Making it Cheaper by Making it Homemade! | Saving Money on Groceries

Hey friends! There are some things at the grocery store that I love, but are just too expensive lately! Luckily, I can save money and still get to enjoy them by making them at home. Here are just a few of the grocery products I've quit buying lately in favor of making it myself at home. There's garden vegetable cream cheese, chicken in a garlic parm sauce, and Shake N Bake.
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That Lisa Dawn
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[@eenaryeksec5563]

Your cooking reminds me of my mom. She was an amazing cook, who was thrifty. You have inspired me to cook more. Love your content.

[@Genna.K]

Anyone else bingeing Lisa's videos today?

[@twatquat3322]

👋😀❤

[@joannad7384]

Meeeeee 🤗😍😋

[@janicedowney9231]

First Saturday off in over a year. I will be today.

[@Becky_One]

Yes! Just found her today❤

[@martia8086]

❤

[@sharonlynn3358]

I thought I was the only one that saved those rubber bands! Love your videos!

[@thruErinseyes]

Oh man me too!!

[@bethpowell6466]

I also save used bread ties. Can use it to close crockpot liners or other items that need cinched…shelf to legs of dumpster dived rack.

[@lucialuciferion6720]

I do the same, I never buy rubber bands, but yet have a ton from broccoli etc. My mom even cuts them in half so she has two 🥰

[@ImOnyxRS]

Little hack I used at my coffee shop when we started serving lunches and needed a spread. Knorr makes a vegetable mix packet that's meant for soup or dips, but if you dump it in cream cheese it makes a fantastic mixed vegetable spread. One packet is like a dollar and is enough for 2 blocks of cream cheese. No shelf life problems either.

[@laylalynn3525]

Yes! Mrs Dash also makes a garden veg seasoning and you can get a few uses out of it, same deal, no shelf life issues. I try to catch it on sale.

[@spaul7559]

I actually was going to comment the same thing because to me it tastes exactly the same as Philadelphia veggie which I love

[@jeanieolahful]

The spinach dip recipe on the packet is something I’ve brought to so many parties! Make it the night before for the best flavor.

[@rachelhero3413]

I do this all the time! It’s my go to for veggie cream cheese. So good as a spread or added to pasta, rice or potatoes when they are still steaming hot!

[@diamondsndhenna4784]

@@spaul7559 ohhh you're talking about using the packet instead of cutting up veggies to make the bagel spread. That's genius!

[@narcissisticsnorlax4319]

You’re such a lovely ray of sunshine. Thanks for sharing your tips. Definitely gonna try your garden veg cream cheese. Have a great week! ❤️

[@ginajordan5016]

Good information! I have been making my own bread, rolls, and pizza dough for about 2 years now because bread was scarce during the pandemic. Now it is just plain expensive, and quite frankly tastes crappy, so I continue to make it. I live in Raleigh as well, see you at Food Lion sometime! LOL!

[@lindahoffman8890]

I’ve started dehydrating bay leaves in my oven. A .15 oz.jar of dried organic bay leaves is $4.12. The same store has fresh organic bay leaves for $2.28, which when dried equals 2-3 jars of the pre-dried ones.

[@melinaz3385]

FYI, if you have a dehydrator 95 to 115 ' F is the temp for leaves, and when you dry the leaves in the oven, try to have your oven on the very lowest setting. this way the oils the flavor, won't evaporate from the bay leaf.

[@jenniferbrown483]

Smart

[@nyae2006]

Oh I'm so happy every time you upload a new video. I'm vegan but I love your content. It's about you Lisa!

[@osoniye4209]

I'm vegan too and love her content. I can always see a way to make something similar that I would eat!

[@vegancharlieleeblue]

I didn't think anyone other Vegans enjoyed watching Lisa, but here we are ☺

[@MonkeyLuv127]

Same

[@maryquinones1865]

Same here 😊

[@eileenroberts1952]

That cream cheese would probably be really good on top of pasta

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Genius!!

