Here's a list of 50+ recipes that can be made with pantry and frozen ingredients for times when you are stuck at home due to weather, sickness or an emergency. These pantry recipes are easy to make using your Instant Pot, Air fryer or stove, and can be adapted to available ingredients, and most of all, they are healthy and tasty.
A well stocked pantry and freezer can really come in handy at times when you are stuck at home for any reason and cannot do a grocery run for a few weeks.
The idea is to stock shelf-stable foods with common frozen ingredients, and use them efficiently. If you are wondering what all you should buy, here's a post that will help:
How to Stock Your Pantry and Freezer
The recipes in this collection can be made with pantry and freezer ingredients, and offer easy substitutes so you can adapt and customize them based on availability of ingredients.
The key idea is that if you run out of an ingredient or two, you can get creative and substitute with what you have on hand and still enjoy a healthy and balanced meal. On that note, let's get started!
Master Sauces
Here are some base sauces that can be made-ahead, doubled or tripled, and frozen for later use. Freeze in 1-meal portions in ziplock bags to optimize space. To reuse, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, and heat as per recipe directions. Alternatively, you can stock store-ready substitutes in your pantry.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Hearty, delicious & healthy! This Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce is an easy meal-prep recipe that makes weeknights dinners a breeze. It's also a great way to use up leftover veggies, cheese and meats in your fridge. I call it my "Everything But The Kitchen Sink" pasta sauce.
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Indian Curry Sauce | Onion Tomato Bhuna Masala (Instant Pot)
This Indian Curry sauce, also called Bhuna Masala, is a flavorful and versatile master sauce that forms the base for a variety of Indian curry dishes, lentils and more. A great make-ahead and easy-to-freeze sauce recipe.
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Easy Bolognese Sauce- Instant Pot & Stove
Chunky, meaty, full of vegetables, this delicious and slightly non-traditional Bolognese sauce elevates an everyday pasta dinner to a ‘feast’. Ground meat, carrots, celery, onions and tomato get transformed in to a flavorful ‘alcohol-free’ sauce in this easy pressure cooker or stovetop recipe.
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10-Minute Pesto Sauce
This simple and classic 10-Minute Pesto recipe blends together basil, pine nuts, garlic, cheese and olive oil into the ultimate, vibrantly green sauce.
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Tikka Masala Sauce - Instant Pot | Stove
An authentic Tikka Masala Sauce recipe with a blend of spices that is smooth, creamy and ready in under 30 minutes in the Instant Pot or on the Stove.
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Tips for Making healthy and Tasty Meals out of the Pantry & Freezer
- Aromatics and Flavor Base: Frozen aromatics like ginger, garlic and onions, and other flavoring vegetables, such as celery, carrots and peppers are great for adding flavor to your meals. You can buy frozen aromatics from the store, or freeze them yourself. These frozen veggies stay good in the freezer for a month.
- For onions, peppers, carrots and celery, chop or pulse them in a food processor and store them in 1-meal portions and freeze.
- or ginger and garlic, blend or mince, add to ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag to save space.
- Vegetables: Use frozen vegetables to add vitamins, minerals and fiber to your meals. Common examples are: spinach, broccoli, stir-fry medleys, soycutash, peas, corn, edamame (good source of protein), green beans, squash and peppers. Check here for a list of long lasting vegetables and fresh foods.
- Protein: Tofu and Cheese stay good in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. Cheese can also be frozen for later use. Stock up your freezer with lean ground meats, chicken, shrimp or similar proteins that can help stretch a meal for a family. Beans and lentils are a great way to add plant based protein and fiber to your meals. Keep dry or canned beans and use them in soups, quesadillas, curries and more.
- Pasta, Bread & Grains: Pick whole-grain pasta, bread, noodles and tortillas to increase the fiber content in meals. Buy tortillas and bread with a longer shelf life. Both of these can also be frozen for up to a month.
- Spices and Seasonings: Most spices and sauces have a long shelf-life (months). Keep your pantry stocked with your commonly used one. Sauces like soy sauce, hoisin, Thai curry pastes, sriracha, chili garlic paste, pasta sauce, salsa add a ton of flavor to meals.
Notes and Tips About These Recipes
- Beans: If using canned beans, use any kind you have on hand for the following recipes. Pressure cooking time remains the same.
