I’ll admit it, most of my best cooking comes from a mild panic at 6:47 pm, not exactly a creative rush. when the only thing in the fridge is a single wilted herb and a jar of something I can’t identify. This is a list for those nights, the ‘I’ve got nothing’ nights that still need dinner. Most of these depend on pantry staples, things you have thawed in the freezer, or that one onion you keep telling yourself you’re going to use.
Contents
- 1) Aglio E Olio
- 2) Tomato Pasta
- 3) Breakfast For Dinner
- 4) Comfort Rice Bowl
- 5) Fried Rice
- 6) Tuna Melt
- 7) Beans On Toast
- 8) Bean Soup
- 9) Peanut Noodles
- 10) Upgraded Ramen
- 11) Grilled Cheese
- 12) Quesadilla
- 13) Chickpea Salad
- 14) Eggs In Tomato Sauce
- 15) Cacio E Pepe
- 16) Loaded Baked Potato
- 17) Savory Oatmeal
- 18) Pancakes Or Crepes
- 19) Simple Lentils
- 20) Pasta Frittata
- 21) Toast And Broth
- 22) Beans And Rice
- 23) “Clean-Out-the-Freezer” Stir-Fry
- 24) Fish On Toast
- 25) Popcorn Dinner
1) Aglio E Olio
It is just garlic oil and pasta, but it also feels like you get to have a small bistro of your own. Slice the garlic thinly and gently warm it in olive oil until it turns a pale golden color (not brown: brown is bitter). Mix with hot pasta and a bit of starchy water until it becomes glossy and clingy. If you have parsley that’s great, but if you don’t, no worries.
2) Tomato Pasta
This is the meal I cook when I want to stay in the kitchen and be left alone. Sauté garlic (or onion if you’ve got it), add canned tomatoes, salt, and a pinch of sugar if it tastes sharp. Wait until you get a whiff that smells good enough to eat right off the stove. Add the pasta and act like this was part of the plan.
3) Breakfast For Dinner
Eggs are the pinnacle of ‘I have nothing’ ingredients, yet still feel like a choice. Fry them crisp-edged, scramble them softly, or boil them for that jammy center if you’re feeling patient. Put them on toast, rice, noodles — anything that can catch a yolk. A little while ago, I laid some fried eggs on leftover popcorn (not my proudest food choice), and the result was… oddly okay.
4) Comfort Rice Bowl
It sounds like a meal you’d make in a dorm room. But, it also applies to adults with bills and opinions. The combination of hot rice that melts the butter and soy sauce provides a salty depth that makes it feel like this was intentional. If you have a fried egg, sesame seeds, or scallions, it gets fancier fast. Even when plain, the bowl is the type that calms the day down.
5) Fried Rice
Fried rice is basically a rescue mission for leftovers, and I love it for that. Best to use cold rice for this, since fresh rice tends to become gummy, so feel free to use that container you left in the back. Include an egg, frozen peas, a little soy sauce, and anything else you can cut into small pieces. Taste as you go, it’s difficult to mess things up with the exception of burning the garlic (and trust me I know from experience).
6) Tuna Melt
Canned tuna may be considered cheap, but so is hunger, so let’s make some. Enter the modern day tuna melt. Combine tuna with mayo (or yogurt) and if you have it, add mustard or relish, then mound it on toast. Put cheese on top to make it a real meal: broil until bubbly and a little browned. For something out of a can, it is surprisingly satisfying, as well as being cozy and salty.
7) Beans On Toast
It’s a classic because it’s warm, filling, and extremely cheap per serving. Heat canned beans with either a knob of butter or a splash of olive oil, and add your favorite seasonings such as salt and pepper, and maybe even some chili flakes. Spoon over onto the toast so it soaks in (that’s the whole point). If you have a slice of cheese, place it on top and let it melt.
8) Bean Soup
This is my “I don’t want a project” soup, but I want soup. If possible, start with sautéed onion or garlic. If not, begin with broth or water, and then add beans, salt, and any dried herbs. Without much effort, smash some beans against the pot to thicken it. You can eat it with toast and call it dinner because it is.
9) Peanut Noodles
This has helped me on days when I was far too tired to even complain about it. Stir peanut butter with soy sauce and enough hot water to make it silky; add chili flakes or a squeeze of lime if you’ve got it. When combined with noodles of any kind (ramen, spaghetti, etc.), it gains a whole new level of flavor. Some people prefer it sweeter; a little bit of sugar can make it smoother.
10) Upgraded Ramen
Instant ramen is okay, but instant ramen with one more addition is super comforting. Add whatever is easiest for you: a soft-boiled egg, some frozen spinach, or leftover chicken. I occasionally add a spoonful of peanut butter or a slice of American cheese. This may sound crazy, but it makes the broth creamy. Stay simple and keep it hot, and you’ll be happy.
