There are times when those inevitable roadblocks in your day prevent you from making what you had planned. You need meals you can go to in a pinch, preferably easy to prep and with the kind of ingredients you might keep as staple pantry items. You need crockpot pantry meals.

“What can I make for dinner using ingredients I have on hand?” is an eternal question in a busy household full of hungry people! So many times, you just don’t have a full meal planned. 

These family friendly crockpot pantry meals use ingredients you have in your kitchen already, making them easy crockpot recipes everyone can enjoy. Keeping your pantry stocked will help you on your way to a family meal that you didn’t have to give much thought to.

A pantry meal is generally made with things like dried pasta, rice, beans, boxes of broth, or canned soups and veggies. With the addition of a protein and some spices, you have yourself a feast. It’s that simple. 

Your crockpot really comes in handy when prepping a pantry meal. 

Crockpot Pantry Meals

Slow Cooker Pantry Chicken Soup | Meal Planning Mommies

Slow Cooker Pantry Chicken Stew | All Recipes

Crock Pot Pantry Soup | Flour on My Face

Slow Cooker Chili Mac | Countryside Cravings

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili with Pantry Ingredients | Hip 2 Save

Pantry Stock

Keep your pantry stocked with dried pasta, rice, or quinoa. Also, have canned tomatoes, beans, and any type of broth you like. Cream soups are also a promising idea. 

You can grab these pantry basics along with frozen vegetables of all kinds and any spices you like. Even without adding protein, you are on your way to a delicious meal. 

Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup | Kaylee Lander

White Chicken Chili Crockpot Recipe | The Gracious Pantry

Crock Pot Corn Casserole | Easy Family Recipes

Slow Cooker Bacon Ranch Pasta | Family Fresh Meals

Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili | Skinny Taste

Spices

Spices are also a pantry staple. Some spices you should keep on hand are salt and pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, parsley, basil, and oregano. These spices add huge flavor to soups, pasta, and rice dishes. 

Layering flavors is especially important when cooking with your crockpot. Avoid the “everything tastes the same in the crockpot” comments by spicing up your food. 

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken | Lil Luna

Spicy Cajun Bean Soup | Recipes from a Pantry

Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli | Maebells

Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup | Wholefully

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken | Don’t Waste the Crumbs

Soups and Stews

Soups and stews are the most popular dishes to make from pantry to crockpot. But they are not the only dishes. If you have rice and pasta on hand, you can create creamy pasta dishes, rice casseroles, and even amazing mac and cheese meals.

Crockpot Pantry Pork Chops | Food.com

Beef and Noodles | Farm Wife Feeds

Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole | Simple Joy

Chicken and Stuffing | The Cozy Cook

Crockpot Fried Rice | A Year of Slow Cooking

Crockpot Cooking Tip

Don’t forget to oil the sides of your crockpot when cooking with dried ingredients like pasta and rice. A quick spray of oil is the best way to prevent sticking and burning. The amount of liquid you use in your crockpot will affect the flavors, too.

Keep in mind that some ingredients, like frozen vegetables and proteins, will add liquid to the food while it cooks. 

Crock Pot Spaghetti | Julie’s Eats and Treats

Crockpot Cowboy Casserole | Chasing Saturdays

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup | Persnickety Plates

Slow Cooker Mac N Cheese | Kathleen’s Cravings

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice | Real Housemoms

More Crockpot Recipes

Crockpot Cheese Dip with Beans (No Velveeta) | Crockpots aren’t simply good at bringing pantry meals together. You can also use them to make some amazing dips for parties.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice | Make a classic meal for dinner that is filled with flavor and super simple to make any night of the week.

Slow Cooker Beef Roast with Potatoes and Carrots | Beef roast is another classic recipe, but the slow cooker takes the dish to a whole new level thanks to its low and slow nature.

Crockpot Sloppy Joes Recipe | Sloppy Joe’s is not the prettiest dish, but it is a summer favorite that can be used anytime.

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup | Soup is amazing, but taco soup is even better, and you can make your own at home without breaking a sweat.