10 pantry staples that save any dinner

A good pantry is like insurance: you don’t think about it until you need it. These ten staples last weeks or months and go with almost everything.

1. Rice: the world’s most versatile base.
2. Short and long pasta: dinner in 15 minutes.
3. Canned or dried legumes: chickpeas, beans and lentils for cheap protein.
4. Canned tomatoes: sauce, soup, stew or shakshuka.
5. Tuna or sardines: ready-to-use protein.
6. Eggs: technically fridge food, but the ultimate wildcard.
7. Onion and garlic: the start of nearly every savory dish.
8. Olive oil and a vinegar: for cooking and dressing.
9. Key spices: cumin, paprika, oregano and chili flakes.
10. Stock cubes or powder: instant depth of flavor.

Keeping it up to date

When you use the last of something, note it right away. In Cooking Genie you can keep a virtual pantry by category and generate recipes with one tap, without retyping your ingredients.

One golden rule

First in, first out: put new items in the back and older ones in front. It’s the simplest way to stop wasting food.