A simple way to cook real meals without running to the store
If youβve ever stood in front of a full pantry and thought,
βI have foodβ¦ but I donβt know what to make,β
youβre not alone.
This is the pantry guide I send to new subscribers who want to cook from scratch without stress, overwhelm, or constant grocery trips.
You donβt need a bigger pantry.
You need a better system.
This guide will show you how to stock a from-scratch pantry that actually works for everyday meals.
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What a From-Scratch Pantry Really Is
A from-scratch pantry isnβt about doing everything the hard way.
Itβs about:
β’ Keeping simple staples on hand
β’ Mixing a few homemade dry mixes ahead of time
β’ Turning basic ingredients into meals quickly
Think of pantry mixes as homemade convenience foods β ready when you need them, without relying on store-bought packets.
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The Core Pantry Staples
These are the basics I keep stocked at all times.
With just these, you can cook dozens of meals.
Dry Goods
β’ All-purpose flour
β’ Sugar (white & brown)
β’ Cornmeal
β’ Baking powder
β’ Baking soda
β’ Salt
β’ Rice
β’ Pasta (spaghetti, elbow, egg noodles)
β’ Rolled oats
Fats & Liquids
β’ Oil or melted lard/tallow
β’ Vinegar (white or apple cider)
β’ Honey or molasses
Flavor Builders
β’ Garlic powder
β’ Onion powder
β’ Black pepper
β’ Paprika
β’ Chili powder
β’ Italian seasoning
These ingredients become powerful once you start turning them into mixes.
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Pantry Mixes That Save Dinner
If you only make a few pantry mixes, start here.
π« Biscuit Mix
For biscuits, dumplings, cobblers, and pot pie topping.
π« Taco Seasoning
For tacos, soups, rice bowls, and skillet meals.
π« Ranch Seasoning
For dips, chicken, potatoes, and casseroles.
π« Brown Gravy Mix
For roast, meatballs, mashed potatoes, and quick suppers.
π« Cream of Chicken Soup Base
This one saves dinner more than any other.
It replaces canned soup in casseroles, pot pies, and slow cooker meals.
Once these are mixed and sitting on your shelf, dinner comes together fast.
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Bonus: Homemade Chicken Ramen (Without the Packets)
You donβt need store-bought packets for a cozy bowl of noodles.
Chicken Ramen Seasoning (Dry Mix)
β’ 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder
β’ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
β’ 1 teaspoon onion powder
β’ Β½ teaspoon ground ginger
β’ ΒΌ teaspoon turmeric
β’ Black pepper to taste
Store in a small jar.
To use:
Add 1 tablespoon seasoning to 2 cups water, bring to a simmer, and add noodles.
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What Noodles Can You Use Instead of Ramen?
Use what you already have:
β’ Thin spaghetti (broken in half)
β’ Angel hair pasta
β’ Egg noodles
β’ Rice noodles
No special noodles required.
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Pint-Jar Ramen Meal (One Serving)
This makes one hearty serving, similar to a packet of ramen β but homemade.
Pint Jar Ingredients
β’ 2 oz thin spaghetti (broken to fit)
β’ 1 tablespoon homemade chicken ramen seasoning
β’ Optional: dried vegetables, parsley, crushed red pepper
To Cook
β’ Add 2Β½ cups water
β’ Bring to a boil
β’ Simmer 8β10 minutes, stirring occasionally
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Homemade Dry BBQ Sauce Mix
Dry BBQ Mix
β’ Β½ cup brown sugar
β’ ΒΌ cup paprika
β’ 1 tablespoon chili powder
β’ 1 tablespoon garlic powder
β’ 1 tablespoon onion powder
β’ 1 teaspoon salt
β’ 1 teaspoon black pepper
Store in a pint jar.
To Make BBQ Sauce
For 1 cup sauce
β’ ΒΌ cup dry mix
β’ ΒΎ cup ketchup
β’ ΒΌ cup water
β’ 1 tablespoon vinegar
Simmer 10β15 minutes until thick.
For 2 cups sauce
β’ Β½ cup dry mix
β’ 1Β½ cups ketchup
β’ Β½ cup water
β’ 2 tablespoons vinegar
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How Long Do Pantry Mixes Last?
β’ Store mixes in airtight jars
β’ Keep in a cool, dry place
β’ Most dry mixes last 6β12 months
β’ Label jars with the name and date
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How to Start Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Donβt try to do everything at once.
Start with:
1. Biscuit mix
2. Taco seasoning
3. One soup or gravy base
That alone will change how your kitchen feels.
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Where to Go Next
On this site, I share:
β’ Printable pantry mix recipes
β’ βOne mix, multiple mealsβ ideas
β’ Simple, from-scratch dinners for busy families
This pantry isnβt about perfection.
Itβs about confidence, simplicity, and feeding your family well.
Welcome to the table. π
β Cassie, The Bluegrass Table
Comments
89 responses to “The From-Scratch Pantry Guide”
I am so excited to make these recipes.
Let me know how you like them π
[email protected]
Thank you for sharing
you are so very welcome!
I love following you. Thank you for sharing with us.
you are so kind! Thank you! I am happy the recipes can help!
Thanks for sharing these helps. Im keeping them close to use often.
I am so happy that you are enjoying the recipes:)
I have Celiac and a lot of these I can eat!! Thanks!
That makes me so happy to hear <3 you are so welcome! I hope you enjoy each and every one of them!
Thank you so muchβ€οΈ
you are so welcome! I hope you enjoy! π
These are so great! Cost effective and I think a healthier option, this way you control the bad stuff. I can’t wait to try all of it
I so hope that you can enjoy the recipes! Yes- making them at home is so much cheaper and healthier for us π
Please send me some recipesβ¦we donβt want store bought!!
