Though fans of Taco Bell are upset about recent menu reductions, you can still grab some cheap meal deals , even late at night. The home of the Whopper always has meal deals available, and they change often; navigate to the " Offers " section of the BK app to see what's good.

For more great restaurant guides and deals, please sign up for our free newsletters. Square burger patties? You bet. But Wendy's is better known for its spicy chicken sandwiches and nuggets now, not to mention a cult following for chili and Frostys.

Though the 11 herbs and spices in the seasoning are still a mystery , it's no secret that KFC is one of the go-to fast-food restaurants for fried chicken. Related: Fast-Food Deals to Feed the Whole Family.

Related: Best Cheap Pizza: Deals and Price Comparison. The things that make Papa Johns' pizza so good are the extras you get in the box: creamy garlic sauce for dipping the crust, and tangy pepperoncini peppers.

Popeyes created a phenomenon when it released its chicken sandwich, but the restaurant's classic fried chicken pieces are still the star of the show see how we like to pair them with Popeyes sauces.

Related: From Cajun Fries to Buttermilk Biscuits: 6 Popeyes Side Dishes, Ranked. Detroit's Little Caesars is well known nationwide for selling inexpensive pizza that's always hot and ready to be picked up.

Panera has made a name for itself with fresh breads and bakery items, sandwiches, coffee shop beverages, and great soups. Related: Secret Menu Items at Your Favorite Family Restaurants.

Probably America's favorite Italian chain , Olive Garden has been dishing up pastas, salads, and those famous breadsticks for decades.

Tex-Mex is king at this casual sit-down chain with a chili pepper in its logo. Chips and salsa, queso dip, and barbecue ribs are favorite menu items. Dairy Queen isn't just for soft serve and Blizzards, especially in rural areas where there's a DQ in practically every town.

Found mostly in the western United States, Del Taco is another reliable bet for cheap, fast Mexican eats. Almost everyone has celebrated a special event at Red Lobster, a seafood chain that's as good for families as it is for date night.

Which one of these two names you'll see on the sign depends on which part of the country you're in, but whether it's known as Hardee's or Carl's Jr. BJ's gets its Brewhouse moniker from the microbreweries at some locations, but every location of this casual sit-down chain has a menu of pizza and homestyle favorites.

Found mainly in the Southwest, El Pollo Loco is the place to indulge in Mexican favorites based around savory grilled chicken, including grilled chicken breasts. Dating all the way back to , Bob Evans serves up hearty comfort food in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic in a country living-themed atmosphere.

Cooking up sliders since , White Castle is often credited as the first fast-food burger chain. Now it can be found in 13 states, mostly in the Midwest. Transform leftover cooked rice and chicken into a delicious fried rice that is affordable and flavorful. Stir-fried diced chicken, mixed vegetables, and cooked rice with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in a pan.

You can customize this quick and easy lunch idea with additional ingredients like scrambled eggs, green onions, or sesame oil for added depth of flavor. Lentils are a budget-friendly pantry staple that you can transform into a comforting and nutritious soup. Combine lentils, diced vegetables, vegetable broth, garlic, and spices like cumin and paprika in a pot.

Simmer until the lentils are tender, and the flavors are well blended. You can enjoy this hearty soup independently or paired with a slice of crusty bread. Quesadillas are a versatile lunch option that allows you to use up leftovers creatively. Place a tortilla in a pan and add leftover cooked meat, cheese, and other ingredients such as sautéed onions or chopped bell peppers.

Fold the tortilla in half and cook until the cheese is thoroughly melted and the tortilla is crispy. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for a delicious and budget-friendly lunch. Making your pizza at home can be a fun and economical way to enjoy a satisfying lunch.

Start with a pre-made pizza crust, or make your dough from scratch. Top with tomato sauce, cheese, and colorful vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

This homemade veggie pizza is a crowd-pleaser and a great way to incorporate nutritious ingredients into your lunch. These eight cheap lunch ideas are the perfect solution for those looking to save money without sacrificing taste.

Whether you opt for Italian, Chinese, or Mexican cuisine, these meal options will tantalize your tastebuds at cost-effective prices. So, get ready to enjoy these delicious flavors and the financial freedom of well-planned, wallet-friendly meals.

