Growing up, many of us had parents who had to make budget-friendly meals to help their money go further while making sure they still tasted good. Surprisingly, some of these economical dishes were actually really tasty and became our all-time favorites. Certain meals like macaroni and cheese or ramen noodles were not only cheap but also full of flavor. These 18 affordable foods that your parents made for you prove that taste doesn’t have to come at a high price.
Instant Mashed Potato
Instant mashed potato is one of the quickest and most convenient foods to make (it’s literally in the name!). You can make instant mashed potato in mere minutes, and it doesn’t leave much of a dent in your budget either. Despite it being so cheap and requiring the minimal effort of just adding milk and butter, it tastes great and has a soft, creamy texture. You probably had this as a side dish with various meals as a kid, and you likely never had any complaints!
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are extremely popular among kids and adults alike, and the fact that they’re cheap is just an added bonus! According to CNN, “Americans eat an estimated 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day.” Hot dogs are super convenient and quick to cook, whether they’re boiled, grilled, or microwaved. A staple in grilling season, they’re versatile and can be topped with a variety of condiments and extras.
Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
You could feed an army with pasta without burning too much of your money! If you were part of a big family, you most likely had a lot of spaghetti and marinara sauce, as it’s so cheap and easy to make in large batches. Spaghetti is always affordable, and marinara sauce is simple to make from cheap ingredients like canned tomatoes and spices. This dish can also be dressed up with vegetables or meat to add extra flavor and more nutrients.
Canned Soup
The kitchen cabinets of families that are on a budget are often filled with canned goods, especially canned soup. Canned soup can be stored for a long period of time, so if you stock up, it’ll always be there if you’re in a pinch and need a quick dinner. There are so many varieties and flavors too that it’s impossible to get bored of this dish. As the cherry on top, canned soup is also packed full of vitamins and minerals!
Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles are extremely budget-friendly, so you likely often had this when growing up. There are so many tasty flavor options of ramen noodles to choose from, which means you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to eat on a budget! With a quick cooking time, ramen noodles are perfect for a fast meal that everyone will enjoy. If you want to go the extra mile, you can add vegetables, meat, or eggs for a more substantial dish.
Get the recipe: Easy Ramen Noodles
Frozen Pizza
As kids, we were always excited for the day we got frozen pizza for dinner! Despite being a cheap and easy dinner, it felt like a treat. Frozen pizza is available in so many delicious varieties, like pepperoni, chicken with mushroom, or Hawaiian to name just a few, and you could even customize your pizza by adding extra toppings from your fridge. Easy to bake, providing a hot meal in minutes, frozen pizza is great for the parents and the children.
Tuna Casserole
Tuna casserole is so easy to throw together with canned tuna and pantry staples and costs barely anything! It’s a deliciously creamy, comforting dish that’s simple to make and will satisfy the whole family for little cost and effort. Tuna casserole often includes tuna (obviously), peas, and noodles, and typically has a crunchy topping. In terms of nutrition, tuna is a great source of protein and has various health benefits.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Many of us lived on grilled cheese sandwiches when we were kids. With only a few ingredients required, this snack was cheap and convenient for our parents to make us, and always tasted amazing! However, it might not be quite as cheap to make yourself a grilled cheese sandwich these days, as the BBC states that “the cost of a homemade cheese sandwich has jumped by over a third in one year.”
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that your parents likely fed you on a cold winter’s day when they were trying to save money. Made with budget-friendly ingredients, it’s simple to prepare, especially if you stick to using canned broth and pre-cooked chicken. It might not look the tastiest, but chicken noodle soup is delicious, and it’s also great for kids’ growth and overall health, as the vegetables, protein, and broth are full of nutrients.
Bean and Cheese Burritos
Bean and cheese burritos were a go-to for many parents on a budget, and unlike other cheap meals, we would never complain when our parents placed this tasty dish in front of us. A bean and cheese burrito is a protein-rich meal made with inexpensive beans, and it’s so easy to assemble and customize with different cheeses and spices. You can also freeze these burritos for quick, reheatable meals.
