Spoon Simple · For beginners
Stock your kitchen once.
Cook all week.
Potatoes, eggs, butter, frozen chicken, ground beef, noodles — things that last weeks and unlock real meals.
Check off what you already have, then order the rest in one tap.
24
pantry items
387+
recipes unlocked
7
nights of dinners
Check what you own
Tap each item below. Your list shrinks to only what's missing.
Order in one tap
Hit the Instacart button — it only adds what you're missing.
Cook any night
Pick a recipe from 387+ that use exactly this list.
Freezer — Proteins
2 itemsFreezer — Vegetables
2 itemsFridge
4 itemsProduce (keeps weeks)
3 itemsPantry
9 itemsSpices
4 itemsOrder the 24 items you still need
Tap items above to mark what you already own — we'll only order what's missing.
All stocked up?
Pick your first dinner tonight.
Start with one simple recipe. Cooking Mode walks you through every step — no experience needed.
Good to know
Common questions
Everything a first-time cook needs to know before heading to the store.
How long does frozen ground beef last?
Frozen ground beef stays good for 3–4 months in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the fridge — never on the counter. Once thawed, cook it within 1–2 days.
How long does frozen chicken last in the freezer?
Properly stored frozen chicken breasts keep for up to 9 months. Write the date on the bag when you freeze them. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
How do I store potatoes so they last longer?
Keep potatoes in a cool, dark spot — a pantry or cabinet, not the fridge. Stored this way, a bag of russet potatoes can last 3–5 weeks easily.
Can I cook a whole week of dinners with this list?
Yes. Monday: tacos (ground beef + taco seasoning). Tuesday: baked potato with cheese and sour cream. Wednesday: pasta. Thursday: fried rice (rice + egg + frozen veg + soy sauce). Friday: baked chicken with roasted potatoes. That's a full week with zero planning.
What's the cheapest way to stock a kitchen from scratch?
Start with the freezer proteins (chicken and ground beef) and the pantry staples (pasta, rice, canned tomatoes, beans, soy sauce, oil). These are the highest bang-for-your-buck items. You can skip spices on your first shop and just use salt, pepper, and taco seasoning packets.
I've never cooked before. Where do I start?
Start with scrambled eggs. It takes 5 minutes, uses ingredients on this list, and teaches you heat control. Once you can make eggs, try buttered noodles, then tacos. Each one builds on the last.
Do I need all of these on my first trip?
No — use the checklist above to mark what you already own, and order only what's missing. If you want the absolute minimum first trip, get: eggs, butter, pasta, canned tomatoes, and a bag of frozen chicken. That's five dinners right there.
What can I make with just eggs and butter?
Scrambled eggs, fried eggs, an omelette with cheese, or French toast if you have bread. Eggs + butter is the most powerful two-ingredient combo in any kitchen.
Ready to find a recipe?
Search by what you have or browse 950+ easy dinners.