All the Money in the World Wouldn’t Stop Us From Feasting on Our Favorite Cheap Meals

Expensive doesn’t always mean good. Sometimes cheap foods taste far better than their pricier counterparts. Here are cheap foods we’d still devour even if we could afford to eat better. 

Taquitos

Platter of taquitos.
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You can’t go wrong with a corn tortilla filled with cheese and meat, then deep-fried to crispy perfection. 

Baked Potato

Three baked potatoes with sour cream, cheese, and chives.
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Potatoes are cheap and filling, making them the ideal starch for families on a budget. But baked potatoes are so delicious it’s impossible to give them up. Toss some butter and sour cream for a delightful side dish, or add chili and chives for a complete meal. 

Ramen

chopsticks holding ramen noodles
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College kids live on cheap ramen, and most won’t give it up even if they can afford better options. Top ramen is an easy, delicious, and inexpensive treat. Why would we give it up?

Cinnamon Toast

Plalte with toast sprinkled with cinnamon with cinnaman sticks and cloves. A cup of coffee sits on the table above the plate.
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I lived on cinnamon toast as a child.  Put plain white bread in a toaster, then slather it with butter, sugar, and cinnamon while hot for a tasty treat that can’t be beat. 

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Grilled cheese sandwich with American Cheese
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Nostalgia enhances flavors. The savory combination of melty grilled cheese and tomato soup brings us back to our idealized childhoods. Of course, we refuse to give it up. 

Corn Dogs

Corn dogs on a board with ketchup and mustard.
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Rich people love fairs, too, right? Why would we give up the most iconic festival food after building wealth?

Mac & Cheese

gourmet mac and cheese in a red pot with a fork lifting some noodles out
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It’s easy, delicious, and you can take it from our cold dead hands. We won’t give up our treasured macaroni and cheese, no matter how many bougie variations we can make. 

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut in half so you can see the ingredients oozing out. A jar of each is in the background behind the sandwich.
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We will never give up the easy and delicious lunches from our childhood. However, we may splurge on higher quality peanut butter and different flavored jellies. 

Rice & Beans

A bowl filled with half white rice and half beans cooked to look like a chili.
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Rice and beans have long been celebrated as the ideal meal for families on a budget. But the healthy, filling concoction is an excellent option for anyone, even if they can afford something different. 

Fast Food Burgers

juicy double cheeseburger
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Sometimes you just need a greasy burger. It doesn’t matter how many millions of dollars you have in the bank; sometimes, nothing will satiate the craving like a burger from your favorite fast food joint. 

Tacos

three delicious looking potato towels on a white plate
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People don’t stop eating tacos as they get wealthy. They just start filling their tacos with better ingredients (like potatoes!). However, cheap street tacos will always have a special place in our hearts.

Frugal Food Hacks to Spice Up the Cheapest Meals

bowl of mac and cheese with bacon on top
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Store-bought mac & cheese, top ramen, and canned foods are some of the cheapest meals you can get. However, they aren’t very tasty. 

Here are some hacks that can help these cheap staples become meals fit for kings!

Cheap Meal Ideas To Keep Your Belly Full on a Budget

pasta dish
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Grocery lists and tips aren’t helpful if you don’t know what to cook. Here’s some kitchen inspiration, offering low-cost ideas for every meal. 

Read it here: 18 Cheap Meal Ideas to Help You Eat Well for Less

The Ultimate Inflation Busting Grocery List

up close of grocery list woman is holding in a store in front of vegetable display
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Need help saving money at the grocery store? Check out our ultimate inflation-busting grocery list

Become a Culinary Master!

man cooking in a professional kitchen.
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Cooking is far cheaper than eating out, but where do you start? These tips will help you become a master chef in no time!

Foods You Must Eat in One Sitting

woman taking leftovers out of the fridge
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Leftovers are essential for maximizing your grocery budget, but not all foods make worthy leftovers. Find out which foods you should never save for later!

Source: Reddit