Homemade Pasta on a Budget: $0.10 Per Meal with Semolina Flour
"A lot of people say you can't eat healthy on a budget. I beg to differ." — Homemade pasta for just pennies per serving.
"A lot of people say you can't eat healthy on a budget. I beg to differ. A few weeks ago I bought a 50lbs bag of semolina flour at a Gordon Food Service store for $25.99. That's about $0.50/lbs. Last year at Christmas my husband got me a pasta maker. This is what 1lbs of semolina flour makes. 5 meals of pasta (1 serving per person, just my husband and I). That's $0.10 per meal. Just semolina flour and water."
Eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, some of the most nourishing, delicious foods are also the most affordable — you just need to know where to look and be willing to do a little bit of the work yourself. This homemade pasta recipe proves that point beautifully.
The math is simple: A 50lb bag of semolina flour costs $25.99 at Gordon Food Service. That's roughly $0.50 per pound. One pound of semolina flour (plus water) makes 5 complete meals for two people — that's 10 servings of fresh, homemade pasta. Total cost per meal: just $0.10 per person.
💰 The Cost Breakdown: Proof That Healthy Eating Can Be Cheap
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 50lb bag semolina flour (Gordon Food Service) | $25.99 |
| • Price per pound | $0.52 |
| • 1 pound flour = 5 meals for 2 people | $0.52 |
| • Cost PER MEAL (for 2 people) | $0.10 per person |
📌 In This Article
📝 Basic Homemade Pasta Recipe (Just 2 Ingredients)
Yield: 1 pound fresh pasta (5 meals for 2 people) | Prep time: 20 minutes | Rest time: 30 minutes
📦 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Semolina flour (durum wheat semolina) Can substitute: 50/50 all-purpose + semolina | 1 pound (about 3 ½ cups) |
| Water (room temperature) | About ¾ - 1 cup (add gradually) |
| Salt (optional, for flavor) | 1 teaspoon |
🥫 Equipment Needed
- Pasta maker (hand-crank or electric — the maker got hers as a Christmas gift!)
- Large mixing bowl
- Fork for mixing
- Bench scraper or knife
- Pasta drying rack or clean kitchen towels
- Plastic wrap or damp towel (for resting dough)
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Measure the Flour
Pour 1 pound (about 3½ cups) of semolina flour onto a clean work surface or into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center (like a volcano).
Step 2 – Add Water Gradually
Pour ¾ cup of room temperature water into the well, a little at a time. Use a fork to gradually incorporate the flour from the inside walls of the well. Add more water as needed until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 3 – Knead the Dough
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If too dry, add a few drops of water.
Step 4 – Let It Rest
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out.
Step 5 – Roll and Cut
Divide the dough into 4-5 smaller pieces. Flatten one piece slightly and run it through the pasta maker on the widest setting. Fold and roll again a few times, then gradually decrease the thickness setting to your desired thinness. Cut using the pasta maker's spaghetti or fettuccine attachment, or by hand.
Step 6 – Dry or Cook Immediately
Hang the fresh pasta on a drying rack or lay it on floured kitchen towels. You can cook it immediately (fresh pasta cooks in 2-4 minutes) or let it dry for later use.
Step 7 – Cook and Enjoy!
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add fresh pasta and cook for 2-4 minutes (fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried). Drain and serve with your favorite sauce.
🍝 No Pasta Maker? No Problem! (Hand-Cut Pasta)
Don't have a pasta maker yet? You can still make delicious homemade pasta with just a rolling pin and a knife:
- Roll the dough out as thin as possible (aim for 1/16 inch thickness).
- Lightly flour the dough sheet.
- Loosely roll the dough into a log.
- Slice the log into ¼-inch wide ribbons (fettuccine) or narrower (linguine).
- Unroll the ribbons and let them dry slightly before cooking.
💰 More Budget-Friendly Healthy Eating Tips
Buy in Bulk
Stores like Gordon Food Service, Costco, and Sam's Club sell bulk flour, rice, beans, and oats for pennies per pound.
Make Your Own
Pasta, bread, yogurt, broth, and salad dressing are all cheaper (and healthier) when you make them yourself.
Invest in Tools
A pasta maker, bread machine, or grain mill pays for itself after just a few uses.
Grow Your Own Herbs
Basil, parsley, and oregano cost pennies to grow and elevate any pasta dish.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ HOMEMADE PASTA ON A BUDGET ║
║ "Just semolina flour and water — $0.10/meal" ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Yield: 1 lb fresh pasta (5 meals for 2 people)
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb semolina flour (about 3½ cups)
- ¾ - 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Make a well in the flour.
2. Gradually add water, mixing with a fork.
3. Knead 8-10 minutes until smooth.
4. Rest wrapped in plastic for 30 minutes.
5. Roll and cut using pasta maker (or rolling pin + knife).
6. Cook fresh pasta 2-4 minutes in boiling salted water.
COST BREAKDOWN:
- 50lb semolina flour: $25.99 (Gordon Food Service)
- Per pound: $0.52
- Per meal (2 people): $0.10 per person!
STORAGE:
- Refrigerate fresh pasta: 2-3 days
- Freeze: up to 3 months
FROM THE MAKER:
"This is what 1lb of semolina flour makes.
5 meals of pasta. That's $0.10 per meal!"
🍝 Ready to Start Making Pasta at Home?
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