Meal Prep · The old way

From scratch

How to make the things most families buy: bread sized for the loaf pan you have, buns, tortillas, pizza dough, fresh pasta, butter, yogurt, stock, sauces, pickles and pantry mixes. Each page scales the recipe to the amount you need, and the meal planner can put the ingredients on your shopping list and the baking on your prep day.

Is it worth the time?

Sometimes. Most of these take little of your own time and a lot of waiting: a loaf of bread is about 35 minutes of work spread over 4½ hours, while yogurt is 15 minutes of work and a night on its own. Each recipe lists both, so you can see what fits your week. Homemade versions often cost less and let you choose the salt, sugar and fat; store versions keep longer. Do what works for your family.

📅 Plan meals and make things from scratch 🌱 Grow the ingredients

Yeast breads

Sandwich breadA soft white loaf for toast and sandwiches, sized for the loaf pan you have.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 4 hr 33 min in allInstead of: sandwich bread, white Whole-wheat sandwich breadAll whole-wheat flour, a little honey, and a rest before kneading so the bran softens.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 4 hr 58 min in allInstead of: sandwich bread, whole wheat Half whole-wheat sandwich breadHalf whole-wheat, half white flour, sweetened with a little honey: a soft loaf for sandwiches.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 4 hr 48 min in allInstead of: sandwich bread, whole wheat French bread and baguettesFlour, water, yeast and salt, baked hot for a crackly crust: two French loaves or three thin baguettes.⏱ 30 min hands-on · 4 hr 3 min in allInstead of: French bread Pizza doughA one-pound ball of dough, the size sold at the store, ready in about 1½ hours.⏱ 15 min hands-on · 1 hr 30 min in allInstead of: pizza dough Oatmeal breadRolled oats soaked in hot water with honey and butter make a soft, faintly sweet, moist loaf.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 4 hr 48 min in all Potato breadMashed potato and its cooking water make a tender, moist loaf that stays soft for days.⏱ 40 min hands-on · 4 hr 13 min in allInstead of: potato bread Deli-style rye breadA light rye with caraway seeds, the kind for corned beef or turkey sandwiches.⏱ 30 min hands-on · 5 hr 18 min in allInstead of: rye bread Italian breadA soft-crusted, golden loaf with a little olive oil and sugar, often topped with sesame seeds.⏱ 30 min hands-on · 3 hr 38 min in allInstead of: Italian bread FocacciaA wet, olive-oil dough baked in a sheet pan: crisp underneath, airy inside, dimpled on top.⏱ 26 min hands-on · 4 hr 9 min in all CiabattaVery wet dough, folded instead of kneaded, baked into two flat, open-holed loaves.⏱ 28 min hands-on · 5 hr 7 min in all Sub rollsLong, soft-crusted rolls for subs, hoagies and meatball sandwiches.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 3 hr 9 min in allInstead of: sub rolls Soft breadsticksPizza-style dough cut into sticks and brushed with garlic butter and Parmesan.⏱ 28 min hands-on · 2 hr 4 min in all English muffinsA soft, wet dough cut into rounds, rolled in cornmeal and cooked slowly on a griddle.⏱ 1 hr 5 min hands-on · 3 hr 5 min in allInstead of: English muffins

Enriched breads

Soft buns and dinner rollsOne soft dough for hamburger buns, hot dog buns or a pan of dinner rolls.⏱ 45 min hands-on · 3 hr 33 min in allInstead of: hamburger buns, hot dog buns, dinner rolls Japanese-style milk breadA cooked flour-and-milk paste (tangzhong) makes an extra-soft, fluffy loaf that stays fresh longer.⏱ 40 min hands-on · 4 hr 21 min in all ChallahA braided egg bread sweetened with honey, shiny with egg wash.⏱ 37 min hands-on · 4 hr 35 min in allInstead of: challah Brioche (loaf or buns)Eggs and lots of butter make a rich, tender bread; the dough rests overnight in the refrigerator.⏱ 44 min hands-on · 16 hr 11 min in all Cinnamon rollsA soft milk dough rolled around butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, finished with a simple glaze.⏱ 40 min hands-on · 3 hr 3 min in allInstead of: cinnamon rolls, refrigerated dough Sweet rolls (Hawaiian-style)Soft, slightly sweet pull-apart rolls made with honey, butter and eggs.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 3 hr 23 min in allInstead of: sweet rolls (Hawaiian-style)

Sourdough

Sourdough starterFlour and water, fed daily until wild yeast and bacteria make it bubble and rise: then keep it in the refrigerator for years.⏱ 1 hr 20 min hands-on · 14 days 1 hr in all Sourdough breadA crusty round loaf raised only with sourdough starter, shaped one day and baked the next.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 1 day 4 hr in allInstead of: sourdough bread

