During the Great Depression era in the United States (1929-1939), many families had to make do with limited ingredients and resources, leading to the creation of a variety of simple and affordable recipes. In this article, I share lists of recipes to give you food & recipe inspiration as you create recipes for yourself and your family.

This is the BEST tofu recipe out there, if you want crispy, golden tofu that's full of flavor and easy to make. This crispy baked tofu creates a golden crust around quick marinated tofu cubes, and it's perfect for dipping or including in any recipe that uses tofu. Delicious.

Recipe from Chef Dennis of askchefdennis.com with slight modification

Matcha is all the rage right now. And why wouldn’t it be? Made by grinding green tea leaves into a fine powder, matcha is a tea that has perfected the balance between a subtly earthy bitterness and a sprinkle of sweetness. I created this easy match buttercream recipe because I wanted to take that sweetness up a notch, whilst still celebrating the umami flavours. Why this is the easiest matcha buttercream recipe Eagle-eyed taste.com.au members may recognise this super-simple matcha buttercream recipe from our easy matcha cupcakes, but that’s not all you can pair this buttercream recipe with! It’s a great way to elevate the flavours of so many of your favourite desserts, like a classic tiramisu or some tasty surprise matcha balls. To make this matcha buttercream, I’ve used a classic buttercream icing recipe as the base which then has vanilla extract and matcha powder added. Another difference between the two recipes is that I don’t use salted butter because the matcha brings enough savoury flavour by itself. What’s more, finding matcha to put in your recipes has never been easier because it’s now available in supermarkets!  How to make easy matcha buttercream recipe: full recipe below

Beef Stew is easy to make with tender fall apart beef and hearty vegetables. It is super flavorful, rich, and PERFECT for cold days.

This sausage and fennel pasta has a rich, creamy sauce, salty Italian sausage, and flavorful fennel for an uber-comforting recipe. Great for cosy meals.

Taco stuffed zucchini boats offer a little of everything - nutrition, meat, veggies, a pop of Mexican seasoning, and of course a tasty meal!

Meatballs are a fantastic source of protein, making them a nutritious choice for your dinner.

Garlic Butter Steak Recipe with Potatoes Skillet – This easy one-pan steak and potatoes recipe is SO simple and SO flavorful. Juicy steak, seared to perfection, is cooked with crisp golden p…

It's always handy to have frozen puff pastry ready to go. Here is a collection of Mashed's best recipes that will hopefully inspire your new favorite dish.

Bringing together two well-loved, flavourful recipes in one budget-friendly bowl of comfort, I present to you my *drum roll please* garlic bread savoury mince recipe! As part of our Savvy Dinner Plan, I wanted to create something new using savoury mince. Garlic bread recipes are always popular on taste.com.au (who doesn’t love a buttery, garlicky toasted slice of bread?), and savoury mince is a comforting classic, so I’ve decided to marry the two in this satisfying recipe. And, let me tell you, it’s a perfect match. Savoury mince is often used as a delicious toast-topper, but I’ve turned this concept on its head and instead topped the mince with garlic bread slices and cheese to create a full meal that’s also a winner, winner one-pan dinner.  How to make my budget-friendly garlic bread savoury mince: key ingredient swaps Adding plenty of finely chopped vegetables to the beef mince not only makes the meal go further for less, but it also adds extra nutrients. I’ve used budget-friendly carrots, celery, potatoes and frozen peas. Then, I’ve added Coles Traditional Gravy Mix – because it adds a beefy flavour to the sauce while also thickening the mixture (an ideal ‘twofer’ product).  To save time, I’ve taken advantage of the convenience of Coles Simply Garlic Bread Slices as a savvy topper for this easy dinner. Unlike other bakes, which can take a long time to cook, by topping with the garlic bread it only takes 15 mins – just enough time to make the garlic bread crispy and the gooey cheese to melt. Et voila! An impressive bake on a budget. What’s the Savvy Dinner Plan? The taste.com.au food team has redesigned our most searched-for family dinner recipes to help you stretch your grocery budget further. By making savvy ingredient swaps and switching up how you plan and cook, the Savvy Dinner Plan can help shave dollars off your favourite dinners, without compromising on flavour. The Savvy Dinner Plan offers you four weeks of budget-friendly recipes, plus use-it-up hacks and cost-saving tips This recipe features in week 2. Not a planner? You can still save. Check out all our Savvy Dinner Plan recipes and pick the perfect dish for you. For instructions on how to freeze this dish and make more budget-friendly shopping choices, see the notes below the recipe.

