12 Pantry Staples That Can Save a Bland Dinner Fast

A bland dinner can feel disappointing after a long day. Still, a few pantry basics can help bring more life to the meal in almost no time. Sometimes all it takes is one small addition to make everything taste more put together. Keep reading for pantry ideas that can help dinner feel a lot less flat.

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Soy Sauce

When dinner tastes flat, soy sauce can change the whole dish in just a few minutes. It brings salt, depth, and a richer finish to noodles, rice, soups, vegetables, and simple meat dishes. Since it is already ready to use, it usually needs only 2 to 5 minutes in a hot pan to blend into the meal. A little goes a long way, so it is best to start with a small amount and taste before adding more.

Try turning it into a soy garlic noodle bowl for an easy meal with very little effort. Cook 8 ounces of noodles according to the package directions, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes, then save 3 tablespoons of the noodle water before draining. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil over medium heat, cook 3 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds, then stir in 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, and the reserved noodle water. Add the drained noodles, toss for 2 minutes until glossy, then finish with 2 sliced green onions and a pinch of black pepper before serving.

Canned Tomatoes

A can of tomatoes is one of the easiest ways to fix a dry or boring dinner. It adds moisture, light acidity, and a fuller base to pasta, soups, stews, skillet beans, and rice dishes. Most meals that use canned tomatoes take around 15 to 30 minutes, which makes them useful on busy nights. They are especially handy when fresh tomatoes are out of season or not in the kitchen.

A simple tomato chickpea skillet is a good example of how helpful this pantry item can be. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan, cook 1 small chopped onion for 5 minutes, then add 2 minced garlic cloves and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can drained chickpeas, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until slightly thickened. Spoon it over toasted bread, rice, or cooked pasta, and add 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan on top if you want a richer finish.

Chicken Broth

Few pantry items can make a bland dinner feel fuller as fast as chicken broth. It gives rice, soups, sauces, and skillet meals more body without requiring much extra work. A dish made with broth usually takes around 20 to 35 minutes, depending on what else goes into the pot. Even a small splash can help loosen a dry pan sauce and make the flavor feel more rounded.

One easy way to use it is in a buttery broth rice skillet that works as a side or light main dish. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium pan, cook 1/2 cup chopped onion for 4 minutes, then stir in 1 cup uncooked long grain rice for 1 minute. Add 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, bring it to a gentle boil, then cover and cook on low for about 18 minutes. Let it rest off the heat for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and stir in 1 tablespoon chopped parsley before serving.

Garlic Powder

On nights when dinner needs help fast, garlic powder can do a lot without extra prep. It adds a warm, savory note to potatoes, vegetables, eggs, chicken, pasta, and even simple sauces. Because it is a dry seasoning, it only needs a few minutes to blend into the dish. It is a good pantry choice when you want garlic flavor without peeling or chopping anything.

A skillet of garlic butter potatoes shows how much flavor this simple ingredient can bring. Boil 1 pound baby potatoes in salted water for 15 to 18 minutes until fork tender, then drain and let them dry for a minute. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter, stir in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then add the potatoes and cook for 5 to 6 minutes while turning them often. Scatter 1 tablespoon chopped parsley over the top and serve warm as a side for chicken, eggs, or roasted vegetables.

Onion Powder

Sometimes a meal is missing that soft savory taste that makes it feel finished, and onion powder can fill that gap quickly. It works well in rice, burgers, roasted vegetables, creamy sauces, soups, and egg dishes. Most meals with onion powder take about 10 to 25 minutes, since the seasoning blends in almost right away. It is especially useful when there is no fresh onion around.

A warm onion rice bowl comes together quickly and uses ingredients that are often already in the kitchen. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat, stir in 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then add 1 1/2 cups cooked rice. Mix in 1/4 cup frozen peas and 1/4 cup corn, then cook for 4 to 5 minutes until everything is hot and lightly coated in the seasoned butter. Top with a fried egg or 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar if you want to make it feel more complete.

Coconut Milk

When a meal feels thin or dry, coconut milk can make it taste richer and smoother in a short amount of time. It works well in curries, soups, lentils, sauces, and rice dishes that need more body. Many meals with coconut milk take about 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish. Once opened, any extra can be chilled and used again within the next day or two.

