As a busy mom, I’m always looking for simple recipes to cook from scratch. I prefer to cook from scratch for my family because it’s healthier and saves us money.
So try a few these delicious, simple recipes instead of the store-bought alternatives.
It might seem easier to buy the pre-packaged substitutes for these simple recipes. But in reality they aren’t as complicated as you might think.
Not to mention you can feel reassured knowing you’re not eating processed, unhealthy additives. Instead these simple recipes are made with fresh and clean ingredients.
You can make sauces, soups, breads, breakfasts, desserts and more all from simple recipes! You can find a homemade recipe for anything you can buy at the store.
Simple Recipes to Cook from Scratch
Sauces, Dressings & Seasonings
Marinara Sauce – Homemade marinara sauce is easy to make from scratch and is ready in less than 30 minutes! Made with tomatoes, garlic, and oregano, this recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and filled with flavor.
Alfredo Sauce – This homemade alfredo sauce recipe is rich and creamy, made from scratch, and the perfect pair for your favorite pasta. Quick and easy this delicious sauce is made in just 15 minutes to make a simple weeknight meal or cozy Sunday dinner with family.
Turkey Gravy – Turkey gravy goes hand and hand with roasted turkey. Instead of buying canned or jarred turkey gravy the next time you make a bird, why not make your own? It is easier than you think!
Taco Seasoning – This easy DIY seasoning recipe is perfect for taco night. Great on ground beef, turkey or chicken and stays fresh for 6 months.
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Buttermilk Ranch Dressing – This homemade buttermilk ranch dressing is creamy, fresh and so much better than store-bought.
Cesar Dressing – This classic caesar dressing recipe tastes like it’s from a gourmet restaurant. Use it in salads, pastas, marinades, and more.
Thousand Island Dressing Once you try this thousand island dressing recipe, you will never buy the stuff from the grocery store again.
Blue Cheese Dressing – Homemade blue cheese dressing is super easy to make and so delicious.
Breads
Whole Wheat Bread – Delicious and easy whole wheat bread, this recipe is a classic you’ll make over and over.
Pita Bread – Easy homemade pita bread is the perfect Middle Eastern bread made from scratch from only six ingredients.
Cornbread – Skillet cornbread is the perfect side dish for your next meal. Made from scratch with a handful of simple ingredients, all you’ll need is a bowl and a spoon!
Pizza Dough – This pizza dough is super easy to make and can be ready to bake in an hour. Let your mixer do the work and enjoy some fluffy soft pizza crust!
Cheddar Garlic Biscuits – A quick and easy recipe for homemade buttermilk drop biscuits that are slightly crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with cheddar cheese and garlic flavor! Bake a batch start to finish in 25 minutes with simple ingredients.
Flour Tortillas – These homemade flour tortillas come together with just five every day ingredients.
French Bread – If you’re looking for an amazing homemade bread recipe, don’t miss out on this Homemade French Bread. So delicious and easier than you think to make.
Sourdough Bread – Make your own sourdough bread from scratch, including how to make your starter and tips for the perfect loaf from the very start.
Breakfast
Almond Milk Pancakes – Almond Milk Pancakes are soft and fluffy dairy-free pancakes, quick and easy to make and delicious to have for breakfast. A must have for your recipe book!
Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting – From scratch homemade cinnamon rolls with homemade cream cheese frosting is the perfect gooey sweet breakfast roll.
Greek Yogurt – This simple, super creamy homemade yogurt requires just milk, a starter yogurt, thermometer, and large pot. No need for special yogurt-making tools. Ditch the store-bought sugar-packed yogurt and easily make your own.
Honey Almond Granola – Skip the hefty price tag and make this Honey Almond Granola at home from scratch with a few basic ingredients.
Classic French Crepes – A complete guide on how to make Classic French Crepes. Soft, buttery, delicious, and very versatile as a sweet or savory option for breakfast, or dessert!
English Muffins – Soft and fluffy on the inside and loaded with tons of nooks and crannies. These easy english muffins are so much better (and healthier) than store bought. They are also a lot easier to make than you would think!
