Easy School Lunches to Make on a Budget!

Blog | September 29th, 2017

School is in session and that means your food budget is on the rise. Balancing meals that are affordable with food your child likes is a tough task. Instead of spending more to keep them happy, switch up the menu with these recipes that are surprisingly cost-effective!

Kebabs

Turn leftovers into a fun and kid-friendly meal by making kebabs! There isn’t a set recipe because you can simply combine leftover meat with whatever fruits and vegetables are in season to keep things cheap. As long as you cut everything into bite-sized chunks, the possibilities are endless and simple. After everything is cut evenly, slide those leftovers on a wooden skewer and call it a day!

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DIY Lunchables

Take a lesson from an expensive, pre-made school lunch to make a cheaper one! Regular Lunchables can cost as much as $3.00 each and the quality leaves a lot to be desired. If you purchase deli meat, cheese and crackers in bulk separately, you can feed your child for less than $1.00 per meal!

Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps

Peanut butter is a proven powerhouse when it comes to satisfying hunger. But don’t fall into the trap of constantly making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Replace the jelly with fresh bananas and the bread with a tortilla or wrap. Tortillas and bananas are some of the cheapest items in the grocery store making this a great money saver!

Vegetable Sushi

Eating out at sushi restaurants may have taught you to think that it’s too expensive to make at home. But with the right vegetables, your child can take this exotic lunch to school on the cheap. Instead of expensive meat or seafood, we like to look for deals on cucumbers, carrots, mushrooms, asparagus and lettuce as the main ingredients. Simply roll those vegetables together with seaweed and rice and you’re good to go!

Taco Salad

Don’t let your child’s aversion to salads keep you from trying this lunch! Taco salad is a budget-friendly meal that is tasty enough to please anyone. The main ingredients are lettuce, ground beef, cheese and tortilla chips, which can all be had for cheap. Based on what your child likes, you can also include grape tomatoes, beans, salsa, or anything else that goes on a taco!

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