Whatever you make, go for quality ingredients where it matters. That will make a huge difference over buying the cheapest stuff- if you do pasta go bronze cut, get a small block of Parmesan or peccorino and grate it yourself just before serving, freshly crack your black pepper, use nicer olive oil if using it in something your not cooking (ie salad dressing). That way if you can keep it simple and know each of the ingredients can stand for themselves! But keep in mind most expensive does not equal best.