The food of our childhood is surrounded by nostalgia, and enjoying it again will take you back to the good old days. Many of these classics were also pretty cheap, yet they still tasted amazing. Let’s take a look at 17 of the best examples.
Cornbread
Many people will remember cornbread from their childhood meals. It is quick, simple, and affordable to make and can be eaten alone or paired with a main dish, making it perfect for both snacks and dinners. We loved it as kids, and you bet it’s still just as good now!
Hot dogs
Many of our parents kept jars of hot dogs in the cupboard when we were kids. Quick and easy, hot dogs are a timeless snack and are still as popular as ever. They’re also cheap and ideal for serving with leftovers to feed the whole family on a budget.
Grilled cheese
Simple and delicious, grilled cheese is another timeless snack that parents make for their children. A YouGov survey found that 79% of adults still love grilled cheese, making it the top choice for America’s favorite sandwich. It’s a classic, and it’s also always a winner for your wallet.
Ramen noodles
The ramen noodles we remember from childhood come from a packet, and are a cost-effective and versatile food that our parents sometimes cooked with. However, they were usually eaten alone as a delicious snack, and are quick and easy to make. They’re still very popular!
Oatmeal
Cheap and nutritious, oatmeal was a common breakfast throughout our childhood. It’s packed with healthy oats and would give up fill up for hours, so it was a great way for our parents to ensure we weren’t gonna go hungry. With plenty of flavor choices, oatmeal will always hit the spot.
Peanut butter and jelly
If a peanut butter and jelly sandwich doesn’t scream childhood, what does?! They were a lunchbox classic for the whole of America, and then one day, they disappeared from our menu, only to reappear as an option when we have our own children. Try making one later for nostalgia!
Mac and cheese
Mac and cheese, made from scratch or from a box, was a common food our parents fed us. Not only is it cheesy and delicious, but it’s also very affordable and easy to make, so our parents loved making it for us. In fact, Smithsonian Magazine considers boxed mac and cheese a pantry staple!
Chili
The versatility of chili, served with rice, baked potatoes, or bread, made it a common dinner choice for US households. It can be packed with beans, beef, and plenty of vegetables or customized to cater to any dietary needs, making it a cheap, flexible, and nutritious meal. No wonder our parents cooked it so often!
Rice and beans
Rice and beans are the ultimate budget food, as they’re extremely affordable while still packing in some serious nutritional value. This made them a classic when our parents were low on cash, and when paired with different seasonings, sauces, and even additional protein, they were actually really tasty!
Chicken noodle soup
A hearty and healthy meal commonly associated with getting rid of a cold or flu, chicken noodle soup has always brought warmth and comfort to cold winter days. There was nothing more comforting than chicken noodle soup when you were sick at home as a child!
Baked potatoes
Hearty and wholesome, baked potatoes are seriously cheap and make for a basic but tasty meal when combined with cheese, beans, coleslaw, or other toppings. Families have always loved this kind of comfort food, with BNN reporting that 70% of Americans would choose it over gourmet alternatives!
Scrambled eggs
Eggs are pretty expensive these days, but they used to be one of the most affordable forms of protein. There are tons of ways to cook delicious meals with eggs, but when we were kids, scrambled eggs were always the best budget breakfast. Filling, tasty, and nutritious–what more could our parents want?
Potato salad
Potato salad is a tasty side dish that has always been served at barbeques, birthdays, and buffets. It’s super cheap to make, creamily delicious, and can easily be customized with other ingredients, so your parents probably had their own special recipe.
Sloppy joes
Super messy but delicious, sloppy joes were a firm favorite in any American’s childhood. They are easily one of the most enjoyed childhood comfort meals, so much so that the timeless classic has earned itself its own National Sloppy Joe Day, according to Days of the Year.
Rice Krispie treats
A nostalgic treat of our childhood, Rice Krispie treats continue to be popular to this day, long after our cozy weekends making these no-bake snacks with our parents. It was an affordable treat for the family that was always available, as all you really needed to make them was cereal and marshmallows!
French toast
When our parents had a little extra time and energy to create something delicious for breakfast, French toast was a real crowd-pleaser. It’s filling, tasty, affordable, and very customizable, so everyone has their own preferences when it comes to French toast toppings, both savory and sweet.
Corn dogs
We couldn’t possibly forget the humble corn dog. It was the most affordable food option at any carnival or state fair, so it was a hit with our parents. It’s probably been a while since you last enjoyed a corn dog, but they’re still around and taste just as amazing as you remember.
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