My 10 favorite pantry, freezer, and bar staples for putting something lovely on the table without a last-minute grocery run.
I recently finished reading A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband: With Bettina’s Best Recipes, (published in 1917) and it got me thinking about the pantry staples for entertaining that every host should keep on hand. Yes, the title is terrible. Let’s get that out of the way.
It’s the story of two newlyweds and what they cooked during their first year of marriage, complete with menus for all sorts of occasions, little stories about family and friends, household hints, and the occasional concern about the grocery budget.
What caught my attention was the opening story about Bettina’s “emergency shelf.” She kept certain ingredients on hand so that, when unexpected company appeared, she could put dinner on the table in just ten minutes. Ten minutes!
Now, I’m not promising anyone a three-course dinner in ten minutes. But I do love the idea of being prepared enough that an unexpected invitation doesn’t require a trip to the grocery store. And with the holidays approaching, this seems like a particularly good time to talk about pantry staples for entertaining.
Because sometimes the best evenings begin with, “Why don’t you come over?” And nobody wants to make a grocery run at 5:30.
Why Every Host Needs an Emergency Shelf
I think there’s something wonderful about being able to invite someone over without turning it into a production. Maybe friends stop by for a cocktail and stay longer than expected. Maybe you decide on a Friday afternoon that dinner with another couple sounds like a lovely idea.
Having a few dependable ingredients in your pantry, refrigerator, freezer, and bar means you can say yes without wondering what on earth you’re going to serve.
The trick isn’t keeping everything. It’s keeping the right things.
Here are ten staples I recommend having on hand for the holidays and all year long.
10 Pantry, Freezer & Bar Staples Every Host Should Keep on Hand
1. A Good Selection of Cheeses
Parmesan is a refrigerator staple in my book. It’s wonderful for pasta, salads, and finishing just about anything savory.
For entertaining, keep a wedge of Brie or some goat cheese available, too. Goat cheese freezes reasonably well, although its texture may change slightly after thawing. Brie is best kept refrigerated for serving, since freezing can affect its lovely creamy texture.
Add honey, preserves, or a handful of nuts, and you’ve got an appetizer that requires very little effort.
2. Gluten-Free Crackers and Mixed Nuts
These are the foundation of a last-minute nibble board.
Add cheese, olives, a few pieces of fruit, or something sweet, and suddenly it looks as though you planned the whole thing. I like having gluten-free crackers available because everyone can enjoy the same board, assuming the other ingredients meet their dietary needs.
And mixed nuts are useful whether you’re serving cocktails or simply giving guests something to nibble on while dinner comes together.
3. Frozen Shrimp
Frozen shrimp may be one of the most useful things you can keep in your freezer. They thaw quickly in cold water and can become garlic-butter shrimp, shrimp cocktail, or a simple appetizer with lemon and herbs.
You can also toss them with pasta for an easy dinner that feels a little more special than the amount of work involved. Just thaw safely in the refrigerator or cold water, and cook thoroughly.
4. Olives, Artichoke Hearts, and Roasted Red Peppers
Three jars. So many possibilities. Together, they can turn a simple plate of cheese and crackers into a colorful antipasto spread. They’re also terrific additions to salads, pasta, and savory tarts.
And because unopened jars are shelf-stable, they’re exactly the kind of ingredients Bettina would have appreciated on her emergency shelf.
5. Good-Quality Pasta and Canned Tomatoes
If I have gluten-free pasta, canned San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, I know I can put together a satisfying dinner. Add Parmesan, herbs, or some of those artichokes and roasted peppers, and it becomes something worth sitting down for.
Serve it with a simple salad if you have greens available. No complicated sauce. No elaborate menu. Just good food.
6. Frozen Puff Pastry or Gluten-Free Pastry Dough
A package of pastry dough can be surprisingly useful. With a few ingredients from the refrigerator, you can make savory tarts or little appetizers. Add fruit and a bit of sugar, and you’ve got dessert.
