Grocery prices have climbed a lot, and “budget-friendly” doesn’t mean much without real numbers. That’s why our newer recipes show an estimated cost per serving. This page explains exactly where those numbers come from, so you can judge them for yourself.
Where Our Prices Come From
- We check current prices on Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites, the two places many families shop to save money.
- We price everything for stores in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio’s grocery costs sit almost exactly at the national average: 98.9, where 100 is the U.S. average, in cost of living data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center for early 2026. That makes our numbers typical, not the lowest or highest in the country.
- We choose store brands and the most common package size, the way most budget shoppers buy.
- Each recipe shows the month we checked prices, like “October 2026.”
How We Count the Cost
- We count what the recipe uses, not the whole package. If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cumin, we count the cost of 1 teaspoon, not the whole jar. Items used up in full, like a can of beans or a box of pasta, count at the full price.
- Per serving is the total divided by the servings listed in the recipe card.
- We leave out salt and pepper added “to taste,” water, cooking spray, garnishes and anything marked optional or “for serving.”
- If ALDI’s website doesn’t list an item, we use the Walmart price for that item in the ALDI total, so the two totals are always complete.
- We round to the nearest cent and say “about,” because these are estimates, not receipts.
An Example: Spaghetti with Marinara
Here’s how the cost of our Classic Spaghetti with Marinara adds up at Walmart:
| Ingredient | Amount used | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti (1 pound box) | all of it | $1.24 |
| Crushed tomatoes (28-ounce can) | all of it | $1.30 |
| Olive oil | 3 tablespoons | $0.52 |
| Onion | 1 small | $0.33 |
| Garlic | 4 cloves | $0.23 |
| Dried oregano, dried basil, sugar | 1 teaspoon each | $0.10 |
| Total | $3.72 | |
| Per serving (serves 6) | $0.62 |
Why Your Total May Be Different
Prices vary by location and change often. Sales, coupons, buying in bulk and what you already have in your pantry can bring your cost down, and some areas simply cost more. Use our numbers as a guide for comparing recipes, not as an exact price at your store.
We recheck prices from time to time and update the month when we do. If you spot a price that looks far off, email us at hello@thesavvybite.com.
This page shares general budgeting information, not personal financial advice.