17 Lunch Recipes So Easy, You'll Wonder Why You Ever Ate Out

Are you tired of spending a fortune on eating out for lunch every day? Well, get ready to change up your midday meals with our thrifty lunch recipes so easy, you'll wonder why you ever ate out. From quick and flavorful soups to satisfying sandwiches and hearty salads, these recipes are not only budget-friendly but also incredibly simple to whip up, making them the perfect solution for anyone looking to save money without compromising on taste or convenience. So, join me as we discover delicious homemade lunches that will leave you feeling satisfied and your wallet happy!

Bowl of chili with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top. — Crock Pot Chili for Two. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

A ladle serving vegetable soup with diced tomatoes, potatoes, and green beans into a white bowl. — Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Perfect for those seeking thrifty lunch options, this slow cooker vegetable soup is not only easy on the wallet but also incredibly simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for homemade lunches that beat dining out any day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

Chopped Greek Salad

A fresh greek salad with tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, olives, and peppers, served with a fork and a glass of water on the side. — Chopped Greek Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

With its fresh and vibrant ingredients, this chopped Greek salad offers a refreshing and budget-friendly lunch option that's quick to assemble and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, perfect for those looking to save money without sacrificing taste.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Greek Salad

Wet Burrito

Two chicken enchiladas topped with red sauce and sour cream, garnished with cilantro, served with a side of corn and black beans. — Wet Burrito. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This hearty wet burrito is a thrifty lunch option that's as satisfying as it is easy to make, providing a delicious homemade alternative to restaurant burritos that won't break the bank, making it a lunchtime favorite for budget-conscious foodies.
Get the Recipe: Wet Burrito

Chicken Nuggets

Hand dipping a chicken nugget into a bowl of ketchup, with a gray cloth background. — Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These homemade chicken nuggets offer a thrifty lunch solution for those craving a childhood favorite without the hefty price tag of fast-food versions, providing a budget-friendly alternative that's quick to cook and sure to please both kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

A grilled chicken skewer on a white plate with barbecue sauce and fresh parsley, beside a plate of more chicken skewers. — Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These chicken skewers cooked in the air fryer offer a thrifty lunch option that's both flavorful and convenient, providing a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant kabobs that's quick to prepare and perfect for a homemade lunch on the go.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

Easy Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy potato soup garnished with fresh rosemary, accompanied by herbs and a wooden spoon on a textured gray surface. — Easy Potato Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

With its simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this easy potato soup is a thrifty lunch option that's both comforting and affordable, offering a homemade alternative to canned soups that's perfect for cozy lunches at home or on the go.
Get the Recipe: Easy Potato Soup

Turkey Roll Ups

These turkey roll-ups are a thrifty lunch option that's perfect for packing in lunchboxes or enjoying at home, providing a budget-friendly alternative to deli sandwiches that's quick to assemble and customizable to suit your taste preferences.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Roll Ups

Air Fryer Tuna Melt

A grilled cheese tuna sandwich on a plate, cut in half, with melted cheese and fillings visible, accompanied by pickles and parsley. — Air Fryer Tuna Melt. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This air fryer tuna melt offers a thrifty lunch solution that's both cheesy and satisfying, providing a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant melts that's quick to make and perfect for a homemade lunch that hits the spot without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tuna Melt

Hawaiian Roll Sliders

A close-up image of a platter of ham and cheese slider sandwiches sprinkled with poppy seeds and garnished with chopped herbs. — Hawaiian Roll Sliders. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These Hawaiian roll sliders are a thrifty lunch option that's perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers, providing a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant sliders that's quick to assemble and bursting with flavor, making them a lunchtime favorite for gatherings and busy days alike.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Roll Sliders

Popcorn Chicken

These homemade popcorn chicken bites offer a thrifty lunch solution that's perfect for satisfying cravings without splurging on fast food, providing a budget-friendly alternative that's quick to cook and ideal for a tasty lunch or snack any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Popcorn Chicken

Ground Pork Tacos

An easy dish to look forward to cooking every night: a colorful taco with ground meat, shredded carrots, red cabbage, and a slice of lime on the side. — Ground Pork Tacos. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

With their simple ingredients and bold flavors, these ground pork tacos are a thrifty lunch option that's perfect for taco Tuesdays or any day of the week, providing a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant tacos that's quick to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Tacos

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

A plate of broccoli salad with bits of bacon, served on a white oval dish alongside a wooden spoon. — Broccoli Salad with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

With its crunchy broccoli and crispy bacon, this salad offers a thrifty lunch option that's both nutritious and delicious, providing a budget-friendly alternative to store-bought salads that's quick to assemble and perfect for a homemade lunch or side dish any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

A bowl of hearty bean soup with chopped vegetables and chunks of ham, served in a rustic terracotta bowl on a light pink table. — Navy Bean and Ham Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This navy bean and ham soup is a thrifty lunch option that's perfect for using up leftovers and stretching your food budget, providing a budget-friendly alternative to canned soups that's hearty, wholesome, and quick to prepare, making it a comforting lunchtime staple for chilly days.
Get the Recipe: Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Close-up of a hand holding a seasoned chicken wing garnished with fresh herbs, with more pieces on a plate in the background. — Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These lemon pepper chicken wings offer a thrifty lunch solution that's perfect for game day or any day, providing a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant wings that's quick to cook and bursting with flavor, making them a lunchtime favorite for wing lovers everywhere.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Three crispy breaded chicken tenders on a white plate with a side of honey mustard sauce and garnished with parsley. — Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These air fryer chicken tenders are a thrifty lunch option that's perfect for kids and adults alike, providing a budget-friendly alternative to fast-food tenders that's quick to make and sure to please even the pickiest eaters, making them a lunchtime favorite for busy families.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot

Three chicken tacos with cheese, lettuce, and diced tomatoes on a white plate. — Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These slow cooker chicken tacos offer a thrifty lunch solution that's both flavorful and convenient, providing a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant tacos that's easy to prepare and perfect for a homemade lunch or dinner that's ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot

Crock Pot Chili for Two

This crockpot chili for two is a thrifty lunch option that's perfect for cozying up with a loved one or enjoying as leftovers, providing a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant chili that's hearty, flavorful, and quick to cook, making it a lunchtime favorite for couples and solo diners alike.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chili for Two