pantry staples recipes Archives | Passionate Penny Pincher

Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs

July 24, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

These Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs are the perfect way to avoid waste and use up all those scrap pieces of bread and leftover buns. 🙂 So easy too!

Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs

While homemade breadcrumbs aren't necessarily a less expensive option, the fact that you can control your ingredients might be worth it to you. Also, there's nothing worse than getting ready to cook dinner and you're out of breadcrumbs for your recipe. Problem solved!

Try experimenting with different breads for a more dense or lighter breadcrumb. I'm excited to take all my bread and bun odds and ends that have been in my freezer and make up a bigger batch! 🙂

Ingredients per 1 cup

any type bread (about 4 pieces equals 1 cup breadcrumbs)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Tear bread into 1-2-inch chunks and place in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake about 15 minutes (turning every 5 minutes) or until bread is completely dried out; cool.

2. Place completely cooled breadcrumbs in a food processor or blender and pulse until desired consistency. Pour into storage container and stir in Italian seasoning and garlic salt.

3. Use immediately or store in a zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You'll want to store these in the freezer because homemade breadcrumbs are a bit different than store bought as they will still retain some moisture and could mold. 🙂

For plain breadcrumbs omit the Italian seasoning and garlic salt.

I can't wait to use these in Shannon's Homemade Beef Meatball recipe!

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Homemade Beef Meatballs (Shannon’s Family Favorite!)

July 1, 2019 by Cheree' 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

You're gonna love these homemade beef meatballs that are PPP Team member Shannon's family favorite!

Homemade Beef Meatballs

As we continue our homemade pantry staples series, Shannon mentioned that she loves to keep a stash of her homemade beef meatballs in the freezer to pull out as needed. We thought this would be the perfect next recipe to share so you can stock your freezer with these kid friendly meatballs as well! 🙂

Instructions for Homemade Beef Meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
2 eggs, beaten with 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup panko or Italian breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp onion powder or 1 small onion, minced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp garlic salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
1/8 cup dried parsley

Directions

1. Using your hands, mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

2. Form into golfball size meatballs and place on a baking sheet.

3. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes.

4. Let cool and freeze in a zip-top bag if you're not using right away.

If you aren't ready to bake these right away, we suggest flash freezing the homemade beef meatballs straight on your baking sheet. When frozen, remove and place in a zip-top bag, label and freeze.

When ready to use, thaw and bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes.

This recipe is a perfect one to double or even triple if you have the time. For instance, use a batch for spaghetti and meatballs or homemade meatball subs and another batch to eat by themselves.

Perfection! 🙂

P.S. Shannon loves, loves, loves her some garlic, so if you prefer your meatballs with a bit less, you can omit the garlic salt and garlic powder from the ingredients. 🙂

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Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix

June 26, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Need a good homemade chocolate cake mix? If you were a fan of the homemade yellow cake mix recipe we posted a few weeks ago then you're going to go gaga over this one! Yum, Yum!! 🙂

Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix

My family is very happy tonight, haha! This homemade chocolate cake was a big hit and I even cheated with a store bought frosting.

Shhhhh, don't tell!

You'll definitely want to add this to your pantry when you see how simple (I'm talking ridiculously easy) this one is to whip up. 🙂

Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix Directions

Ingredients

Directions

To make mix: combine flour, sugar cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder; mix well.

Store until ready to use.

Instructions When Ready to Prepare Cake Batter:

1. Add cake mix to a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, melted butter and water. Blend until well combined.

2. Pour batter into greased and floured cake or muffin pans.

3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake according to times below.

4. Cool cake before frosting.

13″ x 9″ cake pan – bake about 35 minutes.
8″x 8″ round cake pans – bake about 30 minutes.
Bundt pan – bake about 45 minutes.
Cupcakes – bake about 18 minutes.

I used a store bought frosting for this one, but a chocolate buttercream icing like this one would be fabulous.

I can't wait to try this one using coffee instead of water. ☕️☕️ Then I can eat it for breakfast, right??? 😜

Chocolate Lovers Unite!!! ❤️

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Homemade Barbecue Sauce

June 5, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

I've been making a homemade barbecue sauce for years, but haven't made any in quite a while. So this was the perfect time to make up a batch with all the grilling we (ummmm, my hubby) will be doing all summer! 🙂

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

This homemade barbecue sauce recipe is one that can totally be customized to your personal tastes. We like ours sweet and spicy. 😋

But, if you prefer yours more spice, you can add a bit more hot sauce. Prefer it sweeter, increase the amount of brown sugar or honey! Like it more like they do in the Carolinas, add more vinegar.

