Pepaw has a saying: “A good pantry is like a good friend. Steady, reliable, and always there when you need it.” When money gets tight, he turns to simple budget pantry staples that stretch into hearty meals all week long.
With just twenty dollars and some wise choices, you can stock a pantry that keeps dinners easy, comforting, and satisfying. These ingredients aren’t fancy, but they make real food that fills you up without draining your wallet.
Pepaw’s List of Pantry Staples Under $20
A small budget goes a long way when you stick to basics. Pepaw’s go-to list includes rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, dry beans or canned beans, oats, peanut butter, canned tuna, broth cubes, and frozen vegetables, especially when they’re on sale. These items offer the best value for their versatility, and each one can anchor multiple meals throughout the week.
The trick is choosing foods that complement each other and last a long time. A single bag of rice or pasta can turn into four or five dinners. Canned tomatoes can be used to make sauces, soups, or seasonings. A can of tuna can be used to make sandwiches, pasta dishes, or casseroles. Pepaw loves ingredients that work overtime without complaint.
With just these basics, you can create a surprisingly extensive range of meals without needing to revisit the store.
For more grocery-saving strategies, check out Grocery Store Secrets: How Pepaw Snags Meat & Produce Deals.
Meals You Can Make From These Budget-Friendly Basics
Pepaw turns his pantry staples into simple suppers that go a long way. Beans and rice make a filling base you can season a hundred different ways. Ingredients such as garlic, onion, chili powder, or canned tomatoes all bring it to life. Add frozen vegetables, and you’ve got a full meal for just pennies per serving.
Pasta night is another favorite. With canned tomatoes, you can whip up a quick sauce that tastes better than the jarred stuff. Stir in tuna or leftover chicken for protein, and dinner is done. If you’re craving something cozy, oats can double as a savory side dish or breakfast that lasts all morning.
Each ingredient has more uses than folks realize. Pepaw says the secret isn’t buying more. It’s about learning meal planning and using what you have in new ways.
See Pepaw’s Simple Tricks to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half to cut costs further at checkout.
Stretching Meals With Simple, Old-School Tricks
Pepaw grew up in a time when nothing went to waste. He adds broth cubes to leftover rice to make soup. He bulks up pasta dishes with vegetables to make them feed more mouths. He’ll take half a can of tomatoes and freeze the rest for later. These tiny habits stretch your groceries farther without making you feel like you’re scrimping.
He also uses “mix-and-match cooking,” in which the same staple becomes different meals depending on the spices and additions. Beans can be used for chili one day and as taco filling the next. Rice can be fried, baked, or cooked into a casserole. The more flexible your staples, the more meals you can make.
Pepaw says, “Make your food work double shifts. It won’t complain.”
To make pantry cooking easier, check out Pepaw’s Favorite Kitchen Gadgets Worth Every Penny
How to Build a Reliable, Long-Term Pantry on a Small Budget
A strong pantry doesn’t happen all at once. Pepaw recommends adding one or two staples to your list each week. Over time, you’ll build shelves stocked with rice, beans, oats, canned goods, and simple proteins. That pantry becomes a safety net when grocery prices climb or weeks get tight.
He also suggests buying sales when you can. A discounted bag of rice or BOGO pasta goes straight into the pantry and saves you money later. Rotate items so older ones get used first, and keep track of what you run out of most often. Soon enough, you’ll know exactly what your household needs—and you’ll waste less along the way.
By planning small and steadily, you’ll never face a week with nothing to cook.
