy! I hope the soup was a hit!
Lentil soup was delicious! Tonight’s meal is Vegetarian Pot Pie topped with Easy Drop Biscuits.
YAY! I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying these recipes, Amy!
Thank you for this round up! For your sausage and rice casserole, do you know if it would work with frozen brown rice?
Hi Steph! I’ve never tried it with frozen brown rice, but you could experiment. If you want to try it, I would suggest sautéing the meat and vegetables in one skillet (you can drain the tomatoes first, then add them to the sausage and peppers at the end, heating until most of their liquid evaporates) and cooking the rice separately as directed on the package. Then, combine the two at the end with a bit of extra chicken stock as needed if the mixture is too dry. Again, I haven’t tried the recipe this way, but that is my best suggestion!
Can you freeze the sausage and rice casserole?
Definitely, Stacey! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Just wanted to thank you for your freezer meals recipes. I wanted to make small meals to share with those that don’t have the resources that I am blessed with. Please stay safe and know how much your web site means to others. God bless.
Thank you.
This MADE my day, Wanda! Thank you for sharing this kind and thoughtful comment!
Hi, Erin, I’m trying to decide about buying your cookbook. I’ve borrowed it from the library two times! I have two questions tho’ 1. I read somewhere that evoo shouldn’t be used at high heat. Thoughts? 2. If I substitute full fat Greek yogurt for the nonfat version you used, will the result be awful? I’m finally learning to cook at 57 years old and your cookbook makes the most sense to me. Thank you!
Best wishes!
Susan
Hi Susan! So glad you are following along and thanks for your support with the cookbook. I don’t really have any thoughts about the extra-virgin olive oil. I stand by the way I use it in my recipes because I test every recipe multiple times and you are getting the final, tested product. It would be really hard for me to give a standard answer concerning substitutions for ingredients across the board. It would really be based on specific recipes. Normally though, I encourage anyone who does substitutions for any recipe that if you are not finding it in the description, tips or suggestions that they would be experimenting and I am always open to hear your feedback! Hope this helps and thank you!