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Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe – Easy, Quick And Delicious!

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This homemade ranch dressing recipe is quick and easy to make and is versatile for salads, vegetables and many other foods. It also makes an easy party dip!

This homemade ranch dressing recipe is quick and easy to make! It's perfect for salads, vegetables and more and makes a super easy party dip!

Ranch dressing is a delicious American salad dressing that has been the most popular salad dressing in the United States for decades, and it’s no surprise why people love it!

Ranch dressing is usually made from buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion and various herbs and spices mixed into a sauce, usually based on mayonnaise. It’s super easy to make. Just combine the ingredients, mix and store in a jar in the refrigerator.

This homemade ranch dressing recipe can easily be made into a ranch dip, perfect as a vegetable dip for parties. It is simple to make this into a homemade ranch dip recipe. All you have to do is use sour cream or yogurt in place of the buttermilk.

This ranch dressing is much less expensive to make than the store bought dressing and has a much fresher taste! Give it a try and you’ll love it!

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Easy Zucchini Recipes – Lots Of Delicious Ways To Use Zucchini!

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Zucchini is one of the most prolific garden plants! These easy zucchini recipes will help you save money and give you lots of delicious ways to prepare it! My favorite is the homemade zucchini cake recipe! You can find this recipe in our Dining On A Dime Cookbook, Volume 1.

These easy zucchini recipes offer a variety of delicious options for side dishes, main courses, breads, and more, all starting with fresh garden zucchini! They're quick and easy to make, providing a tasty way to use up all that extra zucchini!

These easy zucchini recipes offer a variety of delicious options for side dishes, main courses, breads, and more, all starting with fresh garden zucchini! They’re quick and easy to make, providing a tasty way to use up all that extra zucchini!

A Zillion Zucchini?
by Tawra Kellam

So you have few zucchini left, huh? You’ve given bushel baskets full to all your friends and family. You’ve set buckets on the corner with a free sign. You’ve left anonymous “midnight zucchini deliveries” at all of your neighbor’s houses and they still aren’t gone. Now what do you do?

Here are a few ideas about how to use leftover garden zucchini along with a bunch of easy zucchini recipes that will help you make lots of delicious dishes from this very prolific garden plant!

Eazy Zucchini Tips:

  • Zucchini can easily be frozen for the winter. Simply shred and bag into 1 – 2 cup servings. Use in breads, cakes or meat loaves
  • Substitute shredded zucchini for half of the ground beef in Mexican recipes, spaghetti sauces, meat loaves or meatballs.
The sauteed zucchini recipe is a great way to use garden zucchini. Sauteed zucchini is an irresistibly delicious side dish perfect for summer! If you like, you can add yellow squash, onions, mushrooms and more!

For more easy and delicious dinner recipes, check out our cookbooks:

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This zucchini boats recipe is a delicious way to use garden zucchini. These delicious and versatile zucchini boats can be customized with your favorite toppings, much like a healthier version of pizza! I’ve included ideas for zucchini pizza boats, taco boats and more!
Here's an easy chicken and pasta dish your family is sure to love! This easy chicken cacciatore recipe is a tasty Italian dish that is quick and easy to make! A traditional family favorite that will leave everyone asking for more!
This Easy Zucchini Bread Recipe starts with a box of spice cake mix and comes out perfectly moist and flavorful every time! With just a few simple ingredients, it’s the perfect way to use up fresh garden zucchini—great for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. No one will believe it started with a mix!
Experience a unique twist on traditional zucchini bread with this no-bake, waffle iron version. This quick and easy no bake zucchini bread recipe combines fresh zucchini with warm spices, creating crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside waffle bites. Perfect for a fun breakfast or snack, these zucchini bread waffles are a deliciously convenient way to enjoy a classic favorite without turning on the oven.
This easy zucchini cake recipe makes a moist and delicious spice cake, similar in texture to banana bread! It's quick, easy and delicious! You can top this zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting or our favorite buttercream frosting!
Discover a quick and delicious way to enjoy summer's bounty with this easy fried zucchini recipe. Sliced zucchini rounds are lightly coated in seasoned flour and pan-fried to golden perfection, creating a crispy exterior with a tender inside. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, these zucchini bites are sure to become a favorite!

Easy Cheeseburger Rolls Recipe – Easy Family Dinner Recipe!

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This easy cheeseburger rolls recipe makes a delicious and easy main dish that everyone, especially kids will love! Serve with an easy side dish and you’ll have a no complaint meal!

