Best Pantry Staples for Last Minute Guests
With these kitchen essentials, you will always be ready for last-minute events and unexpected house guests. Most of this list will be composed of items that you can stock in your pantry. Anything that needs to be refrigerated will have a long shelf life or be items you often already have on hand. By keeping a few of these pantry staples in your cabinets, fridge, and freezer, you’ll be ready for anything.
Pantry Staples
Snacks & Appetizers
Bruschetta
Stores such as Target sell bruschetta or crostini crackers that have a longer shelf life than the traditional bread loaf option. You can top these with pre-made jarred bruschetta spread or make your own with a recipe like this Red Pepper Bruschetta. Juts substitute the fresh ingredients with roasted red peppers in a jar, dried herbs, and a pre-diced container of garlic.
Chips and Dip
These are some of the simplest go-to snacks and all you have to do is put them in a bowl. Tortilla chips served with salsa, queso, or spinach artichoke dip are always crowd-pleasers. They make so many dips and spreads in a jar that you have pretty much-unlimited options. And the best part is they can be stored in the pantry until opened.
Snack Plates
Charcuterie boards are a very popular party spread and for good reason. These trays offer a variety of complimentary foods for your guests to enjoy. Get a mix of different crackers, cheeses, and meats. Cheese that is properly stored can last many months in the freezer, especially if unopened. Choose dried, cured salami and sausage that has been preserved and therefore has a longer shelf life (and does not need to be refrigerated until opened). You can read about salami types and proper storage here.
Consider some other additions such as:
- Olives
- Mini pickles
- Mixed nuts
- Dried fruit
- Chocolate
Chocolate-covered items (think pretzels, raisins, cherries, and bridge mix) add a sweet touch to any board. Grocery stores with a bulk food section are often the best place to find a large variety of these.
Frozen Appetizers
Appetizers that just need some time in the oven are perfect for last minute guests when you don’t have the time to make your own. While I very rarely serve these and still like to keep mine somewhat nice (sorry, no bagel bites in my house…) I do sometimes pull out the frozen food in desperate times. Mozzarella sticks (we prefer the Farm Rich brand), spring rolls, mini quiche, or some sort of flaky stuffed pastry are all good choices. Be sure to test them out beforehand, some frozen appetizers are superior to others.
If you enjoy meatballs, you can make so many quick recipes in your crockpot from the ones in the frozen food section. Here are 21 frozen meatball recipes to do just that!
Pantry Staple Meals
Pizza
Pre-made crusts, pizza-making kits, or refrigerated pizza crusts are all good options for a simple pizza dinner. Add in a jar of marinera and some shredded cheese and you’re set. Some pantry-friendly toppings include canned olives, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and sundried tomatoes.
Chili
The best part about chili is that it’s primarily made up of canned goods. Beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, simple ingredients that will store for years. Add in some Jiffy cornbread and you’re good to go. (Tip: I keep dry milk in the pantry just in case we don’t have any in the fridge). Our favorite chili recipe can be found here and adapted as needed. It’s all made in a cast iron making this a great one-pot meal.
Pasta
The quickest dinners you can whip up are paste dishes. I recommend having a few different styles of noodles as well as a variety of sauces. Marinera, vodka sauce, alfredo, pesto, whatever you prefer. Stuffed pasta such as ravioli or tortellini are more flavorful options since they already include cheese and potentially some veggies (such as spinach). Frozen breadsticks or garlic bread make for an easy side to any pasta dish.
Shrimp alfredo (made with frozen shrimp, fettuccini, frozen broccoli, and alfredo sauce), is a great last minute meal that still feels a little fancy.
Stir-Fry
Keep a bag of frozen mixed veggies in the freezer for a quick and easy stir-fry. Toss over noodles or rice and drizzle with soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, or make your own stir-fry sauce. Dinner will be ready in no time!
Pantry Staples: Dessert
Dessert Mixes
So many options… Cake mix, brownie mix, cookie mix, bars, muffins. Although you will need eggs (and potentially milk or butter) for many of these, you likely already have them on hand.
Easy as Pie
Keep some graham cracker and traditional pie crusts on hand. Get some chocolate pudding mix and a carton of Cool whip for a no-bake chocolate cream pie. Pick your favorite flavor of canned pie filling and make fruit pie, like this simple apple pie from Loaves and Dishes. Your pie options here are practically endless.
Frozen Cookies
When I bake cookies I like to have a batch to put in the freezer, pre-scooped and ready to go. This means I’m always a pre-heated oven away from freshly baked cookies! Of course, you can keep the cookie dough rolls handy if you prefer, but I’m a baker by heart and always choose the homemade option. They taste so much better!
Keep it Simple
The good thing about last-minute occasions is that you are forced to keep it simple. In the long run, it actually saves you all of that prep time and planning, so you’re not making some time consuming meal for your guests. So, if last minute get-togethers tend to stress you out, look as it as a blessing in disguise for all the time you’re saving! Just stock up on these pantry essentials and you will be ready for anything that comes your way.
Looking for more tips? Check out this post on How Much to Serve Your Guests as well as these Essentials for a Perfect At-Home Bar.
