Imagine this: you’re at home, the day feels long, money is a little tight, and all you want is something warm, familiar, and comforting. For many of us, that’s where “struggle meals” come in; those simple dishes your family made, your mom threw together, or you learned to whip up when there wasn’t much else in the kitchen. They’re not fancy, not picture-perfect, but somehow they always hit the spot in a way restaurant food never quite can. There’s something deeply nostalgic about them, almost like edible comfort blankets from simpler times.
And that’s exactly what people opened up about in a Reddit thread we came across — sharing their most unexpected, creative, and sometimes surprisingly delicious “struggle meals.” From day-old rice mixed with milk and raisins, to tater tot casseroles, to mac and cheese with hot dogs thrown in for good measure… It’s a mix of chaos, comfort, and culinary survival. Some of it might sound questionable, but honestly? A lot of it just works. Keep scrolling, but don’t blame us if you suddenly get hungry halfway through.
#21
Rice and beans with an egg on top...couldn't afford 2 eggs each.
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11points
#22
Looking back it sounds gross as hell, but I used to love combining 1 can cream of chicken soup with a few cups of white rice to make a porridge, and topping it with crunchy chow mein noodles.
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11points
And it’s not just the U.S. dealing with food supply pressures. In the UK, experts say the food system remains vulnerable to both global and domestic disruptions. According to the BBC, the country relies heavily on imported produce and operates on a “just in time” supply model, meaning stores often receive stock exactly when needed rather than storing large reserves.
The downside? Even small delays can quickly lead to shortages and sudden price spikes. Recent extreme weather in southern Europe and North Africa has already disrupted supplies of strawberries, raspberries, avocados, and peppers. Add labor shortages among HGV drivers and farm workers, and the pressure on grocery supply chains becomes even more intense.
#23
Cheesy rice and broccoli. Make rice, steam broccoli, mix together with cheese. Bake like a casserole if you’re feeling really fancy.
Edit: lots of people are asking, so- I used velveeta cheese, but you can use anything you like that melts nicely.
Edit: lots of people are asking, so- I used velveeta cheese, but you can use anything you like that melts nicely.
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10points
#25
For breakfast, My Nonno would take stale bread that my Nonna had made put it in a bowl with a couple scoops of sugar and drown it with hot coffee and a splash of whole milk. He never wasted ANYTHING.
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10points
#26
Two come to mind: beanie weenies (baked beans with chopped up hot dogs), and peanut butter toast! I still crave and eat these both on occasion!
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10points
At the end of the day, food prices depend on a complicated mix of weather, labor, transportation, global politics, production costs, and consumer demand. But one thing many people seem to agree on lately is this: “struggle meals” are making a comeback for a reason. They’re affordable, nostalgic, comforting, and honestly sometimes weirdly delicious. Whether it’s instant noodles with random toppings or leftover rice creations, these meals carry memories along with practicality. So now we want to know: what was your go-to struggle meal growing up? And honestly… do you still secretly crave it today?
#27
Meatloaf. I add leftover onion, green pepper, one egg and some bread crumbs I make myself. Super cheap and I love it.
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10points
#28
Hamburger gravy made with cream of mushroom or chicken soup, onions and a splash of Worcestershire over mashed potatoes. There were nine kids and one blue-collar paycheck in my family, and we ate that once a week. Still my go-to comfort food.
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10points
#29
Red beans & rice
My moms from deep South Louisiana and they have perfected the “cheap n’ filling” meals. Grew up on the stuff.
I can make about ten hearty servings for about a buck each or less. Top of off with some Tabasco and it’s a game changer.
If ya can whip up cornbread to go with it you’ll be living like a kingggg.
I’d gladly live the rest of my life eating nothing else.
My moms from deep South Louisiana and they have perfected the “cheap n’ filling” meals. Grew up on the stuff.
I can make about ten hearty servings for about a buck each or less. Top of off with some Tabasco and it’s a game changer.
If ya can whip up cornbread to go with it you’ll be living like a kingggg.
I’d gladly live the rest of my life eating nothing else.
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10points
#30
Tater tot casserole.
Ground beef cooked with onion salt n peppa add a can of cream of mushroom soup
Put that in a casserole dish top with tater tots and bake until the tots are browned/done
Then top with American cheese singles and heat until melted.
