Knowing you're prepared for a nourishing last-minute meal can make your day a lot easier. Be prepared with the perfect pantry – cabinets well stocked with nutrient-rich canned foods, assorted pastas and rice, herbs and spices and other traditional staples - for basic cooking or gourmet meal preparation. Think of your pantry as an oversized recipe toolbox for everyday and special recipes. Pack it for wholesome cooking on the spot.

Perfect Pantry Checklist for Quick, Easy Recipes

Canned Vegetables

• Whole tomatoes

• Tomato sauce

• Tomato paste

• Sweet potatoes

• Artichoke hearts

• Chilies

• Flavored, diced canned tomatoes (i.e. seasoned with basil and oregano) 

• Corn

• Mushrooms

• Peas

• Green Beans

• Pumpkin

• Tomato or vegetable juice

Canned Beans (Legumes)

• Cannellini beans 

• Black beans

• Red beans

• Chickpeas

• Baked beans

• Soybeans

Canned Meats and Seafood

• Tuna, packed in oil or water

• Anchovies

• Minced clams

• Chicken

• Turkey

• Pink or red salmon

• Crabmeat

• Shrimp

Soups, Stew, Chili and Broth

• Chicken, vegetable and beef broths

• Creamed soups - mushroom, broccoli, asparagus, potato, chowder and celery

• Other soups - chicken noodle, tomato, vegetable, minestrone, split pea, French onion and beef vegetable

• Chili - available in a variety of flavors, such as beef, vegetable, chicken, turkey, spicy and Mexican

Canned Fruits

• Dark cherries

• Whole-berry cranberry sauce

• Mandarin oranges

• Pineapple

• Pears

• Apricots

• Pineapple

• Peaches

• Fruit cocktail

• Fruit juice

Nuts and Nut Products

• Almond paste

• Shelled nuts

• Peanut butter

Herbs, Spices and other Seasonings

• Red pepper

• Black pepper

• Rosemary

• Oregano

• Paprika

• Chili powder

• Cinnamon

• Thyme

• Curry powder

• Cumin

• Onion flakes

Staples

• White, brown and wild rice

• Couscous

• Pasta in a variety of shapes and sizes

• Baking powder

• Baking soda

• Corn starch

• Canned evaporated milk

• All-purpose and whole-wheat flour

• Granulated, brown and confectioners' sugar

• Coffee

• Tea

• Olive oil

• Canola oil

• Vinegars

Miscellaneous

• A variety of flavored jams and jellies

• Olives

• Water chestnuts

• Bottled water

Also consider these additional checklists to help with your pantry preparation:

• Stocking Your Pantry with Nutrient Rich Foods
• Global Pantry  

How prepared is your kitchen? Print out this checklist and take an inventory of your pantry. If you stock up with these staples, you'll find planning and meal preparation can be much less stressful.