The great thing about making it yourself is you can really keep adjusting the ingredients in the sauce until you get it just right!

Homemade Barbecue Sauce Directions

Ingredients

2 cups ketchup
1-2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1/4 cup hot sauce (or more if you like it really spicy!)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp garlic salt
1 tsp ground mustard
1 bay leaf
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 Tbsps honey
1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container or jar for up to 3-4 weeks.

If you prefer your homemade barbecue sauce not as sweet, reduce the amount of brown sugar to 1 cup.

Great to keep on hand all year long! 🙂

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Homemade Bisquick Mix

May 29, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

This Homemade Bisquick Mix is sooooo much cheaper and better for you than the boxed version! Plus, super yummy too!!! 🙂

Homemade Bisquick Mix

I've never thought of making a homemade bisquick mix, but from now on this will definitely be a staple in my fridge! I love that I can control what is in the mix and don't have to worry about preservatives that I'm not crazy about that are in the boxed mix. So simple!

Homemade Bisquick Mix Directions

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 Tbsps baking powder
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 stick butter (8 Tbsps, cold and cubed)

Directions

Add flour, baking powder and salt to a large bowl; add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture.
Blend with a pastry blender until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Or use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mixing on low. Mine kind of looked like grated Parmesan cheese. 🙂
Store baking mix in the refrigerator or freezer for up to 3 months.

Homemade Bisquick Biscuits

1 1/2 cups baking mix
1/2 cup milk

1. Combine baking mix and milk together until a soft dough forms.

2. Knead about 10-12 times. Roll out dough onto a floured, flat surface or rolling mat to about 1/2″ thickness. (don't roll them out too thin or they will bake up too thin ~ I speak from experience, ha!) Cut into circles using the top part of a glass or use a biscuit cutter.

3. Place biscuits on a greased baking sheet and bake at 450ºF about 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Homemade Bisquick Waffles

2 cups baking mix
1 Tbsp sugar (optional)
1 1/3 cups milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat waffle iron. Spray with cooking spray if needed or coat with a small amount of melted butter.
Stir together baking mix, sugar, milk, egg and vanilla until well blended.
Add desired amount of batter to waffle iron and cook according to your appliance directions.

Homemade Bisquick Pancakes

2 cups baking mix
1 Tbsp sugar (optional)
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla

Stir together milk, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Add baking mix and sugar and stir until just combined.
Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook until the pancakes start to bubble and the edges are a little dry. Flip and cook until done. Repeat with remaining batter.

This homemade bisquick mix has endless possibilities and can be substituted anywhere a recipe calls for baking mix. 🙂

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Dry Rub Recipe (From Scratch!)

May 22, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Kick up your grilling this summer with this perfect dry rub recipe! Great for chicken and pork! You'll want to try this one on ribs this weekend! Yum Yum!! 🙂

Dry Rub Recipe

I hope y'all have been enjoying all these fun pantry staples we've been sharing.

We grill a ton of chicken, I mean a ton! So, I like to keep a homemade dry rub made up pretty much all the time. This dry rub recipe is perfect for a whole chicken, chicken breasts or thighs.🍗 Also great for pork chops, pork loin and ribs! I'm thinking of trying this one on some turkey breasts soon as well. 🙂

I had all the ingredients right in my pantry for this one (that makes it a winner in my books)! So easy!

Ingredients

Directions

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year in a cool dry place.

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Homemade Yellow Cake Mix (Pantry Staple!)

May 15, 2019 by Cheree' 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

I may never buy another boxed cake mix again! This one is super easy and I'm betting you have everything you need to make this Homemade Yellow Cake Mix right now! This recipe is sure to become a pantry staple you keep on hand at all times. 🙂

Homemade Yellow Cake Mix

I was a bit hesitant when Shannon mentioned she wanted a homemade yellow cake mix to be our next pantry staple. But, I'll admit that she was right on and this one is going to make your life a wee bit easier.

All the ingredients were items I had on hand so it was super quick to whip up! Plus, it was great to have all the dry ingredients ready to go when I got around to making my miniature baby bundt cakes and cupcakes! 🎂

Homemade Yellow Cake Mix Directions

Ingredients

Directions

Add flour to a quart size mason jar (the wide mouth jars work best), followed by the sugar, baking powder and salt. Tap the jar on the counter every so often so all the ingredients will fit.

