Basic Food to Have on Hand

There are a few foods that I keep on hand to help out.  This may mean that I have the food on hand for when I am down to a few dollars and must decide on gas or food (gas wins out as I have to go to work to earn more money).    If there is more than just you in your household, you have to consider what you can work with to make lean time food good.

Rice - I keep brown rice on hand.  I can put different things on or with rice.  Veggies and rice are great for lunch or light eating.  I even can do some type of baked chicken or fish to go with the rice.  Usually, I try to make enough rice for that night's dinner and tomorrow's lunch.  Or, I may just use the rice for lunch the next day.  Rice can go with pretty much anything.

Canned or Frozen Vegetables - I keep some basics that I know we will eat on hand.  I try to replenish them when I find them on sale.  I try to use the ones with no salt added if I am buying canned vegetables.  These work great in stews, with rice or by themselves.  Pick what you like and keep some on hand.  You can also freeze some of what you find at local farmer's markets or your own garden.  Just do a little research on the best way to freeze them and it will work out great.

Meats - If I have a few extra dollars in my grocery money, I might just stock up on some meat and keep in the freezer.  I try to balance meals with meat and some meatless meals where I can.  You just have to agree on what meats you like and know how often you might eat them.  Also, know if you will use them for meals and then leftovers for lunch the next day.  This is definitely something that if you have some extra money, it can be worth it.

Pasta - If you catch this on sale and you know your family will eat it, past is a great thing to have on hand.  You can do different things with it, depending on which pasta you buy.  Try adding veggies to pasta for a pasta salad in the summer.  Just find some different recipes with pasta and try them with your family.  You never know what you might like.  Plus, pasta can definitely be a good thing if you catch it on sale.

Pasta Sauce - Depending on the sale you find on the pasta sauce, this is handy to keep in your pantry for use.  Lasagna, spaghetti, rotini and different kinds of pasta dishes can be done with pasta sauce.  Also, keep an eye out for different recipes and you will find different ways to use the sauce.

You can add different staple foods to your pantry depending on what your family likes.  It is just up to you.  Definitely try to find them on sale (and with coupons makes a better deal).

What kind of things do you keep on hand?

Jenn