Welcome to Shop My Pantry! This is where I share the ingredients, spices, and pantry staples that show up in my recipes again and again. Everything here is something I genuinely use and keep stocked in my own kitchen. Organized by store section so you can shop the way you actually walk through a grocery store.
Shop My Pantry — What’s Always in My Kitchen
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Stephanie’s
13 Essential Kitchen Ingredients
A Baker’s Dozen 🥖
When you follow my weekly meal plans and grocery lists, I’m assuming you already have these 13 basics on hand. They show up in almost everything I cook and bake — keep them stocked and you’ll always be ready to make whatever’s on the menu.
Need to stock up? Browse the Baking Staples and Dairy & Refrigerated sections below.
Jump to a Category:
Produce & Fresh
Fresh vegetables, herbs, and produce I reach for most often. This section grows each week as I publish new menus and grocery lists — check back every week for what’s in season and on the table.
- Amazon Grocery Russet Potatoes, 5 lb (Shop on Amazon) — The potato I reach for every time. Perfect for mashed, roasted, baked, or anything in between. A 5 lb bag goes fast in this house.
- Amazon Grocery Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Pre-peeled baby carrots save so much time. I use them in pot roasts, veggie trays, and for snacking. Easy and always on my list.
- Whole Carrots, 1 lb (Shop on Amazon) — When a recipe calls for carrots cut in chunks — like my Sunday pot roast — this is what I grab. Whole carrots chopped into big pieces hold up beautifully to a long, slow braise.
- 365 Whole Foods Organic Shredded Carrots, 10 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Already shredded and ready to toss into stir fries, salads, or slaw. Skipping the grating step is one of those shortcuts I don’t apologize for.
- Amazon Grocery Yellow Onions, 3 lb (Shop on Amazon) — Yellow onions are the foundation of almost everything I cook. A 3 lb bag means I’m never scrambling when a recipe calls for one.
- Red Onion, 1 Each (Shop on Amazon) — Milder and a little sweeter than yellow — red onion is what I reach for when I want that pop of color and bite in a salad. Goes right into my Cucumber Tomato Salad.
- Red Bell Pepper, 1 Each (Shop on Amazon) — Sweet, fresh, and perfect for fajitas, stir fries, and anything that needs a pop of color.
- Green Bell Pepper, 1 Each (Shop on Amazon) — A little more bite than the red. Essential for fajitas and classic Cuban dishes.
- Fresh Produce Zucchini, 1 Each (Shop on Amazon) — Sliced into Mediterranean turkey bowls, tossed on a sheet pan, or shredded into bread — zucchini is one of those versatile veggies I’m always finding new uses for.
- Fresh Cucumber, 1 Each (Shop on Amazon) — Crisp, cool, and the star of my Cucumber Tomato Salad. I chop one up and it disappears in about ten minutes flat.
- Fresh Slicing Tomato, 1 Each (Shop on Amazon) — One big juicy slicing tomato chopped up is the base of my Cucumber Tomato Salad. Meaty, ripe, and ready to go.
- Amazon Grocery Cherry Tomatoes, 10 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Sweet, pop-in-your-mouth tomatoes that brighten up any bowl or salad. The kids will eat these straight off the cutting board.
- Taylor Farms Fresh Spinach, 9 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Pre-washed fresh spinach for tossing into soups, pasta, or a quick side salad. It wilts beautifully into a creamy tortellini soup.
Dairy & Refrigerated
The dairy and refrigerated staples that show up in my recipes week after week. Eggs, butter, cheese, cream — if you keep these stocked you are always ready to cook.
- Large White Eggs, 1 Dozen (Shop on Amazon) — Eggs are in everything. Always keep at least two dozen on hand when you cook for a crowd.
- Salted Butter, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Butter makes everything better. Keep plenty of it. I use salted butter in almost everything.
- Half & Half, 32 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — A richer alternative to milk that makes casseroles, soups, and coffee so much better. I always have it in the fridge.
