Remember the good ol' days when we were satisfied with simple and basic ingredients? We didn't need complex flavours and we sure didn't care about the price tag. Let's go back to our roots today and revisit 20 simple or "poor people" foods that we enjoyed as a kid. You may have forgotten about them, but we're sure you'd still enjoy them today.
1. Grilled Cheese
Arguably one of the simplest tasty meals you can put together in no time, we'll never say no to a homemade grilled cheese. Made with so few ingredients, it's a wonder how it can taste so good for so cheap. It's comfort food at its finest.
2. Hot Dogs and Baked Beans
Also known as "beanie weenies," this dish is surprisingly delicious considering it's just a mish mash of two foods mixed together. When you saw your mom pull a can of baked beans and a hot dog out of the fridge, you knew you were in for a treat. Creating a satisfying sweet and flavour combination that kids love, it's still something we'd make for lunch today.
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3. Beans and Rice
When seasoned nicely, beans and rice can be elevated to something so much more than their individual parts. Despite how simple and cheap this dish is, it was incredibly filling and satisfying to eat as a kid and it's just as good when enjoyed as an adult. There's no overwhelming flavours or textures, it's just homey, comforting food.
4. Bologna Sandwich
How many of you remember bringing a basic bologna sandwich to school for lunch? Just the thought of it reminds you of your childhood right? Who knew that 2 slices of bread, mayo and mustard, and slices of bologna could make us remember such fond memories.
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5. Tomato Soup with Crackers
For the days when your parents were too busy to cook, tomato soup straight out of the can served with some crackers was a reliable and satisfying choice. There's nothing fancy about this meal, but there's also nothing we'd change about it. It's nostalgia in a can after all.
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6. Spaghetti with Butter and Parmesan
While these noodles may sound pretty bland and boring, spaghetti with some butter and Parmesan makes for a shockingly tasty dinner. The butter adds so much creaminess and richness to the noodles while the Parmesan cheese is just the cherry on top. It's simple, cheap, and effortless.
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7. Cheese and Crackers
No wonder adults love charcuterie boards so much - we basically loved them in their most basic form as children! Cheese and crackers made for one of the best afterschool snacks. It was fun playing around with different cheeses and crackers to find what your favourite combination was.
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8. Rice with Soy Sauce
Many of our Asian readers will likely agree with us when we say rice with soy sauce is a nostalgic and delicious meal. It may not seem like much, but for parents with a budget or no time, it's a lifesaver. The soy sauce gives the rice a nice savory and salty flavour that's surprisingly addictive.
Peachyeung316 on Wikimedia Commons
9. Oatmeal with Brown Sugar
For a quick and easy breakfast meal, many parents resorted to feeding their kids oatmeal flavoured with a bit of brown sugar. If you were lucky, some fruits would get thrown on top too! It's a pretty standard meal, but the thought of it reminds us of when we were younger. We're sure many of you still eat it to this day too!
10. Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Just because mashed potatoes are most commonly eaten during Thanksgiving doesn't mean you can't have it any other time. Because let us just say, mashed potatoes with gravy makes for a hearty and comforting meal any day of the week. And at any point of your life too!
Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons
11. Ketchup Fried Rice
The combination of ketchup and rice might sound a little offputting for some people, but trust us, the two work together so well. As a kid, you were probably a fan of sweet and salty flavours, making this combo a beloved favourite. We'll never cease to be amazed by how our parents thought of this simple yet tasty recipe.
12. Banana Sandwich
The banana sandwich was a kid classic. It blew our minds as a kid learning that sandwiches didn't have to be savory. This sweet concoction required just a few simple ingredients, like peanut butter, bananas, and bread, but the result was amazing each and every time. Perfect for parents who can't afford pricier treats but still have sweet tooths to feed.
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13. Canned Chicken Noodle Soup
Don't judge meals out of cans; for parents on a budget, these definitely come in handy. Not to mention, they don't taste half bad! Canned chicken noodle soup is likely a nostalgic meal for many of you. For cold nights when your parents had no time, these likely came out of the cupboard. To this day, it still makes for a tasty and quick meal.
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14. Baked Potatoes with Butter
Is it possible for kids to hate potatoes? When they come in so many delicious forms, it's hard not to love them. Even in its simplest of form, the baked potato, it tastes incredibly good with a small slab of butter melted on top. To this day, it tastes as delicious as we remember it to be.
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15. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti is one of the easiest meals parents can whip together for their kids, especially when their taste buds still prefer simpler tastes. Another quick 'n easy pasta recipe that most kids love is simply spaghetti in tomato sauce. Yup, that's it. Kids don't want overly complex flavours, they just want what they know and love. Even though it's as basic as it gets, we swear the nostalgia associated with this dish still makes it taste extra special.
Image by -Rita-👩🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay
16. Cheese Quesadilla
Tortillas and cheese. That's seriously all you need to make your kids happy. A basic cheese quesadilla will put a smile on any kid's (or adult's) face. If there's one food out there that everyone loves regardless of age, it's cheese. It's even better when it's melted and extra gooey.
Photo by Fernando Andrade on Unsplash
17. Scrambled Eggs and Toast
Scrambled eggs and toast. Two of the most basic yet most beloved breakfast foods that hit the spot no matter if you're 70 years old or 7. It's safe to say no kid or adult would ever complain about seeing this on the breakfast table.
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18. Apples and Peanut Butter
For parents who want their kids to enjoy healthier sweet treats, apples and peanut butter was the perfect snack. The fresh, crisp, and sweet taste of the apple went perfectly with the nuttiness of the peanut butter. We liked them as a kid, but as an adult, it somehow tastes even better.
19. Tomato and Mayonnaise Sandwich
You might be thinking, "Where's the cheese? The ham? The lettuce?" but when you were a kid, all you needed was some mayo and tomato to be satisfied. Don't knock it till you try it - this combo is surprisingly good! Sometimes, it's nice to revisit foods you enjoyed as a kid because it makes you appreciate simplicity. We're sure one bite is all you need to remember this tasty meal.
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20. Ramen Noodles
Whether you're a parent struggling to make ends meet, a broke college student, or simply an adult wanting a quick and easy meal, instant ramen noodles will never disappoint. Affordable and easy to customize, it's a meal in a cup that will always fill you up. As a kid, it never felt like a cheap meal and it still hits the spot as we've gotten older.
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