Lisa
Let’s face it, sometimes cooking can be a chore. I get it. Cooking everything from scratch can be very satisfying, but you've got a busy life, and sometimes convenience is a huge factor. There are times when it just makes sense to serve the ready-made version of a food item.
If your pantry and fridge are already stocked or you are a champ at meal prep, making a dish can be both cost-effective and rewarding. But if you have to go out and buy every ingredient, a store-bought option can save both money and effort. I don't like buying ingredients that might sit half-used and spoil.
Here are a few examples to help you decide what’s worth buying and what’s worth making.
Stock or Broth
Buy it: If you rarely cook, keeping boxed broth on hand makes more sense than simmering your own.
Make it: Free if you save bones and veggie scraps. Plus, you control the salt.
Lasagna
Buy it: If you need to buy ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, meat, and sauce all at once, the bill can rival the price of a ready-to-bake frozen lasagna. Plus, you save yourself hours of layering and baking.
Make it: If you’ve got pasta, sauce, cheese, and spices in the pantry, homemade lasagna is a no-brainer. You’ll get fresher flavor and leftovers for days.
Rotisserie Chicken
Buy it: Grocery store rotisserie chickens are often cheaper than raw whole chickens. Costco is famous for its $4.99 chickens. Plus, store-bought are ready in minutes and can be stretched into soups, tacos, or salads.
Make it: Perfect for when you want control over seasonings and the satisfaction of roasting your own bird.
Salad Kits
Buy it: Salad kits are fast, portioned, and prevent waste when you only need a side salad.
Make it: Buying whole heads of lettuce, cabbage, and carrots can be cost-effective if you’ll use them up.
Pizza
Buy it: Without a stocked pantry (and a good pizza stone), frozen or takeout pizza is less hassle and often more affordable.
Make it: If you already bake bread and keep cheese and sauce on hand, homemade pizza is a budget-friendly and customizable option. I keep a frozen pizza dough in my freezer at all times.
Pasta Sauce
Buy it: When tomatoes are pricey, a $4 jar of marinara is hard to beat. Plus, you can jazz it up with a few spices.
Make it: Fresh tomatoes in season equal a rich, customizable sauce at low cost.
Smoothies
Buy it: If you don’t already keep yogurt or fruit at home, the cost of stocking up outweighs an occasional smoothie splurge.
Make it: Buy frozen fruit in bulk, and you’ll save big while controlling sugar and protein.
Cookies & Baked Goods
Buy it: If you’re buying specialty ingredients just for one batch, bakery cookies are simpler and may even be cheaper.
Make it: Flour, sugar, and butter make dozens of cookies for pennies each if you bake often.
Guacamole
Buy it: When avocados are expensive or ripening too fast, ready-made guac saves money and reduces waste.
Make it: When avocados are on sale, homemade guac is fresher and tastier.
Bread
Buy it: For occasional sandwiches, a $3–$5 bakery loaf is cheaper than stocking up on flour and yeast.
Make it: For bread lovers who already bake, homemade loaves are inexpensive and deeply satisfying.
When deciding whether to buy or make, ask yourself:
Do I already have the ingredients? If yes, then make it.
Will leftover ingredients go to waste? If yes, then buy it.
Is the time and effort worth it? If yes, then make it. If not, then buy it.
Being a smarter home cook isn’t about making everything from scratch. It’s about choosing wisely so you save time, money, and energy and still enjoy delicious food at home.
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