10 Dinners You Can Make from an Almost-Empty Fridge

We've all done it: opened the fridge at 7pm, stared at half an onion, three eggs, and some wilting spinach, and ordered pizza.

These 10 dinners are designed for exactly that moment. They use the staples most fridges have even when they "have nothing" — eggs, pasta, canned goods, cheese, onions, garlic, and whatever vegetables are left.

1. Pasta Aglio e Olio

You need: Pasta, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, parmesan (optional)

Boil pasta. While it cooks, gently fry thinly sliced garlic in olive oil until golden. Toss with pasta, chili flakes, and a handful of parsley if you have it. 15 minutes, zero fridge required beyond the basics.

Calories: ~450 per serving

2. Shakshuka

You need: Eggs, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin, paprika

Fry diced onion and garlic, add spices, pour in canned tomatoes, simmer 10 minutes, crack in 4 eggs and cover until whites set. Serve with bread. Filling, satisfying, and almost entirely pantry-based.

Calories: ~300 per serving (2 eggs)

3. Fried Rice

You need: Leftover rice (cold works best), eggs, soy sauce, garlic, any vegetables

Cold leftover rice turns into fried rice in 10 minutes. High heat, garlic first, vegetables next, rice in, eggs scrambled through. A splash of soy sauce to finish.

Calories: ~380 per serving

4. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

You need: Tortillas, canned black beans, cheese, cumin, hot sauce

Mash beans with cumin and a pinch of salt. Spread on a tortilla, add cheese, fold and toast in a dry pan 2 minutes per side. Serve with whatever salsa or hot sauce you have.

Calories: ~420 per serving

5. Omelette

You need: Eggs, whatever's in the fridge

A good omelette uses 3 eggs and takes 5 minutes. The filling is whatever you have: cheese, leftover vegetables, ham, mushrooms, spinach. Low effort, high protein, fast.

Calories: ~300–400 depending on filling

6. Pasta with Butter and Parmesan

You need: Pasta, butter, parmesan, black pepper

Cacio e pepe's simpler cousin. Boil pasta, toss with butter, a lot of black pepper, and as much parmesan as you can justify. This sounds too simple to be dinner but it absolutely is.

Calories: ~500 per serving

7. Lentil Soup

You need: Red lentils, onion, garlic, cumin, canned tomatoes, stock (or water)

Red lentils cook in 20 minutes and need no soaking. Fry onion and garlic, add cumin, pour in lentils and liquid, simmer until soft. Season and serve. Cheap, filling, nutritious.

Calories: ~280 per serving

8. Tuna Pasta

You need: Pasta, canned tuna, olive oil, garlic, capers or olives (if you have them)

Drain tuna, mix with garlic fried in olive oil, toss through cooked pasta. Capers and lemon brighten it up. One of the fastest high-protein pasta dishes.

Calories: ~420 per serving

9. Veggie Stir Fry with Egg

You need: Any vegetables, eggs, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil (optional)

High heat, oil, garlic, hardest vegetables first (carrots, broccoli), softer ones next (peppers, courgette), scramble in 2 eggs at the end, soy sauce to finish. Serve over rice or noodles.

Calories: ~320 per serving (without rice)

10. Frittata

You need: Eggs, any leftover vegetables, cheese, oven-safe pan

A frittata is basically a baked omelette. Fry vegetables in an oven-safe pan, pour in beaten eggs, cook on hob until bottom sets, then transfer to oven (180°C / 350°F) for 10 minutes. Slices well, works hot or cold.

Calories: ~280 per serving

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