{"id":344605,"date":"2025-12-15T02:31:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T02:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/budget-food\/how-i-learned-to-make-dinner-with-what-i-have\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T02:31:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T02:31:29","slug":"how-i-learned-to-make-dinner-with-what-i-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605","title":{"rendered":"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default1=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p>It\u2019s easy to run to the store or order food delivered, but it can be expensive. If you\u2019ve ever wondered, \u201cCan I make dinner with what I have?\u201d I\u2019m here to say, \u201cYes, yes, you can. And you can save money, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n<style style=\"display: none !important;\"><![CDATA[.tasty-pins-banner-container{display:block;margin-bottom:20px;position:relative;width:-moz-fit-content;width:fit-content}.tasty-pins-banner-container a{cursor:pointer;display:flex;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1px;line-height:1.8em;text-transform:uppercase}.tasty-pins-banner-container a:hover{opacity:1}.tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner{align-items:center;bottom:0;cursor:pointer;display:flex;justify-content:center;left:0;padding-bottom:1em;padding-top:1em;position:absolute;right:0}.tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner svg{margin-right:4px;width:32px}.tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner span{margin-top:4px}.tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner{text-decoration:none}.tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner:hover{opacity:.8}.tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner-image-link{flex-direction:column}.tasty-pins-banner-container a img{margin-bottom:0}.entry-content .wp-block-image .tasty-pins-banner-container img{margin-bottom:0;padding-bottom:0}#et-boc .et-l div .et_pb_image_wrap .tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner{padding-bottom:1em!important;padding-top:1em;text-decoration:none}#et-boc .et-l div .et_pb_image_wrap .tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner{cursor:pointer;display:flex;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.8em;text-transform:uppercase}#et-boc .et-l div .et_pb_image_wrap .tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner span{letter-spacing:2px;margin-top:4px}.et-db #et-boc .et-l .et_pb_module .tasty-pins-banner-container a:not(.wc-forward){padding-bottom:0}\n]]><\/style>\n<\/figure>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group inpost-save\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"save-title\">Want to save this post?<\/p>\n<p>Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I\u2019ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>When you\u2019re young and just getting your first paychecks, it\u2019s exciting to tap the app and have food or groceries delivered. What luxury! I\u2019m a grown up!<\/p>\n<p>But, over time it gets boring and expensive. Very very expensive.<\/p>\n<p>I learned this the hard way. In our first year of marriage, we spent more on food for two of us than we did a dozen years later with five kids in tow. I can laugh at my spendthrift, younger self because I\u2019ve learned a better, cheaper way \u2013 to make dinner with what I have.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Now, I didn\u2019t learn how to <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/shop-your-kitchen\/\">shop the kitchen<\/a> overnight. In fact, it took more than a few <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/pantry-challenge-2\/\">pantry challenges<\/a> to get me tooled up. But, when I focused on using the food we had, I\u00a0learned to be a better steward of my resources and to be more mindful of how I shop and cook.<\/p>\n<p>In using up what you already have, you clean out the cupboards, getting a chance to tidy and declutter while you\u2019re at it. By eliminating excess, you will free up space, both physical and mental, making cooking more fun.<\/p>\n<p>It seems that I like cooking more when there\u2019s white space in the fridge or freezer. When it\u2019s packed to the gills, I just feel overwhelmed.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s my basic method to make dinner with what I have. It works for a day as well as a month!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=112739\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" alt=\"tidy fridge with open french doors.\" class=\"wp-image-112739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-360x450.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-150x188.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=112739\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge.jpg\" alt=\"tidy fridge with open french doors.\" class=\"wp-image-112739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-360x450.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-150x188.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-clean-out-the-fridge-freezer-and-pantry\">1. Clean out the fridge, freezer, and pantry.<\/h2>\n<p>It may take some time, but you\u2019ll find that clean food storage areas will make your cooking much more enjoyable. If it\u2019s been awhile since you tidied up the fridge, freezer, and pantry, then let\u2019s do a quick clean: pull everything out, consolidate duplicates, and dump stuff that is no good.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=112766\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" alt=\"kitchen inventory worksheet on table with kitchen towel, pens, and utensils.\" class=\"wp-image-112766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-360x450.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-150x188.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=112766\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet.jpg\" alt=\"kitchen inventory worksheet on table with kitchen towel, pens, and utensils.\" class=\"wp-image-112766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-360x450.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/kitchen-inventory-worksheet-150x188.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-take-inventory\">2. Take inventory.<\/h2>\n<p>You can\u2019t use what you have if you don\u2019t actually know what\u2019s there to be used, so it\u2019s time to <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/meal-planning-101-take-inventory\/\">take inventory<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve cleaned and organized and discarded the icky stuff, take stock of what you have. It\u2019s really important to know what you have so that you can plan great meals from it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Unless you have a very small food storage, I wouldn\u2019t write down every single thing, but focus on taking stock of the main items or the items you have a lot of, like:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>proteins such as ground beef, ground pork, pork chops, pork tenderloin, chicken breast\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>main grains like pasta, rice, quinoa, etc.