Flatbreads and tortillas

Flour tortillasSoft flour tortillas from five pantry staples, cooked in a dry skillet.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 1 hr 5 min in allInstead of: flour tortillas, 8-inch, flour tortillas, 10-inch Corn tortillasMasa harina, water and salt, pressed thin and cooked on a hot griddle.⏱ 40 min hands-on · 55 min in allInstead of: corn tortillas Pita breadRounds of simple dough baked on a hot sheet until they puff into pockets.⏱ 45 min hands-on · 2 hr 25 min in allInstead of: pita bread NaanA soft yogurt dough cooked in a very hot skillet and brushed with butter.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 2 hr 5 min in allInstead of: naan Flatbread (lavash)An unleavened dough rolled paper-thin: soft from a skillet for wraps, crisp from the oven for crackers.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 1 hr 5 min in all

Quick breads

BiscuitsTall, flaky butter biscuits in about 30 minutes, in place of the refrigerated can.⏱ 15 min hands-on · 28 min in allInstead of: refrigerated biscuit dough CornbreadCornmeal and flour, lightly sweet, baked in a hot pan in about half an hour.⏱ 10 min hands-on · 42 min in all Irish soda breadFour ingredients, no yeast: baking soda and buttermilk raise a round loaf in under an hour.⏱ 10 min hands-on · 1 hr 18 min in all Banana breadVery ripe bananas, butter and a little brown sugar in a moist loaf.⏱ 15 min hands-on · 1 hr 45 min in all Zucchini breadA spiced quick bread that uses up a big garden zucchini.⏱ 15 min hands-on · 1 hr 40 min in all

Boiled breads: pretzels and bagels

Soft pretzels (twists, bites and buns)A firm dough shaped into twists, bites or buns, dipped in a hot baking-soda bath and baked deep brown.⏱ 50 min hands-on · 2 hr 34 min in allInstead of: soft pretzels, frozen, pretzel rolls BagelsA stiff dough shaped into rings, boiled a minute a side, then baked for a chewy crust.⏱ 50 min hands-on · 2 hr 55 min in allInstead of: bagels

Pastry and crackers

Butter pie crustEnough flaky all-butter pastry for one double-crust pie or two single crusts.⏱ 15 min hands-on · 1 hr 15 min in allInstead of: refrigerated pie crust, frozen pie crust CroissantsA yeast dough folded around a slab of butter three times for flaky layers. A weekend project.⏱ 1 hr 38 min hands-on · 17 hr 8 min in allInstead of: croissants Crisp crackersHalf whole-wheat flour, olive oil and salt, rolled thin and baked crisp.⏱ 25 min hands-on · 1 hr 4 min in allInstead of: whole wheat crackers

Pasta and noodles

Fresh egg pastaFlour and eggs, rolled by hand and cut into fettuccine, spaghetti-style strands or lasagna sheets.⏱ 45 min hands-on · 1 hr 15 min in allInstead of: spaghetti, lasagna noodles Egg noodlesThick, tender egg noodles for chicken noodle soup and buttered noodles.⏱ 30 min hands-on · 1 hr 15 min in allInstead of: egg noodles

Dairy

Butter (and the buttermilk it leaves)Whip cream past whipped cream until it breaks into butter and a thin, sweet buttermilk.⏱ 25 min hands-on · 45 min in allInstead of: butter, salted, butter, unsalted Whipped creamOne cup of cream, a little sugar and vanilla, whipped to soft peaks in a few minutes.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 5 min in allInstead of: whipped cream (aerosol) Plain yogurtA quart of milk and a few spoonfuls of yogurt with live cultures, kept warm for 6 to 8 hours.⏱ 15 min hands-on · 10 hr 10 min in allInstead of: plain yogurt (whole milk) Greek-style yogurtHomemade yogurt strained in the refrigerator until thick.⏱ 20 min hands-on · 12 hr 15 min in allInstead of: plain Greek yogurt Fresh ricotta-style cheeseHot milk and cream curdled with lemon juice and drained: soft, fresh cheese in under an hour.⏱ 15 min hands-on · 1 hr 10 min in allInstead of: ricotta cheese

Stocks and sauces

Chicken stockChicken wings or saved bones simmered slowly with vegetables: about 3 quarts.⏱ 35 min hands-on · 5 hr 5 min in allInstead of: chicken broth Beef stockRoasted beef bones simmered for hours into a rich, brown stock.⏱ 40 min hands-on · 7 hr 55 min in allInstead of: beef broth Vegetable stockOnions, carrots, celery, mushrooms and herbs, simmered an hour.⏱ 25 min hands-on · 2 hr 10 min in allInstead of: vegetable broth Tomato sauce from fresh tomatoesRipe tomatoes cooked down into plain sauce: a good use for a garden full of them.⏱ 45 min hands-on · 3 hr in allInstead of: tomato sauce Marinara and pizza sauceA 20-minute sauce from a can of crushed tomatoes, garlic and herbs, about a jar’s worth.⏱ 10 min hands-on · 1 hr in allInstead of: marinara or pasta sauce (jar) Fresh tomato salsaChopped ripe tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime: about 3 cups.⏱ 20 min hands-on · 20 min in allInstead of: salsa (jar), fresh salsa (refrigerated) Refrigerator dill picklesCucumber slices in a hot vinegar brine with dill and garlic, kept in the fridge: no canning.⏱ 20 min hands-on · 50 min in allInstead of: dill pickles

