5 Foods You Should Make at Home to Save Money
If you’re trying to cut your grocery bill, learning what to make at home to save money can make a huge difference fast. Some foods cost very little to make from scratch but come with a high price tag at the store. Today I’m sharing five foods I truly believe everyone should start making at home to save money—especially if you’re just getting started with scratch cooking.
These ideas don’t require fancy equipment or extreme skills. They focus on simple swaps that give you the biggest return for your time and effort.
1. Homemade Broth or Stock
Broth tops the list of foods you should make at home to save money. Store-bought broth runs about $1.50 per quart at most grocery stores, and canned versions cost even more. When you make broth at home, you often pay nothing.
I make broth using bones I already have from meals like pork roasts, chicken, or beef. I add water, let everything simmer for a day, and end up with rich, flavorful stock. The bones would otherwise go in the trash, so the broth itself costs me nothing. I only pay for a lid if I choose to can it.
You can freeze broth instead of canning it if you prefer. Either way, this swap alone can save you dozens of dollars each year.
2. Cream of “Anything” Soup
Cream soups cost around $1.50 per can, and most recipes call for several cans at a time. Making them from scratch saves money and gives you full control over ingredients.
Start with three tablespoons of butter and three tablespoons of flour. Cook them together briefly, then slowly add milk and homemade broth until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper, and add vegetables if you like.
Cream of chicken, mushroom, celery, or vegetable soup all follow the same method. When you make at home to save money, this swap alone can cut the cost by more than half.
3. Mini Pizzas
Mini pizzas offer one of the biggest savings when you make at home to save money. Store-bought frozen pizzas cost significantly more than homemade versions, especially when portioned individually.
I make mini pizzas small enough to fit in the air fryer. When you make them from scratch, you save about 50% compared to store-bought. You also control the toppings, which means no preservatives and no settling for flavors you don’t actually want.
4. Breakfast Freezer Foods
Breakfast foods from the freezer aisle cost a premium. Pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and boiled eggs all cost far more pre-made than homemade.
A box of frozen pancakes costs about $5, while homemade pancakes cost closer to 50 cents per batch when you calculate ingredient portions. Boiled eggs offer another clear win. Buying them pre-boiled costs more than twice as much as boiling them yourself.
When you make at home to save money, breakfast is one of the easiest places to start.
5. Freezer Meals
Freezer meals might look convenient, but they drain your budget fast. A family-size frozen lasagna costs around $15. Making one at home typically costs under $8.
Lasagna uses affordable ingredients like noodles, sauce, cheese, and filling. Making several at once and freezing them saves money and time. On busy days, you’ll thank yourself for having dinner ready to go.
Why Making Food at Home Really Works
The biggest benefit of learning what to make at home to save money comes from repetition. Once you know these basics, you reuse the skills over and over. You lower your grocery bill, reduce waste, and build a freezer full of easy meals.
If you’re new to scratch cooking, start with these five foods. They offer the biggest savings with the least stress—and they fit perfectly into a realistic, busy lifestyle.