This cheeseburger rolls recipe makes an easy main dish that everyone, especially kids will love! Serve with an easy side dish and have a no complaint meal!

If you need a quick, crowd-pleasing main dish the whole family will happily devour, these Easy Cheeseburger Rolls are your new go-to! Soft, warm roll dough wrapped around a savory cheeseburger filling… what’s not to love? Kids adore them, grown-ups can’t resist them, and you’ll love how simple they are to make.

Each cheeseburger roll is stuffed with seasoned hamburger and melty cheddar, then baked until perfectly golden. Brush the tops with butter while they’re still warm and you’ll have a mouthwatering, comfort-food favorite that disappears fast. Serve with any easy side dish and enjoy a stress-free meal with zero complaints at the table!

Whether you shape them as individual cheeseburger rolls or make one big loaf, this recipe is flexible, budget-friendly, and guaranteed delicious. Perfect for busy weeknights, lunches, or anytime you want something quick, cozy, and homemade.

Here’s our 3 minute video showing how to make this recipe:

This easy cheeseburger rolls recipe is from volume 1 of our cookbook:

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Homemade Gatorade Sports Drink Recipes

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These homemade Gatorade sports drink recipes are quick and easy to make. They’re inexpensive and if you drink a lot of them, you’ll save a lot of money!

These homemade gatorade sports drink recipes are quick and easy to make. They're inexpensive and if you drink a lot of them, you'll save a lot of money!

Several readers sent in their favorite homemade Gatorade sports drink recipes and we’re sharing them here. If you have one you would like to share please post the recipe in the comments! -Tawra

If you would like to add more electrolytes to these recipes, you can find electrolyte drops here. You can add a few drops per serving to any of these recipes if you like and save a LOT of money over buying pre-made sports drinks.

I have always found that sports drinks taste better to me and seem to work better for me if I cut them in half with water. This is probably not as frugal as making something from scratch, but it is a savings. From Barb

Hope these suggestions help! I’m guessing this last mixture is similar to the homemade pedialyte for the mission field.

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Easy Garlic Mayo Recipe – A Simple Trick to Make Mayo Amazing!

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This easy garlic mayo recipe is a tasty addition on hamburgers, sandwiches, chicken, or fish. It’s a great way to add a little extra flavor to regular mayonnaise. It also makes a great dip for vegetables!

This easy garlic mayo recipe is a tasty addition on hamburgers, sandwiches, chicken, or fish. It's a great way to add a little extra flavor to regular mayonnaise. It also makes a great dip for vegetables!

Looking for a simple way to take your everyday meals to the next level? This easy garlic mayo recipe is a quick, tasty upgrade to plain mayonnaise—and it only takes two ingredients! Creamy, tangy, and infused with the bold taste of fresh garlic (or garlic powder if you’re in a hurry), this spread is the perfect addition to just about everything.

Spread it on hamburgers and sandwiches, drizzle it over grilled chicken or fish, or use it as a dip for fresh veggies and fries. However you enjoy it, this garlic mayo adds that rich, savory punch that makes ordinary meals feel like something special.

All you need is 1 cup of mayo and a couple of cloves of garlic (or a dash of garlic powder), and you’re set. Just mix, refrigerate to let the flavors meld, and enjoy all week long. It’s an easy, affordable condiment that delivers big flavor with hardly any effort.

Whether you’re meal prepping, cooking for a crowd, or just want to make your lunch sandwich a little more exciting, this homemade garlic mayo is a must-try!

This easy garlic mayo recipe is from Volume 1 of our cookbook:

For more quick and easy recipes like this garlic mayo recipe, check out our cookbooks!

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Easy Countertop Disinfectant Recipe You Can Make in Minutes!

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This easy countertop disinfectant recipe is a great disinfectant that can be used for most cleaning needs and it will save you a lot of money over buying it at the store!

This easy countertop disinfectant recipe is a great disinfectant that works for most cleaning needs and will save you a lot of money buying it at the store!

Here is our easy homemade countertop disinfectant recipe. This recipe works well as an all purpose cleaner and I use it for lots of cleaning applications in my home. The alcohol is a disinfectant and the ammonia is a disinfectant and also a degreaser.

You can save a lot of money making your own cleaning products instead of buying the expensive ones at the store that have the same ingredients.

When you use this or any kitchen and bathroom cleaner, it is important that you NEVER mix any cleaning product that has ammonia with any cleaning product that has bleach. If you use bleach and ammonia together, it creates a poisonous gas. This applies to all cleaners, not just homemade cleaners. This countertop disinfectant uses ammonia, so you would want to avoid using it with any cleaner that includes bleach.