Store for later use.

Instructions When Ready to Prepare Cake Batter:

1. Place softened butter into a large bowl and mix on medium 1-2 minutes.

2. Add dry ingredients to bowl and mix for about 30 seconds.

3. Next, add milk, oil, vanilla and eggs and mix on medium-high for 1 minute.

4. Pour batter into greased and floured cake or muffin pans.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Baking the 9-inch cake pans 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. If you're making cupcakes, start checking them after about 15 minutes. The mini cupcakes were perfect at the 17 minute mark.

6. Cool before frosting.

I used a store bought frosting, but a homemade buttercream icing would be fabulous!

So cute! 😍

How fun are these baby bundt cakes!

5 Star Rating from my kiddos! 😋

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Homemade Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Pantry Staple!)

May 1, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Who knew??? I had NO idea you could make this from everyday items in your pantry! You'll want to give this one a try! 😃

Homemade Onion Soup Mix Recipe

I hope y'all have been enjoying all these fun pantry staples we've been sharing.

Onion soup mix is one of the items I like to have stocked in my pantry, so I'm super excited to find I can make this one so easily!

It's a great add in for hamburgers, roasting potatoes, throwing in your slow cooker with a pot roast and this super delicious Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak recipe!

My men LOVE that one!

Homemade Onion Soup Mix Directions

Ingredients

1/4 cup dried minced or chopped onions
2 Tbsps beef bouillon granules (or 4 beef bouillon cubes, chopped)
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp celery seed
1/8 tsp paprika

Directions

Mix together the minced onions, beef bouillon granules, onion powder, parsley, black pepper, celery seed and paprika in a bowl or mason jar. This recipe equals a 1-ounce packet of dry onion soup mix.

Tip: If you only have beef bouillon cubes on hand, chop 4 of those in a blender or hand chopper to equal 2 tablespoons granules.

If you prefer to make a bigger batch, double the recipe and store in an airtight container. 1/3 cup mix equals 1 packet.

The 4 oz mason jars with lids or the 8 oz mason jars with lids work perfectly for this recipe. The homemade onion soup mix recipe can be stored in your pantry or even in the freezer.

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Homemade Brownie Mix (Pantry Staple!)

April 24, 2019 by Cheree' 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

I love a good fudgy, moist, but chewy brownie! 😍 They can be from a box or homemade, but there's something extra special about making them from scratch! This homemade brownie mix is great to keep in the pantry….

Homemade Brownie Mix

Oh boy, do we have a treat for you today! I've tested a few homemade brownie mix recipes recently to find one that deserves to be shared and put into your regular rotation. This……is…..the……one!!!

This is a great mix to whip up and keep on hand and will be a recipe you turn to over and over again. 🙂

Homemade Brownie Mix Directions

Ingredients

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine cocoa powder, sugars, salt, flour and chocolate chips.

2. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

3. When ready to make, preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 9×9 square pain with foil or parchment paper, leaving about a 2 inch overhang on two sides. This will allow you to lift the whole tray of brownies straight out of the pan.

4. Empty dry brownie mix into a large bowl and add eggs, vegetable oil, water and vanilla extract. Stir with a rubber spatula to combine (mixture will be very thick).

5. Pour brownie batter into prepared dish; smooth top. Bake 25-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. Let cool about 15 minutes and then gently lift brownies out of pan back onto the cooling rack.

7. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Yields 12 large squares or 24 mini squares.

324 calories per large square.

Note: you may also add in 2 teaspoons espresso powder for an even more intense flavor!

Sooooo yummy!!! 😍😍😍

Try adding in peanut butter or butterscotch chips for a fun twist. So many brownie creations just waiting to be discovered! 🙂

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Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix (Pantry Staple!)

April 16, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

This is the PERFECT recipe for us penny pinchers! Try this one for just a few cents compared to buying the name brand! 🙂

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

I hope y'all have been enjoying all these fun pantry staples we've been sharing. This one might be my favorite so far since it's one I tend to reach for time and time again. Plus the name brand Ranch dressing mix is sooooo pricey! This homemade version costs pennies and we penny pinchers are all over that!

