What's the chintziest food that you love to eat?
Call it cheap, call it ghetto, call it trashy... who cares, it's delicious!! What are some of your favorite cheap eats?
For me:
-Ramen noodles
-White bread with just mustard (midnight snack)
-Kool-aid
-30 cent frozen bean burritos
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68 Comments:
Kraft Mac+Cheese
Cheetos and Diet Coke
I guess I like orange "cheez" powder.
Kerosena at 10:30AM on 05/30/08
-Spaghettios - (my husband says they smell like vomit) They got me through many a drunken hungry night in college... cold, right out of the can.
-The cup of sodium, I mean Cup Of Noodles where you peel the little cover back, add hot water, re-cover Styrofoam cup and wait two minutes for that first bite that WILL burn your mouth.
-Kraft Mac& Cheese- in the blue box
-Mr. P's frozen pizza (or whatever cheap cardboard pizza is in the frozen pizza aisle) when I'm feeling like I haven't had heartburn in a while.
Southern_bella at 10:55AM on 05/30/08
Cold leftover baked beans (homemade) on white bread with Miracle Whip and a generous grinding of black pepper.
grampart at 11:01AM on 05/30/08
Umm Miracle Whip, Top Ramen, Easy Annie's, any kind of potato chip.
embolini9 at 11:17AM on 05/30/08
Cheetos.
Diet Coke.
Ramen.
spaghetti with butter and garlic salt :)
bitchincamero at 11:24AM on 05/30/08
I am guilty of making the potato chip-topped tuna noodle casserole when I'm low on funds and need something comforting.
Mac n'cheese out of the box with cut-up hotdogs in it, and the 75-cent jiffy blueberry muffins alongside...my grandma always made those muffins when we ate mac n'cheese with hotdogs, and for some reason they are forever wedded in my mind.
In college, I didn't like ramen (still don't...too salty), but I was guilty of buying whatever dried pasta was on sale and a jar of marinara sauce, cooking the whole batch and keeping it in the fridge to portion out and fry up real quick late at night after drinking...cheap pasta really soaks up beer.
rosezilla at 11:25AM on 05/30/08
Saltines and butter...bonus points if it is the greasy butter pats topped with a little square of wax paper nicked from a cafeteria..
Cary at 11:43AM on 05/30/08
Orange Craisins
Smoked Almonds
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Soy Delicious Mocha Fudge Ice Cream
Cape Cod Potato Chips
Brownie at 11:46AM on 05/30/08
@ Brownie- wait... Cape Cod chips are "chintzy?"
I'm in trouble!
Kerosena at 11:57AM on 05/30/08
Campbells condensed tomato and rice soup. Easy on the added water. And if I happen to have a little bit of the tomato rice jelly cold out of the can before adding water or heat....please don't tell.
jlbrach at 12:00PM on 05/30/08
I'm sticking to bologna :-)
brooke29 at 12:07PM on 05/30/08
@Brownie, you're disqualified...Soy Delicious Anything and Smoked Almonds will get you kicked out of the "chintzy" department. :D (BTW, I love smoked almonds)
For me, tuna fish salad (made from canned tuna, mayo, celery, onion and sweet relish(I know!)) on white bread (the softer the better) with, brace yourselves, iceberg lettuce. Wash it down with sweet iced tea made with plain ol Lipton tea bags and plain ol white sugar.
Although, I was surprised that my tuna fish cost $1.40 per can. Does anyone else remember when you could buy 2 or 3 cans for a dollar?
wookie at 12:07PM on 05/30/08
Oh yeah, jlbrach, the Campell's condensed soups. Forgot about those.
I occassionally get a hankering for the Chicken Noodle, myself. It must be the salt.
wookie at 12:09PM on 05/30/08
@ wookie-I bought Starkist tuna packets at Target for $0.94 yesterday. I was so excited about the price that I bought 10 packets.
Kerosena at 12:23PM on 05/30/08
The cheapest meal that gets me STUFFED:
Myojo Chukazanmai ramen at a cost of ~$4/bowl (ramen packet costs $1.50 + shrimp + meat + veggies + raw egg yolk + shichimi togarashi + rice on the side) I prefer Peking first, then Szechwan, then Shanghai (cold).
Cheapie snacks:
- Spam fried 'til fairly crisp; turn off heat then add sriracha and Pietro sesame dressing. Eat over rice. (Ohio doesn't sell Tulip -- I was tempted to pay $7/can and have them shipped from Europe, but shipping was $12/can)
- kakidane -- the spicier, the better
- tuna salad sammich (canned tuna packed in water + mayo + chopped kosher pickles + chopped fresh basil + pepper + lettuce) -- my husband sometimes makes grilled tuna salad sandwiches.