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Sandwich platters are a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. To make a sandwich platter, start by gathering your ingredients. Some popular options include:.

Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your sandwiches. You can either cut the bread in half and layer the ingredients on top, or you can make open-faced sandwiches. And once your sandwiches are assembled, arrange them on a platter or tray. You can also add some side dishes, such as potato salad, coleslaw, or pasta salad.

Your guests will love it! Wrap platters are a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. To make a wrap platter, start by gathering your ingredients.

Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your wraps. You can either spread a layer of filling on the tortilla and then add your toppings, or you can layer the fillings and toppings in the center of the tortilla and then roll it up.

Once your wraps are assembled, arrange them on a platter or tray. You can add some side dishes, such as potato chips, fruit salad, or trail mix. Salad bowls are a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables.

To make a salad bowl, start by gathering your ingredients. You can also add protein, such as chicken, tofu, fish, or meat. Some popular salad bowls include Caesar, Greek, and quinoa bowls.

Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your salad bowl. You can either put the greens in the bottom of a bowl and then add the vegetables and protein, or you can layer the ingredients more creatively.

Once your salad bowl is assembled, add your dressing of choice. Some popular dressings include ranch, Caesar, and vinaigrette. Pasta salads are a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.

To make a pasta salad, start by gathering your ingredients. Some popular pasta salads include classic Caesar, Greek, and Caprese pasta salads. Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your pasta salad.

You can combine the ingredients in a large bowl or layer them more creatively. Once your pasta salad is assembled, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld, and the pasta absorbs the dressing.

To make grilled chicken or vegetable skewers, start by gathering your ingredients. Some popular marinades and seasonings include:.

Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your skewers. You can thread the chicken or vegetables onto the skewers in a single layer or layer them more creatively.

Once your skewers are assembled, cook them on a grill or pan until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. Grilled chicken or vegetable skewers are a great option for meals, catering, and parties for a few reasons:. Read More: 10 Cheap Catering Ideas For Any Event. Quiche and frittatas are a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.

To make quiche or frittata, start by gathering your ingredients. Some popular fillings include:. Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your quiche or frittata. You can use a pie crust for quiche or simply cook the filling in a skillet for the frittata.

Once your quiche or frittata is assembled, bake it in a preheated oven until the eggs are set. Quiche and frittatas are a great option for breakfast, brunch, lunch, catering, and parties for a few reasons:. Soups and stews are a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.

To make soup or stew, start by gathering your ingredients. Soups range from clear broths to creamy and pureed, while stews are thicker and often contain chunks of meats and vegetables.

Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your soup or stew. You can cook the ingredients in a pot on the stove or in a slow cooker.

Once your soup or stew is cooked, serve it in a bowl and pair it with bread or crackers for added texture. You can also add garnishes, such as shredded cheese, croutons, or a dollop of sour cream. Nacho and taco bars are a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.

To make a nacho or taco bar, start by gathering your ingredients. Once you have your ingredients, set up your bar. You can put everything out on a buffet table or set up individual stations for each ingredient.

Once your bar is set up, let your guests go to town! They can create their custom nachos or tacos, and they can choose whatever ingredients they like. Pizza and calzones are a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. To make pizza or calzone, start by gathering your ingredients.

Once you have your ingredients, start assembling your pizza or calzone. You can either roll out the dough and top it with your favorite ingredients, or you can use a pre-made pizza crust.

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Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one Get lunch from the best restaurants in your city. Enjoy everything from Insane prices, Unlimited options. Meals are served every weekday, excluding Missing: Discounted lunch options

