15 Dinner Ideas for When You Desperately Need to Go Grocery Shopping

by Dana Leigh Smith, Marygrace Taylor

Updated August 8, 2018 at 11:02 PM

<p>When you come home after an insane day and realize that your fridge is painfully bare, it may seem like you only have two choices: dry cereal or greasy takeout. But you really can do better - we guarantee you can still cook a delicious dinner, sad fridge and all.</p><p>While it’s not always obvious, even when you’re nearly out of fresh ingredients, there are still plenty of meals that you can pull together using staples from your pantry and freezer. And we’re not talking about boxed mac and cheese or oatmeal, either. We’re talking about clean, satisfying dinners that you can actually feel good about eating (And that you’ll want to <em>keep</em> making even when your fridge is full). Here are 15 easy, delicious ideas to try.</p>

<p>Fact: You can turn almost anything into a meal by serving it on whole grain toast. To make this fiber-packed dish, sauté canned (drained and rinsed) chickpeas with olive oil, minced garlic, diced onion, and a pinch of ground cumin or cumin seeds. Add a splash of chicken or vegetable stock, white wine, or water, and simmer until the mixture begins to thicken. Serve over whole grain toast and finish with a drizzle of olive oil for some heart-healthy fats and extra flavor.</p>

<p>There’s nothing more soothing after a long day than a bowl of hot soup. To whip up this simple recipe, start by sautéing diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil until soft and translucent. Add a 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes and a 15-ounce can of white beans (drained and rinsed). Simmer for five minutes, then purée the mixture in a blender until smooth.<br><br>The white beans add a rich, velvety texture to the soup, eliminating the need for milk and cream. Plus, they deliver a shot of belly-filling fiber and protein. </p>

<p>Skip the takeout and try this Asian-inspired recipe instead: Stir-fry cooked brown rice (or any other whole grain) with a beaten egg and a splash of soy sauce. Add any thawed frozen veggies you have on hand (like broccoli florets or a stir-fry mix) and cook until warmed through. Then, fold in sauerkraut or <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/kimchi-might-reduce-fasting-blood-glucose" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:kimchi;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">kimchi</a> and drizzle with toasted sesame oil. Sure, this combo may sound a little strange, but the deep umami flavor of the fermented veggies makes this simple dish totally addictive.</p>

<p>Who says dinner has to be savory? Whisk almond or cashew butter with unsweetened almond milk to make a thin sauce. (You should be able to drizzle it.) Spoon it over a baked sweet potato and top with a diced apple or pear. Dust with cinnamon and garnish with a few chopped almonds, if you crave some crunch.</p>

<p>Sitting down to a plain bowl of noodles is far from exciting. Here’s how to improve the flavor and staying power with tuna and veggies: Sauté thawed frozen peas in olive oil with crushed garlic and thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Add cooked whole wheat pasta and canned oil-packed tuna (drained) and cook until warmed through. If you happen to have some grated Parmesan, adding a spoonful or two would only make this easy pasta dish even tastier.</p>

<p>No lettuce? No problem. You can still make a respectable veggie salad. Using a vegetable peeler, peel carrots into thick noodle-like strands. (Or if you prefer them crunchy, chop them.) Toss with cooked lentils, olive oil, white wine vinegar, and whatever herbs you happen to have in your spice rack (parsley or dill are great). Top with chopped walnuts and a dollop of plain yogurt, if you have a spoonful or two left in that almost-empty tub.</p>

<p>Make a quick, nutrient-rich dish by sautéing a thawed frozen stir-fry mix with a spoonful of red or green curry paste. Add coconut milk and simmer until the mixture is heated through and the flavors are well incorporated. Serve over whole grain noodles or brown rice, and top with crushed cashews or a hard-boiled egg for added protein.</p>

<p>Prefer sweet toast to the savory variety? Smear a slice or two with goat cheese, nut butter, or even leftover Greek yogurt and top with whatever you happen to have on hand. Thaw out frozen berries, salvage whatever’s left in a container of fresh ones, and drizzle with chopped nuts, cinnamon, honey, or chia seeds.</p>

