Bargain warehouses and price clubs that sell items in bulk are great budget stretchers. Check them out for savings on everything from spaghetti to canned tomatoes to dried seasonings. cheese ...

A pot of fresh herbs growing on your windowsill or deck is economical and pretty, too. A sprig of fresh basil will root in water in a few days and provide fresh leaves to flavor your favorite dishes. cheese ...

If wine is not a staple in your pantry, you can use a less expensive ingredient for flavor. The tang of freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1 tablespoon, is an alternative to the white wine. bacon ...

Homemade gnocchi are thrifty. Mix the pulp from 2 pounds cooked potatoes, 11/3 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Roll dough into ropes. Cut into 3/4-inch pieces. Boil until gnocchi float, about 2 minutes. chee ...

Pappardelle are wide, ribbon-like noodles. If your grocer does not carry this pasta, or if you would prefer a less expensive substitute, use broken pieces of lasagna noodles instead. broccoli ...

Rotini are corkscrew-shaped pasta. If they are unavailable or priced higher than other pasta shapes, you can substitute bow tie pasta or even elbow macaroni with excellent and delicious results. bacon ...

Rich ricotta cheese can really add to the total cost of this lasagna. To save both money and calories, substitute an equal amount of small-curd cottage cheese, either full fat or reduced fat. cheese ...

Sun-dried tomatoes are least expensive when purchased dry instead of packed in oil. Keep them tightly sealed in a container with an airtight lid to keep them fresh for up to 12 months. cheese ...

If white wine adds too much to the grocery bill, substitute chicken broth, or simply omit the wine. Or, if you keep dry vermouth or cooking sherry on hand, either will work perfectly. cheese ...

Buying a large wedge of Parmesan and shredding it as needed can be a cost savings. Choose a piece that has even color. If the cheese is darker around the edges, it has already dried out. cheese ...

You can turn the less expensive store-brand sausage into flavorful Italian sausage by mixing 1 pound of it with 1 tablespoon fennel seeds and 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes. No one will notice the difference. ...

Depending on the time of year, zucchini squash can be more expensive than yellow or crookneck squash. Using yellow squash will save money and taste just as good in this dish. broccoli ...