10 Pantry Staples I Always Have For Cheap Family Dinners

I always have a big can of crushed tomatoes on hand for things like spaghetti bolognese, soups, and even curries. Crushed tomatoes are great for making your own tomato sauce, and I find them much more versatile than diced.

On nights when I'm feeling particularly lazy, and even on nights I'm not, there's nothing more satisfying than pasta. I always keep at least a couple of boxes on hand and add whatever veggies and meat I have in the fridge or freezer.

There's something so satisfying about baking your own bread, so I always keep a few packets of dry yeast in the pantry. It's so much cheaper and fresher than buying from a bakery, and once you get the hang of it, it comes together in a flash — especially if you use a no-knead recipe!

Chickpeas, beans, and other legumes are full of protein, so your family will feel full and satisfied. Add them to soups, stews, curries, and even pasta.

A great pesto is one of the most underrated pantry items, and it's more versatile than you think. It makes a great marinade for chicken or steak, you can add it to salad dressings, or you can just use it as a pasta sauce like the kitchen gods intended.

If I'm feeling strapped for cash, I'll use rice as a way to make dinners go further. Cook up a batch of your favorite curry, stew, stir fry, or even soup and pair it with some rice for a filling meal that will last a lot longer.

Vegetarians will prefer vegetable stock, but I find having either kind in my pantry is always really handy. You can control the amount of sodium you have in soups and other dishes by using the cubes and adjusting the amount of water you add. Plus, it adds a ton of flavor to your dishes!

The number of herbs you have in your pantry will vary based on what you cook most regularly, but no pantry is complete without them. Start with the basics like Italian seasoning, cumin, paprika, and chili powder, and use them whenever you cook for maximum flavor.

I love coconut milk. As you can probably tell, I cook a lot of curries, so coconut milk is always useful in my kitchen. But it's also a great, healthier alternative for recipes that call for cream, and it's much more flavorful, too.

If you want a rich tomato taste in your dishes, tomato paste will be your best friend. It makes a great base for tomato sauces, soups, and more. I usually buy a big can and transfer it to a plastic container once it's been opened where it lasts for weeks in the fridge.