Pancakes
It was always the best start to the day when we were treated to pancakes for breakfast as a kid! Little did we know back then that this yummy breakfast actually came at a super low price. Only using cheap ingredients like flour, eggs, and milk, pancakes are ideal for a budget-friendly luxury breakfast. They’re also incredibly versatile with countless topping options, including syrup, fruit, or chocolate chips.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Lovingly known as PB&Js, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were a staple in many kids’ lunchboxes back in the day, and we all loved this tasty lunch! This sandwich relies on two common pantry items (peanut butter and jelly) that are inexpensive and easy to store. It takes no time at all to assemble a PB&J, and it has a balance of sweet and savory flavors that children love.
Macaroni and Cheese
Business Insider reports that “roughly a million boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese are sold every day.” Macaroni and cheese is so ridiculously popular because it’s super convenient and doesn’t break the bank, but especially because it’s mouth-wateringly tasty! Whether you make it from scratch or from a packet, mac and cheese is a cheap meal option, and its comforting, creamy texture is loved by everybody whatever their age.
Rice and Beans
Rice and beans are a cost-effective source of complete protein, and your parents likely gave you this dish quite often when you were younger. However, luckily for kids all over the country, this dish is surprisingly delicious. Ideal for parents, rice and beans don’t require much effort at all and are extremely simple to cook with just a few seasonings needed. It’s also a dish that can be easily adapted to various cuisines and flavor profiles.
Oatmeal
Another inexpensive, hearty breakfast option is oatmeal. While many kids are not the biggest fan of plain oatmeal, you can easily and cheaply add fruit, nuts, or sweeteners to make it much more appealing for children. Whether you make your oatmeal on the stove or in the microwave, it’s so easy to prepare, and it’s just as tasty either way. Don’t forget it’s good for you too!
Fish Sticks
Fish sticks are very affordable, convenient, and most of all tasty! This food is quick to make, whether you bake them or fry them, making meal prep easy. They’re also particularly kid-friendly with their crunchy exterior and the tender fish inside. Fish sticks are often found in the freezer section too, which means they can be stored for a long time and can be kept as a convenient backup meal option.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are an all-American cheap and convenient dish. They’re made from ground meat and sauce, which are both cost-effective ingredients that can easily be bought on a budget. This mixture is then served on buns, creating a fun, messy, and delicious meal. All you need is one pan to make sloppy joes too, so they’re perfect for busy nights or when you’re feeling a bit lazy!
Cereal and Milk
Cereal and milk might sound basic, but sometimes the simplest things are the best! This classic breakfast option requires no cooking and barely any clean-up, so it’s the perfect breakfast for busy parents to make their kids. There are also so many different cheap cereals to choose from that you’re bound to find one that your kid finds delicious. Another benefit of cereal and milk is that it provides essential nutrients like calcium and fiber.
15 Nostalgic Dinners from the Past That Are Rarely Seen Today
The scent of a family meal cooking can bring back memories, especially if it’s a childhood favorite we don’t often have as adults. This article showcases 18 classic dinners that provided convenience and budget-friendliness for parents and are worthy of a revival. These traditional dinners from the past trigger nostalgic memories and are worth rediscovering.
15 Nostalgic Dinners from the Past That Are Rarely Seen Today
18 Foods You Should Eat Every Day
There are many foods, such as leafy greens, berries, and whole grains, which are full of things like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your body function at its best. Experts recommend you should eat these 18 foods every day to live a healthier life.
Read: 18 Foods You Should Eat Every Day
15 Foods You Shouldn’t Eat After 50
Age is just a number, but not regarding eating habits. The older you grow, the more your body needs nutritious food to stay fit and healthy. While there are many things you’re encouraged to eat, when you cross 50, your go-to foods can’t look the same as they once were. Your body is changing, and so should your eating habits.