5 Pantry Dinners I Make for My Teenagers (That They’ll Actually Eat)
Feeding teenagers is like fueling race cars — they’re always running low. As a mum of two (15 and nearly 18), I know what it’s like to open the fridge and hear “There’s nothing to eat!”… even when the pantry’s full.
After moving from Croatia to Ireland five years ago, I had to learn how to stretch simple ingredients into filling meals — fast, cheap, and with no complaints. These five pantry-based dinners are my go-to saviours when the week’s nearly over and the grocery budget’s hanging on by a thread.
🍝 1. Creamy Tuna Pasta with Sweetcorn
This is my emergency dinner. A tin of tuna, a splash of mayo or a spoon of crème fraîche, a handful of sweetcorn — all tossed through cooked pasta. I usually top it with grated cheddar and call it a day.
🛒 Pantry items:
- Pasta
- 1 tin tuna
- 1 tin sweetcorn
- Mayo or cream (optional)
- Cheese (optional)
Teen verdict: “Weirdly good.”
Estimated cost: ~€1.20 per serving
🥔 2. Loaded Spuds (Whatever’s Left Version)
I bake four big potatoes and line up whatever we have: leftover curry, beans, cheese, salsa, even shredded lunch meat. Everyone loads their own — less complaining that way.
🛒 Pantry items:
- Potatoes
- Tinned beans
- Cheese / leftover dinner scraps
Croatian twist: Sometimes I add ajvar (red pepper spread) instead of ketchup.
Estimated cost: ~€4 for the whole tray
🍚 3. One-Pot Rice with Beans and Seasoning
This is the closest I get to a “clean out the cupboard” dinner. Rice + beans + spices = surprisingly filling. I usually add frozen peas or sweetcorn if I have any.
🛒 Pantry items:
- Long-grain rice
- 1 tin black beans or kidney beans
- Stock cube
- Paprika, cumin, garlic powder
Teen verdict: “Tastes like takeaway — but in a good way.”
Estimated cost: ~€3 for 4 servings
🍳 4. Breakfast-for-Dinner: Eggs, Rashers, Toast
When all else fails, this always wins. I fry eggs, toast some bread, and crisp up a few rashers. I might throw in tinned mushrooms or tomatoes if we’re feeling fancy.
🛒 Pantry/fridge items:
- Eggs
- Rashers
- Bread
- Optional: beans, tinned mushrooms
Estimated cost: ~€1.50 per person
Time to table: 10 minutes!
🍝 5. Tomato Pasta with Hidden Veg
I always have chopped tomatoes in the press. I blend them with a little sautéed onion, garlic, and frozen mixed veg. My 15-year-old calls it “Mum’s fake Bolognese,” but he eats it all the same.
🛒 Pantry items:
- Pasta
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes
- Garlic/onion
- Frozen or grated veg
- Stock cube or herbs
Croatian trick: I add a dash of vegeta seasoning.
Estimated cost: ~€4 for 4 servings
🧺 Final Thoughts:
You don’t need a fridge full of fancy ingredients to feed teenagers — just a little creativity and a well-stocked pantry. These are real meals I make when I’m tired, broke, and still expected to put something warm on the table.
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