Preparing delicious and varied meals at home may seem like a challenging task, but with the right ingredients in your pantry and fridge, you can cook tons of dishes without having to make constant trips to the supermarket. If you’re starting or restarting your independent life, these are ingredients that should be in the kitchen.

Of course, feel free to adapt this list according to your tastes and your habits, because it is useless to have the most perfect fridge if, in the end, you end up throwing food. We suggest you always have in your note’s app an updated document of what you have and what you need to buy so that you are always ready to receive a friend for dinner or to make yourself something delicious to eat at the end of the day.

Basic ingredients that should never be missing in your kitchen

In the pantry

1. Olive oil: it is an essential base for cooking and frying.
2. Vinegar: Both white and apple cider vinegar are versatile for seasoning and marinating.
3. Salt and pepper: These are the basic condiments that are used in almost every recipe.
4. Garlic and onion: Whether in the form of fresh garlic or powder, and fresh onions or onion powder, these ingredients add flavor to almost any dish.
5. Dried herbs and spices: Some options are: oregano, basil, thyme, cumin, paprika and curry powder.
6. Broth or bouillon cubes: they are useful for making soups, sauces and stews.
7. Pasta: Spaghetti, fettuccine, macaroni, and rice are basic choices for a variety of dishes.
8. Canned tomato: Crushed tomato, tomato paste and canned whole tomatoes are useful for sauces, soups and stews.
9. Canned legumes: Chickpeas and lentils are inexpensive and healthy sources of protein.
10. Rice: white rice and brown rice are basic to accompany dishes or as a base of others.
11. Sugar and flour: basics for desserts and for making sauces and dressings.
12. Soy sauce: adds umami and depth of flavor to many dishes.
13. Balsamic vinegar: ideal for dressing salads (apart from it is super healthy).
14. Nuts: Almonds, walnuts and peanuts are great to snack on and use in salads or main dishes.

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In the fridge

1. Eggs: They are a versatile source of protein.
2. Butter: useful for cooking and baking.
3. Milk: it can be whole, skimmed or vegetable according to your preferences.
4. Cheese: Whether cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, or others, cheese is a versatile addition to many recipes.
5. Yogurt: You can use it for sauces, dressings and desserts.
6. Fresh vegetables: Onions, carrots and peppers are basic ingredients for many recipes.
7. Fresh fruits: Apples, bananas, strawberries, grapes, and avocado are versatile options that can be eaten on their own or added to salads and desserts.
8. Green leafy vegetables: such as lettuce, spinach or kale for salads.
9. Tofu or tempeh: protein-rich meat alternatives for vegetarian or vegan options.
10. Meat or protein alternatives: chicken, ground beef, fish or alternatives such as veggie burgers.
11. Tomato sauce: for pizzas, pasta and other dishes.
12. Mustard and ketchup: they are the perfect complement to many dishes.
13. Lemons: to give a touch of freshness to your dishes.