Learning how to cook from scratch might sound a little daunting at first—especially if you’re just starting out—but trust me, it’s one of the most satisfying skills you can pick up! Imagine transforming a handful of raw ingredients into a meal that’s uniquely yours.

By doing it yourself, you have complete control over what goes into your food, which means healthier meals and a much deeper connection to what you’re eating.

And let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like the pride of tasting something you made from scratch, whether it’s a silky pasta sauce or a loaf of warm, freshly-baked bread. I know I can’t be the only one who wants to do that super fancy homemade pasta without a bowl process I see all over Tiktok.

What does it mean to cook from scratch?

Cooking from scratch means going back to basics by using fresh, whole ingredients instead of relying on pre-packaged or processed foods. It’s about taking something as simple as vegetables, grains, or raw meats, and turning them into a dish that’s entirely your own.

Take a cake, for example—when you bake it from scratch, you’re mixing flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, butter, and whatever flavors you love. You’ve created something homemade, with no mystery ingredients.

The beauty of cooking this way is knowing exactly what’s in your food—the quality, the freshness, and even the nutritional value.

One thing I’ve noticed? When you start eating more fresh, home-cooked food regularly, eating out just doesn’t taste the same anymore. It’s like your taste buds know the difference, and nutritionally, it just doesn’t compare!

Why are people no longer cooking their own meals?

So, why isn’t scratch cooking as common as it used to be? Honestly, life is hectic. Between work, family, and everything else on our plates, it’s tempting to turn to takeout or prepackaged meals.

Convenience foods are everywhere, and apps make it so easy to just click a button and have dinner show up at your door. I totally get it—there are days when it feels like there aren’t enough hours to even think about cooking, let alone actually do it.

But here’s the thing—cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It’s all about starting small and building confidence in the kitchen. Once you take that first step, you might find yourself falling in love with the process! So, what do you say? Ready to give it a try? Let’s make some magic happen!

Is Cooking From Scratch Better?

Learning to cook from scratch is a rewarding experience that lets you control what goes into your food, avoiding unhealthy additives and saving money by buying fresh ingredients in bulk.

Beyond the health and cost benefits, it’s about the joy of creating, experimenting with flavors, and crafting meals with care. The effort is worth it for the satisfaction of a homemade dish.

Sure, I am biased but I will say with 100% confidence.. cooking from scratch is better for you, your community, and your family.

Why is making food from scratch better?

The benefit is clear: cooking from scratch is healthier and reduces your dependency on corporation supplied food from the grocery store.

Plus, cooking from scratch has a positive impact on your monthly budget and helps you save money. That’s a double win!

• Healthier Choices – Take control of your meals by deciding exactly what goes into your recipes.
• Perfect for Food Allergies – When you cook at home, you know every ingredient, making it safer for those with allergies.
• Time-Saving – Double your recipe and freeze the extra for a hassle-free meal on another night.
• Enhanced Flavor – Fresh ingredients naturally lead to better-tasting dishes.
• Family Bonding – Cooking doesn’t have to be a solo activity—get everyone involved and make it a shared experience.
• Boost Your Cooking Confidence – As your cooking skills improve, preparing meals from scratch becomes easier and more enjoyable.

How much money do you save cooking from scratch at home?

Every household’s monthly budget is different but for me it allows me to keep our grocery budget reduced by about 20%. I can get this up to 30-40% when I am buying bulk pantry and freeze staples.

Keep in mind that if you are looking to save money on your groceries and have a more self-sufficient approach to your kitchen, the trade off is that you need to spend more time prepping food before hand.

For me, I make a few dinners and freeze them for a month at a time. I do the same with snacks like pretzels, cookies, and even rice – all the delicious things my family loves.

This means I am cooking 1-2 Saturdays out of the week and then freezing it so we can enjoy throughout the other days. It’s a good system for saving money and being conscientious of my time.

Practical Steps to Cook From Scratch

Have backup meals for your convenience foods

It’s much easier to skip the eating out and convenience foods when you have something sitting in the fridge or freezer ready to go. I often say “it’s faster for me to pop this in a microwave for 2-3 minutes than it is to decide what I want from DoorDash and wait for it to arrive.” That little psychology works well for me!

Find your go-to recipes

It’s 2025 and the internet is abundant with recipes. Make it a family activity to try a few and figure out what you and your house love the most. Those then become your go-to recipes that you should keep stocked in the house at all times.

Don’t just think lunches and dinners – also think about snacks. You can save snacks in glass mason jars with a oxygen absorber to elongate freshness.

Keep a stocked pantry with basics

I’ve talked about this quite a bit in the past. You want to ensure you have a fully stocked pantry with essentials like rice, legumes, oats, and more.

Batch cook as much as possible

Most of us know that cooking from scratch saves money but if you odnt have a process, you will feel like you are endlessly stuck in the kitchen. That’s not what I want for you. Choose a day and choose 5 things you’ll cook.

In my case, it’s something like I will make 4 cups of cooked rice, 5-10 pizzas, a batch of pretzels and a batch of animal crackers. I turn on music and get to cooking all at once so I can be out of the kitchen within a couple hours and enjoy life from there!

Even better if you can actually enjoy the process of cooking. This can become decompress time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, commitment to cook from scratch doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. By planning ahead, setting aside time, and approaching it with a positive mindset, it can become an enjoyable and efficient part of your routine. Not only does it save time and reduce daily stress, but it also ensures that you and your loved ones have delicious, homemade meals ready to go.

Whether you choose to turn on some music, involve family members, or simply use the time to decompress, cooking in batches can transform your kitchen experience. Remember, the goal is to make life easier and more fulfilling—so start small, have fun, and savor the benefits of your efforts.

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