Combat Rising Grocery Prices: Delicious Meals You Can Create with Pantry Staples!

I recently went to the grocery store for my monthly shopping, and I was in for a surprise. My cart was full of staples, poultry, and fresh produce, but the final bill left me in shock. It’s wild how prices have risen.

Taryn Phaneuf from NerdWallet notes that grocery prices have surged by 31% in the last six years. In the years before that, price increases hovered around 1% to 2% each year. However, in 2020, that jumped to 4%, then 6% in 2021, and exploded to over 10% in 2022. Eating out hasn’t been cheap either; data from the USDA shows that prices for dining out rose by 50% between 2014 and 2024.

Are you budgeting wisely for groceries? Many people still plan their grocery budgets based on the past, not considering these rising costs. Currently, estimates from the USDA say a family of four on a frugal plan spends about $992 a month on groceries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated average grocery costs at around $504 per month for households. But many families eat out half the time, making the real food expense closer to $900 a month.

It’s easy to waste food and money if you’re not careful. Have you checked what’s in your pantry or freezer lately? Throwing food away means wasting the money spent on it.

Recently, Ohio State University Extension hosted a program on how to organize your cupboards. Their online resources are packed with helpful tips and recipe ideas. For instance, their “Pantry Panic” recipes offer simple ways to combine what you have into new dishes. One of my favorites is a versatile casserole recipe that can turn almost any pantry staple into a meal.

Here’s a quick look at how to make a Pantry Panic Casserole:

Ingredients:

• 1½ to 2 cups of protein (beans, meat, or eggs)
• 1⅔ cups of sauce (like a soup or white sauce)
• 1½ to 2 cups of vegetables (canned, fresh, or frozen)
• 1½ to 2 cups of cooked pasta or grains (bread, noodles, potatoes, rice)
• Season with herbs and spices
• Optional toppings like breadcrumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a casserole dish.
3. Layer in your selected ingredients.
4. Cover and bake for about 30 minutes until bubbly. This recipe serves eight.

It’s important to make the most of what you have at home. Not only does this save you money, but it also helps reduce waste. Remember, as food waste expert Tristram Stuart said, “When food is wasted, all the resources that went into producing it are also wasted.”

Keeping an eye on food costs and using what you have can make a big difference in your budget. Stay aware, stay organized, and it’ll help!

For more ideas on managing your kitchen, you can check out the Ohio State extension resources here.

Emily Marrison is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator.
This article was originally published in the Coshocton Tribune.

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USDA Economic Research Service, food prices, grocery prices, fresh produce, grocery store