- Lentils: Dal Tadka recipe or Lentil Soup recipe can be used for the following lentils with adjusted pressure cooking times:
- Red lentils: same time
- Green Lentils: 10 mins pressure cook (high), NPR
- Brown Lentils: 12 mins pressure cook (high), NPR
- Black eyed peas (Lobiya): 15 mins pressure cook (high), NPR
- Split chickpeas (chana Dal): 12 mins pressure cook (high), NPR
- Veggies: Customize with what you have in stock. Carrots, celery, peppers can be added to any or all recipes. Canned baby corn, water-chestnuts, bamboo shoots are a great addition to Asian recipes. Frozen spinach, broccoli, peas, corn, edamame, soycutash are great source of nutrients. Frozen riced cauliflower can be added to soups and curries to bump up the fiber content (you can't taste it).
- Aromatics- Ginger, Garlic, Onions: Once you run out, use dry onion flakes, garlic and ginger powder. Here are easy substitutes based on trusted resources:
- Onion: 1 tablespoon of dried minced onion equals ½ cup finely chopped onion.
- Garlic: â…› teaspoon garlic powder for each clove of garlic
- Ginger: ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger for 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- Paneer & Tofu can be used interchangeably. Most chicken recipes in this list can be substituted with either.
- Chickpeas & Beans: Good to add to any rice pilaf to add protein and fiber to the dish.
- Spaghetti noodles can be used for asian noodles recipes too, like in Lo Mein.
- Full fat coconut milk is a good dairy-free 'canned' substitute for heavy whipping cream for curries and pasta.
Vegetarian Meals
These recipes are easy to put together with the following pantry and freezer items that can be stocked up for 3-4 weeks.
- Pantry: Canned or dried Beans, Lentils, Canned Tomato (paste and diced), Jarred salsa, Jarred Pasta sauce, Jarred Roasted Red Peppers, Coconut milk, Thai curry paste, Cashews (can substitute with almond flour), Rice, Bread, Pasta, Tortillas and Quinoa.
- Freezer: Frozen Paneer, Assorted Veggies (including spinach, green beans, carrots, peas, corn, peppers, celery, onion, ginger and garlic), Ravioli, Soy Meatballs.
Black Bean Chili Recipe
Easy instant pot recipe for Black Bean Chili with creamy black beans, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and fire-roasted green chilies, ready in just 30 minutes.
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Mexican Black Beans in Instant Pot
These healthy and delicious Mexican Black Beans in Instant Pot are loaded with protein and fiber, and make a great side dish for tacos, burritos, or any Mexican-inspired meal.
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Veggie Burger | Black Bean Burger
How about a delicious veggie bean burger with a golden brown bean-patty sandwiched between butter-toasted buns, smothered in sweet and spicy Sriracha-mayo sauce!
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Moroccan Chickpea Soup
Easy Instant Pot recipe for hearty and healthy Moroccan Chickpea Soup with creamy chickpeas cooked with fire-roasted tomatoes and warm spices. Enjoy this vegan & gluten-free soup in 30 minutes!
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Black Bean Quesadilla
Crispy Black Bean Quesadilla filled with spiced black beans, peppers, onion, corn, and cheese! It's a delicious one-pan meal in 30 minutes!
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Dal Tadka | Dal Fry
Easy Instant pot recipe for a hearty and delicious Dal Tadka, or Dal Fry, with the option to make rice in the same pot. Ready in a little over 30 minutes!
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Mexican Quinoa
Try this easy 30-minute Instant Pot recipe for a hearty and delicious Mexican Quinoa Bowl. This vegan, gluten-free dish is packed with flavor and loaded with quinoa, beans, corn, and peppers.
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Chana Masala
An easy and authentic Instant Pot recipe for a popular Indian chickpeas curry called Chana Masala, using dry or canned chickpeas. Enjoy it with cumin rice or naan.
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Instant Pot Lentil Soup
A Zesty Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe that is both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired offers a hearty and comforting one-pot meal.
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Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani Recipe
An easy Instant Pot recipe for Vegetable Biryani, a classic Indian dish made with assorted vegetables & basmati rice, flavored with herbs, spices & saffron.
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Broccoli Cheddar Pasta in Instant Pot
Rich, creamy and cheesy, this Broccoli Cheddar Pasta is comfort food at it's best! This family-friendly one-pot meal is everything a Broccoli Cheddar soup promises, and more. Here's a 30-minute dump-and-start recipe for your Instant Pot pressure cooker. Enjoy!
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Chana Masala Biryani (Indian Chickpeas Rice)
Easy Instant pot recipe for Chana Masala Biryani, a hearty, Indian flavored chickpeas rice dish, that's vegan & gluten-free too!
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Instant Pot Minestrone Soup with Quinoa (Gluten-Free)
This Instant Pot Minestrone Soup with quinoa is an easy dump & start recipe for an Italian hearty soup made gluten-free. It's a one pot, delicious and healthy meal that's ready in 30 minutes.