- Heavy Whipping Cream, 32 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — For rich casseroles, homemade whipped cream, and anything that needs real creaminess. My French Toast Casserole wouldn’t be the same without it.
- Whole Milk, 1 Gallon (Shop on Amazon) — When a recipe calls for milk, it means whole milk. Keep a gallon on hand and your baked goods will thank you.
- Organic Valley Cultured Lowfat Buttermilk, 32 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Real buttermilk is what gives Iowa Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches their tangy bite. A 32 oz carton lasts longer than you think.
- Amazon Grocery Original Sour Cream (Shop on Amazon) — I go through sour cream fast. It goes in casseroles, on top of chili, and honestly everywhere else too.
- Amazon Grocery Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Goes on top of Poppy Seed Chicken and over a bowl of Daddy’s Chili both. Sharp cheddar is the right call every time.
- Kraft Finely Shredded Parmesan Cheese, 6 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Finely shredded Parmesan melts into pasta, casseroles, and baked dishes so much better than the stuff in the green can. Keep it in the fridge.
- Kraft Singles American Cheese Slices, 24 ct (Shop on Amazon) — Say what you want — sometimes only Kraft Singles will do. Perfect on Iowa Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches and in grilled cheese for the kids.
- Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese (Shop on Amazon) — If you haven’t made my Boursin Orzo Bake yet, this cheese is the reason you need to.
- Athenos Traditional Feta Crumbles, 6 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Salty, tangy, and perfect for sprinkling over Mediterranean turkey bowls, salads, and baked pasta. Athenos is the feta I trust every time.
- Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts, 2 Count (Shop on Amazon) — Two ready-to-roll crusts for pot pies, quiches, and desserts in half the time. Life is too short to make pie crust from scratch every week.
- Buitoni Three Cheese Tortellini, 20 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Fresh cheese tortellini that turns a weeknight into something special. Perfect for creamy tortellini soup and it cooks in just a few minutes.
- Bertolli Classic Alfredo Sauce, 15 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The jarred Alfredo I reach for when I need dinner fast. Two jars is the shortcut behind my creamy tortellini soup.
Meat & Proteins
The proteins I cook with most often for feeding a crowd. Updated weekly as new menus are published.
- Amazon Grocery Chicken Breast Fillets, Boneless Skinless (Shop on Amazon) — Fresh chicken for Poppy Seed Chicken, No-Peek Chicken and Rice, and so much more. If you cook for a crowd, you go through chicken fast.
- Amazon Grocery Ground Beef, 80/20, 1 lb (Shop on Amazon) — The starting point for Daddy’s Famous Crockpot Chili and so many other crowd favorites.
- Jennie-O Lean Ground Turkey 93/7, 1 lb (Shop on Amazon) — The ground turkey I grab for Mediterranean turkey bowls and weeknight dinners. Leaner than beef but still full of flavor — Jennie-O is the brand I trust.
- Amazon Fresh Medium Raw Shrimp, 1 lb (Shop on Amazon) — Peeled, deveined, tail off — shrimp prepped and ready to toss into a stir fry or shrimp scampi. When dinner needs to happen in 20 minutes, this is what I reach for.
- Amazon Grocery Beef Chuck Center Roast, Boneless, USDA Choice (Shop on Amazon) — The cut I reach for when I’m making Sunday pot roast. Low and slow is how it’s done, and this chuck roast falls apart beautifully.
- Fully Cooked Bacon (Shop on Amazon) — Already cooked, already crispy, and ready to crumble. This is the bacon I reach for when I’m making my World’s Best Green Beans to serve alongside Sunday pot roast — no skillet, no splatter, just open the package and go.
- Amazon Grocery Beef Flank Steak, Boneless, USDA Choice (Shop on Amazon) — Perfect for fajitas, stir fries, and anywhere you want that beefy flavor with a quick sear. Slice against the grain and it’s tender every time.
- Amazon Grocery Pork Tenderloin, Boneless (Shop on Amazon) — The cut I use for my Iowa Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches. Lean, tender, and easy to work with.
