Not sure what to cook? Try one of these 11 recipes with ingredients you already have at home

Thursday 21 August 2025 21:00 - Daniele Mainieri
Not sure what to cook? Try one of these 11 recipes with ingredients you already have at home

How many times have you stood in front of the open refrigerator thinking, "what should I prepare next?" If you too often ask yourself this question, you've come to the right place. In this article you will find 11 simple, quick and anti-waste recipes to make with ingredients you already have at home: eggs, potatoes, pasta, canned tuna, stale bread, milk, tomatoes, bacon and a few other common foods that can become amazing dishes.

Perfect for when you have little desire to go out shopping, these recipes will help you save time, money and effort, turning the "emptiness in the fridge" into an opportunity to be creative in the kitchen.


Check out these simple recipes to prepare at home

Savory french toast rolls with pestoRecipe Savory french toast rolls with pesto

Our favorite zero-waste recipe to make with stale sandwich bread? French toast, of course! But how about turning it into a savory version today? Fill it with pesto for a dish packed with flavor: YUM! A simple and original way to transform your slices...


Potato and bacon appetizer skewersRecipe Potato and bacon appetizer skewers

With just two ingredients, you have perfect appetizer skewers to share with your guests! A recipe to keep handy when you want to switch up the classic chips and peanuts ;-) Grab your mini skewers and let's get to the recipe ↓



Quick and easy egg custard: my grandmother’s recipeRecipe Quick and easy egg custard: my grandmother’s recipe

This quick and easy egg custard is made with a simple mixture of warm milk, eggs, sugar, and liquid vanilla, gently baked in the oven for 40 minutes. It takes three steps to prepare: heat the milk, mix the eggs with the sugar and vanilla, then stir in...


Stuffed tomatoes with tuna, cream cheese, and olivesRecipe Stuffed tomatoes with tuna, cream cheese, and olives

No-cook cooking is possible, easy, and above all delicious! To convince you, try our stuffed tomatoes with tuna, cream cheese, and olives! Ready in just 10 minutes, these stuffed tomatoes are perfect as a starter or served on a mixed salad...


Soft-boiled eggs cooked in the air fryerRecipe Soft-boiled eggs cooked in the air fryer

Who doesn't love enjoying soft-boiled eggs for breakfast? At Ptitchef, we've discovered an incredibly simple way to prepare them to perfection, thanks to our trusty sidekick, the air fryer :-) With this method, there's no more hassle with a pot of...



Bread pudding (simple and quick)Recipe Bread pudding (simple and quick)

Got stale bread in your basket? Don't waste it! You can use it in this easy, no-waste dessert: bread pudding! With just 5 ingredients, this recipe is simple to make and gives you an extra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth result :-) It's the kind of no-waste...


Lemon pasta – pasta al limone (your future favorite dish!)Recipe Lemon pasta – pasta al limone (your future favorite dish!)

Today, we're heading to southern Italy, more precisely to Campania, to enjoy a sunny dish full of flavor: lemon pasta (or pasta al limone, with an Italian accent)! :-) This pasta dish will be ready in just a few minutes and requires only 5 ingredients....



Creamy onion pasta: a delicious and super affordable dish!Recipe Creamy onion pasta: a delicious and super affordable dish!

A vegetarian pasta dish that brings out the sweetness and versatility of onions. Super affordable and very quick to prepare, pasta with onion cream is a recipe to keep on hand at all times: it will save the day when friends or relatives show up...



Crispy parmesan gnocchi in the air fryerRecipe Crispy parmesan gnocchi in the air fryer

We’re familiar with gnocchi for their melt-in-your-mouth texture, which we love to serve with tomato sauce or pesto , but for a little change, we opted for ultra-crispy gnocchi cooked in the air fryer! They have a delicious Parmesan and oregano...


Spiral potatoes on a stick: the foolproof technique without a machineRecipe Spiral potatoes on a stick: the foolproof technique without a machine

Spiral potatoes on a stick are a versatile recipe: as well as looking beautiful, they can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish with meat, fish, or chicken. Even better, you don’t need a machine to make the spiral cut—just a wooden...


Tuna and tomato quicheRecipe Tuna and tomato quiche

Easy to make, this quiche combines the perfect blend of tuna and tomato and is sure to delight you at dinner. It’s quick to prepare, since we don’t always have time to cook. A slice of this quiche served with a mixed salad makes a perfectly balanced...

Daniele MainieriDaniele Mainieri
Every day, I dive into the world of food and wine with curiosity, always looking for new flavours, recipes and inspiring discoveries to share. From traditional family dishes to the latest food trends, including pairings that make all the difference. I’ve been working in food & wine communication for over 10 years and I’m currently the Editorial Manager for the Italian edition of Petitchef.

Comments

Rate this article: