Struggle Meals: 18 Cheap Pantry Dinners So Good You Will Keep Making Them After Payday

Struggle meals are having a big moment online right now. FaZe Rug’s video rating his subscribers’ craziest struggle meals has more than 7.5 million views, and Joshua Weissman’s try of every viral struggle meal passed 4 million. Most of those videos laugh at the weird ones. We wanted the opposite: the cheap dinners that are honestly good. These are the meals built from rice, beans, eggs, pasta, potatoes and a few cans, the ones people keep making long after money gets easier. No shame here, just smart cooking that grandma would be proud of. Each one uses pantry staples, feeds a family for very little and tastes like comfort. Find your next favorite below..

Struggle Meals That Are Secretly Great

The internet is laughing at struggle meals right now, but some of them are secretly great. Fried rice, beans and rice, and crispy potatoes with eggs are cheap, filling and full of flavor. Keep a few staples on hand and you can always make dinner. Start with this easy three-in-one plan: one pot of rice can turn into two different meals this week..

You will need: 2 cups long grain rice, 1 can red beans, 1 small onion, 4 eggs, 3 medium potatoes, 1 cup frozen peas, 2 tbsp butter, oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder.

How to make it: 1. Cook the rice in the morning and chill half of it for fried rice. 2. Simmer the beans with onion, garlic powder and the warm rice. 3. Dice the potatoes and fry them in oil until crispy. 4. Fry 2 eggs on top of the potatoes. 5. Stir fry the cold rice with peas, butter and 2 eggs. 6. Season and serve family style.

Egg Fried Rice, the King of Struggle Meals

Ask anyone who has lived on a tight budget about struggle meals, and egg fried rice will be near the top of the list. Leftover rice, two eggs and a handful of frozen peas turn into a hot, filling dinner in ten minutes. Day-old cold rice works best because it fries instead of turning mushy. Soy sauce and a little butter do the rest. Do you add hot sauce?

You will need: 3 cups cold cooked rice, 2 eggs, 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, 2 green onions, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp oil.

How to make it: 1. Heat oil in a big skillet over high heat. 2. Scramble the eggs and push them to the side. 3. Add butter, the cold rice and the peas. 4. Fry for 4 minutes, pressing the rice flat. 5. Stir in soy sauce and the eggs. 6. Top with green onions.

Upgraded Ramen With Egg, Butter and Garlic

A packet of instant ramen is the most famous struggle meal of all, but a few small upgrades make it taste like a noodle shop bowl. Skip half the seasoning packet, add butter and garlic, and drop in a soft egg. A handful of frozen spinach or green onions adds color. It is fast, cheap and very cozy on a cold night. How do you dress up your ramen?

You will need: 1 pack instant ramen, 1 egg, 1 tbsp butter, 1 clove garlic minced, 1 green onion, a handful of frozen spinach, chili flakes optional.

How to make it: 1. Boil the egg for 6 and a half minutes, then cool and peel. 2. Melt butter in a small pot and cook the garlic for 30 seconds. 3. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. 4. Cook the noodles with half the seasoning and the spinach. 5. Pour into a bowl. 6. Top with the halved egg and green onion.

One Pot Rice and Beans, a Struggle Meals Classic

Rice and beans together make a complete, filling meal that costs very little per serving. Cooking them in one pot means the rice soaks up all the flavor from onion, garlic and cumin. One of the most rated recipes on NYT Cooking is a simple one-pot rice and beans, with thousands of home cooks giving it stars. Do you like yours with black beans or red beans?

You will need: 1 cup long grain rice, 1 can black or red beans drained, 1 onion diced, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 2 cups broth, 1 tbsp oil, salt.

How to make it: 1. Cook the onion in oil until soft. 2. Add garlic, cumin and paprika for 1 minute. 3. Stir in the rice to toast it. 4. Add the beans, broth and salt. 5. Cover and simmer 18 minutes. 6. Rest 5 minutes, fluff and serve.

Pasta Aglio e Olio: Garlic, Oil and Pasta

This Italian classic is proof that struggle meals can feel fancy. All it takes is spaghetti, a whole head of garlic, olive oil and chili flakes. The secret is a splash of starchy pasta water, which turns the oil into a silky sauce. Add Parmesan if you have it and a squeeze of lemon if you want. It is a late night favorite of chefs for a reason. Could you eat this every week?

You will need: 12 oz spaghetti, 1/2 cup olive oil, 8 cloves garlic thinly sliced, 1/2 tsp chili flakes, 1 cup pasta water, salt, parsley and Parmesan optional.

How to make it: 1. Cook the spaghetti in well salted water. 2. Warm the oil and garlic in a cold skillet over low heat. 3. Cook until the garlic is light gold, then add chili flakes. 4. Add the drained pasta and a splash of pasta water. 5. Toss hard until glossy. 6. Finish with parsley and Parmesan.

