THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURES. FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Do you ever think about how much money it would take to be able to eat the most delicious meals without having to worry about the price?
What if you could dine on gourmet dishes no matter your wealth?
While such a lifestyle may be out of reach, there is still hope.
We have put together a list of 12 cheap meals that will make even those with luxurious tastes salivate!
Every meal in this ultimate guide is budget-friendly and delicious enough that anyone would love it regardless of income level.
So grab a pen and paper and get ready to start jotting down your grocery list, as these meals won’t break the bank but are sure to tantalize your taste buds!
#1. Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are an extremely versatile food, which is why so many people refuse to let them go, no matter how much wealth they accumulate.
Whether you bake it twice and add some cheese and butter, eat it as is with sour cream and chives, or even make a mini baked potato taco, there are so many ways to enjoy a baked potato.
#2. Taquitos
Are taquitos the healthiest food for you?
No.
Are they tasty?
Yes.
Most agree that frozen taquitos are something they’d never give up on, and the taquitos that you get from food trucks are just as great.
#3. Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup
A grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup is an absolute classic.
Some love toasting white bread with American cheese in between the slices and heating a can of soup, while others may go the more homemade route and go for something like mozzarella and wheat bread.
No matter how you enjoy it, plenty refuse to say goodbye to this combination.
#4. Ramen
When you think of ramen, you might think of a cup of noodles or even just a brick of noodles with a pack of seasoning.
This is one way to enjoy it, with some even enjoying it dry.
Others like to mix things up by cooking the noodles and adding their herbs or additional ingredients like meat and hard-boiled eggs.
Given that there are restaurants dedicated to the art of ramen, this one wouldn’t easily disappear from the average person’s menu.
#5. Buttered Toast With Cinnamon Sugar
While not technically a meal, many of us can relate to having a piece of buttered toast with cinnamon sugar for breakfast at least once during childhood.
Even if it’s not a super common thing to eat, that rust of nostalgia and sugar is certainly worth it.
#6. Corn Dogs
Corn dogs are much more convenient than hot dogs, making them popular.
From the classic style to mini bites and even breakfast options made with pancake batter and sausage, these are a crowd favorite.
#7. Macaroni and Cheese
There’s been a constant macaroni and cheese battle raging in the background between mac and cheese, which you can make using a box and some butter and milk and mac and cheese that’s homemade.
No matter which side you take, many people like to enjoy a good meal of mac and cheese now and again.
Some people even mix it up to see what other types of cheese or additions can go the extra mile in making their favorite meal even better.
#8. Cheese Quesadillas
Cheese quesadillas, like grilled cheese sandwiches, are simple and always delicious.
Better yet, you can always enhance them with some salsa or even some sour cream.
If there’s one trend we’ve seen, it’s that convenience and taste often beat out the things that people with more money think they’re supposed to eat.
#9. Rice and Beans
Rice and beans are a combination that many people without money are familiar with, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a meal you necessarily abandon once you have a larger income.
Rice and beans can be filling and easy to prepare.
Better yet, if you’re still trying to be frugal, it can be an excellent choice to have once in a while.
#10. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is something most are intimately familiar with.
No matter what your ideal combination is, most people agree that the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich is one made with white bread.
The more familiar it is, the better it seems to be.
#11. Fast Food Burgers
Homemade burgers are something you might pursue when you have more money, especially if you have the cash to have all of the ingredients on hand and the space in which to grill them.
However, some people still want to enjoy a fast food burger every now and again.
After all, a fast food burger is always made the same (and exactly the way you like it), is a great treat you don’t have to do any work for, and can easily be picked up whenever you want it.
#12. Tacos
Tacos are another delicacy that most people enjoy, regardless of whether they’re homemade, bought from a fast food joint, or even made in a food truck.
Put simply, you can’t put a price on avoiding tacos.
Signs You Grew Up Poor
Some of us grew up in a situation with financial struggles.
As much as we don’t want to admit it, some of the lessons we learned as kids still stick with us today.
This is good and bad. Good because we can be frugal. Bad because it holds us back from living the best life.
Here are some things you still do today that show you grew up poor.
UNEXPECTED THINGS YOU DO THAT SHOW YOU GREW UP POOR
21 Habits Of Wealthy People
Do you what separates the wealthy from everyone else? It’s their habits.
The good news is learning their habits is simple which means with a little effort, you too can become wealthy.
How To Become Financially Independent
Being financially independent means not having to worry about money ever again. You can choose to work if you want to, and spend money as you wish. But how do you get there? Here are the steps you need to take.
HOW TO BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT
Dave Ramsey Baby Steps
Using Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps is great for getting your finances back on track. But you could do better with a few simple tweaks to his system.
MAKING DAVE RAMSEY’S BABY STEPS BETTER
Gas Hacks For Free Gas
You’ve probably wished you could get free gasoline, but thought that was impossible. But the reality is, it isn’t impossible.
There are many free gas hacks you can use to save money on fuel ups. Here are 15 ways to lower the cost of gasoline, and in effect, get free gas.
15 FREE GAS HACKS YOU NEED TO TRY
This thread inspired this article.
I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
Visit my About Me page to learn more about me and why I am your trusted personal finance expert.