Traditional puff pastry contains gluten, so keep a suitable gluten-free pastry option available if you’re serving guests who need one. It’s a wonderful shortcut when you want something that looks a little fancy without spending the afternoon making it.
7. Frozen Berries and Good Vanilla Ice Cream
This may be my favorite emergency dessert. Warm frozen berries in a saucepan with a little sugar and lemon juice until they’re juicy and fragrant.
Spoon them over good vanilla ice cream. Done.
If you’re feeling festive, a splash of complementary liqueur in the warm fruit makes it feel like a proper dinner-party dessert. Just check that the ice cream hasn’t mysteriously disappeared from the freezer since your last grocery trip.
8. Honey, Preserves, and Dijon Mustard
These three ingredients do an astonishing amount of work.
Mix Dijon mustard with olive oil and vinegar for a quick vinaigrette. Combine mustard and preserves for a glaze for chicken. Drizzle honey over cheese or use it to balance a dressing.
They’re small ingredients that can make everyday food feel a little more interesting.
9. A Well-Stocked Cocktail Corner
You don’t need an enormous home bar to offer guests a lovely cocktail. A few dependable bottles give you plenty of options: gin, vodka, bourbon, sweet and dry vermouth, and bitters. Keep tonic and club soda available, too.
Add fresh citrus when you have it, and you can make several classic drinks without a special shopping trip. One important note: refrigerate vermouth after opening. It won’t stay at its best indefinitely on the bar cart.
10. Sparkling Water and Something Festive Without Alcohol
A good host makes everyone feel included, including guests who aren’t drinking alcohol. Keep sparkling water, cranberry or pomegranate juice, and a bottle of nonalcoholic sparkling wine available.
A splash of juice topped with bubbles and served in a pretty glass is every bit as welcoming as a cocktail. And that’s really the point, isn’t it? It’s not about what someone is drinking. It’s about making them feel welcome.
My Favorite Last-Minute Hosting Trick: Think in Threes
When you’re putting together something for unexpected company, don’t start by planning an elaborate menu. Think about three simple things you can put on the table:
✅ Something to nibble on. Cheese, olives, crackers, and nuts.
✅ Something satisfying. A simple pasta, shrimp dish, or savory tart.
✅ Something sweet. Warm berries over vanilla ice cream.
Add a cocktail or sparkling drink, light a few candles, and you’re ready to welcome people.
Not everything needs to be homemade. Not everything needs to match. And you certainly don’t need six courses. What matters is that everyone feels comfortable, including you.
A Little Preparation Makes More Room for Spontaneity
There’s a difference between being prepared and planning every minute of an evening.
Your emergency shelf handles the unexpected. And when you’re ready to invite friends for a full evening together, a little more planning can make the experience even better.
That’s exactly why I created my Complete Dinner Party Plans. Each plan is designed to help you put together an entire evening, with a coordinated menu, recipes, preparation guidance, and thoughtful entertaining ideas.
The goal isn’t to make hosting more elaborate. It’s to take the guesswork out of it so you can spend less time figuring everything out and more time enjoying the people you’ve invited.
The Best Part of Being Prepared? You Can Just Say Yes.
What I loved about Bettina’s emergency shelf wasn’t really the ten-minute dinner. It was the idea that she was ready to welcome people.
And over a century later, I think that’s still an amazing way to approach entertaining. You don’t need a refrigerator full of ingredients or a complicated menu to be a wonderful host.
You need a few dependable staples, a little imagination, and the willingness to say, “Come on over.”
Here’s something to try this week: Choose three items from this list that you don’t already have and add them to your pantry, freezer, or bar. Your future entertaining self will thank you.
And when you’re ready to plan something a little more intentional, explore my Complete Dinner Party Plans for help making the whole evening easier.
Follow along on Instagram for more recipes, hosting ideas, and everyday inspiration from my kitchen.
Now I’m curious: What’s the one ingredient you always keep on hand for unexpected company? I’d love to hear what belongs on your emergency shelf!
Cheers!
Colleen 🥂
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