When you discover yourself with an empty pantry and a bare refrigerator, it might seem like there’s no hope for a satisfying meal. However, you can prepare a delectable and nutritious meal in your kitchen with a little ingenuity and resourcefulness.
Instead of being discouraged by the lack of ingredients, use it as an opportunity to experiment and discover new culinary delicacies. This article, will explain food to make at home when you have nothing.
Food To Make At Home When You Have Nothing
Here are the food to make at home when you have nothing.
1. Penne Puttanesca
This fast Italian classic uses olives and capers to round out its flavor. If you lack one or the other, it is simple to make do with what you have. If you have anchovies in your pantry, they can also be a wonderful addition to this dish.
2. Crispy Hash Browns With Sunny Side Up Eggs
In my home, breakfast for dinner is always a hit; this is one of our favorite options. The hash browns become crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and then they absorb the egg yolk to create a delicious entrée. If you have a food processor with a grater attachment, you can expedite the potato-grating procedure by using it.
3. Warm Sweet Potato, Corn, And Black Bean Salad
Use frozen maize for a version that can be kept on hand. You can omit or substitute dried herbs if you don’t have fresh herbs. Regardless of how you prepare it, this recipe’s combination of textures and balance of sweet and savory are always a success.
4. Tangy Tuna And White Bean Wraps
Use any wrap or bread you have on hand, or enjoy this salad alone. This is a fantastic option for making ahead and then using for quick lunches or snacks, as it contains lean proteins and a variety of flavors.
5. Creamy Chickpea Tomato Curry
A timeless Indian classic. This is one of my favorite comfort dishes because it is nourishing and tasty. You can substitute curry powder or cayenne if you do not have a jalapeo pepper. Without fresh ginger, 12 teaspoon of powdered ginger will suffice.
6. Mighty Meatless Four Bean Chili
Using four different varieties of beans (or however many you have on hand) adds great flavor and varied nutrition to this beautiful chili that is so easy to make that you may never want to try another chili recipe again.
7. Honey Sesame Spaghetti
Not your typical pasta entrée, but oh so delicious! This dish’s sweet and delectable Asian flavors will delight your family, and you’ll appreciate how easy it is to prepare.
If you don’t have sesame seeds, substitute any coarsely chopped nut for a crunchier texture.
8. Butternut Squash And Yellow Lentil Stew
This hearty, comforting stew is as chunky or creamy as the family desires. If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can substitute 12 tsp of powdered ginger with no loss of flavor.
9. Buttery, Gooey Grilled Cheese
As previously stated, this is always a tasty option when you have nothing else to make, particularly since it’s a good canvas for other random ingredients in your refrigerator.
Spabettie’s Salsa Cheddar Grilled Cheese sandwiches are ideal for a night of extreme laziness.
10. Lemon Garlic Pasta
The Lemon Garlic Pasta from Wonky Wonderful is another incredibly flavorful dish that requires only seven ingredients that you almost certainly already have in your pantry.
11. Rice And beans
It’s okay if you don’t have andouille sausage on board for this Cajun-inspired rice and beans dish; it’s not required. The rice and beans are the primary constituents.
With an Instant Pot, soaking the dried kidney beans in advance is unnecessary for the recipe to succeed.
12. Meatball Pasta Bake
This comforting baked dish requires nothing more than frozen meatballs (or minced beef), milk, pasta sauce, noodles, and mozzarella cheese. But if you don’t have meatballs and only have minced beef, you can make do by rolling into balls and seasoning them with salt and pepper.
For a truly gourmet flourish, sear the replacement meatballs before baking to give them a flavorful, crunchy exterior.
13. Avocado Toast
Similar to scrambled eggs, avocado toast is an excellent anytime meal. It’s rich, creamy and substantial; all you need is toast, avocado, a little lemon juice, plus salt and pepper, of course.
14. Refried Beans
There is nothing easier than mashing a can of beans. This recipe for refried beans is made irresistible by adding an onion, spices, and lemon juice; however, if you’re out of scallions and only have a squeeze bottle of lemon juice or lime juice, you’ll be fine.
15. Salmon Patties
These salmon patties may represent the pinnacle of pantry indulgence. They are always crunchy and flavorful, salty and juicy, and full of flavor. The key ingredient is canned salmon, likely lurking in your pantry, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and egg, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, green onions, and dill.
Home cooking does not always necessitate a fully supplied kitchen. You can create flavorful dishes that will satiate your taste buds and make you feel accomplished with some creativity and basic ingredients. Therefore, the next time you open an empty refrigerator or larder, embrace the challenge and get cooking!
Read More: What To Make With Rice And Ground Beef?