Learn these and you'll be set for life.

Our Simple Korean Fried Chicken is easy to make and full of flavor! Made with simple ingredients and pantry staples.

Taco stuffed zucchini boats offer a little of everything - nutrition, meat, veggies, a pop of Mexican seasoning, and of course a tasty meal!

These easy zucchini crisps are just 2 ingredients and make a great snack or side dish!

This rich and creamy vegan risotto brings all the umami flavour. It's simple enough to make for a mid-week dinner, yet decadent enough for entertaining.

Try our classic recipe (with simple secret ingredient and key step!) for the best fluffy and crispy waffles. They are quick to make from scratch and perfect for loading with your favorite toppings!

With breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert recipes to choose from, this post will help you customize your own insulin resistance diet menu!

This is a quick dessert recipe that can be made by anyone and loved by ASMR enthusiasts.

Meatballs are a fantastic source of protein, making them a nutritious choice for your dinner.

Ever since before I had kids, I knew I wanted to cook with them. When I was teaching, we would cook each week and it was always one of my favorite things to do with a class. The kids loved it as well. I am not sure what they loved more, stirring and mixing, or tasting the finished product. My kids are picky eaters, but I notice that when they are involved in the process of cooking some family friendly recipes, they are more likely to try new foods. If you have a picky eater, try one of these 20

This vegan sauerkraut soup with mushrooms was inspired by German Sauerkraut Soup recipes with some influence from Ukrainian sauerkraut soup. Top with sour cream and pair with crusty sourdough bread for a perfect fall and winter meal.

How to be cooking from scratch for beginners? These five reasons will convince you that cooking from home is worth trying!

Easy, fluffy vegan pancakes from scratch! These pancakes are perfect for a simple breakfast when you're craving something sweet and hearty.

Move over peanut butter, it is time for Macadamia Nut Butter! I think you are going to fall in love with this recipe just as much as I have. Macadamia nuts have a naturally rich and buttery flavor that combines perfectly to create the nut butter of your dreams. I've added a hint of sweetness and a touch of cinnamon that will make this the indisputable champion of snack time.

You’ll LOVE these Best Keto Salad Recipes for those hot summer days. Includes dressing, big mac salad, broccoli salad, and salad for BBQ. #ecstatichappiness

This cozy, comforting one-pot, easy chicken stroganoff is perfect for those busy weeknights! It’s packed full of flavor and ready to go in just 40 minutes!

These easy and fast "pizzadillas" are kid-approved! Customize with your kiddo's favorite toppings for an easy lunch, picky eater dinner, or quick snack.

Chicken Pesto Pasta has pasta and chicken coated in a creamy, cheesy pesto sauce. It's an easy, delicious meal that's ready in 30 minutes!

Absolutely! Here's the Basque cheesecake recipe rewritten in a more casual, home cook-friendly style:Calling all cheese lovers! This Basque cheesecake is about to become your new obsession. It's ridiculously easy to make, uses just a handful of ingredients, and delivers a punch of rich, creamy goodness with a hint of caramelized magic on top. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this stunning yet simple dessert.

Food scientists develop artificial flavors (and so called 'natural flavors) that create cravings for their foods, so you eat more and they sell more.

Creamy high protein vegan alfredo is a cheesy plant-based sauce that is nut-free, oil-free, gluten-free optional, and 100% yummy.