[@darrinmckeehan9074]

Gonna definitely haveta try that! 😋

[@gccheryl4038]

Oh man, for sure!

[@wardrobelion]

Or stuffed peppers from the garden wrapped in 🥓 bacon 😋

[@monicadiem2021]

I'm so glad you uploaded a new video. I have been waiting to see a new video from you. I love them all!!

[@Kristy1uga]

Glad you’re back! I’ve missed your money saving (cooking) videos! 😄

[@southerngal7899]

Don't throw those onion bottoms with the roots on away. Stick them in some dirt and no more buying those onions. In fact, any veggie you use with a root system can be used for a small garden. Also, keep the cut off parts of other veggies and boil for vegetable broth. Some ppl don't know this so this might help.

[@sendraschryer9947]

It works in water too

[@jesusislord7488]

I do this all the time, but all I’ve ever gotten is 2 or 3 very small onions per onion end piece. However, these small (quarter-sized) onions have an absolutely delicious, delicate, mild taste so well worth the effort.

[@Happy2Run4Me]

I replant my celery bottoms and after a (long) while I get a new bunch of celery! I replant my onions as well. I replanted an entire bunch of green onions i bought last year for $0.50 and got quarts and quarts of green onions off of them and they went to seed and gave me seeds which I planted elsewhere in the garden. They’re a lot of different veggies this works for. ☺️

[@cathyd.williamssaltlight5373]

Great recipes! I shop at Aldis too😊

[@xingcat]

Always great to see your money-saving tips! During the summer, I never buy pickles, because I can make fridge pickles out of the cucumbers I grow in the garden. I also always make giant vats of pasta sauce whenever canned tomatoes are on sale. It freezes nicely and is pennies for a big bowl of pasta on a cold night.

[@Diana-xm1dm]

Please make homemade English muffins. I've made them many times and they're quick, easy, more delicious than McDonald's or store bought, and cheaper. I use flour, sweetener, salt, yeast, oil, and water. There are many youtube videos online, and they all work, but I would like to see your take. Well, I hope you make a video if you haven't yet. God Bless.

[@jenniferlisow2901]

Hi Lisa! Not sure if you are aware, but you can keep the rind of the parmesan cheese & use it for soups & sauces. KZbinr See Mindy Mom freezes hers & puts them in her soups & then fishes them out & discards them after the meal is done cooking. Another great way to minimize food waste & enhance flavor of meals. Thanks for another great video.

[@rosemarycornwall5162]

A 'must do' imho x

[@districtofcrystal]

I love watching your videos! I especially loved the cream cheese recipe. I had never thought to make my own & it's so easy to make! I might even try to make some other flavors. Yummo!

[@dotcassilles1488]

My foster mum used to mix cream cheese and any kind of soup mix sachet together to make flavoured cream cheese as a healthier dip. We used to dip vegies in it or used it to spread on flatbread, crackers or toast.

[@districtofcrystal]

@@dotcassilles1488 That is so cool! I grew up eating mostly Korean food and I did not grow up in a creative culinary household, so I'm learning a lot from this channel and the comments section. Thank you for sharing your tip with me 😁

[@imaginarycanary9956]

Oh me too, the cream cheese looked great.

[@imaginarycanary9956]

@@dotcassilles1488 good idea. 🤗

[@jake_from_statefarm7209]

These look so good! And camping in NC sounds absolutely lovely. Those mountains are something else.

[@susans9491]

Looks delicious as always! Going to definitely make my own Shake ‘n’ Bake and will try adding a little oil for that extra crunch!❤️

[@hbkgirl1982]

with the veggie cream cheese that you mixed add the olive juice liquid (to taste) from a can or jar of olives (and maybe the olives too) and you got a great Chip dip!

[@mfarley252]

Two things I’ve been making from scratch: pierogies and tortillas-because of YOU!! ❤ thank you for your videos!

