Make these pantry staples from scratch at home. There are homemade, frugal recipes for homemade bread, condiments, baking mixes, pasta and much more to choose from!
There are other benefits of cooking from scratch besides just saving money. These homemade recipes will taste better AND be healthier for you because you will be in control of the ingredients that go into the recipes so no more preservatives or chemicals that many of these pre-made foods have!
Bakery
- Easy Homemade Pie Crust in Bulk from Six Figures Under
- Homemade Croutons from Food Network
- Basic Homemade Bread from Lil’ Luna
- Soft 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread from An Oregon Cottage
- English Muffins from Baked by an Introvert
- 5 Ingredient Granola Bars (No Bake) from Minimalist Baker
- Easy Homemade Biscuits from Buns In My Oven
- Homemade Croissants from Sprinkled With Jules
- Hawaiian Bread Rolls from Handle the Tea
- 30 Minute Dinner Rolls from Six Sisters’ Stuff
- New York Style Bagels from Sophisticated Gourmet
- Homemade Flour Tortillas from The Kitchn
- Belle’s Hamburger Buns from Allrecipes
- Frugal Homemade Bread (Dairy Free, Egg Free) from Frugal Family Home
- Pita Bread from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
- Ciabatta Bread from The Cozy Cook
- Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs from Food Network
- Pizza Dough from Flour Arrangements
- Perfect Pie Crust from your homebased mom
- Homemade Graham Crackers from CincyShopper
- Graham Cracker Crust from Ashlee Marie
- Easy Cinnamon Rolls from Minmialist Baker
Dips, Sauces and Syrups
- Easy Homemade Jam from Lord Byron’s Kitchen
- The Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce Ever from The Recipe Critic
- Simple Barbecue Sauce from NYT Cooking
- Best Marinara Sauce from Allrecipes
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce from Add a Pinch
- Homemade Italian Spaghetti Sauce from Lauren Greutman
- Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Caramel Sauce from Life Made Sweeter
- Super Easy Hummus from Allrecipes
- Easy Guacamole from Allrecipes
- Sweet and Sour Sauce from Serious Eats
- Homemade Pizza Sauce from Food Network
- Tartar Sauce from Allrecipes
- Homemade Teriyaki Sauce from Taste and Tell
- Ten Minute Enchilada Sauce from Allrecipes
- Crock Pot Refried Beans from Simply Scratch
- Easy Homemade Pesto from Damn Delicious
- Simple Steak Sauce from Real Simple
- Homemade Applesauce from Allrecipes
- Easy Homemade Maple Syrup from The Frugal Girls
- Homemade Hershey Chocolate Syrup from My Heavenly Recipes
Mixes
- Homemade Cornbread Mix from Eating on a Dime
- Master Muffin Mix from Sally’s Baking Addiction
- Hot Chocolate Mix from The Pioneer Woman
- The BEST Brownie Mix from Crazy for Crust
- Homemade Yellow Cake Mix from i am a baker
- Chocolate Cake Mix from My Frugal Home
- Homemade Pancake Mix from Cooking Classy
- Homemade Bisquick from My Baking Addiction
- Copycat Nesquik Mix from Penny Pinchin’ Mom
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix from Sally’s Baking Addiction
- Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix from Country Cleaver
- Homemade Self-Rising Flour from The Marathon Mom
- Ready Gravy Mix from Taste of Home
- Homemade Au Jus Mix from Creative Homemaking
- Country Gravy Mix from Farm Girl Inspiration
- Brown Gravy Mix from My American Confessions
- Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes from Fake-It Frugal
- Instand Vanilla Pudding Mix from Brown Eyed Baker
- Chai Tea Mix from Allrecipes
Dairy
- Creamy Homemade Yogurt from NYT Cooking
- Homemade Coffee Creamers (20+ Flavors) from Mrs. Happy Homemaker
- Easy Homemade Greek Yogurt from How to Make Greek Yogurt
- Whipped Cream from Allrecipes
- Homemade Cream Cheese from A Cozy Kitchen
- Sour Cream from Allrecipes
- Homemade Butter from Food Network
- Old Fashioned Butter from Tori Avey
- Homemade Almond Milk from The Kitchn
- Fresh Homemade Ricotta from Epicurious
- Homemade Fresh Mozzarella from the Kitchn
- Homemade Pimento Cheese from Big Bear’s Wife
- Buttermilk from Food Network
- Homemade Ice Cream (Without an Ice Cream Machine Version) from The Kitchn
- Strawberry Frozen Yogurt (Without an Ice Cream Machine Version) from Feel Great in 8
- Homemade Fudgesicles from CincyShopper
- Simple Vanilla Frosting from Simply Scratch
Condiments
- Yellow Mustard from LiveStrong
- Homemade Ketchup from Allrecipes
- How to Make Peanut Butter from Little House Living
- Delicious Mayonnaise in Under a Minute from Buzzfeed
- Honey Mustard from Diethood
- Homemade Spicy Mustard from Strength and Sunshine
- The Best Fresh Tomato Salsa from Allrecipes
- Homemade Nutella from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
- Homemade Red Hot Sauce from Food Network
- Ranch Dressing from Allrecipes
- Eggless Caesar Dressing from The Kitchn
- Red Wine Vinaigrette from Real Simple
- Worcestershire Sauce from Little House Living
- Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette from Damn Delicious
- Absolutely Fabulous House Dressing from Allrecipes
- Homemade Dill Pickles from The Kitchn
- Easy Homemade Italian Dressing from Add a Pinch
- Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing from The Kitchn
- Creamy Herb Dressing from Real Simple
- Country Buttermilk Dressing from Mr. Food
- Homemade Cocktail Sauce from What the Fork
- Honey Mustard Dressing from Allrecipes
Seasonings
- Homemade Taco Seasoning from Gimme Some Oven
- Homemade Sloppy Joe Seasoning from Not Quite Suzie Homemaker
- Barbecue Rub from Dad Cooks Dinner
- Homemade Fajita Seasoning from Wellness Mama