Potato and Egg Skillet Hash

Potatoes and eggs might be the cheapest of all struggle meals in America, and also one of the best. Dice the potatoes small so they crisp fast, then crack eggs right on top. Add a little onion or any leftover meat you have. It works for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Ketchup or hot sauce on your potatoes?

You will need: 4 medium potatoes diced, 1 onion diced, 4 eggs, 3 tbsp oil, 1 tsp paprika, salt, pepper, green onions to serve.

How to make it: 1. Heat oil in a big skillet. 2. Add the potatoes in one layer and cook 10 minutes without stirring. 3. Flip, add the onion and paprika, and cook 8 more minutes. 4. Make four wells and crack in the eggs. 5. Cover and cook until the whites set. 6. Season and serve.

Butter Noodles With Parmesan and Black Pepper

Every family has a version of these simple struggle meals. Hot egg noodles, a pat of butter, a shower of Parmesan and lots of black pepper. Kids love it, and grown-ups secretly love it too. Add frozen peas or a can of tuna if you want more protein. It is ready in the time it takes to boil the noodles. Was this a childhood favorite at your house?

You will need: 12 oz egg noodles, 3 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tsp black pepper, salt, 1/2 cup pasta water, frozen peas optional.

How to make it: 1. Boil the noodles in salted water. 2. Save a cup of the cooking water. 3. Drain and return the noodles to the pot. 4. Add butter, Parmesan and a splash of the water. 5. Stir until creamy. 6. Season with lots of black pepper.

Struggle Meals Favorite: Crispy Black Bean Quesadillas

Black bean quesadillas turn one can of beans and a few tortillas into dinner for four. Mash half the beans so the filling holds together, then add cheese and any spices you have. Cook them in a dry skillet until golden. Serve with salsa, sour cream or plain yogurt. They also pack well for lunch the next day. Which dip is a must for you?

You will need: 1 can black beans drained, 8 flour tortillas, 2 cups shredded cheese, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, salsa to serve.

How to make it: 1. Mash half of the beans in a bowl. 2. Stir in the whole beans, cumin and chili powder. 3. Spread the beans on half of each tortilla. 4. Add cheese and fold over. 5. Cook in a dry skillet 2 to 3 minutes per side. 6. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa.

Tuna Melt on Toast

A can of tuna and a slice of cheese make one of the most comforting struggle meals around. Mix the tuna with mayo, a little mustard and chopped pickles, pile it on bread and grill it until the cheese melts. It tastes like a diner lunch for a fraction of the price. Serve it with a cup of tomato soup on cold nights. Do you add pickles to your tuna?

You will need: 2 cans tuna drained, 1/4 cup mayo, 1 tsp mustard, 2 tbsp chopped pickles, 8 slices bread, 4 slices cheese, 2 tbsp butter.

How to make it: 1. Mix the tuna, mayo, mustard and pickles. 2. Butter one side of each slice of bread. 3. Build sandwiches with the butter outside. 4. Add tuna and a slice of cheese to each. 5. Cook in a skillet 3 minutes per side. 6. Slice and serve hot.

Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

A head of cabbage is one of the cheapest vegetables in the store, and it goes a long way. Fry it with sliced smoked sausage and onion until it is sweet and golden at the edges. One pound of sausage feeds the whole family when it is stretched with cabbage. Want more old-fashioned budget ideas? See our Depression era dinners that fed a whole family. Have you tried cabbage this way?

You will need: 1 lb smoked sausage sliced, 1 small head cabbage chopped, 1 onion sliced, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp paprika, salt, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Brown the sausage in a large skillet. 2. Add butter and the onion and cook 3 minutes. 3. Add the cabbage, paprika, salt and pepper. 4. Cook 12 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then. 5. Let the edges get golden. 6. Serve as is or over rice.

Pantry Lentil Soup, the Coziest of Struggle Meals

Dried lentils are one of the best bargains in the pantry. They cook in about 30 minutes with no soaking, and one bag makes several big pots of soup. Add carrots, onion, a can of tomatoes and some cumin. It freezes well, so make a double batch. Lentils are high in fiber and plant protein, and they keep you full for hours. Do you like your lentil soup smooth or chunky?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups dried lentils rinsed, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 cloves garlic, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 tsp cumin, 6 cups broth or water, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, lemon.

How to make it: 1. Cook the onion and carrots in oil for 5 minutes. 2. Add garlic and cumin for 1 minute. 3. Add lentils, tomatoes and broth. 4. Simmer 30 minutes until the lentils are soft. 5. Season with salt. 6. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.

Chickpea Curry With Canned Tomatoes

Two cans of chickpeas and one can of tomatoes become a rich, warming curry in about 25 minutes. A spoon of curry powder and some garlic and ginger do all the heavy lifting. Coconut milk makes it creamy, but it is great without it too. Serve it over rice or with warm flatbread. It tastes even better the next day. Mild or spicy for you?

