If you’re stuck in a rut and have nothing in the fridge, don’t worry! With a few simple ingredients and a bit of creativity, you can easily whip up delicious meals.
It can be hard to figure out what to make when you open the fridge to find nothing but a few random ingredients.
Don’t worry – a delicious dinner can be made even with the most limited resources.
Let’s explore some creative and easy recipes you can make with whatever you have, from PB&J to Quesadillas and Pasta Salad, you’re sure to find something that will satisfy your cravings.
So get out your pots and pans, and let’s start cooking!
PB&J
PB&J because duh is the classic go-to when you have nothing in the fridge. It doesn’t take any preparation; you only need some bread, peanut butter, jelly, and a knife.
A sandwich is always a great option for lunch on the go or for a quick mid-day snack.
You can also mix things up using different types of bread, nut butter, or jelly. Get creative and make your PB&J unique!
Spaghetti in Cherry Tomato Sauce
If you have a can of tomatoes and some pantry staples, you can make delicious spaghetti in the cherry tomato sauce! All you need is olive oil, garlic, pepper, sugar, and salt.
Heat the oil in a 12″ skillet or wide heavy saucepan over medium-high heat and add the garlic, tomatoes, pepper, sugar, and salt.
Cook until everything is softened and aromatic.
Serve overcooked spaghetti noodles for an easy and delicious meal that will leave your family satisfied!
We recommend trying this Burst Tomato Pasta recipe.
Homemade Pancakes
If you have nothing in your fridge, you can make simple homemade pancakes with just a few ingredients. All you need is flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, milk, and eggs.
Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl, make a well in the center of the mix, and add the wet ingredients. Whisk until everything is smooth and combined.
Egg Fried Rice
Egg Fried Rice is a classic dish that is perfect for whipping up when you don’t have many ingredients in the fridge. This easy and delicious dish uses eggs, rice, and any other ingredients you have on hand.
To make it, heat some oil in a pan and fry the eggs until they are scrambled. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
Then, add some garlic and onions to the pan and fry for a minute or two before adding the cooked rice. Stir-fry for a few minutes before adding the scrambled eggs back to the pan.
Finally, season with soy sauce or sesame oil, salt, and pepper to taste. Enjoy this hearty meal with a side of veggies or a light salad for a complete meal.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled cheese sandwiches are classic comfort food, and the great news is that you can make them even if your fridge is empty! It’s easy to whip up a delicious grilled cheese with just two basic ingredients: bread and cheese.
Shredded cheese on top of two slices of bread in a cast iron pan will give you that classic grilled cheese experience, or you can get creative with your ingredients and try out variations like the classic panini, Monte Cristo, Nutella grilled cheese, or tomato grilled cheese.
However you make it, a grilled cheese sandwich is sure to hit the spot!
Refried Beans
Refried beans make a quick and easy meal that is full of flavor. All you need are canned beans, some oil or butter, garlic, and onion. Heat the oil in a 12″ skillet or wide heavy saucepan over medium-high heat and add the garlic, onion, and beans. Cook until everything is softened and aromatic, stirring occasionally.
Mash the beans with a spoon or potato masher until they reach the desired consistency—finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with tortillas, cheese, and salsa for a complete meal!
Rice Soup
Rice soup is an easy and delicious meal that is perfect for when you don’t have anything in the fridge. All you need are some cooked white rice, chicken or vegetable broth, and any other ingredients you have on hand, like carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.
Heat the broth in a soup pot and add the cooked rice. Simmer for 10 minutes before adding the vegetables. Cook until everything is softened, about 10 more minutes.
Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your rice soup as is, or add some cooked chicken for a more filling meal.
Rice and Beans
You can make a delicious meal if you have nothing in the fridge but rice and beans! All you need is some cooked rice, beans, and any other ingredients you have on hand, like vegetables, spices, or herbs.
Start by heating some oil in a skillet and sautéing your vegetables for a few minutes before adding the beans. Cook until everything is softened and aromatic.
Then add the cooked rice and season with spices, salt, and pepper to taste. You can make this dish as simple or as elaborate as you like, and it’s sure to make a delicious meal that is both nutritious and satisfying.
With these easy recipes, you don’t have to worry about having anything in the fridge. With just a few basic ingredients, you can make something delicious! So make sure to make the most of what you have in your pantry and get creative in the kitchen.
Tuna Casserole
Tuna casserole is a classic, creamy comfort food that is easy to make with almost no ingredients. All you need is condensed soup, milk, cooked noodles, tuna and peas (optional). Simply mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and season to taste.
Once everything is combined, bake in the oven for about 25 minutes and you will have a tasty dinner ready in no time.
This dish is perfect for those days when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen or don’t have much in your kitchen.
Get Embed CodePizza
You can create homemade pizza if all you need is a piece of bread, some tomato sauce, and cheese.
Simply spread the tomato sauce on top of the bread, sprinkle with cheese, and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until golden brown.
Add toppings of your choice, like ham, mushrooms, peppers, or olives, and make your pizza as creative as you’d like. Enjoy with a side of your favorite veggies for a complete meal!
Oven Baked Fries
Oven Baked Fries are a great option for those who don’t want to fry deep or want a healthier alternative to French fries. They are easy to make and require minimal ingredients, most of which are probably already in your pantry!
To start, cut some potatoes into fries. You can leave the skin or not, it is up to you.
Add the fries to a large bowl and cover with cold water. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes but they can soak for as long as overnight as long as they are refrigerated.
Then, drain them and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spread the fries out on a baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you may like, and mix everything together.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Enjoy your homemade oven-baked fries!
Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a great go-to when you have nothing in the fridge. You all need some tortillas, cheese, and other toppings you choose, and you’re good to go. They are easy to make, delicious, and can be customized to your tastes.
For a classic quesadilla, start by toasting your tortillas in a skillet. Then, add shredded cheese and other toppings of your choice. Once the cheese has melted and the tortilla is golden brown, fold it in half, and you have yourself a delicious quesadilla!
If you want something even more exciting, try adding marinara sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella for a pizza-style quesadilla. Whatever ingredients you choose to put in your quesadilla, there’s no doubt it will be tasty!
Pasta Salad
If you have pasta and a few other ingredients, you can make yourself a delicious pasta salad. All you need is cooked pasta, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and a dressing of your choice (such as an Italian vinaigrette).
Simply mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and season with salt, pepper, and herbs to taste. Allow the pasta salad to marinate in the dressing for a few hours or overnight before serving.
Rice and Scramble Eggs
If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, make yourself a bowl of rice with scrambled eggs. All you need is some cooked rice, eggs, and seasonings of your choice (such as garlic, onion powder, or chili powder).
In a skillet over medium heat, scramble the eggs until cooked through. Add the cooked rice and seasonings and stir everything together until fully combined. Serve in a bowl with your favorite side dishes, and you will have a complete meal in no time.
This is the perfect dish to make when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen or don’t have much in your fridge.
Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole is another great meal to make when you have nothing in the fridge. All you need is canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, grated cheese, breadcrumbs, and seasonings of your choice (such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika).
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, in a greased baking dish, combine the canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, grated cheese, and seasonings and mix everything together until fully combined.
Top with the breadcrumbs and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve hot, and enjoy!
Green Bean Casserole is an easy and delicious dish that can be served as a side or main course, depending on your preference. This is a great way to make something with what you have in your pantry.
With these easy and delicious recipes, you can make a meal even if you don’t have much in the fridge. These dishes require minimal ingredients but still make for a tasty dish that will satisfy any craving. So don’t let an empty fridge stop you from making a delicious meal!