Here is our countertop and all purpose cleaner recipe. Mix some together and keep it in a spray bottle wherever you need quick clean-ups and disinfecting.

This Homemade Countertop Disinfectant Recipe is from the homemade cleaning products chapter in volume 1 of our cookbook:

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Cooking Substitutions – Substitute For Food Ingredients In Cooking And Baking

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Here are some easy creative cooking substitutions and equivalents you can use in cooking and baking in place of ingredients you don't happen to have on hand!

Use these easy creative cooking substitutions and equivalents in cooking and baking in place of ingredients that you don’t happen to have on hand!

Cooking Substitutions And Equivalents

When you run out of something, use these creative substitutions in cooking and baking in place of ingredients that you do not have. The following cooking substitutions can be made in a pinch to approximate the same flavor and consistency in your recipes.

Cheese

  • Cream cheese = cottage cheese blended smooth with butter or milk
  • Romano = Parmesan
  • Ricotta = cottage cheese

Eggs

  • 1 Tbsp. soy flour and 1 Tbsp. water
  • 1 Tbsp. ground flax seed and 1 Tbsp. water
  • 1/2 banana (batters, breads, brownies)
  • 1/4 cup applesauce (batters, breads, brownies)
  • 1 egg = 1/4 cup pureed tofu + 1 tbsp flour (for vegans)
  • 1 egg = 1/4 cup yogurt (brownies)
  • 1 egg = 1/2 cup buttermilk (cakes)
  • 1 egg = 3 tbsp pureed fruit (cakes)
  • 2 eggs = 1 tbsp white vinegar and 1 tbsp water + 1 tsp baking powder. (stir well – use when cake calls for more than one egg)
  • 1 egg  = 1/4 cup vegetable oil (cookies)
  • 1 egg = 1 tbsp cornstarch + tbsp water (cookies)

Flour

  • 1 cup sifted cake flour = 1 cup less 2 Tbsp. sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch = 2 Tbsp. flour for thickening sauces and gravies

Dairy Substitutes Milk / Cream

  • 1 cup milk = 1/3 cup dry milk plus 1 cup water or 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt or 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup; Let stand 5 minutes.
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half and half = 7/8 cup whole milk plus 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 cup light cream = 7/8 cup whole milk plus 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 cup sour cream (for baking) = 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup sour milk = 1 cup plain yogurt or 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup
  • 1 cup whole milk = 1 cup skim milk plus 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese = 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese or 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
  • 1 cup cream cheese = 1 cup fat free ricotta cheese

These Cooking Substitutions are from our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks!

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Sugar

  • 1 cup granulated sugar = 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar or 1 cup packed light brown sugar or 3/4 cup honey
  • 1 cup powdered or confectioners sugar = 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup sugar plus 2 Tbsp. molasses
  • 1 cup honey = 3/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup liquid
  • 1 cup corn syrup = 1 1/4 cup white sugar + 1/3 cup of water

Fat/Oil Substitutions

  • 1 cup butter or oil = 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (cakes, muffins, cookies)
  • 1/4 cup oil = 1/4 cup applesauce (cakes)
  • 2 tbsp butter = 2 tbsp mashed avocado (sandwiches)

Baking Cooking Substitutions

  • 1 cup butter = 7/8 cup vegetable oil + 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup self raising flour = 7/8 cup all-purpose flour = 1 1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup cake flour = 1 cup all purpose flour less 2 tbsp
  • 1 cup of cake flour = 2 tbsp cornstarch and all purpose flour to fill one cup
  • 1 pkg. active dry yeast = 1 Tbsp. bulk yeast or 1/2 cake compressed yeast
  • 1 tsp. baking powder = 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar plus 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice = 1/2 Tbsp. vinegar
  • 1 cup butter = 1 cup margarine OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup unsalted butter = 1 cup shortening
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch = 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup = 3/4 cup light corn syrup plus 1/4 cup light molasses
  • 1 cup corn syrup = 1 1/4 cup sugar + 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup cocoa = 1 oz square of unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate = 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 Tbsp. butter, margarine or shortening
  • 1 chocolate square = 3-4 Tbsp. cocoa + 1 Tbsp. butter or shortening
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar = 2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar
  • 1 tbsp tapioca = 1 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp arrowroot = 1 tbsp flour or 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp lemon zest = 1/2 tsp lemon extract