- Amazon Fresh Boneless Pork Loin Center-Cut Chops, 1 lb (Shop on Amazon) — The exact cut I use in my Crock Pot Pork Chops. Boneless, ready to go, and honestly the easiest two-ingredient dinner I make — toss them in the crock pot with cream of chicken soup and come home to dinner done.
- Jimmy Dean Premium Pork Sausage Roll, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The breakfast sausage I trust. Perfect for breakfast casseroles, tater tot casserole, and weekend mornings.
- StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — A pantry protein staple I always keep stocked. Perfect for tuna noodle casserole and quick weeknight meals.
- Hillshire Farm Turkey Smoked Sausage, 13 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The exact sausage I use in my Cuban Inspired Sausage and Rice. Smoky, flavorful, and so easy to cook with. Slice it up and it feeds a crowd without any fuss.
Pantry Staples
The seasonings, canned goods, oils, sauces, and everyday ingredients that live in my pantry year-round. These are the items that make everything taste good — keep them stocked and you are always ready to cook.
These three live on my counter permanently. I don’t put them away. I’m not going to.
- Cavender’s All Purpose Greek Seasoning — My secret weapon and I will not apologize for putting it on everything. This is one of those seasonings that makes everything taste better. I keep it on my counter permanently.
- Kinder’s The Blend Seasoning — I use this blend on everything!! Even more than Cavender’s 😉
- Kinder’s Garlic & Herb Seasoning — Another great blend by Kinder’s!! Seasoning makes a difference!


- Spiceology Greek Freak Mediterranean Seasoning — The exact seasoning I used in my Cucumber Tomato Salad — and honestly, on basically everything else too. A bold Mediterranean blend that works on chicken, potatoes, salad, pasta, and more. Jason approves.
My mama was the one who told me about Better Than Bouillon — and she was right. People always ask me why my food tastes so good, and nine times out of ten this is the answer. You should always take your mama’s advice. Always.
- Better Than Bouillon — This really is a game changer. You’ll want to pick up some of the beef and some of the chicken. Make sure you never run out.

- Crystal Light Strawberry Orange Banana — The drink mix I make every single week for my family of 7. One packet, a pitcher of cold water, done in 10 seconds.
- Amazon Fresh 100% Lemon Juice — I always keep this in my fridge. It’s in my DIY lemonade and I reach for it constantly when I need a splash of lemon in anything.
- Ragu Spaghetti Sauce — Unless you are going to make your own, it’s tough to beat Ragu.
- Simply Asia Furikake Japanese Style Seasoning — A toasted sesame and seaweed blend that adds the most amazing umami flavor. This is what takes the viral sushi bake to the next level!
- Gimme Seaweed Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks — The brand I used in my viral sushi bake.
- Orzo Pasta — The Boursin Orzo Bake…yummy!
- Egg Noodles — Egg noodles are by far the best noodles for my chicken noodle soup.
- Barilla Elbow Macaroni, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The pasta I use in my Tuna Noodle Casserole. A classic pantry staple worth keeping on the shelf.
- Barilla Spaghetti, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The spaghetti I keep on hand for pasta nights. Always cooks up perfectly — Barilla is the one I trust.
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix — The PERFECT pairing for my Daddy’s Famous Chili. SO EASY. And I always get compliments on it.
- Honey Maid Graham Crackers — My go-to for Eclair Squares and so much more.
- Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar — 56% cacao, perfect for melting and drizzling. This is what I use for my Eclair Squares chocolate topping.
- Jell-O French Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix — The secret ingredient in my Eclair Squares.
- Amazon Fresh Condensed Cream of Celery Soup — A key ingredient in my Poppy Seed Chicken.
- Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Potato Soup, 10.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The third cream soup in my chicken pot pie lineup. Chicken, celery, and potato — three cans, one crust, done.
- Amazon Grocery Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips — Semi-sweet is the only way to go.
- Medium Shells Pasta — Always keep pasta on hand.