Cinnamon Raisin Bagels – This easy cinnamon raisin bagel recipe requires no boiling and no yeast, ready in less than an hour and so soft and chewy. Cinnamon Raisin is a classic flavor everyone loves!
Soups
Cream of Mushroom Soup – Making Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup is so easy to make from scratch with simple ingredients. In a matter of minutes, you’ll match the exact consistency of a can, but with much better flavor and no processed ingredients!
Tomato Soup – This delicious easy tomato soup recipe only takes 20 minutes to make and 6 simple ingredients. It’s full of flavor, creamy and so simple. Use fresh or canned tomatoes.
Potato Soup – Creamy potato soup in the slow cooker is absolutely heavenly. It makes the perfect basic soup to make from scratch.
Beef & Barley Soup – Everyone needs a great soup recipe that they can make from scratch, and this Beef & Barley Soup is just the bowlful of hearty goodness that everyone will love!
Butternut Squash Soup – This Vegan Butternut Squash Soup is also gluten and lactose free! Step by step directions for stovetop, in your instant pot and in a crockpot.
Chicken Bone Broth – Learn how to make a rich, nutritious & delicious chicken bone broth in your slow cooker. It’s super easy!
Entrees
Meatloaf – This really is the Best Ever Meatloaf, and it is incredibly easy to make. So much flavor packed inside with a delicious glaze spread on the top.
Mac & Cheese – Homemade Mac and Cheese from scratch is easy and made with basic ingredients. Instructions for stovetop and baked Mac.
Sloppy Joes – These one skillet Sloppy Joes are super easy, hearty and flavorful. This dinner is loved by both kids and adults!
Vegetable Lasagna – This creamy vegetable lasagna is packed with veggies and cheese. Try this simple recipe for a flavorful family dinner.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole – This easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is filled with juicy chunks of chicken breast, broccoli, and tender rice all smothered in a cheesy, luscious, homemade cream sauce. Topped with cheese and crushed buttery crackers, enjoy this kid-friendly Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe for your next easy weeknight meal.
Corned Beef & Cabbage – Delicious slow cooker corn beef and cabbage takes five minutes in the morning to put together. Simmer all day and dinner is done!
Desserts
Pumpkin Bread – Best ever moist pumpkin bread recipe is here! If you are wondering how to make pumpkin bread from scratch, you have to grab this recipe. This one bowl, one loaf pumpkin bread is going to become your go to recipe for years to come.
Pumpkin Puree – Learn how to make pumpkin puree from scratch and use it in all your favorite pumpkin recipes. Everything you need to know to make fresh pumpkin puree including how to cook a pumpkin, how to puree, how to store, and how long it lasts.
Brownies – These are the world’s best, chocolate-iest, easiest brownies to make from scratch.
Vanilla Ice Cream – This easy vanilla ice cream is simple to make and is egg free. Great on its own, in an ice cream sundae or paired with your favorite dessert.
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Classic Cheesecake – Use this Classic Cheesecake recipe to create a backdrop for all sorts of toppings. Completely from scratch, a NY-Style cheesecake is easy to master.
Puff Pastry – A quick and easy recipe for puff pastry from scratch that is a game-changer for anything from dinner to desserts to appetizers. You will never buy store-bought again. Oh, and it’s only 3 ingredients!
Pie Crust – This Easy All-Butter Pie Crust recipe is the perfect recipe for beginners or anyone who needs a delicious and flaky pie crust pulled together in 10 minutes and then chilled. The steps are easy to follow and the results are a perfect pie crust every time.
Pound Cake – Easy from scratch pound cake that requires only 7 simple ingredients. Delicious flavor and can be topped with so many things.
Chocolate Cake – This chocolate cake mixes up in just 5 minutes and is so deliciously moist!
Strawberry Shortcake – Strawberry Shortcakes are a classic dessert. They’re light, delicious, and perfect for spring and summer with juicy, sweet strawberries and easy chantilly cream between slightly sweetened biscuits.
Chocolate Mousse – This old-school, seemingly fancy dessert is light and fluffy, yet deeply rich and decadent all at the same time. The results are incredibly creamy, silky, and smooth with big flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness.
Next time you’re thinking about grabbing a boxed dessert or a can of soup at the store, try one of these simple recipes instead!
