What is a quick and cheap dinner from your culture that you had growing up that other people may not be familiar with?

I’m Turkish, and for me, it’s pasta with tomato paste. At the end of the month, when money was tight, my mum would always make this simple yet delicious dish. It’s just pasta with a sauce made from melted butter, sautéed tomato paste, dried mint, and some reserved pasta water. It’s incredibly tasty, filling, and takes only about five minutes to make.

When I brought it up with friends, they had never heard of it, which got me curious about similar dishes from other cultures. So, what are the quick, affordable, and comforting dishes from your culture that you grew up with?