Cassaendra at 12:24PM on 05/30/08
spaghetti tossed with butter and a can of whole tomatoes, chopped!
ocarol at 12:34PM on 05/30/08
Box mac n cheese, with extra real cheese added.
Corndogs from the fair (whenever I feel I've had a full and happy life and don't mind if it ends)
Spam--my mom used to get it until dad banned it. I love it charred black, on a sandwich (whole wheat), with yellow mustard and dill pickles (the krinkly slices in the jar).
beth1 at 12:36PM on 05/30/08
@wookie- I'm totally with you on the tuna salad....I LOVE it the exact same way (except with dill pickles). And leftover the next day eaten with Lays potato chips...pure heaven!
nichole at 12:52PM on 05/30/08
@smile....kool aid! yea! That has become my go to summer drink this year, because it is so cheap, & I can control the sweetening using simple syrup. Sometimes if I'm feeling really daring, I throw whatever juice I might have left in the fridge to stretch both the kool aid & the juice.
Every once in awhile I have to break out the Kraft mac n cheese too....except I like it w/2 cheese packs.
Unfortunately my cheapy snacks are going by the wayside because I've been trying to cut out preservatives & unnatural ingredients....but every once in awhile I do fall off the wagon....those frozen Totino's pizzas are another favorite.
mepolo at 1:24PM on 05/30/08
Cheerios, straight out of the box. I could eat it forever. Aerosolized whipped cream, right into my mouth. I keep a container in the fridge for just this purpose. Don't worry, it's labeled so no one else will go near it.
BarkerBrigade at 1:27PM on 05/30/08
Ramen noodles made with HALF the "flavor" pack. It's mostly salt and I wind up with the Sahara in my mouth if I use the whole thing. I generally wind up throwing something of nutritive value into it but sometimes I don't so I guess that's when they would be "extra" chintzy...LOL.
As for "frozen chintzy" I love Blintzes. I think they're made by Tabachnick.
chiff0nade at 1:34PM on 05/30/08
@chiff - I love blintzes! I haven't made them in years since I am the only one eating them round here (although I am contemplating milk-less blintzes with some kind of a meat & onion filling, this way I can make a batch that both hubby and I would eat), but it never occurred to me to look for them in a frozen food isle (don't ask me why, I don't have a good answer)! Now I certainly will, thanks! :-)
brooke29 at 1:53PM on 05/30/08
Spaghettios....Mcdonalds?...Bagel Bites...yea, basically I act like I'm still in college.
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 2:19PM on 05/30/08
Pizza rolls... oops, did I actually type that?
evilchefmom at 2:24PM on 05/30/08
What about Chef Boy-Ar-Dee Pizza? The kind you make out of the box. When I was a kid in the 70's this was the big treat. We'd make it when my best friend came for a sleepover and add all kinds of whatever we found in the fridge like cut up hot dogs, ham, sausage, extra cheese (often it was Velveeta!) and those pepperocini out of the jar.....
Now we still make one every now and then for the sheer fun and nostalgia of the process.
robincat at 2:38PM on 05/30/08
@Kerosena & wookie -- Cape Cod Potato Chips are considered "junk food" on the diet I'm on. They are probably the worst thing I eat. I don't do it often, but I took the OP to mean "junky" = "chintzy".
Before I end, I'd just like to say that Cape Cod Potato Chips (I actually prefer the "lower fat" ones that are fried in canola oil!) are the finest potato chips that can be bought today. I love them!
Brownie at 3:01PM on 05/30/08
What I'm eating after a hard day of missing breakfast and lunch because I'm working so hard ... the el-cheapo version of "Golden Grahams" I've been eating for about 4 decades. Crumble a whole package of honey graham crackers into a bowl, top with sugar and pour on the milk. Punches up my energy every time!
LunaPierCook at 3:37PM on 05/30/08
@Luna, I do that with graham crackers every few months, but I also add a little honey over the top! Gotta eat it quick as you probably know, or else it gets mushy and then it's just vile.
Southern_bella at 3:42PM on 05/30/08
@Southern_bella, nah I got used to it going mushy when I was a kid, so I'm used to it. ;-) BTW, don't try t with cinnamon grahams ... that's just nasty!
LunaPierCook at 3:46PM on 05/30/08
oh my. this could get long.
-little debbies oatmeal cream pies
-egg mcmuffin
-sour cream n' onion pringles
-pizza hut
-ramen (has to be oriental flavor, in the dark blue package)
megannesta at 3:56PM on 05/30/08
@Luna, oh I'm all about textures of foods, once the grahams start to sog, I'm done. and I'm strictly a honey graham kinda girl ;-)
Southern_bella at 3:57PM on 05/30/08
Funny stuff!
I don't think I have had any of these in a while, but especially in college I loved:
That Carl Buddig (or generic equivalent) beef on toast with cream cheese.
Also deviled ham and cream cheese on cheap wheat bread.
