Some foods are eaten purely out of necessity to save money. You may not be interested in fast food or frozen entrees, but there are options available depending on your budget. But some cheap comfort foods are always popular, and people vow to keep eating them no matter how rich they get. Here are 20 meals that everyone will love, no matter how much money you have in your bank account.
1. Grilled cheese and tomato soup
There are few things more comforting and satisfying than a piping hot bowl of creamy tomato soup and a perfectly toasted, melty, gooey grilled cheese. The contrast between the crispy bread, smooth soup, and loose cheese is addictive.
2. Instant noodles
You can go to a fancy ramen shop and pay $15 for a heaping bowl, but some people, myself included, have a special fondness for instant ramen. Whether you like classic chicken, spicy shrimp, or hearty beef, Instant Her Ramen brings a unique, mouth-watering flavor.
3. Baked potato
Potatoes in any form are magical, but baked potatoes are extra comforting and delicious. Their beauty is their versatility. You can also add sour cream or cheddar cheese, sprinkle with bacon bits, or add green onions. Or follow my instructions and add them all to create a heaping pile of goodness.
4. Macaroni & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic meal that is so beautiful in its simplicity. Pasta and cheese sauce are affordable and simple ingredients, but when combined they create a delicious, gooey deliciousness that is always comforting after a long day. If you have leftovers, try them in the morning.
5. McDonald’s
This applies to me 100%. Nothing hits the mark like a McChicken, lovingly slapped together and heated under a lamp. There are plenty of people who don’t want to criticize the golden arches of fries to ultra-sweet Sprite.
6. Peanut butter and jelly
My childhood lunch box, PB&J, will continue to be a staple in my house. Whether you prefer strawberry or grape jelly, smooth or crunchy peanut butter, flour or white bread, these sandwiches are always filling and delicious. Even if I won the lottery twice, I would still eat this regularly.
7. Rice and beans
Rice and beans are staples in many households, and once you’ve acquired a huge fortune, you don’t want to part with them. This simple combination is the ultimate comfort meal for many, whether it’s a quick lunch or a family dinner.
8. Corn dog
Corn dogs aren’t considered luxury, but they’re so delicious that you can’t afford to pay for them. A thick hot dog dipped in cornbread batter and fried until crispy is the definition of heaven, and a drizzle of mustard makes it even better.
9. Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper’s frozen entrees are extremely popular, especially for burgers and pasta dishes. Even if you have a butler, a personal chef, or a personal shopper, people swear they’ll find comfort in having Hamburger Helper stocked in their freezers.
10. Fast food hamburger
I mentioned McDonald’s, but many people say that all fast food burgers are kryptonite. Sometimes all you need is a greasy, cheesy meat and bread combination that he’ll probably regret within 30 minutes.
11. Bagel
People have a deep passion for bagels, especially East Coast bagels. And they might fight you if you try to take away your bagel. Whether you like poppy seeds, sesame seeds, whatever, onions, asiago, cinnamon raisins, or smeared with butter, peanut butter, or cream cheese, we can all agree that bagels are a must-have.
12. Frozen pizza
Pizza can be quite expensive if you go to a fancy restaurant, but some people swear they can be happy with just a frozen pizza. For many people, the beauty of putting a hard disk in the oven and having a cheesy, crunchy, flavorful pizza in 20 minutes is irreplaceable.
13. Spam
If you don’t know what spam is, learn now. Spam is a type of canned meat made from pork that is very popular in Hawaii, especially for families on a tight budget.
14. Taco Bell
Taco Bell is second only to McDonald’s as a cheap restaurant that people won’t give up on. I understand that because I tried to make Crunchwrap Supreme at home, but it’s not the same. It tastes better when you order it at a painfully slow drive-thru and get unceremoniously tossed into a greasy paper bag. That’s just a fact.
15. Hot dog
We mentioned corn dogs, but hot dogs are unique in their own right. Every time I eat a hot dog, carefully spread with mustard on a lightly toasted bun, I’m reminded of my childhood barbecues and Fourth of July parties. And people in places like Chicago and Seattle live and die on hot dog toppings, so they’ll never let their dogs go.
16. Butter noodles
There’s something comforting about just eating a bowl of plain, buttered noodles. Eating it makes you feel like you’re back in your childhood, and it’s no wonder people continue to eat this food for the rest of their lives. Plus, it’s easy to make!
17. Breakfast cereal
If you were rich, you could buy as much cereal as you want. Want to make your own cereal mix in one bowl? Sounds like heaven to me.
18. Freeze Pops
Nothing beats a popsicle on a hot day. Even if you have all the money in the world, the best things are cheap and flimsy in plastic tubes.
19. Ice tea
There’s something wonderful about cheap iced tea from the store. It’s refreshing and usually loaded with sugar. Nothing beats the 99 cent stuff you can buy at any grocery store.
20. Gas station food
People in the United States take gas station food very seriously and often debate the best gas stations. Naturally, people will remain loyal to their brand even after it becomes a huge success.
sauce: Reddit.
Veronica is a food, fashion, and entertainment writer from Boston, Massachusetts with a passion for all things lifestyle and culture. She graduated from Boston University in 2019 with a BA in English Literature. From Anna Wintour to Angelina Jolie to Alton Brown, she has her finger on the pulse of all things Hollywood and celebrity.
When she’s not creating new recipes in the kitchen, she’s binge-watching the latest series on HBO and catching up on the hottest trends on Vogue.
She has written and syndicated for publications such as The Weather Channel, The Daily Meal, The Borgen Project, The Good Men Project, The Express, MSN, Wealth of Geeks, and Not Deer Magazine. Her writing experience ranges from global news articles to celebrity gossip, movie reviews, and homemade recipes.
