25 Must-Have Pantry Staples
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: December 6, 2011

One of the keys to great home cooking is a well stocked pantry.  With a myriad of pantry items at your finger tips, you can always have a healthy and delicious home cooked meal.  These pantry items are inexpensive but can be morphed into a variety of dishes.  I have not included staples such as oil, vinegar, spices, salt, and pepper (although, those should be in your pantry as well).  This list is a great place to start building your pantry and as you explore different cuisines and tastes, add on to it.
Protein

Canned Salmon
Canned Tuna
Chicken Breasts
Canned beans
Eggs
Dried lentils
Nuts

Fruits

Frozen berries
Apples
Bananas
Grapes

Vegetables

Romaine or other hearty lettuce:
Carrots
Frozen spinach
Canned tomatoes
Canned Corn
Garlic
Onions
Broccoli

Whole Grains

Whole-wheat pasta
Quick cooking grains like quinoa or couscous
Brown rice
Oats

Dairy

Quarts of low- or fat-free yogurt
Gallon of skim milk

*List adapted from The SparkPeople Cookbook