Budget Dinners From The ’70s Still Loved In Ohio

Ohio families know how to stretch a dollar at dinnertime, and many of the tricks they use come straight from the 1970s. Back then, cooks got creative with simple ingredients to feed their families without breaking the bank.

Today, these nostalgic recipes still show up on dinner tables across the state because they’re tasty, affordable, and remind us of simpler times.

1. Tuna Noodle Casserole

Nothing says comfort like a bubbling dish pulled fresh from the oven on a chilly evening. Canned tuna, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, and frozen peas come together in minutes for a meal that costs just a few dollars.

I love how the crunchy breadcrumb topping contrasts with the creamy noodles underneath. Families across Ohio have been making this classic for decades because it feeds a crowd without emptying your wallet.

You can even sneak in extra veggies to make it healthier.

2. Sloppy Joes

Messy, delicious, and super easy to make, this sandwich has been a weeknight hero since your grandparents were young. Ground beef gets simmered in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, then piled high on soft buns that soak up all the flavor.

Kids adore them because eating with your hands is always more fun. Parents appreciate how cheap and quick they are to whip up after a long day.

Serve with potato chips and you’ve got dinner done.

3. Hamburger Helper

One box, one pound of meat, and about twenty minutes is all you need for this iconic meal. The dried pasta and seasoning packet turn plain ground beef into a hearty dinner that Ohio families have relied on since the product launched in 1971.

I remember watching the noodles absorb all that savory sauce as they cooked. It felt like magic in a pan, and it still does today when I’m short on time and money.

Add a side salad and dinner’s ready.

4. Chili Mac

When chili meets macaroni, magic happens in your budget and your belly. This hearty combo uses pantry staples like canned tomatoes, beans, and dried pasta to create a filling meal that warms you from the inside out.

Ohio winters demand something stick-to-your-ribs satisfying, and this dish delivers every single time. The cheese on top melts into gooey perfection that makes everyone ask for seconds.

Leftovers taste even better the next day, which is a bonus.

5. Meatloaf

Ground beef stretched with breadcrumbs and oats makes this classic go-to meal incredibly affordable. A shiny ketchup glaze on top gives it that retro look everyone remembers from childhood dinners around the family table.

I always mix in diced onions and a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor without extra cost. Slice it thick and serve alongside mashed potatoes for a meal that feels like home.

Cold meatloaf sandwiches the next day are absolutely delicious too.

6. Porcupine Meatballs

Rice mixed right into the meatballs makes them puff up and poke out like little quills during cooking. This clever trick stretches the meat further while adding texture and making each bite more interesting than regular meatballs.

Simmered in tomato sauce until tender, they become incredibly juicy and flavorful. Ohio cooks in the seventies knew this was an economical way to feed hungry kids without serving plain rice on the side.

Serve over more rice or with buttered noodles.

7. Chicken and Rice Bake

Bone-in chicken pieces cost way less than boneless breasts, and they add amazing flavor to the rice cooking underneath. Everything bakes together in one dish, so the rice soaks up all those delicious chicken juices while you relax.

I season mine with onion soup mix for a savory punch that tastes way fancier than it actually is. This meal has been feeding Ohio families for generations because it’s foolproof and budget-friendly.

Cleanup is easy with just one pan to wash.

8. Goulash

Not the fancy Hungarian version, but the Midwestern kind that mixes elbow macaroni with ground beef and tomato sauce in one big pot. This simple skillet supper has been saving Ohio dinnertime since the seventies because it uses ingredients you probably already have.

I throw in some bell peppers and Italian seasoning to jazz it up a bit. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, which means fewer dishes and more flavor in every forkful.

Kids clean their plates without complaining.

9. Beef and Noodles

Slow-cooked beef becomes fall-apart tender when simmered low and long with onions and broth. Tossed with thick egg noodles and rich gravy, this meal tastes like Sunday dinner even though it costs pennies per serving.

Ohio families often use tougher, cheaper cuts of beef that transform into something special with patience. I make a big batch and freeze half for those nights when cooking feels impossible.

Serve it over mashed potatoes for ultimate comfort food.

10. Tater Tot Casserole

Crispy tater tots form a golden crown over seasoned ground beef and vegetables in this beloved Midwestern classic. Cream of mushroom soup binds everything together while cheese melts into all the nooks and crannies for maximum deliciousness.

I use frozen mixed veggies to make this even easier and more nutritious without spending extra money. Ohio potlucks and church dinners have featured this dish for decades because everyone loves it and it feeds a crowd.

Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven.

11. Liver and Onions

Liver costs almost nothing at the grocery store, which made it a seventies staple even though it’s not everyone’s favorite. When cooked properly with lots of sweet caramelized onions, it becomes tender and surprisingly tasty instead of tough and bitter.

Older Ohioans remember eating this weekly because their parents knew it was nutritious and affordable. I soak mine in milk first to mellow the strong flavor, then cook it quickly over high heat.

Serve with mashed potatoes to round out the meal.

12. Salmon Patties

Canned salmon gets transformed into crispy, golden patties that taste way more expensive than they actually are. Mixed with breadcrumbs, eggs, and a bit of onion, then fried until crunchy on the outside, these have been an Ohio Friday night tradition since forever.

I serve mine with a squeeze of lemon and tartar sauce for a restaurant-quality meal at home. The bones in canned salmon are totally edible and packed with calcium, making this surprisingly healthy too.

Pair with mac and cheese for a complete dinner.