Common Ingredients

Here's a list of all the items I regularly keep on hand for making meals. It seems like alot of spices (they are expensive) but spices are essential for bold flavors. I bought mine one at a time, as I needed them. Grow your own herbs if your apartment gets enough sun! I was lucky to have fresh basil for most of the summer.
I really hope this gives new cooks some direction on their next shopping trip. I know a list like this would have helped me two years ago, when I first started out.
Experienced cooks: feel free to append or correct my list!

MEATS:
chicken breasts
steak
porkchops
hamburger
cold cut lunch slices of choice

VEGGIES:
onion
garlic
potatoes
zucchini
broccoli
carrots
celery
bell pepper

FRUIT:
apples
citrus
whatever else is in season

CANNED*:
canned finely diced tomatoes
canned chopped tomatoes
8 oz. cans of Tomato sauce
canned corn
Swanson Natural Goodness Chicken Broth
Swanson Beef Broth
beans (pinto and/or kidney)
sweet and condensed milk

SAUCES*:
Worcestershire sauce
ketchup
soy sauce
red wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
mayo
mustard
honey

DAIRY
cheese: cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan
milk
butter
sour cream

OTHER:
spaghetti
macaroni
pasta spirals
tortillas
bread slices
bread crumbs (or GF corn crumbs)
high heat frying oil-- like peanut or sesame
olive oil
long grain white rice
Aborio rice

BAKING:
white sugar
brown sugar
chocolate morsels
baking soda
baking powder
cornstarch
cream of tartar
flour(s) of choice + (Xanthan gum!!)

SPICES*:
garlic powder
onion powder
sweet basil (dried leaves)
oregano (dried leaves)
chili powder
Cayenne red pepper (ground or flakes)
ground black pepper
ground cumin
thyme (leaves)
parsley flakes
sage
cinnamon
cloves
ground ginger

*DelMonte canned veggies are GF. McCormick spices are GF.