Ground beef cooked with onion salt n peppa add a can of cream of mushroom soup
Put that in a casserole dish top with tater tots and bake until the tots are browned/done
Then top with American cheese singles and heat until melted.
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9points
#31
Corned beef hash. One bag frozen diced potatoes, one onion, and a can of corned beef. Fry diced onion to soften, add frozen potatoes and keep frying until warmed through, add corned beef and fry until the beef is the way you like it...I like mine to have some texture so nicely browned. Salt and pepper to taste. I've upgraded the meal since then with the addition of Worcestershire sauce and other spices.
She also made a ton of shells and sauce, hamburger-gravy with mashed potatoes, and eggs in the nest. My kids won't eat any of this stuff but every now and again I get nostalgic.
She also made a ton of shells and sauce, hamburger-gravy with mashed potatoes, and eggs in the nest. My kids won't eat any of this stuff but every now and again I get nostalgic.
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8points
#32
Cold cheese sandwich. Bread, mayo, and some sliced cheese (usually cheddar but when I was a kid, it was American). It tastes like elementary school memories.
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8points
#33
I was the opposite, I grew up rich but now living on my own and having emigrated, I'm comfortable but not rich like my parents who ate things like fresh scallops and fresh blueberries on a regular basis. I have to stick to a strict budget to avoid going into overdraft, no fresh fish for me for now.
I love tinned tuna and sardines, supercheap with a long cupboard life, and I have a lot of frozen berries and veg as they're much cheaper than fresh. My favourite cheap eat is an omelette, I love them with anything from ham and mushrooms to tomatoes and tinned salmon.
I love tinned tuna and sardines, supercheap with a long cupboard life, and I have a lot of frozen berries and veg as they're much cheaper than fresh. My favourite cheap eat is an omelette, I love them with anything from ham and mushrooms to tomatoes and tinned salmon.
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8points
#34
My gramma used to make cheese toast with faces on it. It was just toast with melted cheddar cheese on top and then she'd put a face on it using olives for the eyes and bell peppers for the smile. Very cute and very good 😊 also, as everyone has been saying, cinnamon toast.
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8points
#35
I grew up eating A Lot of Mexican Noodle Soup or Sopa de fideo. It's a very simple noodle soup that's cheap to make. I don't have it a lot know but when I do I can eat the whole darn pot.
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7points
#36
Sometimes I won’t have ramen noodles for a long time and then lovingly eat them for 3 days straight. I will always love and crave them. I can remember being a kid and that being our only option and feelings so sick of them.
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7points
#37
We had "gluck" once a week at least. Basically onions, ground beef, whatever veggies (fresh/frozen/canned) all cooked together then add a cream of mushroom soup and a bit of water to make sauce. Served usually on toast. No idea where the "gluck" came from, but it was definitely what we'd use to stretch groceries out.
We had some super lean months/years when I was little, but my mum was really great at inventing meals and stretching stuff out.
We had some super lean months/years when I was little, but my mum was really great at inventing meals and stretching stuff out.
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7points
#38
Tuna Hot Dish:
Cooked egg noodles
Cream of mushroom soup
Canned tuna
Frozen peas
Minced onion (optional)
Combine in a casserole dish. Top with lots of cheese and bake at 350° until bubbly and brown on top.
Hipsters may sneer but this is Midwestern soul food.
Cooked egg noodles
Cream of mushroom soup
Canned tuna
Frozen peas
Minced onion (optional)
Combine in a casserole dish. Top with lots of cheese and bake at 350° until bubbly and brown on top.
Hipsters may sneer but this is Midwestern soul food.
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7points
#39
Sausage and dirty rice is my all time favorite. Sliced up sausage, can of black beans, can of diced tomatoes, chopped onion, thin chopped celery, minced garlic, 1 or 2 cups chicken broth, couple cups of cooked rice, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Fast and easy.
Start with cooking the sausage, onion and celery together. When that is nice and brown add everything else and simmer in the chicken broth for a few mins.
Start with cooking the sausage, onion and celery together. When that is nice and brown add everything else and simmer in the chicken broth for a few mins.
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6points