<p>Make a quick, tangy dip by processing jarred marinated artichokes (drained and rinsed), lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil until nearly smooth. Serve the dip with whatever veggies you have left in the fridge, along with a side of whole grain crackers or pita and a wedge of leftover cheese.</p>

<p>If you have some frozen veggies and some Asian-style sauce laying around you have the basic makings of a delicious stir-fry dinner. You can jazz it up with whatever you happen to have laying around the house. Fresh out of meat but happen to have some cashews? Chop ’em up and use them as a protein-rich topping. Have some frozen edamame beans? Mix those in, too. Have a can of pineapple? Slice up the fruit and add it to the mixture for a delicious, salty-sweet combo. If all else fails, you can also top the veggies with a sunny side up egg. A runny yolk makes <em>everything </em>taste better. </p>

<p>If you happen to have a yogurt container laying around along with a few stray grape tomatoes, mix them together. Combine the mixture with fresh or dried oregano for a spoonable version of caprese. We admit, the combo <em>sounds </em>a little strange, but the result is actually quite tasty. Plus, the combination of protein and healthy fats will help keep you full. </p>

<p>A leftover scoop of oatmeal, an egg, and random veggie scraps may not offer much sustenance on their own. But if you join them together in a savory, warm bowl of goodness, a satisfying meal they can make. While you’re cooking the oats per the box instructions, sauté the veggies (top with your favorite herbs and seasoning) and crack an egg in a frying pan. Once everything is cooked through, place the vegetables and egg on top of the oats and finish with additional dried herbs and seasonings. </p>

<p>Even if you’re basically out of fresh groceries, you likely have a box of pasta and a can of beans hiding out in the pantry. Once the pasta is cooked, mix it with the beans (drained and rinsed) and add any fresh or frozen veggies you happen to have on hand. If you have it, top the mixture with a canned tomato or pesto sauce. If you’re out, a good ol’ mixture of garlic and olive oil will do the trick. </p>

<p>Fish out that aging can of chicken noodle soup (you know you have one hanging out somewhere ) and give it new life. Add frozen or canned corn, tortilla chips, cilantro, and chopped avocados, and you’ll have an entirely new meal brimming with fiber and healthy fats. You can even add a can of stewed tomatoes to enhance the flavor even more. </p>

15 Dinner Ideas for When You Desperately Need to Go Grocery Shopping

When you come home after an insane day and realize that your fridge is painfully bare, it may seem like you only have two choices: dry cereal or greasy takeout. But you really can do better - we guarantee you can still cook a delicious dinner, sad fridge and all.

While it’s not always obvious, even when you’re nearly out of fresh ingredients, there are still plenty of meals that you can pull together using staples from your pantry and freezer. And we’re not talking about boxed mac and cheese or oatmeal, either. We’re talking about clean, satisfying dinners that you can actually feel good about eating (And that you’ll want to keep making even when your fridge is full). Here are 15 easy, delicious ideas to try.

Just because you’re short on fresh ingredients doesn’t mean you have to order takeout.

When you come home after an insane day and realize that your fridge is painfully bare, it may seem like you only have two choices: dry cereal or greasy takeout. But you really can do better-we guarantee you can still cook a delicious dinner, sad fridge and all. (Find out what happened when one writer gave up takeout and home-cooked everything she ate for 2 weeks.)

Wait, what?

While it's not always obvious, even when you're nearly out of fresh ingredients, there are still plenty of meals that you can pull together using staples from your pantry and freezer. And we're not talking about boxed mac and cheese or oatmeal, either. We're talking about clean, satisfying dinners that you can actually feel good about eating. (And that you'll want to keep making even when your fridge is full.) Here are 9 easy, delicious ideas to try.

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15 Dinner Ideas for When You Desperately Need to Go Grocery Shopping

15 Dinner Ideas for When You Desperately Need to Go Grocery Shopping