A coconut lentil curry is a filling dinner that uses this pantry staple in a very practical way. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan, cook 1 small chopped onion for 5 minutes, then stir in 1 tablespoon of curry powder and 2 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds. Pour in 1 cup canned coconut milk, 1 cup cooked lentils, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Serve it over 1 1/2 cups cooked rice and add a squeeze of lime or a handful of chopped cilantro on top if you have some.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter can do much more than fill sandwiches when dinner needs a little help. It adds creaminess, a nutty taste, and a fuller texture to noodles, grain bowls, sauces, and quick vegetable dishes. Most recipes using peanut butter sauce take about 10 to 20 minutes. Smooth peanut butter mixes more easily, though crunchy can still work in a pinch.

Peanut noodles are a good meal to make when time is short, and the pantry has to do most of the work. Cook 8 ounces of noodles according to the package directions, then drain and set aside. In a bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of warm water until smooth, then toss with the hot noodles. Add 1 small shredded carrot and 2 sliced green onions, then serve as is or with sliced cucumber on the side.

Mustard

With its tangy bite, mustard can help a soft or bland dinner taste more lively. It works well in pan sauces, dressings, potato dishes, sandwiches, and quick chicken meals. Most recipes using mustard take about 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the main ingredient. Dijon works especially well in creamy sauces because it blends in smoothly and adds good flavor without much effort.

A mustard chicken skillet makes a simple dinner feel more put-together in less than half an hour. Season 2 thin chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then cook them in 1 tablespoon oil for about 5 minutes per side until done. Remove the chicken, add 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons cream or milk to the pan, then stir for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or green beans.

Worcestershire Sauce

In small amounts, Worcestershire sauce can make dinner taste deeper and more rounded. It is useful in beef dishes, gravies, burger mixtures, soups, and rice skillets that feel a bit thin. Most meals using it take about 15 to 30 minutes, while the sauce itself needs only a minute or two in the pan. Since the flavor is strong, it helps to start with a little and add more only if needed.

A beef and rice skillet is a great place to use this pantry staple in a way that feels easy and filling. Brown 1 pound ground beef with 1/2 cup chopped onion in a large skillet for 8 minutes, then drain extra fat if needed. Stir in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup cooked rice, 1/2 cup frozen peas, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then cook 5 minutes more until hot. Spoon it into bowls and top with 1/4 cup shredded cheddar if you want an extra layer of flavor.

Honey

A little honey can help fix a dinner that tastes too salty, too sharp, or simply unfinished. It adds mild sweetness to sauces, glazes, dressings, and quick skillet vegetables without making them taste like dessert. Most dishes using honey take around 15 to 30 minutes. Even one spoonful can smooth out stronger flavors and help the whole meal come together better.

Honey garlic carrots are simple to make and work nicely as a quick side dish for chicken, rice, or beans. Peel and slice 4 medium carrots, boil them in salted water for about 8 minutes until just tender, then drain well. In a skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter, stir in 1 tablespoon honey, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then add the carrots and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly glazed. A small squeeze of lemon at the end can keep the dish from feeling too sweet.

Curry Powder

Curry powder is a very useful pantry staple when dinner needs warmth and fuller flavor without much extra effort. It works well in lentils, potatoes, rice, soups, roasted vegetables, and creamy sauces. Most recipes with curry powder take about 20 to 35 minutes. Heating it briefly in oil at the beginning helps the flavor spread through the whole dish.

A curry potato skillet turns basic ingredients into a satisfying meal or side with very little fuss. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a covered skillet, cook 2 cups diced potatoes with 1/2 cup chopped onion for 10 minutes, then stir in 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook another 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender, then uncover and cook 3 minutes more so the pan dries slightly and the edges get a little color. Serve it with a fried egg, plain yogurt, or warm flatbread if you want to round out the plate.

Lemon Juice

A splash of lemon juice can make a heavy or dull dinner taste fresher almost right away. It works well with beans, chicken, fish, pasta, vegetables, and grain bowls that need a little lift at the end. Since it is usually added near the finish, the extra cooking time is only about 1 to 3 minutes. Fresh lemon juice has the best taste, though bottled works fine when that is what you have.

A fast lemon white bean saute is a good example of how much this one ingredient can do. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet, cook 2 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds, then add 1 can drained white beans, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups of spinach and cook 2 minutes more until wilted, then spoon the mixture over toast, rice, or cooked pasta. If you want a little extra richness, add 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan right before serving.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.