Not every meal needs to be a masterpiece. I remind myself of this as I plop the soupy, slop-like mush onto my plate next to the stale bread I heated in the microwave, just soft enough to eat.
I like to cook, and I love making good food. But not every meal needs to be 5-star. Whether it’s been a long day and you’re out of energy or your grocery budget is running low—maybe it’s the end of the month and both your battery and budget are drained—I’ll share a few staples I keep in my pantry, along with how I try to elevate them.
Kraft (or Off-Brand) Mac and Cheese
I actually prefer the Great Value brand of boxed mac and cheese because they offer a shells-and-cheese version. I like the structure of the pasta—it works well in this boxed mac and cheese and can even be used in other pasta recipes.
To make the dish a bit more complex, I like to add whatever protein I have on hand (usually plant-based crumbles) and toss in some shredded cheese for extra texture and flavor. I’ll also throw in seasonings like pepper or hot sauce to give it a bit of a kick.
Zatarain’s (My Favorite: Red Beans & Rice)
Zatarain’s is a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch. I always keep their Red Beans & Rice variety stocked. I usually add extra cans of red beans to bump up the protein, and if I have a plant-based sausage or another protein, that goes in too.
It’s true that Zatarain’s can be on the salty side, and it’s not my favorite meal overall, but when time is tight, it does the trick and makes sure everyone goes to bed fed.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Cream of Mushroom soup is a fantastic staple. I’ve used it as a substitute for milk when making mac and cheese or to create a creamy pasta sauce. In a pinch, adding pasta or rice to the soup along with seasoning, veggies, and whatever protein you’ve got turns it into a satisfying meal. Sometimes these thrown-together recipes even become new favorites.
Whenever I break out the Cream of Mushroom soup, I’m reminded of when my dad used to make “concoctions” for dinner when I was a kid. I didn’t always love them, but some were surprisingly good. Now, I get it—dinner doesn’t always have to be amazing; sometimes, it just needs to get the job done.
Ramen
Ah, good old ramen. Ramen can be jazzed up in countless ways. One of my go-tos is cooking the noodles and swapping the seasoning packet for a mix of soy sauce and oyster sauce. I’ll toss in frozen veggies and some plant-based chicken or steak, and, if I have it, I’ll crack an egg in for extra protein.
These are just a few staples I like to keep on hand. They’re lifesavers when the grocery budget is running low or when I’m too tired to make anything elaborate. In those moments, I remind myself—dinner doesn’t always need to be a masterpiece.
What are some of your favorite pantry go-tos?
$pent Millennial 
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