10 Empty Kitchen Dinner Ideas That’ll Save Your Hungry Night

Ever opened your fridge and found nothing but condiments staring back at you? Don’t panic! You can still whip up amazing dinners with just a few pantry staples and some creativity. These recipes prove you don’t need a fully stocked kitchen to eat well.

1. One-Pot Vegetarian Chili

This hearty chili is a lifesaver when your kitchen looks bare. It’s filling nutritious and uses mostly canned goods that probably live in your pantry right now1.

Ingredients:

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can black beans drained
• 1 can corn drained
• 1 can kidney beans drained
• 1 onion diced (if you have it)
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat
2. If you have an onion sauté it for 3-4 minutes until soft
3. Add all canned ingredients and spices
4. Simmer for 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally
5. Season with salt and pepper

Pro tip: This tastes even better the next day so make extra if you can!

2. Simple Pasta with Garlic Oil

Sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones. This classic Italian dish uses ingredients you probably already have2.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti or any pasta
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (if available)
• Salt and black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions
2. While pasta cooks heat olive oil in a large pan
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant
4. Drain pasta reserving 1/2 cup pasta water
5. Toss pasta with garlic oil adding pasta water if needed
6. Season and top with cheese if you have it

3. Quick Tuna Pasta Salad

This protein-packed meal comes together in minutes and doesn’t require any fancy ingredients2.

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna drained
• 2 cups cooked macaroni
• 2 tbsp olive oil or mayo
• 1 can corn drained (optional)
• Salt pepper and any herbs you have

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni and let it cool slightly
2. Mix tuna with olive oil or mayo
3. Combine pasta tuna mixture and corn
4. Season well and serve

Pro tip: This works great cold too so it’s perfect for meal prep!

4. Bean and Rice Bowl

Rice and beans are a classic combo that’s both filling and nutritious. Plus they’re dirt cheap2.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook rice according to package directions
2. In a separate pan heat beans with tomatoes and spices
3. Simmer for 10 minutes
4. Serve beans over rice

5. Ramen Upgrade Bowl

Transform cheap ramen into something actually delicious with a few simple additions1.

Ingredients:

• 1 package ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 egg
• Any canned vegetables you have
• Soy sauce to taste
• Green onions if available

Instructions:

1. Boil broth in a pot
2. Add ramen noodles and cook for 2 minutes
3. Crack egg directly into the pot and stir gently
4. Add vegetables and seasonings
5. Cook for another 2-3 minutes

6. Chickpea Curry

This warming curry uses pantry staples and comes together super quickly3.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion diced
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion until soft (about 5 minutes)
2. Add spices and cook for 30 seconds
3. Add tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes
4. Stir in chickpeas and coconut milk
5. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened

7. Baked Potato Bar

When in doubt potatoes save the day! They’re filling and you can top them with whatever you find1.

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes
• Any canned beans
• Cheese (if you have it)
• Butter or olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Poke holes in potatoes with a fork
2. Microwave for 8-10 minutes until tender
3. Cut open and fluff with a fork
4. Top with heated beans cheese and seasonings

8. Egg Fried Rice

Eggs are often the last thing standing in an empty kitchen and they make great fried rice3.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice (day-old works best)
• 3 eggs beaten
• 2 tbsp oil
• Soy sauce
• Any frozen vegetables
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pan or wok
2. Scramble eggs and remove from pan
3. Add rice and vegetables to the same pan
4. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes
5. Add eggs back in with soy sauce

Pro tip: Day-old rice works better because it’s less sticky!

9. Quick Tomato Soup

Sometimes you just need something warm and comforting2.

Ingredients:

• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup broth (any kind)
• 1/2 cup milk or cream (if available)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine tomatoes and broth in a pot
2. Bring to a simmer
3. Add milk and seasonings
4. Heat through and serve

10. Pancakes for Dinner

Who says pancakes are just for breakfast? They’re surprisingly filling and use basic ingredients1.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp oil

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl
2. Whisk together wet ingredients separately
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed
4. Cook on a hot griddle until bubbles form
5. Flip and cook until golden

The Bottom Line

An empty kitchen doesn’t mean you’re doomed to go hungry or order expensive takeout. With a few pantry staples and some creativity you can create satisfying meals that’ll keep you full and happy. The key is working with what you’ve got and not overthinking it. Sometimes the simplest meals are the most delicious ones!