- Kirkland Pure Vanilla Extract — When you bake as much as I do, you need vanilla in bulk. Kirkland’s pure vanilla extract is the real deal and the value is unbeatable.
- Morton Sea Salt Fine — I keep both iodized salt and fine sea salt on hand. The sea salt is what I reach for when finishing dishes.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 16.9 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — I use this almost every single day. Good olive oil makes everything better.
- Avocado Oil, 16.9 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — High smoke point, neutral flavor — I use this for sautéing, roasting, and anywhere I want a healthier oil. Jason especially loves this one.
- Iodized Salt, 4 lb (Shop on Amazon) — The most basic pantry staple there is. Keep a big one.
- Ground Black Pepper, 3 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Goes in everything. Always keep a fresh one on hand.
- Apple Cider Vinegar, 16 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — More versatile than people give it credit for. Marinades, dressings, braised meats — I reach for this all the time.
- Colavita Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, 17 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The balsamic I reach for when a splash of tangy sweetness is what a dish needs. Perfect for dressings, marinades, and drizzling over Mediterranean turkey bowls.
- Colavita Aged White Wine Vinegar, 17 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Bright, clean, and the vinegar I reach for when a dressing needs a little more finesse. It’s what gives my Cucumber Tomato Salad that perfect swirl of tang.
- Colavita Aged Red Wine Vinegar, 17 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Rich, robust, and made for a Mediterranean dressing. Works beautifully in my Cucumber Tomato Salad — use this or the white wine vinegar, whichever you have on hand.
- Knorr Chicken Bouillon, 15.9 oz (Shop on Amazon) — I keep bouillon in stock instead of cartons of broth — it takes up less space, lasts forever, and honestly tastes better.
- Swanson Chicken Broth, 32 oz (Shop on Amazon) — When a recipe needs a carton of broth and I don’t feel like making it from bouillon, Swanson is the one I trust. Perfect for creamy tortellini soup and just about anything else.
- Worcestershire Sauce, 15 oz 2-pack (Shop on Amazon) — The secret behind so many great savory dishes. My pot roast wouldn’t be the same without it.
- Soy Sauce, 20 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Adds depth to marinades, stir fries, and more. A little goes a long way.
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce, 10 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The sweet-savory teriyaki that turns a weeknight stir fry into something the whole family actually asks for again. Kikkoman is the original and still the best.
- Gourmet Garden Ginger Paste, 4 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Fresh ginger flavor without the peeling and grating. I keep this squeezable tube in the fridge and reach for it in stir fries, marinades, and anywhere ginger belongs.
- Cornstarch, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — For thickening sauces, gravies, and soups. Keep it in the pantry always.
- Spice World Minced Garlic, 4.5 oz Pack of 2 (Shop on Amazon) — Jarred minced garlic is one of those shortcuts I don’t apologize for. Saves so much time on a busy weeknight.
- Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Ranch is basically its own food group in this house. Salad, veggie tray, dipping sauce for everything — keep a bottle ready.
- Mission Soft Taco Flour Tortillas, 10 ct (Shop on Amazon) — Soft, pliable, and the size I reach for on fajita night and taco night. The brand I trust every time.
- Tostitos Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips, 17 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The sturdy triangle chip that holds up to a sheet pan of nachos without breaking. Restaurant-style is the right call when loading them up.
- Long Grain White Rice, 5 lb (Shop on Amazon) — A crowd-cooking staple. My No-Peek Chicken and Rice starts with a bag of long grain white rice and ends with a pan that disappears every single time.
- Vigo Yellow Rice (Shop on Amazon) — The exact yellow rice I use in my Cuban Inspired Sausage and Rice. Perfectly seasoned right out of the bag — it does all the flavor work for you.
- Bush’s Best Black Beans, 15 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The exact black beans I use in my Cuban Inspired Sausage and Rice. Creamy, perfectly textured, and a pantry staple I keep stocked year-round.
- Bush’s Cannellini Beans, 15.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Creamy white beans that go into Mediterranean turkey bowls and anywhere you need a mild, tender bean. Bush’s is the one I grab every time.
