Quick Pantry Dinners You Can Make When You’re Broke and Busy
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a busy, single mama on a budget, it’s this: having a few pantry staples on hand can save your whole week. Between work, kids, errands, and the never-ending “what’s for dinner,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Here are some dishes you can throw together when money is tight, time is limited, and energy is basically gone. No fancy recipes, no complicated steps. Just real food, real fast – using what you already have stocked. Today I’m sharing my favorite broke and busy pantry meals that always pull through in a pinch.
American Chop Suey
Ingredients:
1 box of elbow macaroni 16 oz.
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce, I use Rao’s Tomato Basil
1 tsp. of each- Italian seasoning, Oregano, Onion powder
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, brown your ground beef on Med/Hi and add your oregano, Italian seasoning, Onion powder, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes.
2. Reduce the temperature to low, add your jar of sauce and simmer for as long as you’d like.
🌿I tend to let mine simmer all afternoon while I get other things done around the house but that is optional.
3. Boil your pasta in salted water for as long as the box instructions call for.
4. Strain your pasta and return it to the pot, then add in your pasta sauce and mix well.
Serve with some Italian bread or garlic bread & sprinkle with a little parmesan if you’d like!
Ground Beef Burritos
Ingredients
1 lb. Ground beef
1 Packet Taco seasoning mix (If you don’t have it, you can make it! see note below)
1 Can black beans rinsed and drained
1 bag shredded Mexican blend cheese
Large flour tortillas
Shredded lettuce
Instructions
1. Brown your ground beef in a skillet and add your taco seasoning mix according to packet instructions.
2. Rinse and drain black beans and add them to a small saucepan with about 1/2 cup of water, heat on med until soft typically about 15 minutes
3. Set up flour tortillas and fill them as you wish!
Serve with yellow rice and/or refried beans on the side.
Crockpot Salsa & Chicken Tacos
Ingredients:
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast
1 Jar salsa (any heat)
1 Taco seasoning packet
Instructions:
1. Place chicken breasts in crockpot, sprinkle evenly with taco seasoning, and pour your salsa evenly on top of the chicken.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours
3. Shred your chicken using 2 forks and mix back into the salsa.
Serve over rice with black beans, cheese and whatever toppings you desire on a burrito bowl, or serve as street tacos in corn tortillas, heat your tortillas lightly on a cast iron on both sides with a bit of olive oil top with chicken and your desired toppings. Enjoy!
Naan Pizza Night
Ingredients:
1-2 packages of individual naan bread (depends on how many you’re feeding)
1 jar pizza sauce or basil pesto whatever you prefer
1-2 bags of shredded mozzarella (depends on how many you’re feeding)
Toppings : If you have leftover meatballs use those, leftover grilled chicken or chicken cutlet ? great!, belle peppers, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, spinach, or ricotta. Get creative & have fun with it!!
Instructions:
1. Lightly brush the edges of your naan with olive oil, add desired sauce, cheese, and toppings.
2. Bake at 350 F on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a pizza stone for about 25 minutes. Ovens vary slightly so check on your pizza at the 15 minute mark, remove when the edges are a nice golden brown unless you prefer a well done pizza.
Serve with a side salad if you’d like to add a little something to your dinner.
Smash Burgers
Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp. dried parsley
Salt & Pepper
1-2 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions:
1. Add all of your ingredients to one bowl.
2. Use food safe gloves to mix well with your hands.
3. Divide equally in rounded balls 4-6 depending on how many you need and how large your hamburger buns are.
3. Heat your olive oil in a skillet on med/hi
4. Fold 2 sheets of parchment paper in half, place one of your burgers in the skillet, place the parchment paper over your meat and firmly press down with your meat press.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until your desired temp is reached.
Serve with French fries, tater tots, lettuce and tomato or a side salad. This one is great because it feels like takeout, but it’s healthier, cheaper, and tastier.
Final Thoughts
When life feels busy, stressful, or just plain exhausting, it’s easy to think a good meal is out of reach. But with a few pantry staples on hand, you’re never far from something warm, comforting, and totally doable. These simple recipes prove you don’t need a big budget or a lot of time to make things happen – just a handful of basics and a little creativity.
So, the next time your week gets hectic or money feels tight, remember that pantry meals are your secret weapon. Mix and match what you’ve got, keep it simple, and give yourself a little grace along the way.
From one busy mom to another – You’ve got this. Let’s keep dinner easy, affordable, and delicious.