Quick Fix Pantry Dinners

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Everyone should have a few quick-fix pantry dinner recipes they can make in a pinch, especially for easy weeknight dinners.

As weekdays become increasingly busy, picking up dinner on the way home often seems easier. But with a little planning, a pantry with key items, and some inspiration, it's easy to put dinner on the table, any night of the week.

What are Quick Fix Pantry Dinners?

Despite best intentions, there are nights when I didn't get to the market and have no idea what to fix for dinner. That's when quick fix pantry dinners come to my rescue.

Pantry dinners use recipes that utilize staples you may already have on hand. These recipes include canned beans, tomatoes and chickpeas, lentils, quinoa, rice, and pasta. Other pantry staples could include canned seafood like tuna, salmon, and nut butters.

With a little digging in your pantry and a little more in the fridge and freezer, you can make healthy, delicious recipes using what you have! From hearty soups and stews to Instant Pot and crockpot meals.

Then mix in fresh and frozen veggies, leftover meat like chicken, seasonings, and spices, and dinner is easier and quicker than you might think!

Quick Fix Pantry Dinners Recipes and Ideas

We've gathered some of our favorite weeknight quick-fix dinners, using items you may already have in your pantry.

1

One-Pot Creamy Spinach Lentils

Creamy Spinach Lentils? Just celery, carrots, and onions - thyme, cream and spinach - a hearty potato-thickened broth base - and plain brown

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2

Easiest Leftover Chicken Enchiladas

This recipe for the Easiest Leftover Chicken Enchiladas is a real favorite in our house ready in just 30 minutes using either homemade or store-bought enchilada sauce and plenty of melted Mexican cheese!

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3

You Only Need 5 Minutes (Yes, Really) to Make This Garlic Butter Shrimp

It's the fastest, fanciest dinner around.

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4

3 Ingredient Creamy Tomato Shells

Three Ingredient Creamy Tomato Shells - this trick will make your pasta sauces creamy, velvety, and nutritious with no butter or cream!

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5

Zucchini Frittata with Tomato and Bacon

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6

Smothered Enchiladas Recipe

Smothered Enchiladas, with only 10 minutes of hands-on time, are the perfect meal for any busy weeknight.

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7

One-Skillet Mongolian Beef and Broccoli | The Seasoned Mom

Want Chinese food at home? This easy one-skillet Mongolian beef and broccoli is simple, healthy, and better than takeout!

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8

Quick Fix Salmon Chowder

A quick-fix, pantry-staple meal in minutes. Salmon Chowder is warm and comforting, perfect any time of the year. The dill is a savory complement to the traditional chowder elements.

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9

Curry Chickpea Soup with Spinach

This easy and delicious Curry Chickpea Soup is filled with healthy ingredients like greens, herbs, and legumes and is ready in 30 minutes or less!

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10

Crème Fraiche Pasta with Peas and Bacon

Crème Fraiche Pasta with Peas and Bacon is an easy weeknight pasta dinner that's ready in 30 minutes or less. Packed with flavor, requiring few ingredients, it's a pasta standby recipe you'll love.

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11

Barley Lentil Soup

This Barley Lentil Soup is a hearty, comforting, meatless soup made with lentils, pearl barley, vegetables, and gently warming spices. A simple, one-pot recipe that's perfect for cool-weather lunches or easy dinners.

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12

Creamy Salmon Pasta with Peas, Dill and Creme Fraîche

This quick and easy creamy Salmon Pasta with peas, dill and creme fraîche is a deliciously simple weeknight dinner requiring only a few ingredients.

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13

Healthy Black Bean Soup Recipe

This healthy Black Bean Soup recipe is a quick-to-make soup I've fallen in love with. Made with canned black beans, wholesome veggies, and delightfully savory flavors.

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14

15 Minute White Bean Soup with Garden Vegetables Recipe

This 15-minute White Bean Soup is a healthy, hearty soup packed with vegetables like onion, garlic, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, and spinach.

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15

Easy Chicken Curry, Even in a Hurry

A quick-cooking chicken curry that's abundantly flavored, rich and creamy, sweet and spicy, and cooked in under 30 minutes. Truly, a curry in a hurry!

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16

A Skillet Tortellini With Greens That Comes Together in One Pan? Sign Me Up!

Forget about bringing a pot of water to a boil. This one-pan dinner inspired by the classic Roman pasta couldn't be quicker.

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17

Easy Turkey Chili Recipe

When the weather turns chilly, and the days grow shorter, a warm and hearty Turkey Chili should be on the week's menu. Especially when it's ready in about 30 minutes and filled with the classic chili flavors you love!

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18

Tamale Pie Mexican Casserole Recipe

This Tamale Pie Mexican Casserole is packed with ground meat, beans, vegetables, and tamale flavors. Baked with a simple cornmeal topping, and sprinkled with cheese, it's an easy dinner any night of the week.

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19

Easy Mushroom Risotto in the Instant Pot

An easy version of authentic Mushroom Risotto cooked in a fraction of the time. And with little effort. Yet luxuriously creamy and delicious!

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20

Easy Ham Fried Rice - Tastes Better From Scratch

Easy Ham Fried Rice made with leftover rice and thrown together in less than 20 minutes! This is a go-to quick weeknight meal!

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More Dinner Recipes to Try

• Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
• Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Beef Stew Recipe
• Simple Baked Rigatoni Recipe for Easy Pasta Dinners
• Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Casserole