When money is tight, meals don’t need to be fancy. They just need to be filling, affordable, and made from what you already have. These are the broke meals many of us grew up on and still make today. Simple pantry staples, flexible ingredients, and no extra effort. Just food that works when you need it to.
Related: What We Actually Eat As A Family Of 6
Sandwiches and Handhelds
Classic Sandwiches
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Egg salad sandwich
- Chicken salad sandwich
- Tuna salad sandwich
- Cucumber sandwich
- Tomato sandwich
- Lettuce sandwich
Hot and Toasted Sandwiches
- Grilled cheese
- Tuna melt
- Fried bologna sandwich
- Sloppy joes
- Hot dog melt
Eggs and Breakfast Basics
Egg Dishes
- Scrambled eggs
- Over-easy eggs and toast
- Frittata
- Egg and potato hash
Breakfast Comfort Foods
- Biscuits and gravy
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Fritters (fried water and flour or shredded potatoes)
- Mush (cornmeal and water topped with jam or syrup)
Grain Bowls, Porridge, and Simple Breakfasts
Hot Cereals and Bowls
- Oatmeal
- Porridge
- Cream of wheat
- Rice pudding
- Quinoa
- Buckwheat groats
- Chia seed pudding
Toast Variations
Sweet and Savory Toast
- Toast with peanut butter
- Toast with peanut butter and banana
- Toast with peanut butter and honey
- Toast with jelly
- Toast with butter
- Toast with cinnamon butter
- Toast with egg
Simple Sides
- Creamed peas
- Canned peaches
Pasta and Noodles
Classic Pasta Dishes
- Spaghetti
- Alfredo
- Goulash (elbow noodles with meat sauce)
- Mac and cheese
Quick and Budget Pasta
- Tuna noodle casserole
- Pasta and peas
- Ramen
Soups and Stews
Comfort Soups
- Chicken noodle soup
- Potato soup
- Ham and potato soup
- Chowder
Vegetable and Bean Soups
- Carrot soup
- Squash soup
- Pea soup
- Vegetable soup
- Lentil soup
- Black bean soup
Simple and Unique Soups
- Egg drop soup
- Milk soup
- Taco soup
Mexican-Inspired Meals
- Huevos rancheros
- Beans and rice
- Quesadillas
- Nachos
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Fajitas
- Picadillo
- Enchiladas
Rice and Skillet Meals
- Fried rice
- Yellow curry
- Loco moco
- KFC bowl
Pizza and Casserole-Style Meals
- Pizza (including bean pizza with refried beans as sauce)
- Casserole
Potatoes
Potato Dishes
- Potato hash
- Baked potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
