Pantry Staples for Easier Family Meals #weePLAN

I don’t know how you feel, but for my family summer has flown by! It’s hard to believe it’s time to start thinking about homework, schedules and packing lunches. If you are anything like us and feeling a little apprehensive about the upcoming weeks, don’t stress because we’ve joined forces with our friends at Project Junior and Weelicious to help you with everything to you need to send your kids back to school.

Over the next four weeks we’ll be sharing our back to school “must-haves” and the one-and-only Catherine McCord from Weelicious will be share her top recipes and tips to help you prepare meals for your kiddos that are mom tested and kid approved!

We kicking week 1 off with Catherine’s top five foods to always have one hand to help you whip a gourmet (and healthy meal) at a moment’s notice.

Just for Savvy Sassy Moms & Project Junior readers – get a 21 day free trial of Weelicious Menus!

1. Pasta and brown rice

I keep these dry in the pantry so that I can cook it any day of the week. I also cook a bunch on the weekends so that I have them at the ready to mix into any manner of meals. Carrot Broccoli Cheese Orzo.

2. Nut and seed butters

Spread on pancakes, tortillas, or crepes for a fun new twist on the traditional PB&J for school lunch. You can also make fun dips like this Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip.

3. Pesto

Pesto adds tons of flavor to sandwiches, pasta, or use as a dip for veggies. Basil Pesto is one of those things you might be surprised to learn that kids love! You can store it for weeks in the fridge and my kids devour it up no matter what I put it on.

4. Beans

Dried or canned for a great vegetarian protein mixed with brown rice, in breakfast burritos, or served as a side dish with your favorite dinner. Try this Crock Pot Mexican Corn and Bean Soup.

5. Bread and tortillas

Use tortillas instead of sandwich bread to break away from the typical sandwich for lunch. Wrap up your Caesar Salad to make dinner a hands-on dining experience to get kids more interested. A Chicken Caesar Wrap will be an unexpected surprise in your childs lunchbox too!

These are the five pantry staples Catherine always have on hand, of course you want plenty of fruits, veggies, eggs, chicken and cheese too! Don’t forget to label each container in your pantry to keep your shelves organized. Mabel’s Labels is one of our favorite go-to for keeping the kitchen looking beautiful.

Ready to start packing that lunch? Munchkin’s Click Lock Bento Mealbox set will help keep your school-goers lunch fresh and organized. It’s thought out design help keep the food in place so the portions don’t mix and match.

You’ll find that these ingredients star in many of Catherine’s Weelicious Menus and cookbooks. Just for Savvy Sassy Moms & Project Junior readers – get a 21 day free trial of Weelicious Menus!

Post by Catherine McCord. Catherine posts new family-friendly recipes and videos every week on Weelicious. She is also creator of Weelicious Menus, a meal planning service that helps make dinner easier for busy families.

Next week: Catherine shares her secrets for making great leftovers.

Meet the Author | savvysassymoms

Andrea is a Mom who hasn't lost her style to motherhood. Andrea loves social media and works on a variety of social media campaigns with brands big and small. Connect with Savvy Sassy Moms on Instagram