11) Grilled Cheese
This is the meal I cook when I have no idea what to do. Butter the bread, keep the heat low so the cheese can melt, and take your time with the flip. If you have pickles or mustard, they balance out the richness nicely. I have eaten grilled cheese over the sink like a raccoon. It still counts.
12) Quesadilla
Everything else is a bonus, but the base is tortilla plus cheese. Sad spinach, leftover chicken, beans, and frozen corn: if it fits, it ships! Cook it until the outside is crispy and the inside is gooey, then let it cool so hopefully you don’t burn your mouth (I never listen to this). Salsa, hot sauce, or just yogurt.
13) Chickpea Salad
Drain your can of chickpeas and mash some of them so that it turns somewhat creamy, then mix with mayonnaise. Alternatively, you can use olive oil and lemon, if you have it. Include diced onions, celery, pickles, or any other crunchy ingredient you have on hand. Put it on toast or eat it straight with a fork while standing at the counter. It’s the sort of food that gives you the impression that you have your life together.
14) Eggs In Tomato Sauce
With just canned tomatoes and eggs, you are nearly there. Simmer tomatoes with garlic and spices (cumin and paprika are nice but not mandatory), then crack eggs into little wells. Cook until the whites are set and the yolks remain soft. Try not to look too pleased with yourself as you scoop it up with bread.
15) Cacio E Pepe
The first time it’s mildly terrifying because the cheese can clump if you don’t have proper patience. Cook the pasta, toast a heroic amount of black pepper, and off the heat, emulsify grated hard cheese with a bit of pasta water. The sauce should become glossy, not a sad cheese string situation. If it breaks, add extra water and claim you intended it to be “rustic.”
16) Loaded Baked Potato
A baked potato is essentially an open invitation with a crunchy coat. To begin, microwave it, then finish it in the oven if you would like the skin to crackle. At the very least, top with butter and salt. For a more substantial meal, the options include beans, cheese, tuna, or leftover chili. I’ve even topped one with scrambled eggs, which felt wrong until it felt very right.
17) Savory Oatmeal
Sweet oatmeal is nice, but savory oatmeal is true comfort food and an underappreciated meal. Prepare oats by cooking them with either water or broth, and add some salt. After that, you can top them with an egg, a splash of soy sauce, or some cheese. It is kind, gentle, and doesn’t ask much of you. I understand your skepticism; I was also. Until it turned my frozen, grumpy evening around.
18) Pancakes Or Crepes
With some flour and an egg, you can create a dish that will make you feel like you have your life together. Pancakes are forgiving; crepes are fussier but still doable if you accept imperfection. Top with jam, sugar, peanut butter, or, if you’re feeling savory, a fried egg. I have hosted friends for breakfast for dinner and seen everyone chill right away.
19) Simple Lentils
Dried lentils are one of the best bargains in the pantry because they cook quicker than most beans. Simmer them with salt, and add the garlic and olive oil at the end so they stay bright. A splash of vinegar or lemon juice perks things right up. Pair it with toast or rice and you will feel a little satisfaction.
20) Pasta Frittata
This is what you do with leftover pasta when reheating it gets boring. Beat the eggs, add the pasta to the eggs, sprinkle cheese if you have it, and cook in a frying pan until it solidifies. Si tu es courageux, retourne, sinon, grille. Considering its “what is this container?” energy, its oddly elegant.
21) Toast And Broth
Some evenings you don’t want a ‘recipe’, you want something cozy that doesn’t fight back. If you feel like it, you could add a garlic clove or some other seasoning. You can also add boullion to the broth and boil it. The buttered toast makes it feel like I’m having a meal and not just a drink. This is my way of calming down after a day that got a little too hectic.
22) Beans And Rice
Beans and rice can become dull if you don’t add seasoning, so show them some love: salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic: anything you can find in the cupboard. To liven things up, add a squeeze of lime or, in a pinch, vinegar. With the addition of some hot sauce, it becomes a type of dinner you would happily eat the next day too. Additionally, it scales easily if you are feeding someone else.
23) “Clean-Out-the-Freezer” Stir-Fry
This is where the half-bags of frozen vegetables from the freezer go to gain some dignity. Don’t let the food weep too much water by cooking quickly and at a higher temperatures, then sauce with soy + a little sugar or honey. It works even without ginger or garlic, but having them makes it better. Just try to avoid feeling smug about using up odds and ends when serving over rice or noodles.
24) Fish On Toast
I admire the boldness of canned fish. Sardines or mackerel on toast with lemon are truly filling and taste wonderfully briny. If you want it softer, add some butter or mayo; if you want it sharper, add mustard. If you are sensitive to smells, please open a window: some people react here in very different ways.
25) Popcorn Dinner
Here is where it gets a little ridiculous, but also very true: if you really pour your heart into it, popcorn can be dinner. Place it on the stove, add salt, butter, and perhaps some smoked paprika or nutritional yeast if you have that available. Combine it with a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit so that you won’t get hungry at midnight. I don’t pretend it is a balanced meal, but it can very well be a good Tuesday.