Jeno's individual pizzas...only those. Could fold them in half and eat like a taco. Yum.
Chef Boyardee ravioli (not so cheap anymore!)
Grilled cheese, made from whatever cheese/bread was around...usually shredded cheese or american, and that soft cheap bread. With mayo of course...lots and lots for dipping.
@wookie--ha! That is just how I ate my tuna sandwiches growing up!! I am not sure tuna counts as chintzy anymore... I do miss 3 for a dollar tuna...
sadiepix at 3:58PM on 05/30/08
OMG...I forgot Little Debbie! Those oatmeal creme pies were a main food group in high school! I don't think I have had one in a decade or more!
sadiepix at 4:01PM on 05/30/08
99 cent olive loaf just love it for dinner!!!!
rabbitriddle at 4:05PM on 05/30/08
@robincat--wow, you brought back memories with the Chef Boy-ar-dee pizza!!! We just called it "box pizza" at our house and thought it was so fun to make. I had forgotten all about that. I LOVED the dough and always went around collecting the crusts from the rest of my family, ha!
Also, Little Debbie fudge brownies with walnuts on top were a daily staple in my life all through middle school and college. Yum!
anntr at 4:45PM on 05/30/08
Cheetos
Coke.
Blue Iris at 4:46PM on 05/30/08
leftover, cold spaghetti or baked beans on buttered (country crock of course )white bread....mmmmmmmm
hammondcheese at 5:13PM on 05/30/08
Jiffypop.
izatryt at 5:14PM on 05/30/08
- totino's frozen pizzas and pizza rolls
- potato chips with french onion dip (always loved Helluvagood when I was a kid but I can't find it where I am now - is that a regional thing or do my grocery stores just suck?)
- grilled cheese with velveeta (not that I ever have any of that in the fridge), with jelly on top after it's grilled
joyyy at 6:10PM on 05/30/08
@izatryt: that is still sold???? Isn't that the popcorn you heat over the oven and it has aluminum foil over the top? MAN, I used to LOVE that when I was a kid...
@wookie-The same here! Minus the onions...Great Stuff!
For me now:
spaghetti with butter, garlic salt, and pecc romano cheese (I hear ya Bitchincamero)
Kraft Mac and Cheese with additional real cheese
Triscuits (you MUST try the cracked pepper and olive oil kind-I think I'm addicted)
Wheat Thins (reduced fat) plain, with peanut butter, country crock, or cheese
Nuts (any kind but macadamia-sp?)
Grilled Cheese
Butrflygirly at 6:14PM on 05/30/08
@Butrflygirly - Yep, one in the same. It is my go to for comfort food! The other day, my business partner and I thought it would be a good idea to have a High Tea lunch. Big mistake. We are LUNCH eaters. I was so hungry when I got home the Jiffypop was out in a flash!
izatryt at 6:36PM on 05/30/08
my #1 is taco bell bean burritos, no onions, with three packets of hot sauce apiece.
otherwise I do mac and cheese once in awhile - I get annie's, but I add extra salt to achieve kraftish levels. (it's also great with tony chachere's if you have it.)
oh, and an egg and cheese sandwich with american cheese on an english muffin - my favorite diner order.
producestories at 6:48PM on 05/30/08
I love Wheat Thins. I cannot have them in the house or I will eat the whole box in one sitting. I also love Triscuits but there is a healthy version of those that tastes pretty good. Mmm, salty snacky things. Cape Cods, while not chintzy, are incredibly good, and they just arrived in Canada - they must have followed me. Hehehe.
Plus there are all these new flavoUrs of Lays and Doritos here that I had to try, of course.
I think my other chintzy foods are probably all frozen treats. President's Choice has these 'banana split' bars that are banana ice cream, chocolate crispy coating, and a fairly inobtrusive cherry swirl. Mmmph.
wellred at 6:51PM on 05/30/08
Reddi Whip and cool whip--it's great on those packets of Swiss miss hot chocolate (wow, there's three, right off the bat. EEK!)
I'll also admit to loving Honey Maid Graham crackers and Wheat thins. And don't forget the powdered "Parmesan" cheese and the Wishbone Salad Spritzer salad dressings.
I'm sure there are more, but I'll stop here...
I really do eat healthy, I promise!!
luswim06 at 7:28PM on 05/30/08
when i crave sweets like crazy and there is no chocolate in the house i like to fill a cup with oats and powder chocolate and powder milk and milk... yummmm...
and ramen. i love ramen.
sweetieBird at 7:55PM on 05/30/08
Wow what great posts!
-I love white rice with soy sauce, black pepper and chopped green onion. No matterr what I'm craving, it always seems to hit the spot.
