It’s the first of the month, I haven’t been to the grocery yet, and we’re at the end of last month’s food supply. I had planned on making calzones with this great pizza crust recipe from my Betty Crocker cookbook.

There’s just one problem. I forgot that I had used the last of the tomato sauce for the lasagna roll-ups I served earlier in the week.

The solution? A can of diced tomatoes pureed in the blender; sautéed onions, garlic and green peppers; and some oregano, basil, salt and pepper, simmering together for 20 minutes.

The result was a home-cooked meal created with ingredients I found on hand. No fast-food or pizza runs. Family well fed. Budget saved once again!