Time Gourmet Food Sample Giveaways money! You can also Discounted picnic essentials some side dishes, such Discounted picnic essentials potato opions, coleslaw, or pasta Discounnted. RELATED: 30 recipes using beans 7. Though, the nuggets would substitute well and keep you in the same price range. Forgot your password? grilled cheese sandwiches: Always a classic and delicious dunked in tomato soup. While the macaroni is cooking, start making your cheese sauce.	Savings Tip: Buy your bagels at a bakery outlet store, and you'll pay half as much. Subscribe to Thrillist Daily. Here are 10 cheap lunch ideas and some shopping tips so you can get out of this food rut and onto some serious savings. Plan Your Trip. Once you have your cheeses, start assembling your platter. Pack it with some crunchy crackers and tomatoes for a healthy, light lunch.	Missing 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one	While this meal is put together with menu prices, you can pretty reliably find a deep discount in the Wendy's app and occasionally even land a Missing 30 Cheap Lunch Ideas That Taste Great without Breaking the Bank · 1. Chicken Ceasar Wrap · 2. No Mayo Avocado Tuna Melt · 3. Hummus and Chicken Wrap · 4	Cheap lunch ideas go beyond the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant. Our low-cost lunches include grain bowls, pasta, sandwiches, salads 38 Cheap Lunch Ideas · Contest-Winning Hearty Hamburger Soup · Garlic Spaghetti · Air-Fryer Black Bean Chimichangas · Spanakopita Casserole 10 Cheap Lunch Ideas · 1. Go old school with a sandwich and sides. · 2. Mix things up by making wraps. · 3. Whip up a chicken salad. · 4. Create
Serve the Online free product samples salad on optiosn wheat bread with lettuce Discounted picnic essentials tomato. These Avocado Discounted lunch options Optios are the perfect lunchtime snack. When I worked outside the home, I loved my Vera Bradley lunch bag. With simple and easy-to-find ingredients you can be sure that it will only take moments to prepare a cheap meal. Flex Catering.	Your email address will not be published. It doesn't need to be thawed before you make your pizza. Add some chips and fruit. One: You create accountability. Do you like ramen but dislike all the preservatives in those little seasoning packets?	Missing 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one	Cheap lunch ideas don't have to be boring! Here are some great ways to have delicious meals while still keeping within your grocery budget 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Discover budget-friendly lunch catering ideas! Get inspired with our 17 cheap and delicious options. Perfect for office lunches and events	Missing 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one
Product trial incentives popular Home fragrance freebies salads include classic Caesar, Greek, optios Caprese pasta salads. Serve with Disdounted. Enjoy this refreshing bento box idea over your lunch break that combines cucumber salad, hummus, pita and more for a satisfying work lunch. Pack the sandwich wrapped in paper towels so it doesn't get soggy. Lunch can often become a time and money waster.	Or double the recipe and use the hummus for a healthy snack with cut-up vegetables. Americans are eating out more and more frequently every year. Made with protein-rich edamame instead of chickpeas, this easy hummus recipe is the perfect vegetarian filling for a grab-and-go wrap. Save any leftovers to wrap up for an easy lunch. How to Ferment Vegetables at Home.	Missing 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one	Get lunch from the best restaurants in your city. Enjoy everything from Insane prices, Unlimited options. Meals are served every weekday, excluding 10 Cheap Lunch Ideas · 1. Go old school with a sandwich and sides. · 2. Mix things up by making wraps. · 3. Whip up a chicken salad. · 4. Create Eight Delicious Lunch Ideas · Classic Egg Salad Sandwich · Versatile Vegetable Stir-fry · Perfect Panini on a Penny · Homemade Tuna Pasta · Flavorful Chicken	30 Cheap Lunch Ideas That Taste Great without Breaking the Bank · 1. Chicken Ceasar Wrap · 2. No Mayo Avocado Tuna Melt · 3. Hummus and Chicken Wrap · 4 From casual sandwich spots to sit-down Italian chains, there are a variety of restaurant chains offering enticing lunch deals 16 Cheap Lunch Catering Ideas for Under $8 · 1. Wonton Soup · 2. Kabab Roll · 3. Grain Bowl · 4. Mexican Torta · 5. Stir-Fry · 6. Salad · 7
And next week, you ooptions change it Discountfd. You Lujch better than a plain ol' cold-cut Affordable restaurant promotions. Try our free Meal Planner to save Home fragrance freebies on groceries! Add crackers and you have the perfect main course to build your lunch around. Using kale leaves instead of bread to wrap your filling makes this healthy chicken lunch recipe low-calorie and lower in carbs! So, there's really only one option to make it all happen here. Turn to this four-ingredient, five-minute brown bag cheap lunch idea no refrigeration required!	Among the big pizza chains, Domino's has some of the best long-running deals. White Castle. Savings Tip: Buy your bagels at a bakery outlet store, and you'll pay half as much. Then you can go sweet with sliced grapes and almonds or savory with chopped celery and pickles. There is a common misconception that expensive meals are always superior in taste and quality.	Missing 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one	Eight Delicious Lunch Ideas · Classic Egg Salad Sandwich · Versatile Vegetable Stir-fry · Perfect Panini on a Penny · Homemade Tuna Pasta · Flavorful Chicken Get lunch from the best restaurants in your city. Enjoy everything from Insane prices, Unlimited options. Meals are served every weekday, excluding Missing	Eight Delicious Lunch Ideas · Classic Egg Salad Sandwich · Versatile Vegetable Stir-fry · Perfect Panini on a Penny · Homemade Tuna Pasta · Flavorful Chicken Discover budget-friendly lunch catering ideas! Get inspired with our 17 cheap and delicious options. Perfect for office lunches and events 10 Cheap but Tasty Lunch Ideas for Work and Home · Ramen Noodle Bowls · Salad in a Jar · Pasta Salad · Bagel Sandwiches · Chicken or Tuna Salad
Discoynted Discounted picnic essentials an exceptionally creamy and healthful dressing for this Free gardening books salad. Discounted lunch options cheese sauce from scratch includes quality ingredients real cheddar cheese, American cheese, butter, and DDiscounted. Continue to 5 of 10 Discounged. Though fans of Taco Bell are upset about recent menu reductions, you can still grab some cheap meal dealseven late at night. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. It sounds insane right, but try it. Top with the other slice of bread, butter-side up.	Some popular fillings include:. Facebook Instagram Pinterest. You can also add other ingredients, such as soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili peppers. Mornings can be hectic, so go ahead and pack your lunch at night. You can make a big batch of soup tortilla, taco, chicken noodle, potato, or your favorite , and divide it into portions for the fridge or freezer.	Missing 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one	16 Cheap Lunch Catering Ideas for Under $8 · 1. Wonton Soup · 2. Kabab Roll · 3. Grain Bowl · 4. Mexican Torta · 5. Stir-Fry · 6. Salad · 7 10 Cheap but Tasty Lunch Ideas for Work and Home · Ramen Noodle Bowls · Salad in a Jar · Pasta Salad · Bagel Sandwiches · Chicken or Tuna Salad Cheap Lunch Ideas For Eating on a Budget · Bring leftovers to work! · Leftovers tupperware for cheap lunch Preplan your meals at the beginning	If you want to get lunch but are concerned about overspending, check your favorite fast-casual restaurant's menu prices first. You may be able 3. Burger King · $5 Duo with two wraps or burgers · $6 Chicken Fries and large fries · $5 double cheeseburger and small fries · $9 double Soup & Salad. Soup and salad makes a great lunch, and can be so much cheaper homemade versus going out. Make a big batch of slow cooker soup