-A crappy frozen bagel half with a crappy American cheese single popped in the microwave.
smile at 8:48PM on 05/30/08
Instant udon- with a little less water and the powder added with the noodles, so the noodles taste all "chicken"-y
goldfish crackers with chocolate chips and/or miniature colored marshmallows- just like we used to have at Grandma's house when we watched CareBears
sarahj at 9:11PM on 05/30/08
@preducestories--anything from taco bell (or del taco) requires at least 3 packets of hot sauce. but, hey, it's one of my guilty pleasures on rare occasion.
beth1 at 10:18PM on 05/30/08
ramen noodles with any leftovers that i can find in the fridge that doesnt have any hair on it yet mixed in....also day old cornbread in a bowl with ice cold milk in it....mmmmmmmmmmmmm
onepercent99 at 11:07PM on 05/30/08
Oh my god, Oatmeal Creme Pies used to be one of my downfalls! They used to sell them at my high school's snack stand for fifty cents, and I had to have bought at least two or three a week. They're so awful for you, but so delicious!
Currently, my favorite "chintzy" food choices include Honey Wheat pretzel sticks, any type of grilled cheese, popcorn mixed with Raisinets. Delish!
poke87 at 11:07PM on 05/30/08
Cheetos.
Most other things have some redeeming features, but Cheetos are pure indulgence.
dbcurrie at 12:25PM on 05/31/08
Ramen noodles with a simple sauce consisting of peanut butter, soy sauce and hot chili sauce nuked and tossed with the moistened noodles. Fine meal for under a quarter.
czken at 4:52PM on 05/31/08
Chicken pot pies.
paris221966 at 5:21PM on 05/31/08
This thread made me realize how much I love chintzy food.
wookie at 6:01PM on 05/31/08
Have to agree with the ramen noodles, but I go for the Korean spicy ramen and throw in cut up hot dogs and an egg, AND a slice of American cheese if I have it around. Mega chintzy and oh so good.
jbeach at 8:52PM on 05/31/08
Also boxed mac and cheese with a can of tuna mixed in. I could eat it every day.
jbeach at 8:53PM on 05/31/08
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, put Herr's potato chips on it and smash together......yummy....
stephie at 9:19PM on 05/31/08
PORK RINDS!!!
BITTER at 10:35PM on 05/31/08
@jbeach- Do you mean Shin Lamyeon? That is the best! I add a hard-boiled egg white and whatever veggies I have. Adding rice to the leftover broth is so yummy!!
smile at 11:15PM on 05/31/08
Blue box only--Kraft mac&cheese...no milk added only tons of butter.
bessfour at 6:56AM on 06/01/08
Man, I am so glad there are so many other folks who go for the box mac & cheese too. And cheetos.
I'd say hot dogs, too, but I just eat the soy ones, so that's not cheapo enough.
hereandthe at 8:10AM on 06/01/08
Doritos!
butterface at 9:44AM on 06/01/08
I love Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies and Drake's apple pies. There is NO snack you can get at a supermarket that's better.
The Gastronomic Gamer at 10:24AM on 06/01/08
spray butter :X for my corn on the cob
diet coke
swiss miss (extra 'mallows)
ramen
machellebelle at 10:55AM on 06/01/08
I've got a trashy love for Reese's Elvis Peanut Butter & Banana Creme Cups.
Everyone I know (but me) thinks they are disgusting. And low demand means low supply, so they're very difficult to find. I actually scored one yesterday at the local mom & pop grocery for 69 cents. Cheap!
Susquehanna at 12:37PM on 06/01/08
saltines and chinese hot mustard or saltines and butter with a tiny bit of extra salt or saltines and butter with... well saltines with anything really.
huneybumper at 1:46PM on 06/01/08
Did anyone mention Manwich?
smile at 10:34PM on 06/01/08
As a college student, I can tell you I've eaten many a chintzy meal when my funds get a little thin...
- Ghetto pizza (English muffin, homemade spaghetti sauce, shredded mozz cheese) in the toaster oven. YUM.
- Molly McButter (yes, that bee pollen-like stuff) on everything
- Campbells tomato soup, with a grilled cheese of Wonder Wheat bread and Kraft American singles. Must be fried in a pan and dunked in soup.
- Saltines with ketchup and mustard
- White rice with soy sauce, duck sauce and a sprinkle of dried oregano. YUM.
- A box of generic pasta, a jar of decent pasta sauce, a whole jar of powdery parm cheese...mix all together and eat when hungover.
- Velveeta mac and cheese (OMG, yum cheese) with ritz crackers crumbled on top
- I've used a block of ramen noodles as croutons for my salad
- Cheetos and Fritos
- Planter's Cheese balls (HOW I MISS THESE!!)
- HoHos and Ding Dongs
- A big bag of frozen broccoli, steamed and drenched in balsamic vinegar and parm cheese
Okay, maybe not everything is chintzy...but it's cheap!!!
sweethunibabi at 11:08PM on 06/01/08