As I mentioned on my Instagram stories yesterday, my family is now observing a one-week quarantine after I learned that a guest who attended my Los Angeles book signing tested positive for COVID-19. Although it has already been a week since the event and I am not experiencing any symptoms, I did have direct contact with that person. Out of an abundance of caution and to protect others in my community, my household will remain quarantined until it has been 14 days since our exposure. That means we will stay inside and avoid contact with anyone for the next seven days unless an emergency arises.
For the record: after learning this information I spoke with my doctor and contacted the CDC COVID-19 hotline. I was told that I did not meet the criteria for lab testing at that time. In Texas (and in several other states, according to what I was told) individuals typically need to meet two conditions to qualify for testing: known contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as respiratory difficulty or fever. If you attended the LA event, please reach out to your healthcare provider and let them know you were present at an event with someone who later tested positive.
These are uncertain times and many of us are already practicing social distancing, limiting trips out, and avoiding crowds — including grocery stores. If you’re staying home more than usual, it helps to have a few pantry staples and inspiring meal ideas on hand. The pantry post I shared yesterday (A Well Stocked Pantry) outlined core supplies to keep on hand; below I’m sharing recipe ideas to help you use those ingredients creatively. These suggestions are meant as inspiration — don’t feel the need to buy every item on every recipe list. Instead, use what you already have, swap ingredients as needed, and remember that savory cooking is forgiving. Missing a specific spice or vegetable won’t ruin a dish; improvise, combine flavors you enjoy, and ask me if you want specific substitution advice.
This collection is organized by category so you can quickly find recipes that suit the ingredients you have at home: warming soups and stews, slow-cooker and Instant Pot meals, simple one-pot pastas, other dinner ideas, and ways to use canned fish. Each section includes a few notes where helpful to suggest substitutions or simplify steps.
SOUPS + STEWS
Soups and stews are comforting, stretch well, and are easy to adapt to what’s in your pantry. Try any of these as a base and add or omit vegetables and proteins according to what you have.
Whole30 Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Tikka Masala Lentils
Instant Pot Lamb Stew — no lamb? Substitute beef or other stewing meat.
5-Ingredient Green Chile Stew
Split Pea Soup with Ham — no ham? Use bacon or skip the meat.
Curried Chili — don’t have chickpeas? Any canned legume will work.
Dairy-Free Creamy Chicken + Wild Rice Soup
Whole30 Zuppa Toscana
Paleo Egg Drop Soup
Black-Eyed Pea Soup
Creamy Tortilla-Less Soup
Whole30 Potato Leek Soup
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
CROCKPOT, INSTANT POT, AND SLOW-COOKED RECIPES
These recipes are ideal for hands-off cooking and make large batches for leftovers. Frozen or canned ingredients often work well here.
The Best Whole30 Pot Roast
Salsa Verde Shredded Beef
Instant Pot Whole30 BBQ Pulled Pork — use store-bought sauce if you prefer.
Instant Pot Flank Steak Taco Meat — great over salads, in tacos, or for enchiladas.
Instant-Pot Texas-Style Brisket Tacos
Apple Cider Vinegar Pulled Pork
Crockpot Chicken Taco Bowls — skip sauteed peppers if you don’t have them; you probably already have most ingredients.
Crockpot Mexican Picadillo
Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala
PASTA AND ONE-POT RECIPES
One-pot dishes save time and reduce cleanup. Many can be adapted to use gluten-free pasta or other grains if needed.
One-Pot Yummy Pasta
One-Pot Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff
One-Pot Hamburger Helper
One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
One-Pot Taco Pasta
One-Pot Cacio e Pepe Israeli Couscous
One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Whole30 Epic Baked Meatballs — serve with pasta or grain of choice.
Pasta Pomodoro
Perfect Whole30 Italian Meatballs
OTHER DINNER IDEAS
Here are flexible dinner recipes that can be adjusted based on what’s in your freezer or pantry.
Crunchy Baked Turkey Tacos
Juicy Indoor Burgers with Burger Sauce
Greek Style Green Beans — frozen or canned beans work well here.
Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Sour Cream and Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Buffalo Burger with Buffalo Mayo
Jalapeno Chicken Burgers
Grilled Chicken Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa — jarred salsa is a fine shortcut.
Spicy Chicken Tikka Tacos
Chicken Street Tacos
The Best Taco Meat
Whole30 Shrimp Étouffée — frozen shrimp and pantry spices make this comforting.
Easy Chicken Tostadas with Quick Pickled Onions
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Coconut Curry Shrimp and Broccoli
Red Curry Shrimp Lettuce Cups
Martha’s Mexican Rice
Greek Lamb Meatballs
Whole Roasted Greek Chicken and Potatoes
WHAT TO DO WITH CANNED FISH
Canned fish is economical, shelf-stable, and versatile. Here are simple ideas that turn pantry tins into flavorful meals.
Whole30 Tuna Cakes with Smoked Paprika Aioli
Stuffed Pepper Tuna Melt — try it on toast if you don’t have peppers.
Curried Tuna Salad
Whole30 Salmon Croquettes
Easy Salmon and Dill Salad
Linguine with Clams — made with canned clams rather than fresh.
SMALL THINGS TO SPRUCE UP MEALS
Simple additions can elevate leftovers and stretch meals further — a bright squeeze of citrus, quick pickles, a drizzle of olive oil, or a homemade vinaigrette. For a little comfort or celebration while staying in, try one of these quick treats:
Clayton’s Margarita
Pan con Tomate
If you’d like help customizing any of these recipes to what you have in your pantry or freezer, leave a comment and I’ll be glad to offer substitution suggestions. Stay safe, be kind to yourselves and your neighbors, and cook simply and creatively while we navigate this together.