You will need: 2 cans chickpeas drained, 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tbsp curry powder, 1 can coconut milk optional, 2 tbsp oil, salt.

How to make it: 1. Cook the onion in oil until golden. 2. Add garlic, ginger and curry powder for 1 minute. 3. Stir in tomatoes and chickpeas. 4. Add coconut milk if using. 5. Simmer 15 minutes. 6. Season and serve with rice.

Freezer Bean and Cheese Burritos

These struggle meals are a lifesaver on busy nights. Make a dozen bean and cheese burritos on Sunday, wrap them tight and freeze them. On a busy night, heat one in the oven or air fryer for a crispy, filling dinner. Add rice inside to stretch them even further. They are perfect for school lunches and after-practice snacks too. How many would your family eat in a week?

You will need: 2 cans refried beans, 2 cups cooked rice, 2 cups shredded cheese, 1 cup salsa, 1 tsp cumin, 12 large flour tortillas, foil.

How to make it: 1. Warm the beans with cumin and salsa. 2. Lay out the tortillas. 3. Fill each with beans, rice and cheese. 4. Fold in the sides and roll tightly. 5. Wrap in foil and freeze up to 3 months. 6. Bake from frozen at 375F for 35 to 40 minutes.

Shakshuka With Canned Tomatoes

Eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce look like a brunch splurge, but the whole skillet is made from pantry cans. Crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, paprika and cumin simmer into a thick sauce. Crack eggs right into it and cover until they set. Serve it with bread for dipping. It is one of the most loved struggle meals because it feels special. Runny yolks or firm?

You will need: 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 6 eggs, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, bread to serve.

How to make it: 1. Cook the onion and pepper in oil for 6 minutes. 2. Add garlic and spices for 1 minute. 3. Pour in the tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes. 4. Make six wells and crack in the eggs. 5. Cover and cook 6 to 8 minutes. 6. Serve with bread.

Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes for Tired Night Struggle Meals

A sheet pan of smoked sausage and potatoes is the kind of easy dinner people make when they are tired and broke, and then keep making because everyone loves it. Toss everything in oil and seasoning and let the oven do the work. Add any vegetables you need to use up, like peppers or green beans. Only one pan to wash. Do you use smoked sausage or bratwurst?

You will need: 1 lb smoked sausage sliced, 2 lb potatoes cut in chunks, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 3 tbsp oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, salt, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425F. 2. Toss the potatoes with oil and seasoning. 3. Roast for 20 minutes. 4. Add the sausage, onion and pepper. 5. Roast 15 to 20 minutes more. 6. Serve hot with mustard.

Peanut Butter Noodles: Struggle Meals That Taste Like Takeout

A jar of peanut butter can turn plain spaghetti into a sweet, salty noodle dinner that tastes like takeout. Whisk it with soy sauce, a little honey, garlic and hot water until smooth. Toss with hot noodles and any vegetables you have. Shredded carrots and frozen broccoli work great. It is just as good cold the next day. Would your kids eat these?

You will need: 12 oz spaghetti, 1/3 cup peanut butter, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp vinegar, 1/3 cup hot water, 2 cups frozen broccoli, green onions.

How to make it: 1. Cook the spaghetti, adding broccoli for the last 3 minutes. 2. Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, garlic and vinegar. 3. Add hot water until smooth. 4. Drain the noodles and broccoli. 5. Toss with the sauce. 6. Top with green onions.

Chili Mac With Canned Chili Beans

Chili mac is two comfort foods in one pot. Elbow macaroni cooks right in a pot of beans, tomatoes and a little ground beef, so there is no extra pot to wash. A handful of cheddar on top makes it irresistible. Use half beef and half beans to stretch it for a crowd. It is one of the struggle meals kids ask for again and again. Cheese on top or stirred in?

You will need: 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 1 can chili beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 cups elbow macaroni, 3 cups broth, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 cup shredded cheddar.

How to make it: 1. Brown the beef and onion in a large pot. 2. Add chili powder for 1 minute. 3. Stir in the beans, tomatoes and broth. 4. Bring to a boil and add the macaroni. 5. Simmer 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often. 6. Top with cheddar and cover until melted.

Breakfast for Dinner: Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs

Breakfast for dinner is one of the happiest struggle meals there is. Flour, milk, eggs and a little sugar make a big stack of pancakes for pennies a plate. Add soft scrambled eggs on the side for protein. Kids think it is a treat, and parents love how cheap and quick it is. Do you serve syrup or jam on yours?

You will need: Pancakes: 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 3/4 cups milk, 2 eggs, 3 tbsp melted butter. Eggs: 6 eggs, 1 tbsp butter, salt.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl. 2. Whisk milk, eggs and butter, then stir into the dry mix. 3. Cook 1/4 cup scoops on a hot greased griddle. 4. Flip when bubbles form. 5. Scramble the eggs gently in butter. 6. Serve together with syrup.