- Bush’s Best Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Protein-packed chickpeas that give my Cucumber Tomato Salad its hearty, substantial bite. Rinsed and drained, they turn a light side salad into something people actually go back for.
- Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Warmed up and spread under a mountain of nacho toppings, refried beans are a non-negotiable. Old El Paso is the classic.
- Ricos World Famous Nacho Cheese, 15 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The pourable nacho cheese that makes a kitchen-table nacho night feel like a ballpark. A can in the pantry means nachos are always on the menu.
- Lindsay Sliced Black Ripe Olives, 3.8 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Pre-sliced and ready to sprinkle over nachos, tacos, or pasta salad. A small can goes a long way.
- Amazon Grocery Pitted Kalamata Olives, 9.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Briny, rich, and the optional mix-in that takes my Cucumber Tomato Salad up a notch. Pitted and ready to toss in — if your crowd is olive-friendly, absolutely worth it.
- Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, 10.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — A classic pantry staple that shows up in casseroles all over this site. Keep a few cans on hand.
- Lipton Onion Soup Mix, 2 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The secret ingredient in my No-Peek Chicken and Rice. One box, two envelopes, infinite flavor.
- Poppy Seeds, 3.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The star of my Poppy Seed Chicken — the recipe that started it all. Don’t be without them.
- RITZ Original Crackers, Family Size (Shop on Amazon) — The topping on my Poppy Seed Chicken and my Tuna Noodle Casserole. Crushed Ritz crackers baked over the top is non-negotiable. This is a hill I will die on.
- Premium Original Saltine Crackers (Shop on Amazon) — A pantry staple worth keeping on hand. Perfect alongside soups, chili, and anywhere you need a simple cracker.
- McCormick Chili Powder, 2.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Essential for Daddy’s Famous Crockpot Chili. Keep it stocked.
- McCormick Ground Cumin, 1.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Chili without cumin is just tomato soup. This is the spice that makes chili taste like chili.
- McCormick Italian Seasoning, 6.25 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The blend of oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme that makes soups, sauces, and roasted veggies taste like I put way more effort in than I did. The big 6.25 oz jar is the smart buy.
- McCormick Original Taco Seasoning Mix, 1 oz (Shop on Amazon) — One packet seasons a pound of ground beef for tacos or nachos. Keep a few on hand for Taco Tuesday and nacho nights.
- Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning (Shop on Amazon) — The seasoning mix I reach for on fajita night. One packet and dinner is already halfway there.
- Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, 30 oz (Shop on Amazon) — A condiment staple I always keep in the pantry. Shows up in my Tuna Noodle Casserole and anywhere you need real, creamy mayo.
- Bush’s Best Light Red Kidney Beans, 16 oz (Shop on Amazon) — One of two kinds of kidney beans that go into Daddy’s Chili. Keep a can of each — light and dark — and you are always ready for chili night.
- Amazon Grocery Canned Dark Red Kidney Beans, 15.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The second kidney bean in Daddy’s Chili. Light and dark together is the right combination.
- Amazon Grocery Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — A pantry staple that shows up in Daddy’s Chili and so many other dishes. Always keep a few cans on the shelf.
- Amazon Grocery Tomato Sauce, 15 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Goes into Daddy’s Famous Crockpot Chili. A backup can on the shelf is just smart pantry management.
- Amazon Grocery Ground Cinnamon, 2.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The secret ingredient in Daddy’s Famous Crockpot Chili — yes, cinnamon. In chili. I know. Just trust me and try it.
- Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, 10.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The base of my Poppy Seed Chicken, my Tuna Noodle Casserole, AND my Crock Pot Pork Chops. Two cans over a pan of pork chops and you are eight hours from the easiest dinner of the week. Keep plenty stocked.
- Amazon Grocery Cut Green Beans, 14.5 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The key ingredient in the World’s Best Green Beans that goes alongside my No-Peek Chicken and Rice.
- Amazon Grocery Canned Corn (Shop on Amazon) — A pantry essential I always keep stocked. Shows up in casseroles, soups, and side dishes all the time.
- Amazon Grocery Garlic Powder, 3.9 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Goes into the World’s Best Green Beans and honestly into almost everything I make. If you are out of garlic powder, you are not ready to cook.
- McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract, 1 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — A cool splash of peppermint that makes grasshopper pie taste like a mint chocolate cookie in dessert form. A little bottle lasts ages.
- Nielsen-Massey Pure Chocolate Extract, 2 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Deep, real chocolate flavor from a brand that takes extracts seriously. I use it in grasshopper pie and anywhere cocoa alone needs a boost.
- Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup, 24 oz (Shop on Amazon) — For drizzling over ice cream, stirring into milk, and finishing a slice of grasshopper pie. The classic red squeeze bottle lives in my fridge year-round.
- Maesri Thai Red Curry Paste, 4 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The curry paste I use in my Thai Coconut Curry. Authentic flavor, perfectly spiced.
- Thai Kitchen Unsweetened Coconut Milk, 13.66 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — The base of my Thai Coconut Curry. Rich, creamy, and dairy-free. Always keep a can or two in the pantry.
- Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly, 30 oz (Shop on Amazon) — One of three ingredients in my 3-Ingredient Crockpot Meatballs.
- Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce, 40 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The third ingredient in my 3-Ingredient Crockpot Meatballs — and honestly, just a great BBQ sauce to have on hand for everything else too.
- Pancake Syrup, 24 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — Perfect for drizzling over French Toast Casserole or pancakes. A breakfast staple worth keeping stocked.
Bread & Grains
Breads, rolls, tortillas, and grains that round out a meal. Updated as new menus are published each week.
- Nature’s Own Brioche Style Bread — The exact bread I use in my French Toast Casserole. Thick-sliced, soft, and it soaks up the custard perfectly. Don’t substitute regular sandwich bread.
- Martin’s Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls, 12 ct (Shop on Amazon) — Soft, slightly sweet, and the perfect roll to go alongside a Sunday pot roast. Once you try Martin’s, you don’t go back.
- Nature’s Own Hamburger Butter Buns, 8 ct (Shop on Amazon) — Soft, buttery, and sturdy enough to hold up to a pork tenderloin sandwich hanging off both sides. My hamburger bun of choice.
Frozen
Frozen staples I keep on hand for easy weeknight dinners and crowd-pleasing casseroles.
- Frozen Tater Tots — My kids love my tater tot casserole!
- Frozen Homestyle Meatballs, 26 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The base of my 3-Ingredient Crockpot Meatballs. Two bags in the crockpot and you’re halfway to the easiest party appetizer you’ll ever make.
- Ore-Ida Crispy Crinkles Frozen French Fries, 32 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The frozen fries I keep on hand for easy weeknight sides. Crispy, golden, and ready in minutes — perfect alongside Iowa Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches or any burger night.
- Pepperidge Farm Texas Toast Garlic Bread, 11.25 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Thick, buttery, garlicky, and ready in five minutes. My go-to side for pasta night and anytime I need bread on the table fast.
- Birds Eye Deluxe Stir-Fry Vegetable Mix, 32 oz (Shop on Amazon) — A ready-to-go mix of broccoli, carrots, and water chestnuts that turns a stir fry into a 15-minute dinner. No chopping, no prep — just dump and cook.
- Birds Eye Steamfresh Mixed Vegetables, 10 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The classic corn, carrots, green beans, and peas mix that goes into chicken pot pie and a dozen other comfort dishes. Keep a bag in the freezer.
- Marie Callender’s Frozen Pastry Pie Crusts — Flaky, buttery, and they save so much time.
Baking Staples
Every great recipe starts with a well-stocked pantry. These are the baking staples I always keep on hand — the building blocks behind almost every baked good on this site. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated. Just the basics, so you’re always ready to bake.
- All-Purpose Flour, 5 lb (Shop on Amazon) — The workhorse of the kitchen. I go through this constantly. Keep at least one bag on hand at all times.
