Need some inspiration for meals that are easy, delicious and that use a lot of what you probably already have on hand? Look no further than these 25 Easy and Delicious Family-Friendly Freezer and Pantry-Inspired Meals!
If you’re a regular reader of From A Chef’s Kitchen, then you know much of what I share is what I made by looking around my own refrigerator, pantry and freezer to see what I have on hand. I pair pantry ingredients with fresh seasonal ingredients and use up what’s hiding in my freezer for inspired meals.
I hope this collection of recipes from my own kitchen and from some fellow food bloggers inspires you to get creative with what you may already have on hand. All the recipes use minimal fresh ingredients but are still healthy-ish. Many of the fresh items called for can be substituted with frozen such as onions.
In addition, if you’ve stocked up on chicken, fish or other proteins, I’ve included recipes for those, too that use pantry items.
Try one of these or use them for inspiration! You may just end up with a new family favorite!
Soups and Stews
Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup with Ham is the perfect way to make black bean soup. Made with dried and canned black beans, spices and other simple ingredients you probably already have. My tips are guaranteed to get you tender beans every time!
Instant Pot Red Lentil Chili with Pumpkin and Black Beans will satisfy all the carnivores at the table, too. It’s heavily reliant on common canned pantry staples!
This easy and healthy Minestrone Soup is naturally vegan. Easily throw it together using pantry staples such as pasta and canned and frozen vegetables. It’s very kid-friendly, too!
This healthy, hearty, delicious Instant Pot Lentil Soup is an easy pantry recipe the whole family will love. Simply add all the ingredients and let the pressure cooker do the work! It can be made with pantry staples and some frozen veggies.
Comfort food at its finest, and an easy, hands-off dinner, Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is full of vegetables and all things good for you. It’s family-friendly, super simple to make, and super delicious.
Pasta
This Vegan Red Pepper Pasta features easy roasted sweet red pepper sauce tossed with Fettuccine and a simple Olive Gremolata. It’s a super quick and satisfying recipe that you can make on a whim. Perfect for lunch or late dinner.
This Mediterranean Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers and Artichokes is a quick and easy pasta dish that uses staples you probably already have in your panty.
Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet is an easy and festive stovetop dinner that's perfect for a weeknight! Your family will ask for it again and again!
Cheesy Chili Pasta is loaded with pasta, meat and of course plenty of cheese. This is a one-pot casserole the whole family is going to love
One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage comes together so quickly. Toss a bag of frozen broccoli in to make it a one-pot meal!
Weeknight dinner doesn’t get much easier than throwing together an easy tuna noodle casserole. This quick and classic recipe is so tasty and easy to customize.
Instant Pot Cannelini Beans with Penne, Baby Kale and Slow Roasted Tomatoes
Beat the heat and the time required to cook dried beans on the stove by using your Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker to get the job done in a fraction of the time! Instant Pot Cannelini Beans with Penne, Baby Kale and Slow Roasted Tomatoes uses those fiber and nutrient-rich beans in a super quick and easy pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights!
Vegetarian and Vegan
Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake is cheesy, delicious meatless comfort food even a carnivore will love and is super easy to prepare! Simply combine everything in a baking dish, pop it in the oven and let it bake away while you do other things.
Fiber-filled white beans, sweet canned or fresh tomatoes, and tangy feta make this Vegetarian Tomato Baked Beans with Feta Cheese an easy and healthy dinner loved by the whole family. Served with homemade parsley pesto, simply substitute with your favorite jarred pesto if you can't find any of the fresh stuff available.
Mouthwatering, delicious Vegan Sloppy Joes are the perfect addition to your vegan sandwich collection! Look no further to satisfy your craving for comfort food, with a healthy, vegan twist.
This Lentil Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole is a hearty, family-friendly comfort food casserole that combines vegetarian sloppy joes with Southern cornbread!
Main Course with Fish, Chicken and Meat
Baked Fish with Cherry Tomato-Olive Sauce and Lemon Chive Asiago Orzo makes an easy springtime dinner for two that rocks with flavor!
Curried Chickpea Encrusted Fish with Jalapeno Lime Tartar Sauce is the perfect crunchy nut-free topping! Roasted chickpeas make a great crispy, crunchy topping everyone can enjoy!
This New Orleans-inspired dish is one I've been making for clients for as long as I've been a personal chef and this recipe never fails to please!
Tuna Kimchi Cakes with Soy Ginger Dipping Sauce are crispy, delicious and full of flavor!
Cuban Style Mojo Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans is tropics-inspired with bright, citrusy flavor and it's easy enough for a weeknight!
Spice up the night with this easy and flavorful Indian-inspired dinner! Serve with plenty of brown basmati rice to soak up this flavorful sauce.
A healthy dish made with pantry staples either on the stovetop or pressure cooker that is affordable and freezer-friendly.
This delicious Cornbread Chili Casserole is a hearty meal for any time of year! Family-friendly and easy to make, everyone will love it!
Red Beans and Rice with Chorizo and Bell Pepper Saute is perfect fall Tex-Mex inspired comfort food that's still on the light side!
Tamara Andersen says
Such a timely post Carol! I couldn’t get stuff on my list Friday or today, so all these yummy ideas are very appealing!
Carol says
Thanks so much, Tamara! Yes, it’s definitely time to get creative! Hope you enjoy!