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Rajma Recipe - Rajma Masala
Easy Instant Pot recipe for Indian kidney beans curry, Rajma. Make it with dry or canned beans and enjoy this vegan & gluten-free curry with steamed basmati rice.
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Pasta Fagioli Soup - Instant Pot | Stove
Dump & start recipe for a quick & tasty Italian vegetarian soup, Pasta Fagioli. This hearty soup is made by simmering pasta & beans in a rich tomato broth. This easy meal can be made in an Instant Pot or stove, and is ready in 30 minutes!
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Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup that's packed with flavor and nutrients. This healthy, gluten-free & vegan soup is ready to eat in just 20 minutes.
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Veg Manchurian Recipe: Instant Pot & Stovetop Recipe
Vegetable Manchurian is a popular Indianized Chinese dish, in which vegetable meatballs are simmered in an asian flavored sweet, spicy and tangy sauce.
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Saag Paneer | Palak Paneer in Instant Pot
30-minute Instant Pot recipe for Palak Paneer, or Saag Paneer, a popular Indian curry made with soft paneer cubes simmered in a flavorful spinach gravy.
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Taco Pasta
Cheesy, hearty, and absolutely delicious, this Taco Pasta Recipe combines the flavors of Mexican and Italian classics into one tasty meal in just 30 minutes.
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Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani is a rich and creamy north-Indian curry made with black lentils, kidney beans, herbs, and toasted spices. Here's a restaurant-quality recipe made easy using the Instant pot.
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Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentils
Easy 30-minute recipe for Misir Wot, an Ethiopian lentil stew made by cooking red lentils in clarified butter with Berbere spice blend.
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Paneer Butter Masala | Paneer Makhani
Easy recipe for Paneer butter masala, or Paneer Makhani, a rich & creamy curry made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), spices, tomatoes and a touch of heavy cream.
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30-Minute Pesto Tortellini
This easy Pesto Tortellini recipe cooks in just a few minutes in the Instant Pot or on the Stovetop for a versatile weeknight meal!
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Instant Pot Thai Green Curry (Vegan)
This delicious vegan and gluten-free recipe for Thai Green Curry with Tofu is completely customizable and comes together in the Instant Pot in less than 30 minutes.
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Quinoa Biryani
Quinoa biryani is a healthy one-pot meal, in which quinoa and vegetables are cooked with fresh herbs and fragrant Indian spices in under 30 minutes.
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Rava Idli Recipe
This quick and easy instant Rava Idli Recipe makes soft and fluffy steamed semolina cakes that are an Indian breakfast staple.
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Instant Pot Egg Bites | Frittatas Muffins (6 ways)
Instant Pot Egg Bites or Frittata Muffins are muffin shaped warm, fluffy and nutritious eggs bites that are steamed in an electric pressure cooker. These make-ahead frittata bites are gluten-free and ideal for a filling low-carb breakfast.
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Chicken & Meat Recipes
Stock up your freezer with ground meats, chicken or similar proteins that can help stretch a meal for a family and are also economical. Most of the recipes using chicken can be made with tofu or paneer, and vice versa. Here's what you need from your pantry and freezer:
- Pantry: Canned tomato, rice, pasta (noodles), coconut milk, Thai curry paste, canned baby corn, cashews (can substitute with almond flour).
- Freezer: Frozen chicken, ground turkey (or any ground meat), veggies (including spinach, stir-fry medley, corn, peppers, celery, onion, ginger and garlic), fish (salmon/ mahi-mahi/ cod).
Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein
Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein, an easy one-pot dump & start recipe for a popular Chinese takeout. Noodles, chicken & vegetables tossed in a sweet and savory sauce in 30 mins!
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Instant Pot Salsa Chicken (3-Ingredients!)
Easy Instant Pot Salsa Chicken! Pressure cook chicken with taco seasoning and salsa, shred it and add it to tacos, burritos, salads and more.
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Indian Chicken Curry
Easy and delicious one-pot Indian meal! Here is an Instant Pot recipe for an Indian style Chicken Curry cooked with pot-in-pot cumin flavored basmati rice!
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Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
This Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is full of flavor, yet easy to make with this dump & start recipe. Loaded with veggies & tender chicken, it's ready in just 30 minutes.
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Thai Curry Soup
30-minute recipe for a hearty and healthy Thai Curry Soup that's packed with vegetables, chicken, rice noodles, and rich coconut milk.
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Easy Instant Pot Chicken Chili
Try this easy and healthy chicken chili recipe. Made in the instant pot with ground chicken, taco seasoning and creamy pinto beans, you'll love this protein and fiber packed warm bowl of goodness on game day or on a cold, winter night.
