• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Ă—
    Home » MSN

    10 Budget Meals That Are Still on Billionaires’ Plates

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 15, 2025 · Published January 12, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Being wealthy doesn't mean eating caviar and oysters all day - even the wealthiest people enjoy certain comfort foods that are available to all of us. From hot dogs to the simplest pasta dishes, these affordable meals show that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy good food. Here's a look at 10 cheap dishes that billionaires still love - and you can afford to eat!

    Hot Dogs

    Two hot dogs with buns.
    Photo credit: WS-Studio/Shutterstock.

    Hot dogs are a true comfort food enjoyed by people from all walks of life. They are affordable, quick to prepare, and often associated with fun casual gatherings and sporting events. While they may not be considered gourmet fare, hot dogs offer a familiar and satisfying taste that transcends economic backgrounds. And best of all, you can get them in any price class - from basic and super cheap to fancier and more expensive versions, just follow your taste buds and wallet!

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Grilled Cheese

    Grilled Cheese sandwich.
    Image Credit: Olga Miltsova/Shutterstock.

    While the price of actual cheese may sometimes make it a "rich-people food", nothing beats a grilled cheese sandwich made from cheap white bread and American cheese. One person mentions how the affordable version is better than the fancier ones made from artisan bread and cheese. And let's not forget the incredible tomato soup and grilled cheese combo!

    Kielbasa

    Pork sausages over wooden background.
    Photo credit: Andrey Starostin/Shutterstock.com.

    These incredible sausages are a great go-to food you can always keep on hand in your fridge or freezer. Enjoy this Polish staple with fried cabbage and potatoes, per one person's suggestion. The slightly smoky taste of Kielbasa, coupled with ingredients that ooze flavor, makes for a delicious treat - one no one can resist!!

    Crackers with Butter

    A stack of graham crackers.
    Photo credit: Duntrune Studios/Shutterstock.

    Sometimes, simplicity is key. Crackers with butter is a basic snack everyone loves - even the rich! It's a quick, no-fuss option when you need a little snacky-snack, and I for one can never get enough!

    Instant Ramen

    A person lifting ramen noodles from a bowl with chop sticks.
    Photo credit: Monthira/Shutterstock.

    From college to broke intern days, instant ramen has saved the day for many. So much so, that many people have developed their own signature ways to improve on the basics. One person mentions how their mom would mix up the ramen by frying it and putting a hard-boiled egg on top to make what she'd call a "Birds nest." Another commenter presents an Indomei recipe with some chili crisp and garlic powder in the mix.

    Bread & Butter

    A basket of bread.
    Photo credit: Mauricio Sanches do Prado/Shutterstock.

    Bread and butter can be enjoyed in various forms, from sandwiches to toast, making it a meal that resonates with people regardless of their economic status. The humble nature of this meal has a universal appeal that even wealthy individuals appreciate for its simplicity and nostalgic value. Not to mention, it's so delicious! To step it up, swap the butter for olive oil & season with salt & pepper. Now you're not poor, you're Italian!

    Kraft Mac & Cheese

    A box of macaroni and cheese.
    Photo credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock.com

    Countless people swear by the good old Kraft Mac & Cheese. In spite of being heavily processed, this box has found its way into many people's hearts and kitchen cabinets. While more elaborate versions of Mac & Cheese exist, the comfort of Kraft Mac & Cheese is irreplaceable. I've got to admit: there's something crafty about it.

    Beans

    Beans on toast.
    Photo credit: New Africa/Shutterstock.com.

    Numerous people from all income levels share their love for beans. One person mentions that you can eat it for a whole week if you incorporate it with different foods, and still not grow tired of it! Beans with rice, beans on toast, beans, beans, beans... there's so many ways to enjoy them, no wonder they're a staple in multiple cuisines!

    Buttered Noodles

    Buttered Noodles
    Image Credit: Oxana Denezhkina/Shutterstock.

    Despite being easy to make with very few ingredients, buttered noodles are the perfect comfort food for countless folks. If you want to go the extra mile, add grated parmesan cheese on top, as one person recommends. In any case, the joy of this hearty meal lies in its simplicity.

    Potatoes

    A pan full of country potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Potatoes sure are for everyone. They have a way of almost always finding their way onto the plate no matter how many bucks you have in your bank acount. Their versatility never ceases; as one person says, "You can boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew." Another member mentions eating the peelings of a baked potato with some butter, salt, and sour cream. Now that's a dish I'd enjoy any day of the week!

    Source: Reddit.

    More MSN

    • An individual chicken pot pie.
      12 Classic Dishes Everyone's Mom Makes Better
    • Hot pot.
      11 Seriously Spicy Dishes That'll Test Your Heat Tolerance
    • Playa Del Carmen.
      10 Food Destinations That Make You Want to Travel Right Now
    • A person holding two different granola bars.
      When Foodies Choose Generic: 12 Smart Swaps to Save Money

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • lemon ricotta pasta on a green plate.
      10-Minute Lemon Ricotta Pasta
    • Air fryer steak tips on a plate.
      Air Fryer Steak Tips
    • pork chop on a plate
      Cast Iron Pork Chops with Mushrooms, Red Wine & Thyme
    • Ravioli casserole.
      No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Our Favorite Gameday Recipes

    • duck breasts topped orange sauce
      Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce (Best Sauce for Duck!)
    • Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
      Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
    • The 31 Best Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas for Busy People
    • pork chop on a plate
      Cast Iron Pork Chops with Mushrooms, Red Wine & Thyme

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB