Keep these items on hand for quick, easy meals.

A well-stocked pantry is a thing of beauty. When you have the right time-saving ingredients on hand—think beans, tinned seafood and pasta—you can easily make meals in a pinch!

If you’re like us, you never run out of these staples. Beans, tinned seafood and pasta may be humble ingredients, but their versatility knows no bounds.

Whether you’re craving a hearty bowl of chili, a light pasta dish or dressed-up tinned seafood for sophisticated tapas, we’ve got easy ideas for any night of the week. Follow our lead on how to leverage these simple yet adaptable ingredients.

Beans >

Chances are, you have some canned beans in your kitchen right now. They’re inexpensive, convenient, versatile, nutritious and tasty! Not to mention, there are so many ways you can put them to good use. Here are some of our favorite bean recipes, from soups and salads to burrito bowls and, of course, chili.

Tinned Seafood >

There’s a lot to love about tinned seafood. It’s healthy, substantial and easy to dress up when you’re feeling fancy (have you tried tinned octopus marinated in fresh lemon juice and herbs? Trust us, it’s delicious). We also have a rich and flavorful paella recipe, along with a light tuna pasta that comes together in just 10 minutes.

Pasta >

Ah, pasta. This family-friendly ingredient comes in so many delightful shapes and sizes. Plus, the applications are endless! These recipes feature three of our favorite noodles: fettuccine, orzo and penne. Each dish is ready to eat in 30 minutes or less, so you can get dinner on the table, fast.