Dressings and spreads

MayonnaisePasteurized egg, lemon, mustard and oil, blended in under a minute.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 5 min in allInstead of: mayonnaise Ranch dressingButtermilk, mayonnaise and sour cream with dried herbs: dressing or dip.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 35 min in allInstead of: ranch dressing Italian-style vinaigretteThree parts oil to one part vinegar, shaken with mustard, garlic and herbs.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 5 min in allInstead of: Italian dressing

Pantry mixes

Dry breadcrumbsDay-old bread dried in a low oven and ground: the plain crumbs for meatloaf and breading.⏱ 10 min hands-on · 45 min in allInstead of: dry breadcrumbs Panko-style crumbsCrustless white bread pulsed into coarse flakes and dried without browning, for a light, crisp coating.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 30 min in allInstead of: panko breadcrumbs CroutonsCubes of bread tossed with olive oil and seasoning, baked crisp.⏱ 10 min hands-on · 39 min in allInstead of: croutons Pancake and waffle mixA jar of dry mix for quick pancakes or waffles: add an egg, milk and butter.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 5 min in allInstead of: pancake mix GranolaOats, nuts, honey and a little oil baked slow until golden, with raisins stirred in after.⏱ 10 min hands-on · 1 hr 18 min in allInstead of: granola ApplesauceApples simmered soft and mashed, sweetened only if you like.⏱ 30 min hands-on · 1 hr 18 min in allInstead of: applesauce, unsweetened Simple syrupEqual parts sugar and water, for lemonade and iced tea.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 35 min in all

Seasonings and stand-ins

Taco seasoningThe packet’s worth of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, onion and oregano, without fillers.⏱ 3 min hands-on · 3 min in allInstead of: taco seasoning mix Chili seasoningA blend for a pot of chili made with 2 lb of meat or beans.⏱ 3 min hands-on · 3 min in all Italian seasoningDried oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary in one jar.⏱ 3 min hands-on · 3 min in allInstead of: Italian seasoning Powdered sugarGranulated sugar and a spoonful of cornstarch, ground fine in a blender.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 5 min in all · a stand-inInstead of: powdered sugar Brown sugarWhite sugar with a little molasses worked in: light or dark.⏱ 5 min hands-on · 5 min in all · a stand-inInstead of: brown sugar Self-rising flourAll-purpose flour with the baking powder and salt already in it.⏱ 2 min hands-on · 2 min in all · a stand-inInstead of: self-rising flour Cake flourLess all-purpose flour, sifted, for a tender cake.⏱ 2 min hands-on · 2 min in all · a stand-inInstead of: cake flour Buttermilk stand-inMilk soured with lemon juice or vinegar, for baking when you’re out of buttermilk.⏱ 2 min hands-on · 12 min in all · a stand-inInstead of: buttermilk

Beans

Black beans from dryA pound of dried beans soaked and simmered: about as much as four cans, for a fraction of the cost.⏱ 20 min hands-on · 10 hr 35 min in allInstead of: black beans (canned) Pinto beans from dryA pound of dried beans soaked and simmered: about as much as four cans, for a fraction of the cost.⏱ 20 min hands-on · 10 hr 35 min in allInstead of: pinto beans (canned) Red kidney beans from dryA pound of dried beans soaked and simmered: about as much as four cans, for a fraction of the cost.⏱ 20 min hands-on · 10 hr 35 min in allInstead of: kidney beans (canned)

What we left out, and why

Sour cream and crème fraîche. The home methods we found culture cream at room temperature for many hours. The one extension method (University of Kentucky) gives no storage time, and the popular “cream plus buttermilk on the counter” method has no tested food-safety guidance behind it, so we left both out.
Home-canned anything. Canning is safe only with tested recipes and times. For canned tomatoes, sauce, salsa, pickles and applesauce, use the National Center for Home Food Preservation’s recipes.

Where the facts come from

Storage times and food-safety steps come from USDA, FDA, the National Center for Home Food Preservation and university extension services, named on each recipe. Where no agency publishes a time, the recipe says so. There are no canning recipes here: for those, use the National Center for Home Food Preservation’s tested ones. Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central.