Ella's Pantry

All Recipes

1042 recipes found

Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies

Every year, I make these gingerbread cookies and they're honestly the easiest holiday treat you can bake. The whole process takes just thirty minutes from start to finish, and the ingredient list is pretty basic stuff you likely have on hand already. The real star here is the blackstrap molasses, which gives these cookies that deep, rich flavor while also providing iron and calcium. They're crispy on the edges and chewy in the middle, with warm spices that make your kitchen smell absolutely incredible. Trust me, once you try them fresh from the oven, you'll be making a batch every single season.

30 mins
VegetarianNut-Free
Easy Baked Ziti

Easy Baked Ziti

When I'm looking for a weeknight dinner that doesn't require much fussing, this easy baked ziti is my go to. The whole thing comes together in under an hour, and most of the work is just mixing ingredients and letting the oven do the heavy lifting. I love how the creamy ricotta mixture pairs with the tangy marinara, and the fresh spinach sneaks in some wonderful nutrients and greens without making you feel like you're eating health food. Best of all, it's incredibly budget friendly and uses mostly pantry staples, so you can throw it together with what you probably already have on hand.

45 mins
VegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Marinated Baked Tempeh

Marinated Baked Tempeh

This marinated baked tempeh has become my go to weeknight dinner because it comes together in just an hour from start to finish. Tempeh is packed with protein and probiotics, making it such a nutritious choice for vegetarian eating. The marinade is ridiculously simple too, using pantry staples like tamari, rice vinegar, and a touch of maple syrup to create this perfectly balanced sweet and savory glaze. Once everything is mixed together, the oven does most of the work while you relax. It's one of those dishes that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.

1 hr
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Chicken pasta bake

Chicken pasta bake

This is one of my go to weeknight dinners when I want something comforting but don't have hours to spend cooking. Chicken pasta bake comes together in just 75 minutes total and uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home, which keeps costs down. The tomatoes are absolutely packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that's even more beneficial when cooked. I love how you can prep everything ahead and just pop it in the oven, making it perfect for busy evenings. The creamy mascarpone sauce combined with melted cheddar and mozzarella creates pure comfort food magic, and honestly, it tastes like you've spent way more effort than you actually have.

1 hr 15 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Creamy salmon, leek & potato traybake

Creamy salmon, leek & potato traybake

This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because everything cooks in one tray, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Salmon is packed with omega 3 fatty acids that are brilliant for your heart and brain, and when you roast it with creamy leeks and tender potatoes, it becomes something really special. The whole thing comes together in just 40 minutes, so it's perfect when you want something restaurant quality without the fuss. A simple rocket salad on the side rounds it out beautifully, and those capers add a lovely sharp bite that cuts through the richness.

40 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Harissa broccoli & flatbreads

Harissa broccoli & flatbreads

This is my go to weeknight dinner when I want something really quick but still feels special. I've been making these soft, pillowy flatbreads paired with roasted broccoli and harissa for about a year now, and honestly, it never gets old. The whole thing comes together in just thirty minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table faster than ordering takeaway. What I love most is that broccoli is absolutely packed with vitamins and fiber, so you're getting something genuinely good for you alongside food that tastes indulgent. The flatbread dough is embarrassingly simple too, requiring just three ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It's become my favorite way to impress people without actually breaking a sweat in the kitchen.

30 mins
VegetarianNut-Free
Fried bread

Fried bread

My go to comfort food when I'm craving something warm and satisfying is fried bread. It's incredibly simple to make, taking just seven minutes from start to table, and costs almost nothing since you probably have these ingredients on hand already. The neutral oil I use adds minimal flavor while helping the bread get perfectly golden and crispy on the outside. I love how this quick snack comes together when I need an instant pick me up, and it's so versatile you can eat it plain or top it with whatever you're in the mood for.

7 mins
Dairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Sausage traybake

Sausage traybake

This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it's honestly so simple to throw together. You just dump everything into a tray and let the oven do the work while you relax. I love using sausages as the star here because they're budget friendly and packed with flavor, plus the fennel seeds add this lovely subtle sweetness. The beans are fantastic too, packed with fiber and protein that keep you satisfied for hours. With just 10 minutes of prep, you've got a complete, wholesome meal ready to serve with crusty bread in under an hour.

1 hr
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
Hummus flatbread pizzas with roasted veg

Hummus flatbread pizzas with roasted veg

Here's my favorite go to when I want something that feels a bit special but doesn't require much fuss. These hummus flatbread pizzas come together in under an hour and are packed with roasted vegetables that make them feel so much more satisfying than your typical takeaway. The hummus base is brilliant because it's naturally creamy and packed with protein and fiber, so you're getting real nutrition without any heavy cream or cheese. What I love most is how simple the whole thing is to pull together, especially the yogurt and flour dough that barely needs any kneading. It's one of those recipes that looks impressive when it hits the table but actually takes very little effort in the kitchen.

45 mins
VegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Easy baked tomato risotto

Easy baked tomato risotto

This baked tomato risotto has completely changed how I approach weeknight dinners. Instead of standing over the stove stirring constantly, you simply pop everything in the oven and let it do the work. It's ready in just twenty minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something homemade without the fuss. Cherry tomatoes are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that's great for heart health, and they add natural sweetness and flavor. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity and speed, but it tastes like you've spent hours cooking. Trust me, once you try the hands off approach, you'll never go back to traditional risotto again.

20 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Vegan scones

Vegan scones

After years of searching for the perfect vegan scone recipe, I finally cracked it, and these beauties are now a weekend staple in my kitchen. They're incredibly quick to make, taking just 40 minutes from start to table, which makes them perfect for unexpected guests or a lazy Sunday breakfast. The soy milk provides a creamy base while being naturally lower in saturated fat than dairy, and because everything comes together in one simple mixing bowl, there's barely any cleanup. Serve them warm with jam and vegan cream, and I promise nobody will know they're dairy free.

40 mins
VegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Garlic & parmesan breaded chicken with quick giardiniera

Garlic & parmesan breaded chicken with quick giardiniera

This is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in just over an hour and tastes far more impressive than the minimal effort required. The chicken gets a gorgeous crispy garlic and parmesan crust while the quick pickled vegetables add a bright, tangy contrast that makes the whole plate sing. Yogurt keeps the chicken incredibly moist and tender, and it's packed with probiotics that support your gut health. Best of all, frozen cauliflower makes the giardiniera practically instant, so you can have restaurant quality food on the table without the stress.

1 hr 5 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free