Pantry Staples - Frugal, Practical

Nothing for dinner - what's in your cupboard?

What foods should be in your cupboard, freezer and fridge so you can always cook something healthy for dinner?  Nothing for dinner - what's in your cupboard?

Pantry (Any additional Ideas?)

Tinned
Tomatoes as base for pasta sauce, curry, stew and soup
Legumes - Kidney beans, Chickpeas (spiced baked chickpeas as a snack are filling and delicious or some hummus dip). Lentils to add to soups and stews and meat dishes to reduce the meat needed then over rice, pasta, mashed veg or on toast or with bread and butter to dip extends all measl a lot further
Tinned Baked Beans - quick easy snack on toast!  Or added to casserole
Tinned fish - tuna, salmon, sardines etc - make creamy mornays, noodle casseroles, on toast, with salads etc
Coconut milk - great to add to a curry or can use yogurt
Fruits - apple, pears, apricots, peaches etc make yummy low cost deserts such as pies and crumbles

TOMATO - king of 'fruits'  - tinned, dried, semi-dried, dehydrated as tomato powder - FRESH in a bulk buy - these delicious fruits deserve a place alone as can be used in so many ways and prices are reasonable.  Home made pasta sauces!!  Always tastier and free of additives!! On toast, in stews etc etc.

Herbs & Spices
Pepper, Curry Powder, Cumin, Corriander, Paprika for curries etc
Mustard, Bay leaves, Chilli powder or flakes,
Dried Herbs: Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Parsley
Nutmeg, Cinnamon,

Stock powder, jelly or liquid tetra-packs, Tomato paste
Powdered soup - eg french onion soup to coat meats and slow bale or coke chicken, apricot chicken etc. Cream of chicken soup for tasty creamy casseroles and try a different packet each week until get your favs

Oils, Sauces, Vinegars
Oils, Soy, Tabasco, Tomato, Fish, Sesame, Salsa, Worchestshire, Vinegar - wine, balsamic, apple cider; lemon juice

Toppings
Honey, Peanut Paste, Aussie Vegemite, Jams
 
Dried Staples
Pasta of all types from the semi dry chinese egg noodles, udon etc to all the Italian style pastas - pappardelle, farfalle, shells, campanelle, angel hairr, gnocchi, spaghetti, lasagna
Rice - white, brown, basmati (fragrant), jasmine
Couscous with all types of spice dishes
Rolled oats, flat breads - make pizza bases or wraps
Barley, dried peas, dried soup mix, peanuts, beans
Flours, Yeast Powder, Baking Powder, Baking Soda
Thicken stews and soups, make muffins, no-knead breads
Pie and Quiche Bases
Raw Sugar, Salt,

Vegetables
Potatoes of all types (baked, boiled, mashed, chipped etc), Kumara or sweet potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Garlic, ginger - types that last longer to avoid food waste and good to boil for mash, roast, add to stews etc
Citrus - lemons, oranges etc and if in bulk juice and freeze.
Bananas - if getting over ripe freeze and/or use for muffins or cakes
Any fruits on special

Flours, Yeast Powder, Baking Powder, Baking Soda
Thicken stews and soups, make muffins, no-knead breads
Pie and Quiche Bases
Raw Sugar, Salt,

Dairy
Yoghurt - instead of coconut in savoury cooked meals, like pasta and curries - add at the last minute so it doesn't split
Cheeses - all types to taste - over pasta, with noodles, toasted sandwiches - great concentrated protein and fills people up

Fridge / Freezer
EGGS - a great whole food and so many ways to cook - very satisfying and filling and good energy food!
Any types of Vegetables, Peas, corn, green beans as can be added to many dishes.
Home made pasta sauces!!  Always tastier and free of additives!!
Meats purchased at discount prices. Mince and sausages can make many interesting low cost meals that are tasty and filling.