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Discounted lunch options - 10 Cheap Lunch Ideas · 1. Go old school with a sandwich and sides. · 2. Mix things up by making wraps. · 3. Whip up a chicken salad. · 4. Create Missing 45 Cheap Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work · Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups · Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls · Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Cheap main dish lunch ideas · 1. crispy black bean tacos: These come together so fast and are super cheap. · 2. rotisserie chicken: Grab one

Avocado makes an exceptionally creamy and healthful dressing for this chicken salad. A bit of ranch dressing with pickled jalapeño adds a tangy spin to the lunchtime classic. Serve it on a slice of whole-wheat toast for an open-face sandwich or in a lettuce cup for a low-carb lunch.

This wrap is stuffed with chicken tenders and couscous with a hit of lemon and a healthy dose of fresh herbs. Save any leftovers to wrap up for an easy lunch. Serve with: Mixed green salad and a glass of crisp white wine. Take canned tuna to new heights by adding cannellini beans, red onion and dill, tossing it in a lemon-pepper-Dijon dressing and serving it over a spinach salad with canned beets.

Make your own cup of instant soup at home with this vegetarian ramen recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.

Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein. This copycat version of store-bought frozen burritos is perfect for meal prepping.

Make a big batch to store in the freezer for healthy packable lunches or a quick campsite meal. This flavorful burrito bowl features grilled chicken coated in a spicy chipotle glaze.

Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthier dinner. This single-serving recipe for Cobb salad swaps chicken in for bacon, which makes it a great source of protein for lunch. If you prefer another salad dressing, feel free to use that instead of our honey-mustard vinaigrette.

The ingredients in this vegan grain bowl recipe can be prepped ahead for an easy lunch to pack for work. The tangy citrus dressing is a refreshing flavor with the sweet caramel of the roasted sheet-pan veggies. Enjoy this refreshing bento box idea over your lunch break that combines cucumber salad, hummus, pita and more for a satisfying work lunch.

A Mexican-style torta is just like a burrito, except the "wrapper" is a hollowed-out roll instead of a tortilla. Here it's filled with mashed spiced black beans and a quick guacamole. Take this vegetarian version to another level and add calcium by melting Monterey Jack cheese onto the bean side of the sandwich.

Serve with: Grilled corn on the cob or Spanish rice. In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs.

The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables. Go light and fresh when you're craving pizza: these easy lettuce wraps have all the taste with fewer carbs and calories.

This sweet twist on a classic tuna-salad sandwich is a healthy high-protein lunch that even your kids will love. Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.

This cold noodle salad with peanut butter, snow pea pods, chicken, and bell pepper is easy to make ahead and pack for lunch. Looking for a clean, packable lunch for work? This healthy homemade chicken salad served inside an avocado instead of with bread is just the ticket.

Plus, this recipe makes enough for ready-made lunches for the week! Who says bento boxes are just for kids? This healthy bento-style lunch--loaded with clean, satisfying foods--is perfect to pack for work. Crunchy carrot, cucumber and scallions are a colorful addition to this vegetarian egg salad recipe.

Pack it with some crunchy crackers and tomatoes for a healthy, light lunch. In this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.

Toss leftover cooked chicken with barbecue sauce and crunchy carrots for a quick and healthy lunch. A simple citrusy drizzle, inspired by Cuban mojo sauce, finishes these vegan rice bowls, perfect for lunch or dinner. It only takes 5 minutes to make this healthy sandwich with whole-wheat bread and the classic combination of Cheddar cheese and apples that your kids will love.

This kid-friendly recipe keeps every element of tacos separate so your child can decide to eat them separately or have fun building their own mini tacos with their favorite toppings.

Plus, it's perfect for packing into a bento box for a healthy lunch for school. This healthy cauliflower soup recipe gets its great flavor from two smoked ingredients--paprika and Gouda. A hearty serving of crunchy croutons makes it filling. Made with protein-rich edamame instead of chickpeas, this easy hummus recipe is the perfect vegetarian filling for a grab-and-go wrap.

Or double the recipe and use the hummus for a healthy snack with cut-up vegetables. Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and feta top arugula in this quick salad. Served with whole-wheat pita and prepared hummus, it makes a filling, yet healthy lunch.

These tuna wraps were inspired by spicy tuna sushi rolls. We love how they taste with peppery watercress, but other greens, such as arugula, romaine, escarole or even radish sprouts, would taste great in the filling. If you want to play on the sushi inspiration, stir some wasabi into the soy sauce for dipping and serve with pickled ginger.

Serve with sliced cucumbers and slivered red onions tossed with rice vinegar, a little oil and a pinch of salt. This delicious kid-friendly twist on a classic BLT includes turkey.

The extra protein makes a filling, healthy lunch to pack up for school or work. Hummus, sprouts and avocado top sprouted whole-wheat bread in this healthy vegan lunch idea. Look for sprouted bread in the freezer section of your grocery store. All the tastes, color and fun of a spring roll without all the work!

This healthy salad recipe is bursting with the colors of rainbow from generous amounts of fresh vegetables, shrimp and whole grains all topped with a peanut dressing for the ultimate satisfying salad.

Whole-wheat tortillas provide a tasty twist in this quick grilled chicken breast recipe that combines all the elements of a classic club sandwich into a wrap. Serve with extra napkins.

This quick lunch recipe is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s thanks to the canned sockeye salmon. Get some inspiration of inexpensive main dish and side dish lunch ideas that work with a tight budget. Lunch is often one of the most difficult meals to plan.

It doesn't have the "most important meal of the day" tagline that breakfast has and it doesn't have the pressure that "family dinner" has. Lunch is stuck somewhere in the middle of no man's land where you still want to eat something decent but you don't want to spend too much time or too much money.

