Kraft Dinner on a Dime

The Diane BlogsBudget FriendlyVintage DinnerMid Century Dishes by DecadeTesting Mid-Century RecipesRecipes with a story1960sRetro DecorCelebrity & Pop Culture Inspired Recipes

Nov 23

Written By Vintage By The Bite

Diane Tries Kraft Box Spaghetti While America Falls for the Beatles

A bright retro-style kitchen scene featuring a box of Kraft Spaghetti Classics Tangy Italian mix alongside a can of tomato paste—the simple mid-century ingredients used to recreate a classic budget-friendly

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A storytelling series from Vintage by the Bite, where we follow Diane - a 1960s homemaker with a turquoise kitchen, a typewriter on her table, and a knack for turning everyday moments into small adventures.

Beatles Photo credit: HRC

A close-up of a vintage-inspired plate of spaghetti topped with classic red tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

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Sunday, February 9, 1964 - Kraft Box Spaghetti While America Falls for the Beatles

Tonight, my sister is coming over to watch the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, and I decided to try something a little daring for supper.

Kraft’s boxed spaghetti was only six cents at Gemco six cents! and honestly, that’s far too good to ignore when payday still feels a week and a half away.

I set out a few TV trays earlier, the ones with the daisy print that Patty insists look “too cheerful,” but I swear they make the living room feel like a picture out of McCall’s.

I’ve got a quick little salad chilling in the icebox and a bottle of red breathing on the counter.

I even stuck a candle stick in an empty wine bottle for a centerpiece to save a bit of money one of the plain ones, of course since I can’t exactly splurge on a fancy Chianti bottle with the little basket.

1960s home décor

1960s-inspired table setting featuring a thrifted brown wine bottle used as a candleholder, glowing softly against a bold retro orange-and-pink floral backdrop

The record player is warming up with a neat little stack of 45s for before the show starts The Ronettes, Bobby Vinton, and a bit of Chubby Checker to keep things lively.

Meanwhile, the Kraft spaghetti is simmering away, and for something that came out of a slim green box, it smells surprisingly hopeful.

A step-by-step look at making vintage Kraft boxed spaghetti from the 1960s. On the left, dry spaghetti boils in a pot of salted water, slowly softening as the noodles begin to sink

I keep reminding myself it’s not meant to taste like Mother’s Sunday sauce it’s meant to taste like convenience. Like being young and figuring things out. Like making do and making it fun.

And honestly, if the boys on TV can make half the country scream just by singing a few “yeah, yeah, yeahs,” surely I can serve boxed spaghetti and survive.

A vintage-inspired plate of spaghetti topped with rich tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of Parmesan sits in soft, warm light against a bold retro floral backdrop. The scene captures true 1960s charm with a glass wine bottle

I brought some fresh basil home from Mother’s, laid it on top, and boom we had dinner ready just in time to watch the Fab Four. Honestly, the spaghetti looked a little better than it tasted, but all in all, I must say we had a pretty good night.

What did a Kraft Dinner Night Cost in 1964?

Total Cost for a simple Kraft pasta dinner (for 2) in 1964

Approx. 50¢–60¢ total
A true “dinner on a dime” night.

Kraft spaghetti: 6¢
Salad ingredients: 15¢–20¢
Dressing portion: 3¢–5¢
Wine portion: 18¢–20¢

➡️ Grand total: ~56¢ for two people.
A perfect little 1964 budget meal.

✦ Retro Shopping

retro pants — **Available on Amazon:** Women's Gingham Pants

kraft spaghetti — **Available on Amazon:**
Kraft Spaghetti Classics Tangy Italian Spaghetti, Spices, & Parmesan Cheese Meal Mix, 8 oz Box

green wine goblets — **Available on Amazon**: Set of 4 Vintage Green Wine Glass, 8.5 Oz Embossed Glass Goblet Colored Stemmed Drinking Glassware, Beverage Stemware for Juice, Cocktail, Party

dinner candles — **Available on Amazon:**
10 inch Earth Wax Yellow Taper Candles Set of 4 Pack Tapered Candle, Tall Candlesticks,for Dinner Party

🍋 Reflections from the Blue Kitchen

When I added everything up later the six-cent spaghetti, the little salad, and just enough red wine to feel grown up I realized the whole night cost barely more than pocket change. And somehow, that made it even sweeter.

A simple supper, a tiny budget, a glowing candle in a plain wine bottle… and the Beatles turning a Sunday night into something unforgettable.

They played “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You,” and my favorite “She Loves You.” Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Dinner on a dime

featuring a plate of budget-friendly Kraft boxed spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, fresh basil, and sprinkled Parmesan. A thrifty wine-bottle candle centerpiece glows behind the dish, adding a nostalgic mid-century ambiance

From Diane’s Kitchen Notes:
If you enjoyed this peek into my little California kitchen, don’t miss my other notes and projects in The Diane Blogs a storytelling series from Vintage by the Bite.

There’s always another recipe, story, or neighbor dropping by.