4 Make-Ahead Budget Mixes to Save Time and Money in the Kitchen
Ever wish dinner could come together in minutes without relying on boxed mixes full of mystery ingredients? That’s exactly what I set out to do when I tested a 1978 low-cost, high-nutrition make-ahead recipe cookbook — and spoiler: these budget-friendly pantry mixes work just as well (if not better!) in 2025.
With just a little prep, you can have homemade muffin mix, white sauce mix, rice blends, and salad dressing mix ready to go — saving you both time and money.
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1. Homemade Muffin Mix (Cheaper and Healthier Than Store-Bought)
I love making muffins, but with two toddlers and one on the way, I don’t always have time to measure everything from scratch. This make-ahead muffin mix solves that problem.
The original recipe called for vegetable shortening, but I swapped it for coconut oil to avoid highly processed oils. It blended in well, though I may try tallow next time and gave the muffins a light, tender texture.
When it was time to bake, I added cocoa powder and chocolate chips for my own twist — perfect for quick Chocolate Chip Muffins any day of the week. My kids devoured the entire batch within hours. Enough said.
2. White Sauce Mix for Soups, Pasta & Casseroles
If creamy dishes are your love language (hi, it’s me), this white sauce mix will change your dinner game.
The base is nonfat dry milk — a budget pantry staple — mixed with butter, flour, and seasonings. It makes an instant roux for creamy soups, pasta sauces, and casseroles without starting from scratch every time.
I used it right away for Cream of Chicken Wild Rice Soup, and the texture and flavor were spot-on. No more store-bought cream soup cans for me.
3. Lemon Dill Rice Blend (Flavored Rice Without the Price)
Those little boxes of seasoned rice from the store? Overpriced and loaded with fillers. This homemade lemon dill rice blend costs a fraction of the price and tastes even better.
It’s just rice, lemon zest, dried dill, onion flakes, salt, and bouillon — mixed ahead and stored in a jar. Cook it up as an easy side dish with Baked Lemon Herb Chicken or fish, and dinner feels instantly upgraded.
4. Caesar Salad Dressing Mix for Quick, Fresh Salads
When I’m in a salad mood, Caesar is my go-to. This make-ahead Caesar salad dressing mix means I can have fresh, flavorful dressing in minutes.
The dry mix includes lemon zest, oregano, garlic, pepper, and Parmesan (I skip the store-bought shaker cheese and add fresh Parmesan when making the dressing).
Keep it in the fridge, and when it’s salad time, just whisk with oil. Serve over crisp romaine with Homemade Croutons for a fast, budget-friendly lunch.
Why These Make-Ahead Mixes Work
These four pantry staples:
Cost less than store-bought mixes
Use simple, real ingredients
Cut prep time for busy nights
Reduce food waste by making just what you need
Whether you’re cooking for a family or just want to eat better without spending more, these make-ahead budget mixes are a time and money saver you’ll actually use.
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