This is my modified list of pantry staples that works for me in cooking for one. They’re my favorites so your list may be completely different. I know I can prepare some easy recipes for healthy meals (and delicious to me) when I keep my pantry and refrigerator stocked with my favorites.
Canned Goods
Beans: black, white
Chili
Fruit: one or two kinds maybe pears and applesauce
Meat/Fish: chicken, tuna, smoked oysters
Soup: chicken soup and a couple of others
Stock/Broth: reduced-sodium chicken, vegetable
Tomatoes: diced
Vegetables: beets, corn, or asparagus, etc. (only a couple)
Baking Supplies
Baking powder
Baking soda
Cornstarch
Extracts: vanilla
Flour: All-purpose
Sugar: granulated
Grains and Legumes
Biscuit/pancake mix
Cereal
Crackers, pretzels, chips (only one of these, if at all)
Crackers: soda (upset stomach?)
Oatmeal
Pasta, dried: linguini, penne, and couscous
Rice: basmati, brown
Fresh Items
Avocados
Bananas
Garlic
Snacks and Miscellaneous
Chocolate: cocoa powder, dark chocolate bar
Coffee (I keep mine in the refrigerator for guests because I don’t drink coffee)
Juice: fruit, vegetable
Oils: vegetable, olive
Olives: green, black
Pickles: dill
Roasted red and yellow peppers
Salsa
Tea: green, black, and chamomile
Wine: red, white
If you don’t bake at all you may not want anything but the flour, sugar, and vanilla in that category.
Once opened, most of these things go in the refrigerator. I don’t want to keep a lot of canned goods, but I live in Southern California and I think about having some kind of food inventory in preparation for an earthquake. It’s good to keep some of these things too, in case you get sick and don’t feel up to going to the market (I’m adding soda crackers, chicken soup, and juice to the list right now). If you’re cooking for yourself, most likely you’re taking care of yourself too. This certainly isn’t the driving force in thinking about my staples, but I like to be prepared (the former Girl Scout in me). Oh no, paper goods! I think I’ve made enough lists for now, though.