I will be posting recipes here frequently π you can subscribe to the blog on the home page and it will email you every time I post with a printable recipe card <3
Thank you so muchβ€οΈ
you are sow welcome! I hope you enjoy them π
The older I get, it seems the more I am learning and the more I am interested in making my own stuff! I make my own cream soups as needed already. My husband makes our taco seasoning, and corn chips as we want them.
I love your brown gravy mix!! Thats my new go to for our beef stroganoff and stew! Thank you!!
I agree- I love making my own recipes! They’re simple and we use them often since we cook most all meals at home π and from scratch! I am so happy you are enjoying the brown gravy mix <3
This will be nice to have on hand..
I am so happy that it can be helpful for you <3
I would love this book because I am new to doing dry food and making my own seasonings.
I am working on getting a book together! π for now these are printable recipes <3
Can’t wait to get started.
I wish you the best as you start your from scratch pantry π
Thank you so much. I am blessed to have found your page. I have been stalking my pantry and am now going to attempt your recipes! β€οΈ
I sure hope that you enjoy the recipes! I also hope you have fun getting them all mixed and prepared <3
Love these recipes
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much
you are so welcome π
This has made me so excited to view food differently thank you
I am so happy this could help! I hope you enjoy the recipes π
This has been so much a great help. With me being physically disabled from an Autoimmune disease and husband works 10-12 hours daily, I have began using your methods and it has made a great difference iin every ways from quicker, fresher, to easier and truly knowing what actually are the ingredients that you placing in your body. Thank you so much. β€οΈ
thank you so much for taking the time to comment how the recipes have helped you! That is what it is all about <3 I am thankful these ideas an recipes have been beneficial for you and your family! π
I recently went through cancer treatment. It taught me to be more careful about what I eat, what products I use to shower, wash my clothes, wash my face, etc. I love that I found your page. You are so helpful. I just want you to know I appreciate you sharing this with us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
praying for you on your journey to healing and recovery- May God be with you every step of the way and touch your body with his complete healing. I am so happy that these recipes can help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle <3
Thank you for sharing.
you are so welcome <3
Thank you! I’m all stocked up!!
I am so happy that you have made these recipes and I pray you enjoy them π
I had spent 30 years in the food and beverage field and now I am preping and could use this.
I am so happy that you can benefit from the recipes!:)
Thank you so much. Getting started today!
I pray that you enjoy these recipes π you are so welcome!
Thank you so much. This is great cause you never know when these things won’t be available and your family will be fed!!
yes- this is great to store up and keep on hand! Even a sickness can get you down- and you need to be able to get food on the table <3
Finding your website was a blessing to me! I am so excited to get started on my pantry staples. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. you are truly a treasure!
you are so very kind! Thank you so much <3 that is so sweet of you! I am thankful that the recipes can help others in their kitchens- that is what its all about <3
I really need this
I am so happy that the recipes can help! π
These are so wonderful and helpful. Thank you.
I am so happy that you can use them in your kitchen π
Will be watching for a release date on this book. Has everything I need to use.
yay! I am hoping to have one finished this year <3 I’ll share the details!
Thank you so much! Canβt wait to make theseβ€οΈ
you are so very welcome! π
This is how I grew up in Kentucky eating too. Time to get back to my roots. Thank you for sharing!
We sure enjoy our Kentucky meals and family π They have taught us well! I hope you enjoy cooking them up <3
I would add to this as a 60 year old who has been feeding kids & family for years a few things.
Canned Tomatoes, several types
Dried Beans
Dried Lentils
Dried Peas
Vanilla Extract
Cocoa Powder
Corn Starch
Salt-Free Seasoning
I also keep a few veg-all etc, though I do prefer frozen or fresh.
I buy my meat, eggs, milk etc. in bulk!
Start with five easy recipes and add one each week.
Love this blog!!!
yes mam- and thank you so much for sharing for those who need the tips! We can all benefit from the experience of others <3
I just happened to stumble across your site yesterday and have been watching quite a few of your recipes. I am excited to start making my own!! Thank you so much for sharing this info!
I am so happy that you are enjoying the recipe videos- I hope that you love using them in your own kitchen <3
can’t wait to get started
let me know how it goes when you do <3
Thank you so much. I can’t hardly wait to try all.
I am excited for you! Let me know how you like them <3
I would love to make pantry staples for my kitchen.
you can do it π just start with a little at a time <3
You did a beautiful job putting this list together. I am so exited my girls and I want to start something light this
thank you so much! I appreciate that- I hope this helps you and your family on your pantry mix journey <3
Very glad you are doing this for us.
I am so happy that it can help! π
Thanks for this!
you are so very welcome <3
I can’t wait to get this book and get started make the dry mixes
I am so excited for you and I hope that you enjoy the recipes! π
Iβm just starting over with containers, but Iβve never had mixes on handβ¦
This is great & I love your presentations. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much and I am so happy they can help π
Thank you so much.I have looked all over for these mixes.
I am so happy that they can be helpful and beneficial for you! π
Thank you for sharing! For your biscuit recipe, can I use butter instead of crisco or lard?
you can- personally I keep butter on the counter- however once mixed with the flour it may not last as long as crisco or lard. You could keep it in the fridge- or if you plan to use it up within the week-i think it would be fine. Just smell and visually look for any signs of it going bad <3 (which I dont think it will)
Thanks. Just what I needed.
Im so happy that it could help!:)
I was watching your reels on FB came across the ones with the flavored biscuits. Where did you post the recipes for the cinnamon raisin, or the garlic cheese and herb. Canβt wait to try
I will be posting those shortly! you can subscribe here on the blog- and all new recipes will be sent to your email.