What staples should you have on hand?

[Spinning]

I just started working again and dinner time is a chore!
What should I have on hand at all times to be able to throw together a quick meal? I usually always have chicken and pork in the freezer.
Potatoes, cheese and frozen peas and corn...
But the other stuff...any ideas?

 

[cryssi]

when I had a really long commute (and sometimes even now still) I crock pot it. Things to have on hand:

chuck roast
beef stew meat
chicken

canned beef broth
canned chicken broth
cream of mushroom soup
Lipton dry soup mixes (I like beefy onion)

bbq sauce
salsa
dressings (like italian and catalina)

tortillas
shredded cheese
canned refried beans

veggies that are always in my veggie drawer:
baby carrots (easier!)
onions
celery
green onions
sweet potatoes and regular potatoes

plus rice, but since I'm asian, that's a total no brainer...

when in a pinch, you could always throw something on the grill too!

hth!

c

 

[piratesmate]

I just started working again and dinner time is a chore!
What should I have on hand at all times to be able to throw together a quick meal? I usually always have chicken and pork in the freezer.
Potatoes, cheese and frozen peas and corn...
But the other stuff...any ideas?

take out menus!!
spaghetti sauce
frozen meatballs
pasta
chicken helper
Lipton Noodles & Sauce mixes or Rice-a-roni type things
Ore-Ida frozen potatoes - especially mashed
soups for casseroles (cheddar cheese, tomato, cream of: celery, chicken, mushroom)
shredded cheeses (Mexican & Mozzarella)
one of those boxes of shelf stable milk for "desperate measures" cooking
sour cream
ricotta
cream cheese
salsa
I switched to baby carrots so I didn't have to clean them before use.
canned rolls (to round out a meal)
salad mix (one less thing to cook)

I always pre-cooked my chicken & hamburger (bought in "family-sized" packs) on weekends and froze in meal-sized portions. Cuts WAY down on prep time.

The other thing I did that really helped was to make a list of all the quick meals we liked. I could never remember "fast enough" - it was much easier to consult the list. Then I just made sure I kept the ingredients on hand to make those things "when all else fails". Try to make sure you have more than 10 things to choose from if possible so you don't feel like you're always making the same things.

Good luck!

 

[Spinning]

Those were some of things I was looking for! Thanks!
I know I just need to get organized. I do love my crock pot. But I always seem to be out of something when i want to make it....