When the forecast is lookin’ like there’s a serious snow or rainstorm heading your way, stocking up the pantry is necessary… and not just for emergency purposes. To make the most of a day stuck inside the house, these nine staple ingredients are what we choose time and again. With 25 delicious ways to use ’em, you’ll have one legendary day off in the works. Just add friends and some board games for a few layers of extra fun.
1. Harissa Roasted Roots with Crispy Chickpeas + Herby Millet Pilaf: Save a few carrots from snowman making to cook a hearty, whole grain meal that’s totally hot (thanks, harissa). (via Happy Hearted Kitchen)
2. 7-Ingredient Hasselback Sweet Potatoes (Vegan, Gluten-Free): The usual baked potato gets glammed up with a hasselback-style sweet ‘tater that’s drizzled with luxe avocado-boosted aioli. (via Blissful Basil)
3. Savory Caramelized Onion Tarts: Sweet caramelized onions team up with bacon and cheese atop flaky squares of pastry to form these delicious nibbles. Enjoy them solo or with a steaming bowl of soup. (via The Beach House Kitchen)
Beans
4. Spicy Roasted Chickpeas: A handful of these crunchy chickpeas is sure to warm you up right. Ready to get your spicy snacking on? (via Elsbro)
5. Black Bean Soup: Made with pantry staples, this protein-packed black bean soup is certainly great stuck-in-the-house fare. (via My Purple Spoon)
Eggs
6. Eggs Tomato Breakfast Skillet: As much as we love our omelets and frittatas, the balance of veggies to eggs to seasonings in this one-skillet meal can’t be beat. It’s kinda like breakfast soup. Mmmmm. (via Eatwell 101)
7. Caramelized Apple Dutch Baby Pancake: Who wants to stand next to a stove flipping pancakes on a cold day? Staying bundled up on the couch while this fluffy, sweet Dutch baby bakes sounds pretty sweet to us. (via The Corner Kitchen)
Butter
8. Brown Butter Caramel Biscotti: Enjoy nibbling on these nutty brown butter biscotti with a mugful of something hot. Dunking is highly encouraged. (via Savory Simple)
9. Gooey Butter Bars: Cake mix plus butter and an egg are the only ingredients needed to make these indulgent cookie bars. With five variations to choose from, there’s bound to be one that calls your name. (via Brit + Co)
10. Flavored Butter: Give a plain stick of butter a complete makeover in just minutes and then get spreadin’. You’ll wanna put this on just about everything. (via Brit + Co)
Nuts
11. Candied Rosemary Nuts: Rosemary gives this sweet mix of nuts — cashews, almonds and pecans — just enough herbal, savory edge to make them an especially satisfying snack. (via Amy in the Kitchen)
12. Torta Caprese: Almond meal makes this chocolate cake less rich than most truffle-like flourless cakes out there, meaning you can enjoy more than a mere sliver without feeling guilty. (via Little Vienna)
13. Honey Walnut Butter: Enjoy spreading this alternative to peanut butter and Nutella on your next piece of toast or anywhere else you’d find its friends. (via Brit + Co)
Chocolate
14. Orange Hot Chocolate: Spiked hot chocolate is definitely a good call on a snow day. (via Sweet and Savory by Shinee)
15. Oven S’mores: Enjoy these indoor s’mores — no fireplace (or campfire) required. (via Nellie Bellie)
16. The Baked Brownie: You can’t go wrong with classic, fudgy brownies made entirely from scratch. (via Baked In Arizona)
17. Giant Melty Cookie: Top this oversized chocolate chip cookie with a few scoops of ice cream and get those spoons ready; this is definitely a dessert meant for sharing with those near and dear. (via Food52)
Pasta
18. Butternut Squash and Kale Lasagna: There’s nothing quite like lasagna or baked pastas of any kind on a cold day. Layered with tons of seasonal produce and a creamy, cheesy sauce, this one hits all the right notes. (via Vanilla and Bean)
19. Slow Cooker Cheesy Tortellini: This cheesy crock potcasserole is perfect whether you’re out of the house hiking, sledding or simply having fun playing board games on the couch. (via Damn Delicious)
20. One Pot Spaghetti With Meat Sauce: Hearty, homemade sauce generously covers each and every noodle of this delicious one-pot pasta. (via Apples and Sparkle)
Cheese
21. One-Pot Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese: There’s just something so irresistible about homemade mac and cheese. We suspect that the whole pasta and cheese thing has something to do with it. (via Sweet Salty Tart)
22. Slow Cooker Queso Blanco: Diced chiles and a pickled jalapeño garnish add some punch to this snow-white, homemade queso. (via La Creme de la Crumb)
Bread
23. Anadama Bread: There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread hot out of the oven. Enjoy still-warm slices of this molasses- and honey-sweetened loaf topped with jam, butter or simply au natural. (via Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes)
24. French Burger: No burger buns? No problem. The ever-versatile baguette is a nice, sturdy option for this hearty, winter-ready hamburger. (via Chez Us)
25. Caramel Banana Baked French Toast: Assembled the night before, this banana bread-esque French toast bakes up quickly enough that it can even be enjoyed the morning of a delayed-opening, if not a full-on snow day. (via How to Feed a Loon)
What are your key ingredients for an awesome day stuck inside the house? Share yours with us below!
Heather Sage
Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.
