When grocery store shelves were half-empty and boredom hit hard, kitchen creativity reached new levels. With nowhere to go and plenty of time to experiment, people started mixing the weird with the wonderful.
Lockdown meals didn’t always follow the rules—and that was part of the charm.
Here are 15 strange, scrappy, and surprisingly satisfying combos that got many through the strangest days.
1. Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwiches
Creamy meets tangy in this oddball combo that sparked fierce debate across kitchens and comment sections. The saltiness of the pickles plays surprisingly well with the smooth, nutty richness of the peanut butter, creating a bite that’s bracing and oddly addictive.
Pressed between soft white bread or toasted sourdough, the textures contrast as boldly as the flavors. This sandwich offered a strange kind of comfort—one that cut through monotony like a sharp dill spear through peanut spread.
2. Canned Spaghetti On Toast
A thick layer of soft white toast, golden at the edges, became the platform for one of the most nostalgic pantry pulls. Straight from the can, the spaghetti is sweet, tangy, and just starchy enough to hold its own on bread.
It’s not fancy, but the warmth and slipperiness of the noodles against the crunch of toast satisfied something deeper than hunger. This was carb-on-carb consolation at its finest.
3. Instant Ramen With Peanut Butter
Ramen packets took center stage, but one stir of peanut butter turned this budget meal into a silky surprise. The hot broth melts the peanut butter into a creamy base, turning basic noodles into something closer to Thai-inspired comfort.
Sriracha or soy sauce added heat or depth, but even plain, this combo had staying power. It brought the joy of reinvention in a bowl of sodium-heavy goodness.
4. Sardine And Mustard Crackers
With limited fridge space and fewer trips to the store, tinned fish had a renaissance—and mustard gave it an unexpected zing. Sardines, rich and oily, found brightness from the sharp tang of mustard on a crisp cracker.
This wasn’t about elegance; it was about punchy protein in a salty, shelf-stable bite. Surprisingly satisfying and full of omega-3s, it turned snacking into survivalist chic.
5. Frozen Veggie Smoothies
When fresh greens vanished, freezers came to the rescue—especially in the form of peas, broccoli, and spinach tossed into blenders. Mixed with bananas, yogurt, or even cocoa powder, these smoothies veered from health drink to science experiment.
Some sipped with pride, others gagged in silence, but everyone agreed: it was one way to clear the freezer and get fiber fast.
6. Cereal With Orange Juice
Running out of milk didn’t stop breakfast lovers—orange juice stepped in, and things got weird. Citrus and cereal collided in a sweet-tart splash that split families and friend groups alike.
Cornflakes became zesty, while fruity cereals got even fruitier. Not for the faint of heart, but lockdown made bold eaters out of all of us.
7. Canned Tuna Mac And Cheese
Canned tuna mac and cheese emerged as a convenient and filling dish during the pandemic. The creamy, cheesy pasta paired with the flaky, salty tuna created a satisfying meal.
This combination provided protein and comfort in every bite, making it a popular choice for families. The addition of tuna offered a seafood twist to the beloved classic.
It was a dish that many turned to when looking for something hearty, proving that even the simplest ingredients could make a tasty dinner.
8. Rice Cakes With Ketchup
Crispy, flavorless, and shelf-stable, rice cakes needed a savior—so ketchup came pouring in. A little sweet, a little tangy, it transformed the dry crunch into something closer to a fast-food side.
Some added cheese or chili flakes, others just leaned into the simplicity. It was a strange kind of snack, but one that felt oddly joyful.
9. Pickled Eggs On Chips
Bar snack meets quarantine hack. When both boiled eggs and pickles were in supply, this spicy-sour protein found a partner in salty potato chips.
The crunch and brine were oddly harmonious, like a deconstructed deviled egg with extra vinegar. High in flavor, low in effort—perfect for long evenings and short patience.
10. Hot Dogs In Instant Mashed Potatoes
Meat and potatoes got a lazy twist with this childhood throwback. A sliced hot dog, heated and buried in a mound of buttery instant mash, became a lockdown hug in a bowl.
Some went further with ketchup rivers or shredded cheese avalanches. It wasn’t refined—but it was warm, filling, and perfectly suited to sweatpants dining.
11. Powdered Pancake Batter Fried Like Donuts
Without access to bakeries, people turned to their pantries—and discovered pancake mix could do more than make flat cakes. Dropped into hot oil and fried golden, the batter puffed into doughnut-like bites.
Rolled in cinnamon sugar or dunked in syrup, they made breakfast feel like dessert. These quick fritters were a sweet reward after a long, strange day.
12. Cream Cheese And Jelly Tortillas
Cream cheese and jelly tortillas became a quick and easy snack solution during the pandemic. The creamy, tangy taste of the cheese complemented the sweet jelly, creating a delightful contrast.
This playful combination turned ordinary tortillas into a sweet treat, perfect for a midday snack. It was a simple yet satisfying way to enjoy something sweet and creamy.
For those looking to add a twist to their snacking routine, this combination offered a fun and flavorful option, turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.
13. Leftover Pizza Scrambled With Eggs
Breakfast met late-night leftovers in one pan. Cold pizza, chopped and tossed with scrambled eggs, turned into something between a frittata and a guilty pleasure.
The cheese melted, the crust softened, and the toppings got new life. No judgment, just creativity fueled by a desperate need to avoid food waste.
14. Spam Sushi Rolls
Without access to fresh fish, sushi lovers turned to the shelf-stable hero of the pantry: Spam. Sliced thin, seared until golden, and rolled with rice and seaweed, it mimicked musubi with flair.
The salty, savory bite hit the umami craving just right. Quarantine turned this Hawaiian favorite into a globally appreciated hack.
15. Microwave Mug Omelets With Whatever Was Left
Eggs, a mug, and pure imagination came together for this five-minute miracle. From shredded carrots to leftover spaghetti, anything went into the mix.
Nuked until fluffy and steaming, it was hot, hearty, and endlessly customizable. Even when the fridge was bare, this tiny meal made the most of the scraps.