Your 7-day dinner plan: Pantry staples

Make the most of what you have on hand with these easy recipes made from pantry staples. We have a dinner idea for every day this week.
Published 7 July 2021 | Updated 17 October 2022

5 helpful pantry staples


Keeping a well-stocked pantry means you can transform just a few simple ingredients into tasty meals quickly and easily. Here’s five pantry ingredients to keep on hand:

  • Microwave rice
    Quick and convenient, microwave rice can be added to lunchtime salads and is perfect to serve with stir-fries and curries.
  • Wholemeal pasta
    Keep pasta on hand for quick and easy dinners, or try adding a handful to soups to make more filling meals.
  • Canned diced tomatoes
    Canned tomatoes can be used as the base for pasta sauces, curries, stews and soups.
  • Canned legumes
    Keep small cans on hand to add to lunchtime salads, and to bulk out soups and stews.
  • Rolled oats
    Not just for breakfast, add oats to smoothies for extra body, as a crunchy coating for meat or use in healthy sweets such as bliss balls and muffins.


Enjoy these fuss-free, quick and healthy recipes that can be made with no more than five main ingredients and just a few kitchen staples.