Lunch is an integral part of your day, so why not make it tasty with some of the most satisfying lunch ideas.
These easy-to-make, healthy, and hearty recipes will be your go-to list for lunches that you can whip up in a jiffy.
Whether you’re dining solo or feeding your entire crew, we’ve done the menu planning on your behalf. All you have to do is choose your day’s pick and conquer the kitchen!
#1 Rice and Bean Bowl
- Ingredients: Rice, black beans, canned corn, salsa, shredded cheese, and spices like cumin and paprika.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Buy dried beans and cook them yourself; purchase rice in bulk.
- How to Make: Cook rice, heat beans, and combine with corn and salsa. Top with cheese and spices.
#2 Veggie-Packed Pasta Salad
- Ingredients: Pasta, mixed vegetables (like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers), olive oil, and a sprinkle of parmesan.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use seasonal veggies and opt for store-brand pasta.
- How to Make: Boil pasta, chop vegetables, and mix with olive oil and seasoning.
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#3 Wraps or Roll-Ups
- Ingredients: Tortillas, hummus or mayo, leftover proteins (like chicken or beans), and shredded veggies.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use leftovers or canned proteins.
- How to Make: Spread the tortilla with a base like hummus, layer with protein and veggies, and roll tightly.
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#4 Egg and Vegetable Fried Rice
- Ingredients: Rice, eggs, frozen mixed vegetables, soy sauce, and sesame oil (optional).
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use leftover rice from another meal.
- How to Make: Scramble eggs, stir-fry vegetables, and combine with rice and soy sauce.
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#5 Lentil Soup
- Ingredients: Lentils, onion, garlic, carrots, canned tomatoes, and spices like cumin or turmeric.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Buy lentils in bulk and use homemade broth.
- How to Make: Sauté veggies, add lentils and spices, simmer with water or broth until tender.
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#6 Tuna or Chickpea Salad Sandwich
- Ingredients: Canned tuna or chickpeas, mayonnaise or yogurt, mustard, and seasonings.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Chickpeas are a cheaper, vegetarian alternative to tuna.
- How to Make: Mash chickpeas or mix tuna with mayo and seasoning. Spread on bread.
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#7 Baked Potatoes with Toppings
- Ingredients: Potatoes, cheese, sour cream, and leftover vegetables or beans.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use larger potatoes for a filling meal.
- How to Make: Bake potatoes, add toppings, and warm in the oven if needed.
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#8 Stir-Fried Noodles
- Ingredients: Instant noodles, vegetables, soy sauce, and optional egg or protein.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Add frozen veggies or tofu for bulk.
- How to Make: Cook noodles, stir-fry with veggies, and season with soy sauce.
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#9 Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps
#10 Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Ingredients: Bell peppers, rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, and cheese.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use in-season bell peppers and canned goods.
- How to Make: Hollow out peppers, stuff with a mixture of cooked rice, beans, and tomatoes, top with cheese, and bake.
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#11 Sloppy Joe Sliders
- Ingredients: Ground beef or lentils, tomato sauce, and buns or bread.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use lentils instead of meat for a vegetarian option.
- How to Make: Cook beef or lentils with tomato sauce and seasonings, then serve on buns.
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#12 Cabbage Stir-Fry with Rice
- Ingredients: Shredded cabbage, garlic, soy sauce, and rice.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Cabbage is very affordable and lasts a long time.
- How to Make: Stir-fry shredded cabbage with garlic, season with soy sauce, and serve over rice.
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#13 Mini Veggie Pizzas
- Ingredients: English muffins, pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and toppings (like mushrooms or bell peppers).
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use store-brand ingredients or leftovers.
- How to Make: Top halved English muffins with sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake until crispy.
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#14 Ramen with a Twist
- Ingredients: Instant ramen, frozen veggies, soy sauce, and an egg.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Add fresh veggies to make it healthier without spending much.
- How to Make: Cook ramen, add veggies, and stir in a soft-cooked egg for protein.
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#15 Spinach and Cheese Quesadilla
#16 Curry Lentil Wraps
- Ingredients: Cooked lentils, curry powder, yogurt, and flatbread.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Lentils are a budget-friendly protein source.
- How to Make: Mix cooked lentils with yogurt and curry powder, then spread onto flatbread and roll up.
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#17 Pancake Sandwiches
- Ingredients: Pancakes, peanut butter, and fruit (like bananas or strawberries).
- Cost-Saving Tips: Make pancakes in bulk and freeze extras.
- How to Make: Spread peanut butter and layer fruit between two pancakes for a fun twist on sandwiches.
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#18 Chili Mac and Cheese
- Ingredients: Pasta, chili (from leftovers or canned), and shredded cheese.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use leftover chili or make a simple bean chili.
- How to Make: Combine cooked pasta with chili and cheese, then heat until gooey.
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#19 Vegetable Chow Mein
- Ingredients: Noodles, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use regular spaghetti or instant noodles as a substitute for chow mein noodles.
- How to Make: Stir-fry vegetables, cook noodles, and toss them together with soy sauce and sesame oil.
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#20 Egg Drop Soup
- Ingredients: Chicken or vegetable broth, eggs, cornstarch, and green onions.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Make your own broth or use bouillon cubes.
- How to Make: Heat the broth, stir in a cornstarch slurry, then slowly drizzle in beaten eggs while stirring.
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#21 Mapo Tofu
- Ingredients: Tofu, ground pork or chicken, garlic, ginger, chili paste, and soy sauce.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Skip the meat for a vegetarian version.
- How to Make: Stir-fry garlic and ginger, add tofu and sauce, and serve over rice.
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#22 Spring Rolls (Baked or Fried)
- Ingredients: Spring roll wrappers, shredded cabbage, carrots, and soy sauce.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Buy wrappers in bulk and freeze extras.
- How to Make: Fill wrappers with sautéed veggies, roll tightly, and bake or fry.
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#23 Steamed Dumplings
- Ingredients: Dumpling wrappers, ground chicken or pork, cabbage, and soy sauce.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Make a large batch and freeze for later.
- How to Make: Mix filling ingredients, wrap in dumpling wrappers, and steam until cooked.
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#24 Kung Pao Chicken
- Ingredients: Chicken, peanuts, dried chilies, bell peppers, and soy sauce.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option.
- How to Make: Stir-fry chicken, add veggies and peanuts, then toss with sauce. Serve with rice.
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#25 Szechuan Stir-Fried Vegetables
- Ingredients: Mixed vegetables, garlic, ginger, chili paste, and soy sauce.
- Cost-Saving Tips: Use frozen mixed vegetables.
- How to Make: Stir-fry veggies with garlic and ginger, and coat with a spicy Szechuan-style sauce.
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