Following up on my budget friendly breakfasts, I have a list of lunch ideas that are also budget friendly. When it comes to lunches, I tend to go for foods that are quick, easy, and inexpensive. Serve up any of these options with a side of veggies and a piece of fruit.
If you don’t have a microwave or a way to heat up foods that are meant to be warm, buy a good thermos, heat up the meal first thing in the morning and put it in the thermos to keep it warm all day.
Related: 50 + Ways To Enjoy A Sandwich
Sandwiches
Of course I am going to start with sandwiches. Pretty much any sandwich is a staple for lunch for us. Here’s just some ideas to get you started.
- Pb & j Sandwich
- Pb & Nutella sandwich
- Tuna fish Sandwich
- Salmon Sandwich
- Egg salad sandwich
- Chicken salad
- Pb, pickle & potato chip sandwich
- Pb & banana sandwich
- Mayo, pineapple, cheddar cheese sandwich
- Grilled cheese
- Ham & cheese sandwich
- Chicken salad sandwich
- Turkey sandwich
- Cranberry turkey sandwich
- Chicken bacon ranch sandwich
- Veggie sandwich (cucumber, bell pepper, lettuce)
- Turkey & ginger sandwich
- Cream cheese & cucumber sandwich
- Cream cheese & olive sandwich
- Cinnamon sugar butter & apple sandwich
For any of the above sandwiches you can pretty much turn them into a quesadilla, wrap, pinwheel, or bagel. Whatever you have on hand is a great option.
Spring Rolls
Wrap up whatever veggies and/or fruits you have in a spring roll wrapper and enjoy! Here is one idea for what to put in a spring roll
- Cucumber
- Bell pepper
- Mango
- Lettuce
- Chicken
Nachos Or Loaded Fries
Top fries or tortilla chips with any toppings you have! Here are some suggestions.
- Tomatoes
- Cheese
- Bacon
- Green onions
- Jalapenos
- Chicken
- Ground beef
- Broccoli
Easy Freezer Foods
Basically anything that’s cheap and already pre-made can be a perfect quick lunch. Just make sure that what you’re buying is actually cheap. My rule of thumb for if something is cheap is that the cost per ounce is under $.20. Closer to $.10 per ounce is even better!
- Chicken nuggets
- Wontons
- Pizza rolls
Pasta
Some great cheap pasta dishes include the following.
- Ramen
- Mac & cheese
- Pasta salad
- Spaghetti
- Alfredo
Soup
Make a big pot of soup at the beginning of the week and then enjoy it all week long for lunch. These are just some of the most common soups. Most soups are pretty inexpensive and last for quite some time.
- Chicken noodle
- Tortellini
- Tomato soup
- Chili
- Potato soup
- Minestrone soup
- Wonton soup
- Egg drop soup
- Chowder
- Taco soup
Curry
We love yellow curry with rice. It’s so cheap and easy to make. You can also try red curry, green curry, or even a curry soup! Just like the soup, make a big pot at the beginning of the week and enjoy it all week long.
Rice & Beans
Rice and beans are classic. It’s pretty much the cheapest lunch you can have. Season them generously for different flavor.
Lunchable
I am not talking about the premade kind. I’m talking about eating some lunch meat, crackers, and cheese together. Charcuterie boards are basically adult lunchables so it’s easy to get creative.
Breakfast Foods
Breakfast foods don’t need to be just for breakfast. Enjoy your favorite breakfast food for lunch! Some ideas include:
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- French toast
- Cereal
Related: Budget Breakfasts
Leftovers
Leftovers always make a great affordable lunch. Whatever you had for dinner the night before can easily be repurposed into lunch that next day.