[@seeemilyplay5697]

I lived abroad for years, so had to learn how to make packaged items from scratch if I wanted a test of home. Never thought of doing homemade shake and bake, am definitely going to start. Thank you and keep those videos coming!

[@sweetjohnny8211]

I thought you might have stopped youtubing! Nice to see another post.

[@jeanieolahful]

We are super excited that both an Aldi and a Grocery Outlet have both opened in our town this month! Definitely will save us gas, and even quick trips out will now be cheaper.

[@pennynickels5216]

😊

[@donnafreeman5435]

Love to see u in my feed again! Love your show!

[@does_he_avocado]

Best notification to receive, I’m sure I speak for everyone we all missed your videos. Can’t wait to see your garden again as well

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

My husband is the one that told me I could make my own shake and bake. The price of convenience has gotten way too high

[@Carolwarr448]

Lisa SO HAPPY to see you and learn ways to stretch a dollar. Thank You it really helps. I also save my bacon grease and the bits too. Adds so much flavor to beans and vegetables. Oh and I'm now saving my skins and ends as you do. Lisa you are a Gem. God Bless You. 😊

[@BCGirl822]

Enjoyed the video! You’re so smart. The chili night with friends sounds amazing, your friends are lucky to have you in their lives. Keep up the great work!

[@tonijones8646]

You are just what I needed today. Love your videos.

[@nancyculp6968]

When we buy snacks like chips or pretzels that have seasoning on them I save the crumbs to make different seasoned bread crumbs for Mac and cheese, roasted broccoli, etc. I make everything from scratch and throw nothing away.

[@zbreel1232]

I'm also from TX but moved to MS when I was 18; can honestly say I've never had Shake n Bake. After seeing your version on that chicken tho, I'm gonna have to try.

[@Kristine6188]

Thank you Lisa for another great video of dinner ideas. I always learn something new from you. Thank you for sharing.❤️

[@shetalbhagat8395]

You're very creative and I love how frugal you are. I'm the same way...love finding markdowns at the store! ❤

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Glad you posted this. Garden cream cheese wasn't available the last 2 wks (I shopped with an elder). I'll make some today for her.

[@djz5456]

I was so happy to see a new video pop up. Thank you for all these great ideas!

[@BrandyLMilton]

I have a bread maker now. So much better. Also, I will take some stock, throw in all unused veggies, some beans and boom, soup night.

[@sallygordin2869]

Happy to see you again. Your recipes are awesome 👌 Blessings!!

[@33tcamp]

Lisa Dawn, the first video I watched of yours was a dollar tree budget meal one and I wasn't too into it because it seemed kind of "open up some processed foods and heat". But then I realized what a good cook you are using budget ingredients from all sources. Kudos, great channel! FWIW, I make garden cream cheese much like you do and I add a little bit of chopped capers to give it the acidic/salty zing that I enjoy.

[@cc6398]

This is very relaxing to watch

[@debbiec4224]

Amazing video! I like shake n bake one. I never thought about adding a bit of oil to the bread crumbs. I think i might try that with chicken wings. Love all your receipes!

[@nancyculp6968]

You can save the leftover bread crumbs that you dredged your chicken in. Place in a plastic bag and keep it in your freezer labeled that it has been used. I take center cut pork chops that I breakdown from a pork loin( from Sam’s). Place the chops in a greased baking dish. Coat the top of the chops with Dijon mustard sprinkle them with Copy Cat Good Seasons Italian dressing mix, then sprinkle them with breadcrumbs that have also been seasoned with GSIDM, and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven until done. If tops are not brown enough you can place under broiler for a few seconds or start off cooking chops at higher temp. I call these my Italian Pork Chops. Serve with twice baked potatoes and an Italian Salad...using your homemade Good Seasons Dressing mix. Serve with some garlic knots made from a cheap can of biscuits or make some homemade cheddar bay biscuits. I serve pasta with this at times too. Lemon Orzo would be nice with this too. You could take any leftover of the bread crumbs place in a baggie large enough to shake and make your own homemade fish sticks! I do this and my son will not eat regular frozen anymore! Lol. You can just get cod fillets and drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle it on top to make scrod...just add a little lemon zest to brighten it up...serve with some homemade tarter sauce... it is so good.

