PANTRY COOKING: Make Easy Meals with What You Have!

I'm often delaying a trip to the grocery store for a few days by using up the food we already have ato make meals for my family. With a little creativity and an effort to use up items from my pantry fridge and freezer, I can still make meals and snacks my family likes, and we aren't wasting as much food (and money!). If you need some inspiration or ideas, be sure to check out my pantry cooking playlist. I have tons of videos on this concept with lots of ideas for family meals and recipes from stuff hanging around my pantry and fridge.

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[e.smeltzer]

Has anyone else made something trying to use up what you have, create something fantastic, and have no idea how you made it?!

[jules]

Growing up, my mom would always announce when she had earned ‘pantry points’ by using up something that had been loitering for a hot minute, and even tho they mean nothing, I love giving myself pantry points as an adult by using stuff up! Your suggestion to delay the grocery trip if possible is great advice and I’ve been getting so much inspiration from your videos and trying the same thing myself. Thank you as always!!!

[reginastephens]

Brownie mix makes really good cake mix cookies as well.

[amandasnailtasticnails]

I like the idea of the sausage and rice with veggies mix. It’s the perfect combination since I’ve got some corn bits and sausage that I need to use up. I’ve got some rice sides that I definitely can use.

The other night I was in the mood for pizza but it’s just me. Im like I really don’t need to get a pizza. I then thought I’ll stop by a fast food place to pick up something. I got in the wrong lane and missed my exit. Then I was in the wrong lane to exit to go to another restaurant to pick up takeout. I settled on creating my own meal at home nope it wasn’t a homemade pizza it was a Mexican bowl.

[jaylc]

I’m terrible about commenting because I usually watch on my TV…..but I had to say congrats on 200K 🎉🙏🏻🥰 Also, these pantry use up videos are my absolute fav…so inspiring!

[mangopuppybaby]

Always my favorite series is the use it up!

[paulacostello]

I love your pantry cooking videos too as well as your practice of postponing your shopping trips. Both have had a big influence on me. Also, many congrats on your 200K viewer milestone. You deserve it and more! ♥

[lisabush]

Love the Tigers hat!! I'm from the Detroit area so that made me happy. :-) Congratulations on hitting 200K. That's fantastic! Thank you for another fabulous video!!

[AshleeNelson-fs]

These videos are my favorite! They are always encouraging and get me excited to delay my grocery trip

[zo_]

Use it up are my favourite cooking videos ❤

[hilarythain]

I about dove thru the tv when I saw the finished blackberry buckle. 😋

[jodischoolcraft]

Love these videoes !! You are so much more creative than I !!!
And I live alone

[michellefitz]

Congrats on 200K!! You have worked so hard and it shows! Keep doing what you are doing. :)

[andrewkathryngriffith]

These are my favorite!!! In fact I’m making a use it up meal right now!!

[cathyfeigert]

I love these videos Mindy, they really make me think how to use what I already have. Thanks Mindy!

[joellenvohlken]

A couple of weeks ago. I threw together what I had. Smoked sausage, pineapple, green pepper, onion and rice. I used soy sauce and garlic to season. My husband was not impressed. His normal response when he doesn’t like it is ‘ it’s not my favorite’. His responses with this meal, ‘that kind of meat does go with rice!’ I laughed and let him know it’s a quite popular pairing around the world. 😂 He’s so darn picky.

[erikacole]

Really appreciated the breakdown of things you look to use up during a Pantry challenge. Thanks for producing great content!

[susanmolnar]

Loyal subscriber and congrats on 200k! I’m happy that I’m in that group. Always enjoy your content. It never gets old. ❣️

[zuzanna]

Congratulations on your 200K Mindy! You totally deserve this! I hope more and more people can see your fantastic content that can often be helpful when in a pinch. 😄 I love the pantry cooking recipes, although we all have different pantries and preferences, it is always a good inspiration.

[dmmrad]

I also will buy certain products for specific recipes and end up not using them. I had to evacuate twice, Helene and Milton. My house was spared and power restored in less than 24 hours. My food was still frozen. I am currently going through my pantry and freezer to make meals.