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Easy Butter Chicken and Saffron Rice
This Easy Butter Chicken with Saffron Rice is a restaurant-quality one-pot meal made entirely in the instant pot! Chicken pieces are cooked in a creamy tomato sauce along with saffron-flavored basmati rice.
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Thai Massaman Curry
Easy 30-minute Instant Pot recipe for Thai Massaman Curry, a sweet, spicy, and creamy Thai curry with tender chicken and colorful vegetables.
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Thai Salmon Curry
An easy 30-minute recipe for Thai Salmon Curry in which tender salmon chunks and crunchy vegetables are cooked with red curry paste and coconut milk.
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Instant Pot Goulash
A delicious comfort food recipe with ground meat and pasta cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce. This American-style Instant Pot Goulash comes together in one-pot in just 30 minutes!
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Chicken Saag (Chicken Spinach Curry) | Palak Chicken
Easy one-pot Instant Pot recipe for Chicken Saag or Palak Chicken, a flavorful Chicken and Spinach Curry, that's ready in just 30-minutes.
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Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup (Gluten Free)
This delicious and comforting soup is the best, easiest, and quickest homemade Chicken Noodle Soup I have ever made using my pressure cooker, Instant Pot! You know a soup is awesome when it feels like a warm hug!
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Chicken Korma- Instant Pot | Stove
Chicken Korma, a mildly spiced Indian Chicken curry made by simmering chicken with floral Indian spices and creamy coconut milk. It's an easy one-pot meal with cumin rice cooked right alongside, ready in 30-minutes!
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Chicken Noodle Soup with Ethiopian Spices (Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker)
This classic Chicken Noodle soup is made by simmering chicken and vegetables, such as carrots and celery, spices, herbs and small noodles in chicken broth. This recipe uses the Ethiopian Spice blend called Berbere Seasoning to enhance the flavor and made in an instant pot.
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Easy Chicken Wonton Soup
Easy 30-minute recipe for a light and flavorful Chicken Wonton Soup made with aromatic, clear broth, tender vegetables, and frozen wontons.
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Rice and Sides
Spinach rice in Instant Pot | Spanakorizo
Aromatic basmati rice cooked with a boat load of spinach! Here's an easy pressure cooker and stovetop recipe for flavorful Spinach Rice, a healthy vegan and gluten-free side-dish, that compliments any meal!
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Lemon Rice (Indian)- Instant Pot / Stove
Fluffy grains of aromatic Basmati rice flavored with mustard seeds, curry leaves and fresh lemon juice. Here's an easy 30-minute Instant Pot and stovetop recipe for this flavorful vegan and gluten-free side dish, Lemon Rice.
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Coconut Rice
Easy 30-minute recipe for Instant Pot Coconut Rice that elevates a simple side dish to a creamy and rich delight. Stovetop recipe included.
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Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice
Easy instant pot recipe for restaurant-style Mexican Rice. It's a great accompaniment to tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-style dishes.
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Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Failproof recipe for Instant Pot Basmati Rice that results in soft and fluffy grains every time. Quick, easy and ready in 30 minutes!
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Instant Pot Brown Rice (Basmati & Jasmine)
Learn how to perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice in this simple, informative guide that teaches you how to make soft and fluffy long-grain brown rice every time.
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Instant Pot Quinoa
A foolproof method for making Instant Pot Quinoa that is virtually hands-off and requires a 1-minute pressure cooking cycle for fluffy, tender grains.
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Jeera Rice / Cumin Rice
Easy Instant pot recipe for Jeera rice or Cumin rice, a popular Indian side dish in which nutty basmati rice is cooked with aromatic, earthy cumin seeds.
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Saffron Rice
Saffron Rice Pilaf, or Pulao, is aromatic and nutty basmati rice simmered in a floral and fragrant saffron infused broth prepared in one of four ways.
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Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Jalapeno cheddar cornbread is a spicy and cheesy twist on classic cornbread mix, packed with sharp cheddar and a subtle kick of pickled peppers in every bite.
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Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs (5-5-5 method)
Here's an easy and fail proof recipe to make perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs in a pressure cooker! The popular 5-5-5 method works like a charm every single time and makes for some real-easy-to-peel boiled eggs.
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I hope you find these recipes useful and easy to stock for. With a little bit of planning and organizing, you can make healthy and delicious meals for your family from a well-stocked pantry and freezer.
For stocking tips, read this article on How to Stock Your Pantry and Freezer. If you have any suggestions and tips, or need substitution ideas, please comment below and let us know! Stay healthy my friends!
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