3. Frozen or Canned Mixed Vegetables

Frozen or canned mixed vegetables can be a lifesaver when it comes to whipping up a quick meal. They can be easily warmed up in a skillet and sautéed with a little olive oil and spices. If you have the broth on hand you can also combine these two must have ingredients to put together a soup or stew. Throw in some chicken or pan-fried tofu and you have a hearty meal.

4. Chicken

You can prepare chicken a thousand different ways that make putting a meal together easy. You can broil it, roast it, sauté it with vegetables, bake it, fry it, use it in a stir-fry or make a burrito - the choices go on and on.

An easy baked chicken parmesan recipe is to dip pieces of chicken into a beaten egg mixture. Coat the chicken with bread crumbs. On top of the breaded chicken spoon some tomato sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bake in the oven at 350 degree F for about 45 minutes or until the chicken is done.

Chicken is a great protein that goes with so many different flavors and cuisines. Just having a few skinless, boneless chicken breasts in your fridge is a great start to a delicious meal.

5. Potatoes

Potatoes are great as they can easily figure into a wide variety of cuisines and are super easy to prepare using an oven, stovetop, or microwave. Potatoes are great ingredients for soups and stews, are super yummy shredded into hash browns or potato latkes, and who can resist the tempting lure of a bowl of mashed potatoes?

The most versatile way to use potatoes (and perhaps the healthiest depending on your toppings) is by making a baked potato. Baked potatoes can be topped with just about anything: sour cream, cheese, vegetables, bacon, or whatever else you have on hand.

6. Eggs