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>veggies (everything from frozen bagged veggies to fresh red peppers to canned tomatoes)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>take note of special sauces or unique ingredients that need using up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Those items are the building blocks to <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/crowd-pleasing-recipes\/\">easy dinners<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=103845\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" alt=\"pen sitting on a printable meal plan on a black clipboard on a white table.\" class=\"wp-image-103845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-150x150.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=103845\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square.jpg\" alt=\"pen sitting on a printable meal plan on a black clipboard on a white table.\" class=\"wp-image-103845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/meal-planner-square-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-plan-meals\">3. Plan meals.<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019ve cleaned up and organized your food storage and taken inventory of what you have, you can start <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/meal-planning-101\/\">meal planning<\/a>. When I do this, I sit down with my food inventory and brainstorm how I can make dinner with what I have.<\/p>\n<p>Looking for ideas in using up certain proteins or bulk ingredients? Scroll through the Good Cheap Eats recipe database here:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=90964\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" alt=\"envelope grocery list atop a grocery ad with cash and a pen.\" class=\"wp-image-90964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-150x150.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=90964\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square.jpg\" alt=\"envelope grocery list atop a grocery ad with cash and a pen.\" class=\"wp-image-90964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/grocery-ad-list-cash-pen-square-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-plan-a-grocery-stop-or-maybe-not\">4. Plan a grocery stop. Or maybe not.<\/h2>\n<p>You have a clean storage space, an inventory of what you have, and a list of meal plans. Now, it\u2019s just a matter of filling in the gaps.\u00a0Maybe.<\/p>\n<p>Most of us have enough to make all of some meals, but not all of all meals. In some cases, we could do without that one ingredient. In other cases, it\u2019s nice to have a certain ingredient to make the meal complete.<\/p>\n<p>When push comes to shove, it\u2019s remarkable what we really can do without. For instance, check out these\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/baking-substitutions\/\">baking substitutions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In very dire circumstances, you will amaze yourself. If we really didn\u2019t have the money, I would just make do. In this season, I\u2019m good with filling in the gaps with a few things, namely, fresh produce, milk, and cheese.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=105027\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" alt=\"green onions added to meal prep salads.\" class=\"wp-image-105027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-150x150.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=105027\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5.jpg\" alt=\"green onions added to meal prep salads.\" class=\"wp-image-105027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meal-prep-salads-prep-5-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-get-a-meal-prep-practice-going\">5. Get a meal prep practice going.<\/h2>\n<p>To save yourself more time and money in the kitchen, consider where in your schedule you can add a little meal prep.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While advance prep is not absolutely necessary to saving money on food, I\u2019ve found that prepping a few snacks and treats as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/meal-prep-salads\/\">meal prep salads<\/a> ahead of time really makes it easier to use what we have and enjoy it.<\/p>\n<p>If my kids have freshly baked bread or cookies, they overlook the fact that there\u2019s no cheese in the casserole or no sour cream for their quesadillas.<\/p>\n<p>Preparing a few make-ahead items also makes it easier on me because it reduces my temptation to run to the store or through the take-out lane. It makes <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/why-cook-at-home\/\">cooking at home<\/a> more fun and definitely more delicious.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=17312\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" alt=\"graphic for Good Cheap Eats Pantry Challenge.\" class=\"wp-image-17312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-600x600.jpg 600w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=17312\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640.jpg\" alt=\"graphic for Good Cheap Eats Pantry Challenge.\" class=\"wp-image-17312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pantry-Challenge-640-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-are-you-ready-for-a-pantry-challenge\">Are you ready for a Pantry Challenge?<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re the type of person who stocks up on bargains and doesn\u2019t like to let the cupboards go bare, a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/\">Pantry Challenge<\/a>\u00a0might be in order. It\u2019s a little outside the comfort zone, I admit, to let white space creep into your food storage, but it\u2019s a good thing to help you pare down, save a little coin, and consider how to make the most of what you have. Those who keep stocking up without using up run the risk of wasting food. That defeats the purpose of bargain hunting.<\/p>\n<p>If you have all that you need and money to spare, why should you make things hard on yourself? Having\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/lifeasmom.com\/how-we-said-no-to-debt-and-credit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lived a season of fighting debt and a very, very small grocery budget<\/a>, I know that keeping my skills sharp during my yearly Pantry Challenge is good insurance toward the possibility of future tough times. I don\u2019t anticipate their coming, but I like to prepared just in case.