[@rosaliemetoyer6625]

I love that you love refried pinto beans. I grew up on beans and homemade tortillas it wasn't until I was an adult that I started eating refried pinto beans. Love the way you cook. Everything looks like it taste good. Enjoy your channel. Thanks

[@karenholley8356]

Don't forget the powdered cellulose! An absolute must for any great recipe. (Just kidding, of course!) Love your videos, Lisa Dawn! Thank you!

[@sue1263]

How much time and how many stores do you visit to do your weekly shopping? I live in sw Florida we never have chicken that cheap. Even our Aldi is expensive because Aldi bases their prices on the local competitors because we have 3 Publix stores within a 5 mile radius Aldi does not have to lower prices much because Publix is very expensive.

[@geegaw1535]

You do so many awesome things with so little. You're so versatile. Thank you for the recipes

[@traceymoores218]

Try that cream cheese combo on pasta or baked potato. Yum.

[@christinacedeno4713]

Love your videos ..but I just wanted to mention that be careful with pre seasoned chicken. Most supermarkets season their chicken if it's starting to go a little past the expiration date in order to sell it

[@Carolwarr448]

HI LOVELY LISA SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU. YEA!!!🤗

[@raymondmetcalf5875]

Keep the video's comin', Lisa Dawn. I always learn something!

[@Mossfaerie]

Ahh I love your videos so much! They're so comforting and your personality is so lovely. You seem so fun to hang out with.

[@mamadoom9724]

I love love love when you post a new video ❤

[@jesusislord7488]

I use a free individual packet of Mayo to coat my chicken with before the breadcrumbs. I also use Panko breadcrumbs because they’re crispier.

[@velmahopkins8070]

Yeah…Lisa….what part of North Carolina are you at…?

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Raleigh!

[@laimaz6340]

I am so impressed with your knife skills…teeny tiny diced veggies! An art I have not mastered 🙃

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

I haven't mastered that either. I liked an above suggestion of dry veggie soup mix, lol.

[@darrinmckeehan9074]

Right!?-I cringed the whole time Lisa cut the baby carrots 🙀🤦🥕

[@dotcassilles1488]

Use the smallest grater side or if you have one a microplane like what was used for the parmesan cheese

[@tokyorosa]

I have to watch my salt intake bc of blood pressure, so we make pretty much everything from scratch bc convenience foods are so high in sodium. My husband even makes low salt pizza dough for our once in awhile pizza nights (lots of veggies and only a little bit of cheese keeps sodium levels manageable!) Even though we mainly eat a vegetarian diet, I love to see your videos for new ideas.

[@theacartwright2504]

Everything looked delicious!!! Love your content

[@daveellingwood4747]

I'm glad to see you again love your videos. hope to see your going to make more.

[@MichellePondueCruz]

I save money (and eat a bit healthier) by swapping out plain yogurt for sour cream. The price for 32oz of plain yogurt is the same as 16oz of sour cream. Sometimes even less if it's on sale! LOVE your videos btw. Your way of cooking reminds me of my grandmother's way. A bit of this and that, here and there. It's a nice change from the restaurant cooking I do, where everything has to be followed to the letter.

[@tinasears610]

Great video! Would love to see more like it.

[@alexandrar9021]

I love this channel.

[@barbaranytes-baron7377]

Any reason why you don’t bend the asparagus at the snap point?

[@abbieross4965]

groceries are outrageous

[@amyg763]

Good to see a video from you and hope all is well! Thanks!

