Do you have a lot of canned goods just sitting around in your pantry waiting for their moment to shine? Well, wait no further because we've compiled a list of 20 great dish ideas that all utilize one common canned good you likely already have on hand.
1. Spam Musubi
You can make so much more with Spam than just fried rice! The next time you pick up a can from the store, try recreating this Hawaiian favourite instead: Spam Musubi. All you really need is some rice and nori (seaweed) to make this delicious snack or meal!
Chris Hackmann on Wikimedia Commons
2. Tuna Pasta
Broaden your horizon and make something other than tuna salad next time. Try making a tasty tuna pasta instead that features canned tuna with an array of ingredients like garlic, peas, lemon zest, capers, and really whatever you like.
3. Black Bean Soup
Got a lot of canned black beans at home? There are a surprising amount of dishes you can make when you've got this on hand, for example, a hearty black bean soup. It's the perfect way to use up a bunch of your beans while making a heartwarming dish everyone will love.
4. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
It's not just savory dishes, you can make desserts too! Canned pineapple slices are exactly what you need to make a delectable pineapple upside-down cake. This sweet treat is the perfect coffee companion to make your afternoon breaks a little bit brighter.
Kimberly Vardeman from Lubbock, TX, USA on Wikimedia Commons
5. Corn Fritters
It never hurts to keep some canned corn in your pantry, especially given how versatile this food can be. For one, have you ever considered using them to make some delicious corn fritters? They're an addictive snack that will have you feeling like you used anything but a canned ingredient.
Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons
6. Tomato Basil Soup
Nothing more classic than a hearty tomato soup, and when you've got canned tomatoes just sitting around, you might as well put them to good use. It's a quick pick me up when you're feeling sick or just a bit down in the dumps. Pair it with a delicious grilled cheese to real elevate the dish.
Photo by Karolina Kołodziejczak on Unsplash
7. Coconut Rice Pudding
Canned coconut milk is just what you need to make any dish taste so much creamier. And for a dessert like rice pudding, it can add so much creaminess and delicious nutty flavour!
Rudi Riet from Washington, DC, United States on Wikimedia Commons
8. Chickpea Salad
Don't know what to do with your canned chickpeas? When in doubt, make a salad. Chickpeas taste best with fresh ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, or bell peppers! You'll be surprised by how filling and nutritious this meal can be.
Photo by Bruna Branco on Unsplash
9. Peaches and Cream
Canned peaches are so juicy and sweet, they're perfect for whipping up a quick dessert. And that's exactly what peaches and cream is. Whether you want it paired with a healthy serving of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, just throw some canned peaches on there and you've got a quick and easy sweet treat.
Photo by Rob Wicks on Unsplash
10. Thai Coconut Curry
If you've got both canned coconut milk and canned vegetables in your pantry, you're already halfway there to making a delicious Thai coconut curry. Make things even easier for yourself by using storebought curry paste!
Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash
11. Mango Sorbet
When summer hits, that heat can be a little unbearable. So make things a little bit easier on you by creating the most delicious and refreshing mango sorbet using those canned mangoes you've got. You don't need a whole lot of ingredients, just some sugar and lime to mix it with before freezing it until firm.
Christine Leiser from Ocala, FL, US on Wikimedia Commons
12. Chicken Chili
Here's something you might not have considered. Canned chicken and canned beans = chicken chili? Well, it works! Just toss some diced tomatoes and some chili spices into a big pot and you'll have dinner ready in no time.
Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka on Wikimedia Commons
13. Fruit Salad
Sometimes, all you really need to do is mix a bunch of ingredients together to make a dish. That's what this canned fruit salad is! Just open 'em up, toss em together, and voila.
Alabama Extension, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
14. Mushroom Stroganoff
Elevate your homemade stroganoff by adding in some canned mushrooms. Perfectly convenient, it'll give the dish a nice earthiness. No one will even guess it's from a can!
15. Baked Beans on Toast
Let's visit England for a moment by creating this classic favourite over yonder. It's quite simple - get some buttered toast, open your can of baked beans, and throw them on top. Enjoy!
16. Pumpkin Pie
We can't help but leave out a classic: using canned pumpkin puree to make a traditional pumpkin pie. It never gets old, always tastes delicious, and will never disappoint any crowd!
Photo by Kelsey Weinkauf on Unsplash
17. Clam Chowder
Sure, canned clam chowder exists, but if you want to try making it yourself and just need an extra hand, it's a lot easier if you've got some canned clams on hand. The rest is just really about combining the ingredients (potatoes, onions, celery, etc.) together!
18. Artichoke Dip
If you've randomly got some canned artichokes at home, you may be feeling a bit stumped about what to do with them. But we're here to inspire you and say that a creamy artichoke dip is definitely the way to go! It'll be the perfect snack time dip for your chips and crackers!
Photo by Jessica Tan on Unsplash
19. Sweet Potato Casserole
This American dish definitely confuses us, but hey, give it a go! When you've got canned sweet potatoes at home, turn them into a (sweet? savory?) casserole that's always a hit during Thanksgiving. Who says it needs to be Thanksgiving to make this dish anyway?
Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash
20. Pear Crisp
Switch things up from the classic apple crisp so that you can use up your canned pears and make a delicious pear crisp instead! It tastes just as good and it makes use of those canned goods that have been sitting around waiting for their moment.
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