Take the stress out of summer cooking with fuss-free seasonal meal ideas using storecupboard ingredients. If you don't have a lot of fresh ingredients to hand, it's still possible to enjoy a light lunch or dinner with the help of frozen and canned foods. From bean salads and fish stew to pizza and paella, these summer storecupboard recipes are budget-friendly and full of flavour.

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Need some more meal inspiration? Check out our healthy storecupboard recipes and healthy storecupboard salads, or enjoy something sweet with our storecupboard baking recipes.

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3 Budget ramen ideas

1. Summer fish stew

Bowl of summer fish stew in a colourful bowl

Frozen fish is an affordable ingredient to add to your summer repetoire. White fish such as cod or pollock freeze well and can be added straight to a healthy stew without defrosting first. Cans of chopped tomatoes and butter beans add flavour and texture, plus you can use up stale bread to make golden croutons.

2. Feta, olive & preserved lemon grain salad

Feta, olive & preserved lemon grain salad

Take some shortcuts with a ready-made dressing, a pouch of microwaveable grains and a pot of sundried tomatoes, olives and feta. Just add some fresh rocket for a fuss-free, flavourful salad ready in under 10 minutes.

Try more delicious storecupboard salads, including this hearty halloumi salad with lemony lentils, chickpeas & beets

3. Mozzarella & pesto chickpeas on toast

Mozzarella & pesto chickpeas on toast

In need of a speedy lunch? Try our summer storecupboard spin on beans on toast. Simply throw together a can of chickpeas, pesto, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella for a tasty veggie toast topping.

Find more easy storecupboard lunch recipes

4. Spaghetti with smoked anchovies, chilli breadcrumbs & fried egg

Spaghetti with smoked anchovies, chilli breadcrumbs & fried egg

Tinned smoked anchovies are a storecupboard hero, and can be used in a wide range of dishes. Add them to this simple and speedy spaghetti with breadcrumbs in a garlicky chilli sauce. Top with a fried egg for a stress-free midweek meal full of interesting textures.

Find more anchovy recipes.

5. Cajun grilled chicken with lime black-eyed bean salad & guacamole

Cajun grilled chicken with lime black-eyed bean salad & guacamole

This punchy salsa features canned black-eyed beans, sweetcorn and semi-dried tomatoes, lifted by a squeeze of lime juice. It’s the perfect accompaniment for smoky spiced chicken fillets – a seriously satisfying low-carb dinner.

6. Tuna, olive & rocket pizzas

Two tuna, olive & rocket pizzas

Keep the family happy with these simple seafood pizzas. Using a ready-made pizza base mix saves on time, whilst storecupboard basics such as tomato purée, cans of tuna and olives make a quick topping. Get creative and let everyone customise their pizzas with whatever ingredients you have to hand.

7. Lentil & tomato salad

Lentil & tomato salad topped with red onions

Lentils are another storecupboard favourite, and form a substantial base for summer salads. As well as providing a source of iron, this complex carb is great for balancing energy levels. Make our flavoursome and filling vegan salad using a pack of dried puy or green lentils with cherry tomatoes, spinach leaves, chutney, spices and onions – the perfect barbecue side.

Get more vegan storecupboard recipes

8. Charred broccoli, lemon & walnut pasta

Charred broccoli, lemon & walnut pasta

Put a packet of dried penne or fusilli to good use in this satisfying summer pasta dish. It's packed with flavour from charred broccoli, lemon, parmesan and fried garlic, with walnuts for texture. Ready in just 20 minutes, it makes a speedy and nutritious midweek supper. You could use frozen broccoli if you don't have fresh to hand.

Discover more storecupboard pasta ideas

9. Easy paella

Pot of paella

Transport yourself to sunny shores with a sizzling pan of paella. Our easy version of this classic Spanish dish makes use of basic ingredients such as chopped tomatoes and frozen seafood, but you can also add extras such as peas and chorizo if you wish.

10. Air fryer falafel

Falfel on a bed of hummus, tabbouleh and salad leaves

Use your air fryer to rustle up some homemade falafel using storecupboard heroes: chickpeas. Enjoy with your favourite accompaniments – tabbouleh, hummus, tahini sauce and salad work well to make a healthy and budget-friendly lunch option.

Get more storecupboard inspiration...

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Our best recipes for leftovers
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A guide to cheap and healthy cooking
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Top 10 healthy storecupboard recipes

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