What to Make for Dinner With Random Ingredients: A Simple Formula

Half a pepper, a can of chickpeas, some feta and a tortilla do not look like a meal until you see the pattern. Almost every weeknight dinner follows the same formula.

The formula: base + protein + vegetable + sauce

Base: rice, pasta, noodles, potatoes, bread, tortillas, couscous
Protein: eggs, beans, chickpeas, lentils, tofu, chicken, fish, cheese
Vegetable: whatever is fresh, frozen or canned
Sauce: soy + garlic, tomato, yogurt + lemon, pesto, curry paste, cheese

Examples from real fridges

Chickpeas + half a pepper + feta + tortilla = crispy chickpea wraps
Eggs + frozen peas + leftover rice + soy sauce = fried rice
Pasta + a can of tuna + lemon + spinach = 15-minute tuna pasta
Potatoes + onion + cheese + eggs = Spanish-style tortilla

Not sure what to cook tonight?

Snap your fridge and FridgeChef suggests three dinners from what you have. 3 free scans a month, no signup.

Turn my random ingredients into dinner

Pantry staples that rescue any dinner

Keep these and random ingredients become meals: garlic, onions, canned tomatoes, stock cubes, soy sauce, a curry paste, rice, pasta, eggs and frozen peas.

Skip the guesswork

Snap a photo and FridgeChef applies the formula for you, suggesting three dinners from your random ingredients with a short list of anything missing.

Frequently asked questions

What can I cook with random stuff in my fridge?

Combine a base, a protein, a vegetable and a sauce. Fried rice, pasta, frittatas, wraps and soups work with almost any combination.

What should I make for dinner when I have no idea?

Start with whatever needs using first, choose a quick format such as a stir-fry or pasta, and fill gaps with pantry staples.