We have all experienced that moment when you wander aimlessly in your kitchen wondering what to make for dinner. You haven't had a chance to get to the grocery store and now have to pull together a meal with whatever is on hand. This is one stressor in your life you can eliminate if you keep these 10 cooking ingredients on hand.

1. Pasta

Pasta offers a variety of options for whipping up a hot, delicious meal. It can be something as quick and simple as buttery noodles, adding your favorite pasta sauce or creating a baked pasta with sauce, veggies, and cheese. By keeping different types of noodles on hand you have even more choices. With pasta you can also add just about any type of protein that you have in the freezer: chicken, ground beef, soy crumbles, turkey, Italian sausage, or even seafood like shrimp or scallops. The possibilities are almost endless.

A quick check in your spice rack and just about any spice can be added to spruce up your pasta dish. You can also create an olive oil-based sauce. Just heat 1/2 cup of olive oil in a skillet, add in some fresh vegetables like spinach, tomatoes or mushrooms. Cook the ingredients for about 3 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and then season with a little salt and pepper. Mix with your pasta and you have an easy, healthy pasta meal.

2. Chicken Broth or Bouillon

Chicken broth or bouillon is a wonderful ingredient to have on hand because this is the base for any number of meals. You can create a soup or stew using other ingredients that are available. A hodgepodge of vegetables, meats and spices can create the perfect meal for any day.