Miscellaneous Cooking Substitutions

  • 1 cup chopped apples = 1 cup chopped pears plus 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 cup dry bread crumbs = 3/4 cup cracker crumbs or 1 cup cornflake crumbs
  • 1 chopped onion = 1 Tbsp. instant minced
  • 1 clove garlic = 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 cup tomato sauce = 3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard = 1 tsp. dry mustard plus 1 Tbsp. water
  • 1 tsp. dried herbs = 1 Tbsp. fresh herbs
  • 1 tbsp chives = 1 tbsp green onions
  • 1 cup of beer = 1 cup of chicken broth
  • 1 cup ketchup = 1 cup tomato sauce + 1 tsp vinegar + 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup mayonnaise = 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup Soy sauce = 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce + 1 tbsp water

Healthy Substitutions

If you’re trying to make your food more healthy, try these healthy substitutions. In each case, you can use the substitution in place of the original when cooking.

  • Bacon = Smoke flavoring, ham, Canadian bacon or bacon bits
  • Bread crumbs = French bread, dried and crushed Butter, margarine or shortening in baking
  • Butter, margarine or shortening in baking = Applesauce
  • Cream cheese = Neufchatel or low fat cream cheese
  • Canned Condensed Soup = White sauce made with skim milk
  • Cream of Chicken Soup = 1 ¼ cups white sauce + 1 Tbsp. chicken bouillon
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup = 1 cup white sauce + 1 can drained mushrooms
  • Egg (one) = 2 egg whites
  • Ground beef = Ground turkey
  • Heavy cream, for whipping = Evaporated milk, freeze 30 minutes, add ½ tsp. vanilla, whip
  • Heavy cream, in sauces and soups = Evaporated milk
  • Ricotta cheese = low-fat cottage cheese, pureed
  • Sour cream = Yogurt
  • Whole milk = Skim milk
  • White flour = ½ white and ½ wheat or all wheat
  • White flour, for thickening = 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • White rice = Brown rice

Homemade Outdoor Window Washer Recipe

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Tired of spending money on expensive outdoor window cleaners? This simple and budget-friendly homemade outdoor window washer recipe works just as well—without the high price tag! Made with just a few everyday ingredients, it’s perfect for reaching those high-up windows without needing a ladder. Clean your windows with ease and save money in the process!

Why spend a fortune on a specialty cleaner for your outdoor windows? Here's an easy homemade outdoor window washer recipe you can make for a lot less!

For more easy homemade cleaner recipes like this, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks!

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BEST Homemade Potato Salad Recipe EVER!

by 26 Comments

This is simply The Best Homemade Potato Salad Recipe EVER!! No really… it is. I have people begging for this potato salad! It’s quick and easy to make and makes a nice addition to picnics, potlucks and family get together!

The basic recipe is in volume 1 of our Dining On A Dime Cookbook but I normally add an additional tablespoon or two of bacon grease along with the bacon and people beg me to make more and more of it!

This is the best homemade potato salad recipe EVER!! People beg me for this at potlucks and barbecues because of my secret ingredient! It's quick and easy to make and makes a nice addition to picnics, potlucks and family get togethers!

This is the very best homemade potato salad recipe! It is my all-time favorite! I have people begging for this potato salad, so you definitely need to try it! I almost always have all of the ingredients on hand, so it’s easy to make any time.

When I need to take a potato salad to a potluck or get together, this is the potato salad I take. It’s also great for Memorial day, picnics at the lake or barbecues with hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. It is super popular with everyone who eats it because it is so delicious and there are never any leftovers to take home!

For my secret ingredient, I normally add an additional tablespoon or two of bacon grease along with the bacon and people beg me to make more and more of it! The bacon grease gives it a richer flavor you have to try to believe!

You don’t have to use the bacon… If you don’t have the bacon, or if you don’t eat bacon, this potato salad still tastes great without it (just not as “over the top” great as with the bacon ;-).

If I have baked potatoes or if I’m making mashed potatoes the night before, I cook extra and pull out a few of the potatoes before I mash them. This way I can use the extra potatoes for the potato salad that I know I will be making the next day.

This Best Homemade Potato Salad Recipe is from Volume 1 of our cookbook:

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Recipes That Go Great With This Homemade Potato Salad:

The BEST Cole Slaw Recipe Ever!

10 Ways To Serve Hamburgers And Hot Dogs

Garlic Salad Recipe – Creamy And Delicious Coleslaw Like Recipe!

Easy Chicken Fried Steak Recipe And White Gravy