[@abbieross4965]

Yes... she is back 😍

[@ydmf2]

Love your videos 👌🙂

[@lswest1569]

Everything looked great. Yum!

[@lastgameplay]

How long did you have the carrots in the oven?

[@swancottage1929]

Thanks for sharing!

[@giz1847]

That cream cheese spread you made looks so yummy!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@drill4206]

Great video idea!! Happy holidays to the Lisa household!!

[@laimaz6340]

Thanks! So glad to see you back !! Don’t leave us again…love your quick, and easy , money saving tips and recipes ☺️

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Thank you so much! I'm definitely not planning to take such a long break again!

[@laimaz6340]

@@ThatLisaDawn awesome ♥️♥️♥️

[@sheryldye4259]

The one thing I make now is taco seasonings mix, and mine tastes better than store bought. I also make my own barbecue sauce. Never tasted any better. When we run low my hubby tells me to make more.

[@pennynickels5216]

How do you make your bbq sauce? It seems to require so many ingredients!

[@sheryldye4259]

@@pennynickels5216 This is 4 times the original, so you can cut it down to see if you will like it as we do. I got it from a meatloaf recipe. 2 cups ketchup 1 cup brown sugar 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce That's it. Mix well. Enjoy

[@pennynickels5216]

@@sheryldye4259 excellent!!! Simple with stuff I have. Merci 😊

[@tinatacklesit1448]

LOVE your money saving tips and your meals always look delicious!

[@krystalflint324]

Yay! So happy to see you, Lisa!

[@hwolter90]

If you wanted to get your veggies for the cream cheese really thin, the microplane would work great! I got one this year and it’s my favorite, no more box grater for me!,

[@sendraschryer9947]

Chicken 3.49/lbs regular price? 😍 It's +7.99/lbs in Quebec 😱

[@teresacarnes2271]

I love my baby wisk♥️

[@darrinmckeehan9074]

All (again)looked delicious 😋. My sister taught me how to make chicken Velveeta spaghetti 🍝 and I've made it as a side for with chicken instead of dicing up pre-cooked chicken 🍗. Love it, and a dutch oven {1 lb}of spaghetti usually lasts just me all week. Or close to it. Rotel tomatoes is all we add to about half a block of Velveeta.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Never thought about it as a side. I bet that would be doable with rice, too.

[@anakelly76512]

I'm late to this party. I'm from the South. Whenever our nose starts itching, we say, "My nose is itching. Somebody might be coming over." 😂

[@thaliahelene]

You know maybe this sounds ambitious but it is really not… I started making my own bread a lot more often. I donated my 90s bread machine and started to use the basic recipes of Artisan bread with Steve here on KZbin. I use a stainless bowl , a rubber spatula, a cup measure, a loaf pan, a plastic spoon from Walmart, a teaspoon and that is it for equipment. I grease the pan with the merest film of crisco and it pops right out. All purpose flour makes a great loaf. I have experimented with yeast amounts and I’m fine with a longer rise on a half teaspoon, pop a dinner plate on top, just set a couple phone alarms to check in now and then. It’s pretty impossible to find better bread for cheaper than that, just water yeast flour salt. I slice up the loaves (ginzu knife) divide into three parts and freeze two (Cooking for me only).Superior toast is good for morale. I made a cocoa mix from a library book once, but found it lacking, had to doctor with powdered creamer and left over powdered sugar so not sure if that was much savings. Better than average cocoa though. I meant to find a recipe with less tinkering involved. For a while I was all about microwave mug cake with a dab of ice cream, but if you don’t eat it fast enough it’s terrible after it cools down. I thought about re-engineering a box cake recipe for two layer cakes (not a sheet pan person) , half the temptation at a time, but it is still on the back burner. Cakes are too big. Even when you bring one to friends there’s extra. Maybe the best cheap thing I ever made is raspberry sauce from frozen raspberries. Try it if you find a deal. Whizz some berries in a food processor with sugar and press it through a hand strainer with a spatula for seeds. I was shocked how good it was. Plus raspberry sauce is fancy, so social points. Instant cred for birthdays or special dinner. Or breakfast. I have roasted whole oiled heads of garlic in foil in my toaster oven to use over a week. So decadent to squeeze a hot clove onto something.

