Cooking is a great activity to do at home with the whole family. It can also help with managing weight and diet-related health issues, and allow you to savor the satisfaction of creating tasty meals. Because not everyone is comfortable in the kitchen, I've compiled a list of must-haves to help you get started. 

The secret to easier home cooking: pantry essentials

With a few standard items in the cabinet or fridge, you can whip up a delicious meal—quickly, with no fuss and no fancy recipe—by adding whatever fresh ingredients you bring home from the store. Even better, you can throw together a quick dinner just with what you have on hand.

Staple items to have on hand, and how to use them

In the Pantry

• Canned (no salt added) whole tomatoes: If you have nothing else in the house but canned tomatoes, a box of pasta and some olive oil, you've got dinner. Simply warm olive oil in a pan, add tomatoes and crush them with a spoon, throw in a clove of minced garlic if you have it; simmer, then toss with hot cooked pasta. Add canned tomatoes to chili or make a quick homemade tomato soup.
  
• Pasta: Pasta makes a great foundation for fresh veggies; keep a long-shaped (spaghetti, linguine) and a short-shaped (penne or fusilli). For a "desperation dinner," toss hot cooked spaghetti with a bit of butter, a handful of Parmesan cheese and lots of cracked pepper.
  
• Olive oil: Great for sautéing chicken breasts, roasting vegetables and other basic cooking. Choose a mid-priced extra virgin olive oil for everyday use.
  
• Brown rice, wild rice blend, quinoa: Combine cooked whole grains with roasted vegetables for a light main dish or hearty side for roasted chicken or grilled fish.
  
• Canned (no salt added) beans: White beans, black beans and chickpeas add fiber and protein to soup, chili or roasted vegetables.
  
• Herbs and spices: Dried Italian herb blend, salt-free seasoning and red pepper flakes are must-haves. Ground cumin is very versatile; smoked paprika adds a smoky, deep flavor. Use kosher salt for cooking and keep a pepper mill for fresh-ground pepper.
  
• Canned or boxed stock: Choose lower-sodium chicken and vegetable stocks; use for cooking rice and making soup.
  
• Roasted, unsalted whole nuts: Walnuts, almonds and pecans are healthy snacks (in one-ounce portions); they're also great additions to pasta dishes and salads.  
  

In the Refrigerator

• Lemons: Squeeze lemon juice over everything (grilled meats and fish, roasted vegetables, tossed green salad) to add a spark of flavor without calories or sodium.
  

• Eggs: If you're hungry and too tired to fuss, a plate of scrambled eggs and toast makes a fine meal. Make breakfast for dinner: omelets filled with cooked vegetables, cheese and diced ham.
  
• Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt: A great substitute for higher-fat, higher-calorie sour cream (you won't know the difference). Make your own yogurt parfait by layering with fruit preserves.
  
• Parmesan cheese: Pre-grated makes life easier. Toss on pasta, salad or roasted vegetables.
  
• Homemade salad dressing: Homemade is better for you than store-bought, which contains preservatives and additives. Here's a quick recipe:
  
• In a lidded jar, shake together 1/3 cup wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon honey. Add 1/2 cup olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper; shake again. Keeps for 2–3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Look no further for more healthy and easy recipes to try while you're staying at home.