To me, the meaning of cooking from scratch is so much more than just cooking. It’s an expression of the love I have for whoever I’m feeding. I love to cook and play around in the kitchen. I love creating a whole lovely meal from just a few simple ingredients and seasonings we have lying around.
Parts of this post were drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed, updated, and edited by me to reflect my personal experience and voice. I always aim to share real-life content that’s helpful, honest, and rooted in my day-to-day rhythms.
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This post is all about the cooking from scratch meaning.
For our family, cooking from scratch actually started out of necessity. In the early years of our marriage, we really had to watch our grocery budget. We couldn’t just run to the store whenever we needed something—we had to make do with what we had. Honestly, it felt like an episode of Chopped every night toward the end of the month.
Now, we’re in a different season. We can afford a quick trip to the store if needed, but after a while, that started to bite our budget in the butt. We realized we were wasting money and food. So we slowed down again.
We also have a garden now, and that has shifted things even more. When garden produce starts coming in, you don’t get to pick when things are ready. You figure out how to use what you have—or you lose it. And I started noticing that my family felt better when we ate fewer processed foods. We were less cranky, less tired, less sick. Just… more ourselves.
So when I say “cooking from scratch,” I mean using ingredients that are as close to how God made them as possible—without all the extra stuff our bodies weren’t designed for. It means cooking meals and snacks that nourish my family without needing perfection.
Explaining Cooking from Scratch to a Friend Who’s Intimidated
I’d tell her: it’s about shifting back to how our great-grandparents ate. They grew and cooked food they recognized. Can you tell me what’s in a Dorito or a Sour Patch Kid? I know I can’t. And that’s a little concerning when you stop to think about it.
I’m not saying those things can’t be enjoyed once in a while. I just don’t think they were meant to be a regular part of our daily food rhythm.
When our family first started paying attention to ingredients, we looked for replacements with five or fewer ingredients—and every ingredient had to be something we recognized and could pronounce.
So yes, it’s about raw ingredients. It’s about avoiding processed foods when possible. But most of all, it’s about having control. I know what’s going into our meals. That knowledge gives me peace and helps me take care of my family better.
Scratch Kitchen Meaning: Tackling the Myths
One big myth is that cooking from scratch has to be all or nothing.
That’s just not true. This is a skill you build little by little. I swapped out ingredients one at a time. If I had tried to go “cold turkey,” I would’ve quit in two days. No way I could’ve kept up.
It also doesn’t have to be gourmet. Some of our favorite meals are the simplest: a protein (like chicken or pork), roasted veggies, and a starch like rice or potatoes. That’s it. That counts as scratch cooking.
Yes, it can feel hard or time-consuming. I still have those moments. Sometimes I’ll challenge myself: if I want to order pizza, I set a 10-minute timer. If I can’t think of something and get it started by the time the timer goes off, we’ll get the pizza. But usually, I can pull something together faster than it would take to even place an order.
Why I Cook from Scratch as an Overwhelmed Mom
I do it because I love it. I love coming up with new recipes and seeing what I can create.
But a few years ago, I wasn’t in that place. I was exhausted and overwhelmed—dealing with postpartum depression—and I didn’t want to cook. Honestly, all the takeout and processed foods made things worse.
So I started small. An apple with peanut butter in the afternoon. Then I swapped cereal for eggs and toast. Just those tiny switches gave me energy and confidence. Over time, it built into rhythms that support our health and budget without draining me.
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. I love teaching my kids why we eat the way we do. They get it because they can feel the difference in their own bodies, too.
From-Scratch Cooking in Our Daily Rhythm
A typical day in our scratch kitchen looks like:
- Breakfast: pancakes (fresh or frozen from earlier in the week)
- Lunch: sandwiches on homemade bread, leftovers, or quesadillas
- Snacks: apples with peanut butter, cheese and meat, or homemade granola bars
- Dinner: homegrown veggies, simple meats, and grains
And yes, we still use store-bought items too. I haven’t figured out how to make flour tortillas yet, so we still buy those. But that’s one of my goals this year—along with mastering bread (which I finally feel confident about!).
Each year I pick a few items we regularly buy and focus on learning to make them at home. It’s slow and steady.
Our go-to meals that are easy to pull together from scratch:
- Tacos or burritos
- Creamy pasta
- Black bean soup
- Breakfast for dinner
- Twisted Caesar salad
How to Start Cooking from Scratch (Without Burning Out)
Start small. Swap one thing. Instead of fruit snacks, offer sliced apples and peanut butter. Instead of Pasta Roni, try making a simple Alfredo. You’ll be amazed how quick it is.
Pick one recipe you want to learn. Make it a few times until it’s second nature. Try it once without looking at the recipe. If you change it a little—great! That’s how you start to cook intuitively.
One meal a week is a great starting point. You don’t have to overhaul everything. Just keep going, one little step at a time.
Cooking From Scratch Essentials
These are the cooking from scratch essentials that I just love, and they make my life so much easier. I use most of these every day! Most are very simple to keep and use.
Pro Kitchen Aid Mixer
Hamilton Beach Immersion Blender
Cambro tub With Lid
Danish Whisk
Metal Mixing Bowls with Lids
Lodge Cast Iron Pans
Sheet Trays
Parchment Paper
Grace in the Kitchen
To the mom who feels like she’s failing because she’s not making everything from scratch: you are not failing.
Social media has a way of making us feel like we’re not doing enough. But the truth is, all that’s asked of us is that we keep trying to improve. Perfection isn’t the goal.
One of my favorite reminders: “The Lord loves effort.” —Russell M. Nelson
You’re doing holy work—even when it’s grilled cheese again.
Scratch Cooking Recipes We Love
Here are a few of our favorite, go-to recipes:
- Alfredo sauce
- Pancakes
- Black bean soup
- Creamy pasta
- Roasted sheet pan dinners
- Twisted Caesar salad
- Chunk chicken grilled cheese with tomato soup
- Salt and pepper chicken with Alfredo pasta and salad
- German pancakes
- Fresh milled flour sandwich bread
What a Scratch Kitchen Really Means to Me
It doesn’t mean perfection. This means that most of what we eat is made from simple, whole ingredients. It means I’m trying to improve and keep learning.
I choose ingredients that are as close to their original form as possible—not because they’re trendy or expensive, but because I want to know what’s going into my family’s bodies.
And it feels different. I feel more connected to my kitchen, our food, and the people I’m feeding. I feel better, too. I’m sensitive to preservatives and processed foods, so this makes a huge difference for me.
When Life Gets Busy… Grace Wins
There are definitely seasons when I can’t cook everything from scratch. During those times, I lean on super simple meals—things like black bean soup, smoked sausage with veggies, or big chopped salads with hard boiled eggs and cheese.
Dinner on the table—even if it’s not perfect—is better than not trying at all. That’s something I have to remind myself of often.
Final Encouragement for the Momma Who’s Tired
If I can do this, you can too.
It won’t happen overnight. But with consistent effort and small steps, you will learn. You’ll get faster. You’ll feel better. And you’ll start to love it.
The most important thing I want you to know?
👉 This is a skill worth learning.
💛 Want support starting your from-scratch journey?
Grab my free From-Scratch, Not Stressed Starter Pack below—it’s full of simple recipes, pantry tips, and encouragement. And remember:
You’re doing better than you think. One step at a time.
This post is all about the cooking from scratch meaning.
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