36 Cheap Lunch Ideas

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36 Cheap Lunch Ideas2/36 Garlic Spaghetti 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Garlic Spaghetti Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make this family-favorite garlic spaghetti—or spaghetti aglio e olio—at least a couple of times a month. It’s wonderful with a salad and fresh Italian bread. Add red pepper flakes to give it a bit of heat or finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. —Jackie Messina, Chardon, Ohio. Here are a few quick and easy lunch ideas to change up your routine. Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups:

398 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 521mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein. 3/36 Air-Fryer Black Bean Chimichangas 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Air-Fryer Black Bean Chimichangas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These chimichangas get a little love from the air fryer, so they’re much healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. Black beans provide protein, and the recipe is a smart way to use up leftover rice. —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 chimichanga: 337 calories, 5g fat (0

You can serve it as a side dish or meatless main dish

saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 602mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 10g fiber), 13g protein. 4/36 Spanakopita Casserole 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spanakopita Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Spanakopita is the Greek name for this traditional dish featuring spinach and feta cheese. You can serve it as a side dish or meatless main dish. — Sharon Olney, Galt, California Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 262 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 178mg cholesterol, 838mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein.

After some hesitation, she tasted it and was instantly hooked!

5/36 Grilled Chickpea Salad Sandwich 2 Reviews Contest Winner Grilled Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my mother comes to visit, she enjoys a good old-fashioned chicken salad sandwich. As a vegetarian, I make chickpea salad sandwiches all the time and finally had the guts to make one for her. After some hesitation, she tasted it and was instantly hooked! —Dannika Stevenson, Akron, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 370 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 753mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (13g

sugars, 9g fiber), 17g protein

sugars, 9g fiber), 17g protein. 6/36 Black Bean Nachos 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black Bean Nachos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We’re trying to go meatless once a week, and this dish helps make those meals fun, quick and super delicious. It’s also a smart way to use up beans and canned tomatoes from your pantry. —Cynthia Nelson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 371 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 15g protein. 7/36

Polenta Chili Casserole 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Polenta Chili Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delicious vegetarian bake combines spicy chili, mixed veggies and homemade polenta. —Dan Kelmenson, West Bloomfield, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 397 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 922mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 21g protein. 8/36 Hearty Asian Lettuce Salad 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Asian Lettuce Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to

It’s a brilliant choice for lunch or a busy-day dinner

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This meatless version of your favorite restaurant salad packs 13 grams of protein per serving and is bursting with juicy flavor. It’s a brilliant choice for lunch or a busy-day dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 salad: 329 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein. 9/36 Chickpea Salad Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea Salad Sandwiches Recipe photo by Jena Carlin for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 295

Discover our best cheap dinner recipes

calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 586mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 10g protein. 10/36 Pepperoni Pasta Salad 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 287 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 495mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein. Discover our best cheap dinner recipes. 11/36 Bacon Grilled Cheese 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon and Cheese Sandwiches Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the

My husband, Steve, loves this stuffed pepper recipe

Recipe Creator: This bacon sandwich with Dijon mustard and two kinds of cheese is the perfect combo of creamy-melty filling and crispy, buttery bread. —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 743 calories, 51g fat (22g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 1263mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 37g protein. 12/36 Stuffed Bell Peppers 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Old-Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband, Steve, loves this stuffed pepper recipe. They’re so filling and easy to prepare.

I serve them with mashed potatoes and coleslaw for a no-fuss supper

I serve them with mashed potatoes and coleslaw for a no-fuss supper. —Karen Gentry, Somerset, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper: 430 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1182mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein. 13/36 Easy Chicken Fried Rice 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After my first child was born, I needed meals that were satisfying and fast. This easy chicken fried rice is now part of our regular dinner

Really buckling down on your budget?

rotation. —Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 548 calories, 25g fat (5g saturated fat), 163mg cholesterol, 934mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 38g protein. Really buckling down on your budget? Try these meals for under $10. 14/36 Black Bean Burrito 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black Bean Burrito Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My neighbor and I discovered these delicious low-fat burritos a few years ago. On nights my husband or I have a meeting, we can

have a satisfying supper on the table in minutes

have a satisfying supper on the table in minutes. —Angela Studebaker, Goshen, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 burrito: 395 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 610mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat. 15/36 Quick Chicken Caesar Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After tasting this easy chicken Caesar salad recipe at a friend’s going-away party, I made sure to request the recipe.

Now I fix it for my husband just about every week

Now I fix it for my husband just about every week. It’s great with a potato or pasta side dish and chunks of crusty bread. —Kim Blanda, Neptune, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 318 calories, 21g fat (5g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 573mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. For more, consider these tasty cold lunch ideas. 16/36 Muffin-Cup Cheddar Beef Pies 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 20 beef pies Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My kids love these beef rolls so much. I always make

extra since they heat up so quickly

extra since they heat up so quickly. I give the kids their choice of dipping sauces—spaghetti sauce or ranch dressing are the top picks. —Kimberly Farmer, Wichita, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 2 meat pies: 482 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 850mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Try these cheap breakfast ideas that use simple staples. 17/36 Cheesy Bow Tie Chicken 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a super-simple dish that tastes like it’s straight from a nice Italian restaurant. Spinach-artichoke

dip is usually available in supermarket delis

dip is usually available in supermarket delis. It comes frozen, too. Just make sure to thaw it according to the package directions before dinnertime. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 453 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 795mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein. 18/36 Egg Salad 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 3 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a pared-down version of a classic egg salad recipe. You can also add a little cream cheese for an

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• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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