Most recipes assume that you have some basics already in the kitchen. Here are two lists, one with the bare basics, and one with slightly more.

Bare Basics

Fridge:

• Milk
• Butter
• Eggs

Pantry:

• Flour
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Baking Powder AND Baking Soda
• Olive Oil
• PAM or other non-stick spray
• Vinegar (Basic white distilled vinegar)
• Soy Sauce

 

Beyond The Basics

Fridge:

• Cheese
• Yogurt

Freezer:

• Veggie Mix (BIG BAG)

Pantry:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Beans
• Bread
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Honey
• Maple Syrup

 

If you want a cupboard/pantry with some quick go to meals, then pasta and rice are always a good thing to have. Grab an extra jar of pasta sauce at the store, keep a bag of frozen meatballs and you have spaghetti. (Also, you can have meatballs and sauce with any kind of pasta, change it up!)