Make kitchen cupboard essentials the heart of vibrant dishes

Pantry staples are items to keep on hand to help whip up meals in a flash.

They’re basic, versatile ingredients that are used frequently, are usually fairly inexpensive, and have a long shelf life.

Keep these stocked and you'll never be caught short.

Tinned tomatoes

When it comes to versatility, it’s pretty hard to beat canned tomatoes as a pantry food staple.

Whether they are peeled, diced, puréed or whole, canned tomatoes are a great base for a wide range of recipes.

Use them in soups, stews, curries and many popular Italian dishes including lasagne, beef ragu, bolognese, and let’s not forget pizza bases.

Tomatoes are picked when they are ripe and preserved in cans immediately, keeping a bold flavour and all the goodness locked in.

Look for varieties that are low in sodium, additives and sugars.

Dried Lentils

Like rice, lentils are a wonderful staple to have in the pantry since they are cheap and incredibly versatile.

Lentils not only have a long shelf life, but they are one of the healthiest and most sustainable foods on the planet.

Lentils are nutrient powerhouses and are packed full of protein, fibre and carbohydrates, making them the perfect base for a meal.

Did you know?

Dried lentils can last 10 or more years in the pantry and there are dozens of varieties available with different flavour profiles, so mix it up.

Quality pasta

Dry pasta is just a given in all pantries.

You can make restaurant-worthy pasta with just garlic and olive oil, pesto and a can of tomatoes.

Choose wholewheat where possible as this will keep everyone fuller for longer.

Nuts, seeds and nut butters

In addition to their superior snackability, nuts are fabulous in salads, stir-fries, breads and even mixed into yoghurt.

Nut butters also make a quick and easy base for many vegan desserts, meaning you will always have something you can whip up last minute.

Try spreading nut butter on sliced apple for a great kid-friendly, protein snack in between meals.

That should keep them off your case!

Spice rack

There are plenty of more exciting and flavourful ways to season dishes rather than table salt and a carefully provisioned spice rack is an absolute must-have pantry staple.

Spices are a great way to add flavour, warmth and depth to really elevate a dish.

From curry pastes and sauces to meat rubs and marinades, or simply sprinkled on vegetables or your morning cereal, spices can offer so much when it comes to meal times.

First, work out which type of dishes you normally cook at home. Going for spice? Think curry spices, chilli powder, paprika, coriander, cumin, turmeric and garam masala.

If you love baking, experiment with cinnamon, cloves, all spice, ginger and nutmeg.