Italian Herb Seasoning

Make your own Italian herb seasoning.

Italian herb seasoning is one of those little jars I reach for all the time. I use it in anything that’s vaguely Italian, but it goes into plenty of other meals too, particularly soups, chicken dishes and anything tomato-based.

Making a batch in advance means I have one jar ready to grab rather than getting several different herbs out every time I cook.

What Can You Use Italian Herb Seasoning For?

This is a really versatile mix. You could use it in:

• Bolognese and tomato pasta sauces
• Lasagne
• Pizza and homemade pizza sauce
• Meatballs
• Vegetable or tomato soup
• Chicken dishes and marinades
• Roasted vegetables
• Roast or air-fried potatoes
• Pasta bakes
• Tomato-based casseroles
• Garlic butter and garlic bread
• Homemade focaccia
• Salad dressings

You can also mix a spoonful with a little olive oil and use it to season chicken or vegetables before roasting.

Is It Cheaper to Make Your Own Italian Seasoning?

It can be, particularly if you already use a lot of dried herbs.

In our house, I buy basil, oregano, thyme and red pepper flakes in larger quantities because they’re ingredients we use regularly in different recipes and seasoning mixes. I often find larger packs in Morrisons and in Asian or European supermarkets here in the UK.

But bulk buying only saves money when you’ll actually use what you buy.

Marjoram is a good example. Oddly enough, this seasoning mix is really the only recipe I regularly use it in, so I buy a small jar. We don’t use enough rosemary to justify buying a huge quantity of that either.

A giant packet might have a lower price per gram, but it isn’t a bargain if most of it goes off in the cupboard.

Why Make Your Own Seasoning?

Apart from potentially saving money, making seasoning at home gives you complete control over what’s in it.

This particular mixture contains herbs and red pepper flakes with no added salt, so you can season the actual meal to suit your household rather than adding salt automatically through a seasoning mix. Also, using herbs and spices is also a useful way to add plenty of flavour when you’re trying to reduce the amount of salt in your cooking.

Best of all, make one jar and you’ve got a simple, inexpensive shortcut ready for dozens of everyday meals.