14 Pantry Staples for Last Minute Guests!

Last-minute guests can pop by and when they do be ready
with these 11 pantry staples to keep on hand! You’ll always be prepared!

Listen to Sweetpea Lifestyle Podcast for an episode on these items — you can listen along here, then get your download at the end of the post!

 

I don’t know about you, but here in the south, we have last-minute guests all the time. 

Friends pop by, unannounced, for a quick minute and while they don’t expect anything, it’s always nice to offer a little something.

I’m going to walk you through the 14 items you need to keep on hand for those last-minute guests.

First, what are the 14 items?!

1. Pimento Cheese + Pita Chips
2. Cut up Raw Veggies + Homemade Ranch
3. Tortilla Chips + Salsa
4. Goat Cheese + Preserves + Crackers
5. Popcorn + Ranch Seasoning
6. Caesar Salad Items
7. Salad Greens
8. Frozen Pizzas
9. Frozen Meatballs
10. Rao’s Marinara Sauce + Pasta
11. Red Wine
12. Bubble Water
13. Champagne or Prosecco
14. Citrus fruits

We’ll start with pimento cheese and pita crackers.

There are affiliate links in this post.

Y’all know my love of Pimento Cheese, it’s very, very deep. Like any true southern belle, I’ve got my own recipe that I swear by, and I love sharing it with others. 

When your doorbell rings, go ahead and grab this from the fridge while you’re welcoming your friend in. 

Dollop out onto a nice bowl or ramekin and add some pita chips to a serving platter and you’ve got yourself a party.

Next, let’s talk about raw veggies and ranch…

Cut up raw vegetables are a fantastic item to keep on hand. Not only for last-minute guests but also for yourself!

I love buying raw veggies from Trader Joe’s, their Persian Cucumbers are my absolute favorite thing to dip in homemade ranch. 

They’re great for meal prepping or any kind of vegetable board. But, having them on hand with a container of homemade ranch is just what last-minute guests love.

Now, tortilla chips and salsa are another great option for last-minute guests!

I love chips and salsa. Of any kind, y’all!

I’ve started keeping “fancy” tortilla chips in my pantry and it makes Taco Tuesday just a little *extra.*

Pull out your serving platter and dip some chips on it, along with a small bowl of salsa. I prefer to put out Salsa Ranch, which is exactly that… Salsa + Ranch blended together. Oh yeah! It’s deliciously addictive.

Goat Cheese + Preserves + Crackers are the next items on the list!

It’s one of my favorite flavor profiles and so versatile! 

Here are (several) more goat cheese recipes:

• Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Dip
• Goat Cheese Toast with Pepper Jelly
• Brown Sugar & Spice Glazed Goat Cheese
• Italian Cheese Spread
• Goat Cheese Grits

Another option to keep on hand is microwave popcorn + Ranch seasoning.

Y’all. You know my love of Ranch Seasoning… It’s real… So, while I was recording this episode for the podcast I got started talking about, and knew I had to add it to the list! 

Next up, Salad Greens!

I love keeping romaine lettuce and all the items for Caesar Salad on hand.

What do you need for Caesar Salad?

• Romaine
• Parmesan
• Croutons
• Caesar Dressing

Along with these items, I like to keep arugula or spring mix, so I can eat plenty of salads. But! It pairs well with our next option:

Frozen Pizzas are a great option for last-minute guests!

Get simple ones like thin crust with mozzarella and then add your own toppings. I like to add a pile of arugula tossed with lemon juice and olive oil. It’s a great quick meal on busy nights, too!

Frozen Meatballs are great to pair with Rao’s Marinara Sauce and pasta — yum!

If you’re riding that low carb train, leave the pasta in the pantry. This recipe for Greek Meatballs is so so easy – especially when you use frozen meatballs. 

Now for the fun part…

Keep red wine, prosecco/champagne, and bubbly water on hand.

When you add fresh slices of citrus fruit to a
pitcher of water or individual glasses, it makes it feel so fancy.

In closing, what are the 14 items?!

1. Pimento Cheese + Pita Chips
2. Cut up Raw Veggies + Homemade Ranch
3. Tortilla Chips + Salsa
4. Goat Cheese + Preserves + Crackers
5. Popcorn + Ranch Seasoning
6. Caesar Salad Items
7. Salad Greens
8. Frozen Pizzas
9. Frozen Meatballs
10. Rao’s Marinara Sauce + Pasta
11. Red Wine
12. Bubble Water
13. Champagne or Prosecco
14. Citrus fruits

Go ahead and save this graphic to your favorite Pinterest board!

What items do you keep on hand?! Let me know in the comments below!