10 Budget Lunch Ideas and Cheap Easy Meals You Should Try

Last month’s roundup 10 Budget Recipes proved to be popular, so I’m back at it again with 10 Budget Lunch Ideas and Cheap Easy Meals You Should Try. Food is one of the largest expenses a family can have each month, which is why I’m a big believer in and lover of weekly meal plans. If you are…

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Last Updated: December 28, 2023

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LLooking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!ast month’s roundup 10 Budget Recipes proved to be popular, so I’m back at it again with 10 Budget Lunch Ideas and Cheap Easy Meals You Should Try.

Food is one of the largest expenses a family can have each month, which is why I’m a big believer in and lover of weekly meal plans. If you are looking for some new budget lunch recipes to start making for you and/or your family, then you’ve come to the right place.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average family of four spends around $700 to $1,000 a month on food. That’s a lot of money, especially considering that most families waste around a large amount of their food each month!

Related: Does bringing lunch to work actually save money?

If you want lunch recipes that are budget friendly and delicious, don’t worry, it is possible! The budget lunch ideas included in this lunch recipes roundup are affordable, easy, and you may already have many of the ingredients in your home!

I have all of these cheap lunch ideas recipes in my current meal plan, and I’m excited to make all of them.

Note: If you’re looking for easy weekly meal plans, full of budget recipes, I recommend $5 Meal Plan. $5 Meal Plan is a meal planning service that sends you a delicious meal plan and shopping list every week for just $5 a month.

Other helpful content to read:

Here are 10 budget lunch ideas and cheap meals you should try:

 

1. Crock Pot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

Get the lunch recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

2. Quinoa Salad Wraps

Get the easy lunch idea here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

3. BBQ Chicken Pot Pie

Get the recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

4. Pasta Salad

Get the recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

5. Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Get the recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

6. Easy Chicken Burritos

Get the recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

7. Vegan Taco Casserole

Get the recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

8. Quinoa Salad

Get the recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

9. Spanish-Style Vegan Lentil Stew

Get the recipe here.Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

 

10. Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan For Two

Get the recipe here.

Looking for budget lunch ideas? Here are 10 cheap meals for lunch recipes that you should start making. Yes, these are easy lunch ideas that are delicious!

What are your favorite budget lunch ideas right now? Share them in the comments below!


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Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Author: Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Hey! I’m Michelle Schroeder-Gardner and I am the founder of Making Sense of Cents. I’m passionate about all things personal finance, side hustles, making extra money, and online businesses. I have been featured in major publications such as Forbes, CNBC, Time, and Business Insider. Learn more here.

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  1. Claire Onidi

    Hello Michelle,

    Thinking about what food to serve daily is stressful! I love your list since they are creative and easy to make. The pasta salad really worked for me because it’s simply “toss and serve,” and what’s best about it is that the more it stays in the fridge, the tastier it becomes.

  2. Thara

    Heya.

    In order to save money I use a local garden centre farm store. I can buy stuff from there quite easily to use at home. And I own three cookery books in question here. I used to read the cheap cookery magazines too. I only buy hot food when I need to. Best wishes.

    In addition I make my own lunches. To make a lunch I spend half a hour each weekend cooking. My lunches vary. For example once I had potato salad for lunch. Another week it was two mini leftover chicken and lettuce burgers.

    Once I had a whole pizza. At other times I’ve eaten only sandwiches and cakes. Jacket potato with tuna and cheese is good. So are the free biscuits. I tried salmon once.