- Granulated White Sugar, 4 lb (Shop on Amazon) — Plain and simple. You’ll need this for more recipes than you think.
- Light Brown Sugar, 2 lb (Shop on Amazon) — Essential for cookies, glazes, and so many savory dishes too. Don’t skip it.
- Powdered Sugar, 2 lb (Shop on Amazon) — For frostings, glazes, and dusting. A must-have in any baker’s pantry.
- Baking Powder, 8.1 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Check the date on yours right now. Old baking powder is the reason more baked goods fail than people realize.
- Pure Vanilla Extract, 16 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — Use real vanilla. It matters more than you think.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, 12 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Because you should always have chocolate chips in the house. Always.
- Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening, 6 lb (Shop on Amazon) — My go-to for cookies and pie crusts. Old school and irreplaceable.
- Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake Mix, 15.25 oz (Shop on Amazon) — A pantry staple for quick desserts. My Cherry Dump Cake starts right here — three ingredients, zero effort, maximum happiness.
- Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix, 15.25 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The cake mix base for my Coconut Cake. Lighter and more delicate than yellow cake mix — the right choice when coconut is the star.
- Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 8 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The backbone of my Texas Sheet Cake. Keep a can in your pantry at all times.
- Quaker Old Fashioned Oats, 42 oz (Shop on Amazon) — For my Chewy Oatmeal Cookie Bars and so much more. Old fashioned oats, not quick oats — the texture is completely different.
- Quaker Quick 1-Minute Oats, 42 oz (Shop on Amazon) — When you need oats that cook fast without sacrificing flavor. Great for quick breakfasts and recipes that call for quick oats specifically.
- Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix (Shop on Amazon) — The pancake mix I keep stocked for weekend breakfasts. Just add water and you are feeding a crowd in minutes.
- SACO Cultured Buttermilk Blend, 12 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The secret to tender, tangy baked goods like Texas Sheet Cake. Shelf-stable powder means no more buying a carton for one recipe and wasting the rest.
- Duncan Hines Comstock Cherry Pie Filling, 21 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The first ingredient in my 3 Ingredient Cherry Dump Cake. Keep a can in the pantry and you are always 5 minutes from dessert.
- Duncan Hines Comstock Apple Pie Filling (Shop on Amazon) — Rich, thick apple filling perfect for pies, dump cakes, and any recipe that calls for apple pie filling. This is the one I use.
- Amazon Grocery Apple Pie Filling (Shop on Amazon) — A reliable everyday option for apple pie filling. Good value and consistent quality — keeps well in the pantry.
- Coco Lopez Real Cream of Coconut, 15 oz (Shop on Amazon) — A key ingredient in my Coconut Cake. Not to be confused with coconut milk or coconut cream — this is its own thing entirely.
- Baker’s Sweetened Angel Flake Coconut, 14 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The brand I trust for shredded coconut. Moist, perfectly sweetened, and essential for a proper Coconut Cake.
- Cool Whip Original Whipped Topping, 8 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Goes in my Eclair Squares and my Coconut Cake. Keep one in the freezer and you are always ready for a no-bake dessert.
- OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Pie Crust, 6 oz (Shop on Amazon) — Ready-made Oreo cookie crust that turns any no-bake dessert into something magical. The only way to start a grasshopper pie.
- Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding, 3.4 oz (Shop on Amazon) — The base of so many no-bake desserts. Grasshopper pie uses two small boxes of this plain vanilla pudding — don’t substitute French vanilla here.
- McCormick Green Food Color, 1 fl oz (Shop on Amazon) — For St. Patrick’s Day treats, Grinch cupcakes, and that signature mint-green grasshopper pie. A drop goes a long way.
Note: Baking Soda is NOT included — Stephanie does not recommend it (believes it leaves a bitter aftertaste).
Shop My Pantry is updated weekly as new menus and grocery lists are published. If you ever see something I use in a video that you can’t find here, just reach out through the Contact page and I’ll add it!
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