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

I eat asparagus all by itself. No salt pepper nothing. It's sweet and nutty by itself

[@crystalh450]

I like to add olive oil and salt. If I feel really "fancy" that day, I might mix a little honey and balsamic vinegar together and add that after it is cooked for extra flavor.

[@a.a.3555]

I prefer to make homemade soup than buy it in cans . Especially chicken soup.

[@whatthecroc3483]

The cream cheese spreads did really go up, I had to switch to great value brand!

[@geraldinelucas3143]

Love spicy food so when I use red pepper flakes I roll them between my hands to wake them up. LOL Many people have your rice cooker might be nice to have a video on all the things you do with it except for the rice it was intended for.

[@liberty121]

Thanks for posting!

[@lalasimplymereal131]

Love her videos

[@rosekisiel3383]

Aldis is no longer cheap...I just bought eggs and spent 3.79. It's crazy. My dollar tree store hasn't had eggs in almost a month. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like in the winter.

[@donn6908]

Yeah, my Aldi was $3.49 for a dozen eggs (last week; I didn’t look this week). -Illinois

[@meggie423]

Remember when it was 49 cents

[@donn6908]

@@meggie423 oh, yes!

[@reuben1798]

Your hair is so pretty

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Thank you!

[@jillkoczent2803]

Gosh all of that looks SO good!!! Great video!

[@rebeccahales2925]

Fantastic video! So so important to look at how you can make it from scratch for cheaper and usually so much better for you!! We're about to move and my goal in the new house is to get into canning and preserving in season foods to save all year round!

[@Amanda32lg]

They make a Walmart brand of the garden vegetable cream cheese that is also really good and way cheaper than the Philadelphia brand. 🙂

[@TMM716]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@cherryreddkatt]

I also made honey pecan , strawberry or cinnamon swirl cream cheese when it wasn't available or was too pricey. I just like to throw those ideas out there if you ever do like a brunch with friends too.

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Good ideas!

[@kimberlee3243]

The cost of food has gone out of control. Add that to the cost of electricity! Crazy. I have been making Dollar Tree soups and freezing them in individual containers, so good! I do splurge for organic meats.

[@ZepFloydstonesfan]

Well done! I'm delighted to see you back, Lisa Dawn. Here in Australia, original blocks of Philly cream cheese have gone up to $5.70 each & a 2 pack is 10 bucks!

[@amosiren]

Pre shredded cheese is such a boomer thing 🚫 Shredding a block of cheese is life changing and tastes SO MUCH better- oh and cheaper

[@kelly_kelly_kelly8575]

Great video, the breaded chicken dinner looked delicious and I can't wait to try the garlic parm sauce. Sauces are one of the easiest things I like to make at home for dinners like sweet and sour pork, enchiladas and I found on the interwebs a pork/chicken sauce using orange marmalade, soy sauce and sirracha.

[@janeadams5207]

Sadly, I have started buying more processed food because it cheaper… Two new types of cheap sandwiches i’m making on $1 Great Value buns: Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes (hamburger, onion peppers and some white cheese singles cheese sauce) and grilled buddig pastrami sandwiches with mustard and swiss. A holiday item I will make myself is cheese balls - with one standard brick of cream cheese I can make a smokey pecan, a cheddar bacon and a garden veggie and chive.

[@katherinestojanovski6734]

I’d love it if you’d share your cheese ball recipes, please! 😊p.s. your sandwiches sound great, too😘

[@vkfdgbub]

Finally!!! Have been waiting for a new video :)