If you're in the Northeast, chances are you're not venturing too far from home over the next couple of days. But your family still has to eat, right? The good news is, even if the provisions are limited, the dinners can still be delicious. These 17 meal ideas require only basic ingredients that you're likely to have in the pantry and fridge. And if you're missing something, they can all be easily improvised. It's time to get cooking . . . it's not like you've got anywhere else to be!
13-Ingredient Tomato Sauce
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
A legend among the culinary circuit, Marcella Hazan's three-ingredient tomato sauce is so sophisticated that you could serve it at a dinner party, but so simple all you need are butter, a can of tomatoes, and an onion.
Just because your favorite takeout spot is closed for business doesn't mean that you can't re-create this healthier take on the Chinese-inspired favorite at home. Dinner: A Love Story's peanut butter noodles are completely craveable.
A delicious, satisfying way to use up your leftover veggies, vegan vegetable soup is a flexible recipe that you can adjust to suit your family's tastes (and what's in the fridge!).
Grilled cheese waffles? Why not? Turn the basic waffle into grilled cheese goodness with this recipe from So Says Sarah. It's also a great way to use up lunch meat (the turkey can easily be swapped out for ham).
If you have some of that good old-fashioned packaged ramen in the pantry, Mom's Kitchen Handbook's Lunch Box Ramen is an easy upgrade. Amp up those noodles as the recipe suggests or with whatever veggies and proteins (frozen or fresh) you have on hand.
With four daughters running around her home, Melissa d'Arabian knows about the chaos that can occur at dinnertime. The Food Network host and author of Ten Dollar Dinners also knows that busy moms can't always remember what's hiding in the corners of the refrigerator. That's how she came up with Crisper Drawer Pasta, a quick and productive weeknight meal — the whole recipe can be made in 30 minutes — that helps use up everything in the crisper drawer.
Start with tortillas and cheese, then amp up your quesadillas with peppers, onions, mushrooms, chicken, steak, or whatever other leftovers are available. Top them with salsa and avocado (if you have it!).
The most requested recipe on Amanda Haas's site, this Mexican skillet casserole is bound to become a family favorite. Filled with pantry basics like rice, cheese, and beans, it can easily be eaten on its own or rolled up in a burrito.
Whether pizza delivery's out of the question or you're just trying to avoid it, make-your-own pita pizzas are a fun DIY dinner idea that the kids will love.