14 essential items everyone should have in their pantry, according to a cruise ship chef

Herbs and spices can transform any dish. From staples like salt and pepper to more exotic ones like sumac, Calabrian chili, or Perilla seeds, click here to see which ones professional chefs recommend.

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Besides seasoning your food, you can make a number of dishes where pepper takes center stage, from cacio e pepe to peppery fish tacos.

Besides being a crucial flavor enhancer, sea salt has no expiration date, making it an ideal pantry staple.

Lasagna is super versatile: Layer lasagna sheets with literally anything you have on hand for a hearty meal that can feed many.

Pasta is an obvious pantry staple for most. If you find yourself getting bored of the same pasta dinner, there are plenty of ways to transform leftovers into exciting new dishes.

Good olive oil is necessary for cooking most things, but it can also be used to create hair masks, body scrubs, and moisturizer, among other things.

Miso paste — a fermented mixture of soy beans — is basically the definition of umami, and can be used to add oomph to soups, sauces, and dressing.

Different countries actually have different mustard variations. While the US loves yellow mustard, German mustard ranges from sweet to spicy, while Italians gravitate towards a fruit-based mustard.

Similar to anchovies, these little flower buds are salty, briny, and pack a punch when it comes to flavor. Capers go well with fish, chicken, and pasta.

Salty and briny, anchovies are an easy way to add depth of flavor to a variety of dishes, but especially pasta dishes.

For some, hot sauce is the most important condiment of all, able to add a kick to even the blandest of meals. Insider's Erin McDowell tried five of the most popular brands of hot sauce, and thought that Cholula had the perfect level of heat, texture, and flavor.

The benefit of tomato paste over canned or fresh tomatoes is that it's denser, giving you the same intense flavor but with less water for dishes requiring a thicker consistency. According to Food and Wine, it will "add depth to pasta sauce" and "boost braises and soups," among many other uses.

Maple syrup is delightful on pancakes and waffles, of course, but it can also be used as a sweetener or sugar substitute in sauces, dressing, baked goods, and even cocktails.

Nutritional yeast is packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and has a wealth of health benefits.

While it can be used in a plethora of ways, mostly, it can act as a vegan cheese substitute and flavor booster.