Pantry Staple Favorite Recipes

Cacio e Pepe

This easy weeknight dinner is the first thing I think of when that dreaded question floods my mind at 5:00 on a Tuesday…”what am I going to make for dinner tonight?” (insert cold sweat and mild panic) I ALWAYS have everything I need for this dish on hand and can easily pair it with my super simple garlic bread and a toss together bean salad.

Sheet Pan Nachos

Nachos on a sheet pan has become one of our favorite family dinners. First, it’s quick: from start to finish, you can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. Second, it’s easy: there are literally three steps, and you can mix or match any toppings that your heart desires. Chop and prep any items, mix with some seasoning (I love Trader Joe’s Chile Lime, or Tajin which can be found at most grocery stores) or just layer on the pan and let it cook. Perfect for any worn out evening, last minute dinner plan for the family, or an afternoon snack.

Mac + Cheese

Homemade Macaroni  and Cheese is one of those from-scratch dishes that is always worth the extra time; in about half and hour you can have a meal that puts the boxed stuff to shame. The key is a classic white sauce, or bechamel, the base for the creamy cheese sauce that the noodles will swim in. Once you learn how to make a bechamel, you can make creamy sauces for life. And making one is incredibly simple. For me, the success of this dish rests entirely on the combination of cheeses and finding the right balance of nutty, salty, and creamy. For years, my winning combination has been sharp cheddar, Muenster, and Parmesan. The resulting sauce isi crazy delicious.

Creamy Tomato Feta Soup

Creamy tomato soup is one of my all time favorites. This updated take on tomato soup has all of the traditional flavors of tomato soup with the addition of feta cheese and a healthy dose of basil. Those additions really bring a mediterranean feel to the dish that is SO GOOD. It’s creamy meets comfortable in a bowl with a dash of personality.

Spaghetti Carbonara 

Usually “spaghetti” means pasta with sauce at our house. Not any more!

I can’t quit this recipe lately. This Spaghetti Carbonara can be made start to finish in under 15 minutes and looks real pretty on a dinner plate. I use my favorite chopped pancetta from @traderjoes, along with spaghetti, eggs, parmesan, and a little lemon zest to finish things off. You’ll have a restaurant style dish in no time!

Thai Coconut Ramen Soup

Resorting to ramen for a quick meal doesn’t have to be a sad cliché anymore. With the addition of some healthy toppings and a tasty broth, you can really transform this stereotypical college kid meal into an impressive weeknight dinner. During the chilly autumn and winter months, you definitely can’t go wrong with a comforting noodle soup! I especially like throwing this together when I’m feeling a little under the weather because the spicy broth helps to clear congestion and can help soothe the throat, and ginger is known for various health benefits as well.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

What I love most about this recipe is how fresh the ingredients are! The thought of black beans and sweet potatoes going well together never even crossed my mind. Then I was served a black bean and sweet potato taco and I was hooked! I knew I needed to turn this combination into as many meals as I could think of but this one was by far my favorite. There’s nothing like loading a potato up for a delicious filling meal. It’s one of those meals that leaves you full and satisfied but still feeling good and light afterwards. But the best part about it is it can be totally customizable. You can add any other toppings you want to make it your own!

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata on a weeknight? At home? Yes please! This is one of those recipes everybody should know how to make, it seems way fancier than it actually is but I promise it’s super simple. I always have the ingredients on hand so I can make this delicious recipe at the drop of a hat!

Instant Pot Risotto

If you’re a fan of risotto, an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot might just be necessary. I LOVE risotto, but rarely make it because of the care and time it takes to cook it successfully. Made with the IP it couldn’t have been any easier. Arguably one of my favorite flavor trios, the Lemon, Peas, and Parmesan make for a really bright yet comforting dish. The addition of the prosciutto makes it just hearty enough to call a meal. Mushrooms would also be delicious in this one. If there’s one recipe to make in the Instant Pot, it might just be risotto! Also, HUGE hit with kids and adults alike which is always a win.