What recipe can I make with these ingredients?

Get your answer to this question and more in my “reverse recipe” guide. Browse recipes by ingredients that you already have in your kitchen, with clickable links that jump straight to the ingredient.

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It’s been just over a week since the global pandemic and response efforts really started to escalate in the US. And I, for one, spent most of these past seven days trying to come to terms with what’s going on. I’m sure many of you are doing the same.

In the midst of all this uncertainty, one thing’s for sure. Most people will be staying home and doing a LOT more cooking. Fortunately, experts suggest that the food supply in the US is strong and that grocery stores will remain open.

Another upside is that cooking can be a wonderful outlet for those with anxiety. At least in my experience, cooking a meal allows me to regain control when everything seems to be spinning. Seems like the perfect activity for being stuck inside during a time of heightened stress, right?

Sort of. At the moment, planning meals and trying to figure out what to make with the pound of dried beans and canned tomatoes you picked up might actually be causing more stress, instead of helping it. So let’s work on that part!

A couple of weekends ago, my friend Francesca told me about an idea for an app or website that would allow you to input ingredients you have on hand and show you recipes to make. Genius, right? This conversation, coupled with the current global situation, sparked the inspiration for this post.

In this guide, you’ll find a list of common pantry ingredients and long-lasting vegetables. Click on these foods to jump to a list of recipes you can make. Instead of finding a recipe then getting the ingredients you need, you can do this in reverse!

I also recommend bookmarking this page for use throughout the next few weeks or months. We will all inevitably need to go to the grocery store, even if we go less frequently than usual. So recipes that use long-lasting ingredients will come in handy. (PS – sign up for my newsletter to get your healthy pantry checklist.)

• Canned beans
• Canned salmon
• Canned tomatoes
• Coconut milk
• Eggs
• Frozen vegetables
• Lentils and other dried beans
• Nut butters
• Oats
• Pasta
• Potatoes
• Rice and grains
• Root vegetables
• Salsa
• Spaghetti squash
• Sweet potatoes

Recipes Ideas by Ingredients

Canned Beans

• Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers
• Carrot and White Bean Vegan Blondies (omit the carrots if you don’t have them)
• Healthy Sweet Potato Skins with BBQ Beans
• Sweet Potato Black Bean Meal Prep Bowls
• Caramelized Onion White Bean Dip

Canned Salmon

• Summer Squash and Dill Salmon Burgers
• Salmon Quinoa Patties

Canned Tomatoes

• Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce
• Lentil Pasta Primavera with Frozen Veggies
• Vegetarian Italian Spaghetti Squash Boats

Coconut Milk

• Shamrock Mint Banana Smoothie
• Weeknight Cauliflower Curry
• Coconut Braised Vegan Collard Greens
• Spiced Sweet Potato Latte

Eggs

• Make Ahead Veggie Breakfast Burritos
• Easy Broccoli and Cheese Egg Bake
• Broccoli and Sweet Potato Frittata
• Silver Dollar Sweet Potato Protein Pancakes
• Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins

Frozen Vegetables

• Roasted Frozen Broccoli plus 5 seasoning ideas
• Lentil Pasta Primavera with Frozen Vegetables
• One Pot Veggie Mac and Cheese
• Veggie-Loaded Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
• Parmesan Peas and Shallots

Lentils and Dried Beans

• BBQ Lentils and Shredded Carrots (omit the carrots if you don’t have any)
• Slow Cooker Black Beans with Scallions
• Vegetarian French Onion Soup with Lentils
• Weeknight Cauliflower Curry with Lentils

Nut Butters

• Carrot and White Bean Vegan Blondies
• Peanut Soba Noodles with Roasted Broccoli (use frozen veggies if needed)
• Vegan Peanut Butter Cups with Pumpkin

Oats

• Parsnip Carrot Cake Granola
• Oatmeal Raisin Sweet Potato Cookies
• Chocolate Cherry Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

Pasta

• One Pot Mushroom Spaghetti
• Spring Pea Orzo Fried Rice (use frozen peas)
• Pumpkin Tomato Pasta
• One Pot Veggie Mac and Cheese

Potatoes

• Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with Arugula (omit the arugula if you don’t have any)
• Vegan Potato Salad
• Baked Shoestring Fries
• How to Build a Healthy Baked Potato

Rice and Grains

• Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Brown Rice Risotto
• Vegan Mushroom Risotto
• Sweet Potato Black Bean Meal Prep Bowls
• Quinoa with Vegetables and Maple Ginger Tahini
• Lemon Braised Leeks and Quinoa Salad

Root Vegetables

• Vegan Stew with Winter Veggies
• Herbed Carrot and Swede Mash
• Whole Roasted Onions
• Rosemary Honey Slow Cooker Beets
• Baked Parsnip Chips
• Savory Roasted Root Vegetables

Salsa

• Veggie-Loaded Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
• Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

Spaghetti Squash

• Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
• Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Ramen
• Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls
• Vegetarian Italian Spaghetti Squash

Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers
• Oatmeal Raisin Sweet Potato Cookies
• Sweet Potato Blueberry Flax Muffins
• Silver Dollar Sweet Potato Protein Pancakes
• Microwave Sweet Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Black Bean Meal Prep Bowls

Final Thoughts

I hope these recipes help you make the most out of cooking at home during this time. And remember, most restaurants are offering curbside pick-up and delivery. Take-out is still an option and a great way to support local businesses.

Finally, communities all across the country are working to address food insecurity during this time. Check out this post on how to help food shelves as they plan to face increased demand.