To Make Dry Ranch Dressing Mix You'll Need:

Ingredients

3/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp seasoning salt
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

Directions (Easy Peasy!) 😉

Mix all ingredients and store at room temperature in a plastic bag or container. This recipe equals 1 Ranch seasoning packet.
Or store in the refrigerator or even the freezer!
Use 3-4 tablespoons in place of 1 dry Ranch seasoning packet.

Want to make this mix into a pourable dressing? Blend 1 cup milk, 1 cup mayonnaise and 4 tablespoons Ranch seasoning mix together with a whisk. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to allow dressing to thicken. Stir before serving. 🙂

If you prefer to make a bigger batch, quadruple the recipe and store in an airtight container. The 4 oz mason jars with lids or the 8 oz mason jars with lids work perfectly for this recipe.

So simple and I'm betting you have all the spices to make this homemade Ranch dressing mix in your pantry! 🙂 If you don't, you can head over HERE to grab some spices on Amazon!

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Homemade Italian Dressing Mix (Pantry Staple!)

April 10, 2019 by Cheree' 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Save yourself a trip to the store by keeping this Homemade Italian Dressing Mix in your pantry! It's an easy recipe that will come in handy over and over 🙂

Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

Dry Italian Dressing mix is a pantry staple that I've found myself reaching for time and time again over the years. But what about those times you need it for a recipe and realize you're all out? This homemade version is delicious and cheaper than buying packets! You can make it in bulk and use it time and time again.

PLUS – there are no mysterious ingredients inside, you can control the amount of salt, sugar, etc… according to your diet 🙂

To Make Italian Dressing Mix You'll Need:

Ingredients

Directions (Get ready…. these are really involved!) 😉

Mix all ingredients and store at room temperature in a plastic bag or container.
Or store in the refrigerator or even the freezer!
Use 2 tablespoons in place of 1 dry Italian seasoning packet.

So simple and I'm betting you have all the spices to make this in your pantry! 🙂 You can head over HERE to grab some spices on Amazon!

If you prefer to make a bigger batch, double the recipe and store in an airtight container. The 4 oz mason jars with lids or the 8 oz mason jars with lids work perfectly for this recipe.

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

April 3, 2019 by Cheree' Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Tired of not having taco seasoning on hand when you need it? You more than likely have everything in your spice cabinet to make this homemade taco seasoning right now!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

Directions

Mix all ingredients to equal one package taco seasoning mix. Use 1-2 tablespoons seasoning per pound of meat.

If you prefer to make a bigger batch, quadruple the recipe and store in an airtight container. The 4 oz mason jars with lids or the 8 oz mason jars with lids work perfectly for this recipe. The homemade taco seasoning can be stored in your pantry or even in the freezer.

Easy peasy and you'll be ready for Taco Tuesday every week! 🙂

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Homemade Cream Soup Substitute

April 2, 2019 by Shannon 3 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

If you love the creaminess of canned cream soups – but not the additives – this homemade cream of chicken soup is going to be a game changer!

Homemade Cream Soup

Homemade Cream Soup is so easy to make! How many times have you been making a casserole or a slow cooker recipe that called for a can of cream of this, or cream of that, and you realize suddenly that you never restocked? It's so frustrating! I was so thrilled when I realized I could make my own cream soup at home with minimal effort and ingredients that I always have on hand anyway. Happy day!

Although this recipe is flavored with chicken broth – you can substitute it for any cream soup in your recipes. (And honestly, I think it makes the casseroles creamier than the canned stuff.)

Bonus points? This homemade version is a cheaper, healthier option too! This recipe makes 2 cans of soup. (I usually double it) You can store it in the fridge for up to 7 days – or freeze it for the next time!

What You Need for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup :

2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic salt or reg salt
1 tsp parsley

How to Make Cream Soup Substitute:

Combine chicken broth and 1/2 cup of milk in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to medium low.
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk flour and seasonings together. Pour in the remaining 1 cup of milk. Whisk until smooth and no lumps remain.
Pour milk/flour/seasoning mixture into saucepan with broth mixture. Whisk and stir constantly as mixture simmers. Continue to let simmer until mixture is smooth and thick – about 10 minutes.
Freeze or refrigerate (up to a week) or use immediately

You can use this substitute for cream soup in any of these recipes here:

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

Tex Mex Chicken Casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

Slow Cooked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Need a few more pantry staples?

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

Need a little more menu inspiration? Go HERE.

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