- Basic Chili Powder from Whole New Mom
- Dry Onion Soup Mix from Allrecipes
- Copycat Lawry’s Seasoned Salt from Food.com
- Pumpkin Pie Spice from The Pioneer Woman
- Ranch Seasoning Mix from Gimme Some Oven
- Cajun Spice Mix from Mom On Timeout
- Homemade Powdered Sugar from The Humbled Homemaker
- Garlic Bread Seasoning from Life in the Lofthouse
- Homemade Shake and Bake from Dishes and Dust Bunnies
- Homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder from Sheri Graham
- Beef Bouillon Cubes from Food.com
- Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning from Don’t Waste the Crumbs
- Chinese Five-Spice Powder from The Kitchn
- Homemade Vanilla Extract from Tidy Mom
- Homemade Lemon and Almond Extracts from Common Season Homesteading
Soups and Broths
- Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup from Pinch of Yum
- Cream of Mushroom Soup from Tastemade
- Homemade Cream of Celery Soup from The Daring Gourmet
- Homemade Chicken Broth from Taste of Home
- Chicken Stock from Allrecipes
- Homemade Vegetable Broth from it doesn’t taste like chicken
Snacks
- Homemade Marshmallows from My Kitchen is My Playground
- Homemade Marshmallow Fluff from Spend With Pennies
- Baked Potato Chips from Sugar, Spice and Family Life
- Homemade Cheez-Its from Raining Hot Coupons
- Homemade Ritz Crackers from Cupcake Project
- Oven Fries from Taste of Home
- Homemade Extra Crispy Onion Rings from My Latina Table
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries from Food Network
- Homemade Tortilla Chips from Simply Recipes
- Homemade Pita Chips from Food Network (Make your own pita bread with this recipe)
- Basic Granola from Chowhound
- Crunchy Oatmeal Peanut Butter Oats ‘n Honey Bars from Half Baked Harvest
- 3-Ingredient Energy Bars from The Kitchn
- Homemade Strawberry Cereal Bars from Super Healthy Kids
- Homemade Oreo Cookies from Weelicious
- Fruit Leather from Simply Recipes
- Homemade Beef Jerky from Allrecipes
Pasta
- Grandma’s Noodles from Allrecipes
- Dumplings from Allrecipes
- Vintage Brown Buttered Homemade Noodles from Happy Money Saver
- Egg Noodles from Betty Crocker
- Fresh Lasagna Noodles from Martha Stewart
- Ravioli Dough from Better Homes and Gardens
- Homemade Pasta from The Pioneer Woman
Drinks
- Homemade Apple Juice from Harbour Breeze Home
- Best Lemonade from Allrecipes
- Strawberry Lemonade from Epicurious
- Homemade Eggnog from The Kitchn
- Infused Water Recipes from Allrecipes
100 Pantry Staple Recipes
Janna says
We should be making as much home made items as possible. Yes, sometimes there is no cost savings but most of the time it is less expensive to make these things at home. But making things at home means you know exactly what is in the product and you can avoid the horrible chemicals and other ingredients that are in many foods. Don’t forget, by law the manufacturers are not required to list all the ingredients so beware. You would be sickened to know what is being put in some of our food.
Tiffany says
this list is exactly what I have been looking for!! thank you for putting this together and having the recipe links.
Debbie Bragnalo says
You have such a beautiful website. Everything is here, thank you so much for sharing ❤️
Misty says
Thank you for sharing! Do you have a list of staple ingredients so that you have these items on hand?
prudentpennypincher.com says
Hi Misty,
You’re welcome! Yes, I do have a pantry staple ingredient list here: https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/100-cheap-easy-pantry-recipes/
Aad you can also find a list of non-perishable food ingredients here as well: https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/non-perishable-foods/
Hope that helps,
Stephy
Mary Rose says
I posted this to my Sustainable and Self Reliant living section because i feel it is so very important for more of us to take up this change in lifestyle and become more conscious of how we use our resources. Thank you for who you are and what you are doing.
Jill says
So many of these items are much, much more economical to purchase than to make at home. The price of ingredients for homemade ice cream?? Homemade jam and salsa?? How about just calling the article 54 things you will feel accomplished making at home?
prudentpennypincher.com says
You do make a good point Jill. Certain things will be economical for some people and not others. For instance, many people have vegetable gardens in their backyard so making salsa or jam would actually be more affordable for those people then buying it in a store would be.
Prices of dairy can wildly fluctuate based on where you live so maybe for you it would be more worthwhile to buy ice cream instead of making it. However, where I live the price of dairy is very high compared to the Mid-West and it would definitely be cheaper for me to make as it only requires a handful of ingredients which I already have.
Ultimately, the affordability of these ideas depends on you and your circumstances: If you have the time, if you have the ingredients on hand, if you use anything often enough on this list to make it worthwhile making from scratch, etc. This list is intended to be a guide to explore potential avenues to save additional money, which doesn’t mean that everyone should make everything on this list….just when it makes sense for you and your family.
Taf Calfee says
Do you have these in a book all 154 of them
prudentpennypincher.com says
No I don’t, sorry! Better Homes and Gardens has a book with 300 make and not buy recipes though. Here’s the link to it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IGT0lX
Wendy says
Not anymore.