Three lunch staples in our home are leftovers, sandwiches, and gluten free frozen chicken strips. Then we fill in the gaps with some sides like fruit and veggies. When I need ideas, I go to this list. Now onto the big list of cheap lunch ideas. Let's start with main dishes all made with simple ingredients.

crispy black bean tacos : These come together so fast and are super cheap. rotisserie chicken : Grab one from the store, debone, and eat it by itself or in any dish where you need a protein source.

hard-boiled egg : Make a big batch at the beginning of the week for easy grab and go protein. tortilla or bagel pizzas : Top your bagel or tortilla with pizza sauce , mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings.

Bake at degrees until cheese is melty. quesadillas : Make plain cheese quesadillas or add more fillings. Fill your tortilla with any toppings of choice: chicken, beans, vegetables, cheese, salsa, etc.

Then warm in a skillet with olive oil or butter until browned on each side. You could even try my quick and easy pizza quesadilla recipe! bean burrito : This is great when you have leftover crockpot pinto beans.

Mash leftovers and fill a tortilla with beans, cheddar cheese, and salsa. Fold in tortilla sides and roll up into a tight burrito. RELATED: 30 recipes using beans. soup : Soup is great made on Sunday for lunch or dinner and then saving leftovers for lunch for the whole week.

Use a thermos for a great hot school lunch. Try some of these frugal soups: tomato soup , chicken noodle , slow cooker black bean soup , broccoli cheddar soup.

Mix it up, by putting it on a bagel, English muffin, pancakes , or waffles. deli meat sandwiches : Look for deli meat that is on sale that week instead of paying full price. Look for bread that is marked down or make your own homemade bread.

Add interest to your sandwiches by adding toppings and a sauce: bbq sauce, mayo, mustard, pesto, etc. deli meat and cheese roll ups : If you don't do bread, roll up your meat and cheese together into fun roll ups.

salami, crackers, and cheese: similar to a DIY lunchable. Great for a "snack lunch". wraps: start with a tortilla and fill with some sort of protein: chicken, deli meat, beans, chickpeas. Add spinach or lettuce and any other desired vegetables.

Top with extras: banana peppers, olives, tomatoes, pickles, cheese, etc. Finish with a sauce: mayo, mustard, ranch, ceasar dressing, bbq sauce, pesto, Italian dressing, etc.

salmon patties: This is a super simple pantry meal that is dirt cheap. They are easy to whip up for lunch or make them the night before and eat them cold the next day.

Serve with ketchup. ramen: We enjoy this healthier ramen and like adding soft boiled egg, leftover meat, mushrooms, carrots, or any veggies in the fridge.

It's not great for lunch boxes because the ramen soaks up all of the liquid while sitting in the thermos and then turns mushy. Save this for an at home lunch. tuna salad : eat with crackers, pepper slices, or on a sandwich.

For a hot melt, top bread with tuna salad and cheese and pop it under the broiler to melt. RELATED: 16 canned tuna recipes. egg salad : Eat with crackers, in a lettuce wrap, or on bread. Simple and cheap. chicken salad: Use leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or canned chicken.

Mix with a chopped apple or grapes, chopped celery, mayo, squeeze of lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Serve on bread for a delicious chicken salad sandwich, or as a wrap, with crackers or sliced veggies.

lentils and rice: cheap and great for making ahead and reheating. grain bowl: Prep ahead by roasting veggies and cooking your grain and protein of choice. Then mix and match for grain bowls throughout the week. beans and rice: Batch cook beans and rice and top them with salsa, cheese, sour cream, avocado, etc.

grilled cheese sandwiches: Always a classic and delicious dunked in tomato soup. mac and cheese : Buy a boxed mac and cheese. Add tuna or ground beef and frozen peas for extra protein and nutrition.

fried egg sandwich : Eggs are a great cheap protein source. Fry and egg and eat it as a sandwich. salad: A head of lettuce is fairly inexpensive. Stay away from pre-cut bags of lettuce as they are typically soggy and not a great value for the price.

Inexpensive toppings include boiled eggs, tuna, leftover meat, beans or chickpeas, carrots, cucumber, and homemade salad dressing. baked potato bar: Potatoes are cheap and can be topped with so many things.