24 Aug Budget-Friendly Back-to-school Lunch Ideas
Back-to-school season often comes with plenty of expenses: school supplies, clothes, activities, transportation… and, of course, lunches for school or work. With grocery prices on the rise, preparing a variety of meals without breaking the budget can quickly become a challenge.
The good news is that eating on a budget doesn’t mean eating the same thing every day. With a little planning and a few versatile ingredients, you can prepare affordable, simple and delicious lunches for the whole family.
Here are our best cheap back-to-school lunch ideas, along with a few tips to help you save on groceries.
Wraps: Simple, Affordable and Easy to Customize
Wraps are perfect for using ingredients you already have in the fridge. All you need is a tortilla, a source of protein, a few vegetables and a sauce to create a complete lunch.
Here are a few easy combinations:
- Chicken, lettuce, cheese and mayonnaise
- Tuna, cucumber and cream cheese
- Eggs, lettuce and mustard
- Hummus, shredded carrots and cucumber
- Leftover meat, cheese and vegetables
Money-saving tip: Stock up on tortillas when they’re on sale and freeze the extra packages. You can also use leftovers from dinner as fillings to help reduce food waste.
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Eggs are a versatile option when you want to prepare several lunches at once. Homemade egg salad requires very few ingredients: hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard and a few seasonings.
Serve it on bread, in a pita or in a wrap, with some raw vegetables and a piece of fruit.
For a little variety, add cheese, lettuce, pickles or fresh herbs.
The Ultimate Leftovers Bowl
The idea is simple: whatever is left in the fridge can potentially become tomorrow’s lunch.
Start with an affordable base such as:
- Rice
- Couscous
- Pasta
- Potatoes
- Quinoa when it’s on sale
Then add whatever vegetables and proteins you have on hand: chicken, eggs, tofu, chickpeas, beans or leftover meat.
A tasty dressing or homemade sauce can completely transform last night’s leftovers.
Pasta Salads
Pasta salad is a classic budget-friendly lunch because it can easily be prepared in large batches.
Mix pasta with vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, peppers or corn. Then add a source of protein like canned tuna, chickpeas, eggs, chicken or cheese.
Finish it off with a simple homemade dressing.
Extra tip: Make enough for two or three lunches to save time during the week.
Quesadillas
A few tortillas, some cheese and whatever leftovers you have in the fridge are all you need for a quick lunch the whole family can enjoy.
Try adding:
- Black beans
- Chicken
- Corn
- Peppers
- Onions
- Leftover vegetables
Grill the quesadillas in a pan for a few minutes, cut them into triangles and serve them with salsa or vegetables.
Homemade Soups and Creamy Vegetable Soups
As cooler days arrive, soups are a great way to prepare several servings at a low cost.
Potatoes, carrots, lentils, split peas, beans and frozen vegetables are especially useful for preparing large batches without spending too much.
Make a big batch on the weekend and freeze individual portions. They’ll be ready to add to lunches during busier weeks.
Rice and Legume Bowls
Legumes are especially useful when looking for budget-friendly meal ideas. Lentils, chickpeas and beans can easily be added to lunches.
Try a bowl made with:
Rice + black beans + corn + salsa + cheese
Or:
Couscous + chickpeas + cucumber + tomatoes + dressing
It’s simple, easy to prepare in large quantities and highly customizable depending on what you already have at home.
Snack-Style Lunch Boxes
You don’t always need to prepare a full recipe. A lunch box made up of several smaller foods can be a quick and convenient option.
For example:
- Hard-boiled egg
- Cheese cubes
- Crackers
- Cucumber and carrots
- Seasonal fruit
- Dip or hummus
The advantage? You can easily adapt the contents based on the week’s sales and whatever you already have at home.
How to Save Money on Back-to-School Lunches
Budget-friendly recipes are helpful, but the way you grocery shop can make an even bigger difference in your family’s budget.
Plan Your Lunches Around Weekly Sales
Before planning your meals for the week, check flyers and current promotions. Build your meals around discounted foods rather than choosing recipes before looking at prices.
Choose Versatile Ingredients
Try buying foods that can be used in several different recipes. A rotisserie chicken, for example, can be served for dinner and then used in wraps, sandwiches or salads the next day.
Buy Certain Foods in Larger Formats
When the price per serving is actually lower, larger formats can help you save on foods you regularly use, such as rice, pasta, oatmeal, crackers and legumes.
Make Better Use of Your Freezer
Bread, tortillas, homemade muffins, soups and many prepared meals can be frozen. This is especially helpful when you find your everyday essentials on sale.
Choose Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
Seasonal produce is often more affordable. Frozen vegetables are also a great option for keeping ingredients on hand while reducing food waste.
Skip Individual Portions
Individually packaged applesauce, yogurt, crackers, cheese and snacks can cost significantly more per serving. Whenever possible, buy larger formats and portion them yourself into small reusable containers.
A More Organized Back-to-School Season Without Breaking the Budget
Preparing cheap back-to-school lunches mostly comes down to a little organization. By planning meals around promotions, reusing leftovers and choosing ingredients that can be used in several recipes, you can significantly reduce the cost of packed lunches.
And there’s no need to prepare something completely different every day. A few simple recipes that you rotate from week to week can save you time, money and plenty of headaches.