Our 10 Essential (and Inexpensive) Foods You Should Always Have in Your Pantry
PLUS the 5 Spices and Seasonings You MUST Have
- Bread
Whether it is a loaf of white Italian bread or sprouted grain whole wheat bread, we ALWAYS have bread in the house. You can eat it for any meal and it can change any food into a sandwich. It is also easy store.
- Milk
This includes cow’s milk and any other type of milk that you like/your dietary restrictions allow. We keep milk in the fridge to cook with, drink, dip our Oreos in, and most importantly put in our coffee.
- Eggs
We always think it is an egg-cellent idea to have eggs in the fridge. They have an infinite numbers of uses and are a good source of protein with any meal.
- Pasta
Pasta of any shape or size. They could be bowties, penne, angel hair, linguini, etc. As long as you can boil it, a simple and delicious meal is in your reach.
- Onions/Garlic
So technically these are two ingredients, HOWEVER they are your most important flavor bases to many recipes. They can be used to enhance meats, starches, vegetables, etc.
- Chicken
Chicken is the easiest and most versatile meat you can buy. It is the cheapest and most readily available. You can fry it, bake it, braise it, boil it, saute it, and it can be used with all different spices, seasonings, and sauces.
- Rice
Rice is an easy staple food that you can make in the beginning of the week and can be incorporated into many of your lunches and dinners throughout the week. It is cheap and easy to make!
- A frozen vegetable
Always have a frozen bag of your favorite vegetable in the freezer. This makes including a vegetable into your daily diet that much easier. We suggest broccoli and spinach as household staples.
- Cheese
We always at least different types of cheeses in the fridge. Our personal favorites are mozzarella and American cheese. They can easily be incorporated into any meal or eaten as a snack!
- Olive Oil
A little EVOO is good for the soul and is definitely good for flavor. It can be used in a variety of recipes or used in pans and pots to create nonstick surfaces.
Spices and Seasonings
- Salt and Pepper
- Adobo
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Soy Sauce
- Chicken Broth