When the Fridge is Empty: Winter Meals from the Pantry

Creamy Mushroom Pasta from the Pantry

Snow drifts outside, or you're just too tired to go grocery shopping? This hearty pasta is the perfect solution. Imagine beef stroganoff meets chicken paprikash (minus the meat). The sauce is incredibly smooth even without cream, which is replaced by a mixture of evaporated milk, flour, and mustard.

Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Pasta from the Pantry

Rice soup with raisins and curry

After the holidays, there's always a jar of pumpkin puree left over. Use it to make this delicious soup. We used traditional cooking techniques (part mole, part curry), making a paste from familiar ingredients and sautéing it in butter to create a rich flavor. If you don't have wild rice, use 1/2 cup of any dry grain.

Recipe: Rice and pumpkin soup with raisins and curry

Vegan Pear, Cranberry, and Pecan Muffins

No eggs or milk, and an empty pantry—does that mean no baking today? Well, no! These muffins use cornstarch instead of eggs and canned fruit syrup instead of milk. Use whatever nuts and dried fruit you have on hand, and if you don't have pears, canned peaches will do. No need to go to the store!

Recipe: Vegan Pear, Cranberry, and Pecan Muffins

A snack made with chocolate, peanut butter, and corn chips

You probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen, making this sweet and salty snack a breeze. Inspired by a favorite childhood treat, this combination of semisweet chocolate, salty peanut butter, and toasted corn chips is irresistible. Plus, it keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature (though you probably won't have any leftovers).

Recipe: A snack made with chocolate, peanut butter, and corn chips

Tuna Salad on a Flatbread "From the Pantry"

Even if your pantry is nearly bare, you'll likely have the ingredients for these simple flatbreads. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar gives this bean spread a tangy flavor that pairs well with a tuna and olive salad. Serve as an appetizer or a small main course. This spread can also be spread on your favorite crackers for a party appetizer.

Recipe: Tuna Salad on a Flatbread "From the Pantry"

Pantry-Stashed Bean Casserole

For this simple recipe, we took inspiration from a favorite Mexican brunch dish: chilaquiles (fried tortilla pieces in a red or green sauce). Chili powder in the sauce serves as both a thickener and a flavor enhancer.

Recipe: Pantry-Stashed Bean Casserole