This creamy spinach mushroom pasta with sun-dried tomatoes will be a new pantry staple dinner for the whole family to enjoy! This recipe is delicious thanks to the addition of creamy ricotta! Perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters!

Pantry Spring Cleaning

It's that time of the year again! Spring cleaning not just our bedroom closets, but also our kitchen pantries! Speaking of pantries, one way to be successful with meal prep and easier home cooking is to have a stocked pantry. Even for some on a budget, having a pantry with some affordable staples will make your meal planning and last-minute dinners easy and breezy.

Here is a list of my all-time favorite pantry and refrigerator/ freezer staples:

Pantry 101

Dried Beans and Grains: These items will be involved in most meals and are always good to have on hand. Whether it is for soup, pasta, or as a side.

Canned Beans: Less prep than the dried version and can be added to any meal! I go for the low-sodium version as most are loaded with salt. The liquids from canned white beans (aquafaba) also make a great thickener in recipes!

Canned Diced Tomatoes and Sundried Tomatoes: Last-minute sauces, soups, or stews, and even for an accompaniment to baked fish. Toss them in pasta dishes as I did with my recipe for creamy mushroom and sundried tomato pasta!

Vegetable (or chicken) Broth: More than just soup, add to sauces, marinades, or cooking grains with more flavor.

Canned Tuna or Salmon: Add to salads, make tuna/salmon cakes, or add to casseroles.

Honey and Maple Syrup: Besides the baking staples they are known for, use them in marinades, sauces, or roasting vegetables.

Storing items in bulk make them more organized and can look rather stylish. Even if you don't buy in the bulk section (which can be very cost-effective), storing dried goods, such as grains, beans, and popcorn kernels makes them easier to find and less messy.

Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe

This recipe uses simple ingredients found in your pantry and refrigerator! With that being said it is also can be modified to your dietary preferences. If you are gluten-sensitive, substitute gluten-free pasta for traditional pasta. If you avoid dairy or prefer a vegan alternative, the Tofutti and Kite Hill brands make a ricotta version. Dairy-free cheeses, such as Treeline Cheese and Follow Your Heart. Or, if you just aren't a ricotta cheese fan, heavy cream is another option (start at ½ cup and add more gradually to desired thickness). I used a cast iron oven dish from Le Creuset that I am becoming obsessed with! The pop of color and quality of the enamel dish is a win-win! I initially tried this recipe in a skillet and this did not give enough room, so a deeper pan will work better!

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