<\/p>\n<p>If you find yourself on tough economic times, here\u2019s hoping that the Pantry Challenge will help you know you\u2019re not alone. It\u2019s my hope that you\u2019ll find recipes, tips, and resources here on Good Cheap Eats to help you weather a tough season.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This year <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/the-big-redo\/\">the Big ReDo<\/a> starts on January 1. There\u2019s something for everyone with a pantry challenge, meal prep tips, a kitchen refresh, and a grocery budget overhaul.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/the-big-redo\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=112749\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" alt=\"green graphic with ideas included in the big redo of 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-112749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-150x150.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/?tp_image_id=112749\" data-pin-title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026.jpg\" alt=\"green graphic with ideas included in the big redo of 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-112749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/the-big-redo-2026-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-ideas-for-using-what-you-have\">More Ideas for Using What You Have<\/h2>\n<p><!-- .wp-block-kadence-postgrid --><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-infobox kt-info-box112743_f180e3-af\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap info-box-link kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-left kt-info-halign-left\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"kt-infobox-textcontent\">\n<h2 class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-title\">What do you think?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-text\">Let\u2019s chat in the comments!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p>This post was originally published on January 2, 2014. It has been updated for content and clarity.<\/p>\n<p><!--<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/02\/22-rdf-syntax-ns#\"\n\t\t\txmlns:dc=\"http:\/\/purl.org\/dc\/elements\/1.1\/\"\n\t\t\txmlns:trackback=\"http:\/\/madskills.com\/public\/xml\/rss\/module\/trackback\/\">\n\t\t<rdf:Description rdf:about=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/\"\n    dc:identifier=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/\"\n    dc:title=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\"\n    trackback:ping=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/trackback\/\" \/>\n<\/rdf:RDF>-->\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s easy to run to the store or order food delivered, but it can be expensive. If you\u2019ve ever wondered, \u201cCan I make dinner with what I have?\u201d I\u2019m here to say, \u201cYes, yes, you can. And you can save money, too.\u201d Want to save this post? Enter your email below and get it sent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":344606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[141],"tags":[1659,11254],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-344605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budget-food","tag-dinner","tag-learned"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s easy to run to the store or order food delivered, but it can be expensive. If you\u2019ve ever wondered, \u201cCan I make dinner with what I have?\u201d I\u2019m here to say, \u201cYes, yes, you can. And you can save money, too.\u201d Want to save this post? Enter your email below and get it sent [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-15T02:31:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\"},\"headline\":\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-15T02:31:29+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605\"},\"wordCount\":1165,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Dinner\",\"Learned\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Budget Food\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605\",\"name\":\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have - Som2ny Network\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-15T02:31:29+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":1200},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"description\":\"Daily Deals\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"width\":300,\"height\":86,\"caption\":\"Som2ny Network\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have - Som2ny Network","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have - Som2ny Network","og_description":"It\u2019s easy to run to the store or order food delivered, but it can be expensive. If you\u2019ve ever wondered, \u201cCan I make dinner with what I have?\u201d I\u2019m here to say, \u201cYes, yes, you can. And you can save money, too.\u201d Want to save this post? Enter your email below and get it sent [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605","og_site_name":"Som2ny Network","article_published_time":"2025-12-15T02:31:29+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":1200,"url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371"},"headline":"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have","datePublished":"2025-12-15T02:31:29+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605"},"wordCount":1165,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg","keywords":["Dinner","Learned"],"articleSection":["Budget Food"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605","name":"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have - Som2ny Network","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-15T02:31:29+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/you-have-food-at-home-square-crop.jpg","width":1200,"height":1200},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=344605#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How I Learned to Make Dinner with What I Have"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","name":"Som2ny Network","description":"Daily Deals","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization","name":"Som2ny Network","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","width":300,"height":86,"caption":"Som2ny Network"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/fivemor.com"],"url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=344605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344605\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/344606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=344605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=344605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=344605"},{"taxonomy":"dealstore","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fdealstore&post=344605"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fofferexpiration&post=344605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}