When you’re living close to the land, knowing how to make a hearty meal from scratch isn’t just a skill—it’s a way of life. Whether you’re cooking from your pantry, using fresh harvests, or stretching every dollar, having reliable homemade meals can make all the difference. This collection brings together scratch-made recipes that are practical, nourishing, and packed with flavor. From slow-cooked classics to creative twists, these meals offer comfort, nutrition, and the satisfaction that only home cooking can deliver.
Venetian Risotto with Prawns
This creamy Venetian risotto brings the flavors of the Adriatic to your table with plump prawns, garlic, and a splash of white wine. Slowly stirred and patiently cooked, it’s a true made-from-scratch comfort dish. The natural starch of arborio rice creates a rich texture without the need for cream, while the seafood broth ties it all together in a deeply savory way. It’s an ideal choice when you want a luxurious meal using simple, fresh ingredients.
Make this risotto from scratch
Sourdough Chicken Pot Pie
This homestyle chicken pot pie uses a sourdough discard crust that’s both flaky and full of tangy flavor. Inside, it’s packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy sauce made without shortcuts. The crust is rolled and shaped by hand, and the filling simmers slowly for deep flavor. It’s a perfect way to use leftover sourdough and stretch ingredients into a satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs dinner.
Creamy Gochujang Chickpeas and Lentils
This vegan dish is bold, creamy, and packed with plant-based protein. Gochujang adds heat and depth, balanced by coconut milk and slow-simmered lentils and chickpeas. Every element is made from pantry staples—no cans of soup or bottled sauces here. It’s a great option when you’re low on fresh ingredients but still want something hearty and nourishing.
Cook this flavorful vegan meal
25-Minute Healthy Mexican Pasta Bake
Made entirely from scratch, this pasta bake uses whole ingredients and spices instead of packaged mixes. Ground meat, beans, and fresh veggies are folded into cooked pasta with a homemade sauce, then baked until bubbling. It’s fast enough for a busy evening, but still wholesome and satisfying. Skip the boxed helpers—this one’s all homemade.
Dutch Oven Meatloaf
This classic meatloaf is cooked in a Dutch oven for even heat and rustic flavor. It’s made with fresh ingredients—no packets or shortcuts—just ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, and spices. A simple homemade glaze finishes it off for a comforting, hearty meal that feeds the whole family and makes excellent leftovers.
Homemade Gnocchi with Pea Pesto
This recipe walks you through making pillowy gnocchi entirely by hand using just a few humble ingredients—flour, egg, and potatoes. Paired with a vibrant pea pesto made in your own kitchen, it’s a light yet filling dish that proves scratch cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s an excellent way to use stored potatoes and frozen peas in a fresh, inventive way.
Make your own gnocchi and pesto
Split Pea Soup with Ham
This soup makes the most of pantry staples and leftover ham bones. Dried split peas are simmered slowly with carrots, celery, onion, and savory herbs until thick and hearty. No premade stock or shortcuts—just slow cooking and good ingredients. It’s a frugal and nourishing choice for cool-weather cooking or stretching leftovers into something special.
Try this classic split pea soup
Creamy Chili Fish and Prawn Noodles
Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish is both quick and entirely homemade. It combines fresh seafood with a creamy chili sauce made from scratch using garlic, chili flakes, and coconut milk. The noodles soak up the rich sauce, while the prawns and fish bring protein and depth. It’s a great choice when you want bold flavors with minimal processed ingredients.
Almond Butter Coconut Curry Chicken
Image credit: Kitchen Gone Rogue
This creamy coconut curry is made completely from scratch with no jarred sauces in sight. It uses almond butter for richness, balanced with curry spices, garlic, ginger, and coconut milk. Tender chicken simmers in the sauce until infused with flavor. It’s a warm, satisfying meal with ingredients that store well and work for many diets.
Make this curry chicken at home
Slow Cooker Korean Beef
This scratch-made Korean beef skips bottled marinades and uses a homemade sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey. Chuck roast cooks low and slow in the slow cooker until fall-apart tender. It’s perfect for prepping early in the day and coming back to a flavorful, filling meal with no fuss.
Stuffed Shells with Sausage
These stuffed pasta shells are filled with a savory sausage and cheese mixture and topped with homemade tomato sauce. Every element, from the filling to the sauce, is made by hand using real ingredients. It’s an old-school recipe that’s perfect for Sunday dinner or freezing for future meals, and it doesn’t rely on any prepackaged items.
Make these stuffed shells from scratch
Avgolemono Soup
This traditional Greek soup is made with chicken, rice, and a silky lemon-egg mixture that thickens the broth naturally. No cream, no roux—just simple ingredients coming together in a satisfying way. It’s bright, warming, and full of protein, perfect for anyone looking to make wholesome comfort food from the basics they already have on hand.
Try your hand at avgolemono soup
Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Apple Chutney
This pork chop recipe features a homemade apple chutney and honey glaze that turns a simple cut of meat into something special. The glaze is built from pantry basics, and the chutney makes great use of fresh or stored apples. It’s a sweet-savory meal that’s easy to pull together without relying on bottled sauces or spice blends.
Cook these pork chops with chutney
Romanian Moussaka
This hearty moussaka layers potatoes, ground meat, and tomato sauce with no shortcuts. It skips the pasta and focuses on fresh ingredients baked slowly for a rustic, comforting dish. The technique is simple but requires care—slicing, sautéing, and layering each element by hand. It’s filling, freezer-friendly, and rooted in traditional from-scratch cooking.
Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks with Potatoes and Green Beans
This all-in-one meal is made using real ingredients and one pan. Chicken drumsticks are tossed with homemade seasoning and roasted alongside potatoes and green beans. Everything cooks together for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup. No seasoning packets or bottled dressings—just olive oil, garlic, and pantry spices for a truly homemade dinner.
Make this one-pan chicken dinner
Cassandra’s expertise in traditional food preservation techniques stems from her grandmother’s teaching and her own experiments with traditional methods and food science. She specializes in fermentation, canning, smoking, curing, and root cellaring.
“Modern convenience has disconnected us from ancient wisdom about storing food without refrigeration. These methods don’t just preserve nutrients—they enhance them.”
