I’m always shocked my kids survived the school year when they are off for the summer. The snack and general meal intake is INTENSE! It feels like they are never ending pits of grocery destruction! As soon as I made them lunch the day before, it’s time to lunch again the next day! Because of this, it’s super important for me to have lunches on the ready that are inexpensive and easy. I can’t be spending an arm and a leg to feed them and I also can’t be spending all day in the kitchen. This list of summer lunches is just that, cheap and easy. You can watch me make all 15 in my Youtube video here! Or checkout the list below!
Pizza-dilla
While Pizza-dilla might not have made it to Miriam Webster, it’s certainly made it to my summer lunch list. This meal is exactly what you might expect, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni on a tortilla. If you can believe this, my kids prefer theirs microwaved. They don’t like the quesadilla to be crunchy (I kinda think this is the best part). Kids will be kids right? You can prepare these in whatever your method is your favorite, stovetop, in the oven, air fryer, or yes, even the microwave. I just assemble each one, and microwave for about 30 seconds until the cheese is melted. These are also a great way to use leftover chicken or bacon, you definitely don’t need to go classic pepperoni.
Pizza Crescent Rollups
Even though I kind of think these look fancy, these are super simple and only 3 ingredients. Just buy a store bought roll of crescent rolls, add in a little mozzarella and pepperoni (of your favorite topping. Roll them on a baking sheet shortest side to the tip and bake according to package instructions. These are great if you have a lot of kids or friends over. I guarantee they’ll be the hit of the party!
Corndog Muffins
These muffins can be made for just a few dollars and could last multiple days. These are also great to make for a crowd. I like to buy jiffy cornbread mix when it’s on sale and mix up a package. I buy the cheap hot dogs at Aldi. Slice them into 4 pieces each. Fill Cupcake tins with the mixed cornbread about 2/3 full and then press the hot dogs right inside the cup. Bake according to the corn muffin instructions and enjoy! These are just like mini corndogs and can be served with ketchup. They are great for a few days in the fridge too, just heat them up for 20 second in the microwave.
This recipe is also great if you are gluten free, Krusteaz makes a delicious corn muffin mix that I also enjoy.
Corn Dogs With A Twist!
These are a bit more specific because they require these cornbread swirls from Pillsbury. But they are worth your while! They are such a cute and easy twist on a traditional corn dog, and they aren’t deep fried. Simply twist the cornbread swirl around your favorite hot dog and cook according to the cornbread swirl instructions. I air fried mine and they turned out great!
Homemade Lunchables
I kind of wish my kids didn’t know about Lunchables, but of course they know about the overpriced cheese and crackers packs with candy, juice, and their favorite characters on the package (currently Mario). Luckily, it’s really cheap to make your own at home and, if you market it correctly, “homemade lunchables”, the kids might be just as excited. I use these reusable lunchboxes to make mine. I’ve had these for years and they are extremely sturdy. I prefer these to the soft lunch boxes because the soft lunchboxes end up smelling after a while and it doesn’t seem to matter how much I wash them.
Traditional Turkey, Cheese, and Crackers
For this lunchable, just grab your favorite crackers, I just use the great value brand buttery crackers and the kids love them. For meat and cheese, grab either turkey or ham deli meat. I was able to get a few packages of Oscar Meyer Deli Turkey on 50% off. When I buy packages like this, I freeze them and then defrost them each week I intend to use them. Slice the cheese and meat into quarters and put them in the lunch box or on the plate with the crackers. Serve this with a fruit, if you like. This is an upgrade from the traditional lunchable.
Pizza Lunchables
I like to buy the Naan Bread circles on 50% off clearance and stash them away in the freezer until we are ready to use them. Simply pull out a few of those or, you can use anything or a similar size, place some sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni in small containers and you have your own homemade pizza Lunchable! And it’s even better, if you ask me. It certainly is more economical!
Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt parfaits are a big hit in my family. And they are great for more than just breakfast. I like to try to avoid the added sugars and just use plain greek yogurt with fresh fruit, homemade granola, and honey if you need some sweetness. These days there a a myriad of yogurt options that a delicious and healthy. Each is designed to fit individual dietary needs. Because it looks almost like ice cream, my kids look at this as a real treat rather than a healthy lunch. You can get the full recipe for my favorite homemade granola here!
Egg Salad Sandwiches
These are a classic for sure. Popular even back in the 1940’s egg salad sandwiches are still a winner today. Thankfully, egg prices have gone back down since the late 2022 and early 2023 avian flu hit. I can get 60 at my local Walmart for around $5. This makes egg salad a super inexpensive choice. These sandwiches are protein rich and nice and cool on a hot day. I like to steam up a dozen eggs once a week so I can use them as snacks and make egg salad if the mood strikes. For our egg salad we like to add mayo, a teaspoon or so of mustard, salt and pepper to taste and chopped celery if I have it on hand. I’d like to guess that the mayo to egg ratio is about 1/4 cup to 3 eggs but I really can’t be sure, just keep adding until you feel like it’s enough. Egg salad is one of those things you have to just keep tasting as you’re making it to make it just right.
Chicken Sandwiches
At our local elementary school, Thursday is chicken sandwich day. And I like to keep the tradition alive all summer long by serving up chicken sandwiches once a week. These are a budget friendly classic because I can by these weaver chicken patties for $3.99 at my local grocery store (Market Basket). We get about 12 sandwiches out of one package. Pair the patties with a really inexpensive hamburger roll and you’re set to jet. My 5 year old loves to have his with cheese, avocado, and mayo, while my 7 year old prefers just ketchup. Regardless of your child’s preferences, there is guaranteed to be a topping that they like.
I like to simply microwave the chicken patties (keep it easy right?) and serve the sandwiches along side a fruit. I generally choose a fruit that is on sale to keep costs down. In the summer it tends to be watermelon which is a huge hit in my family!
Tuna Mac and Cheese
This is a surprising favorite with my 5 year old. Simply cook up a box of your favorite Mac and Cheese, add a can of drained tuna and cooked frozen peas. It’s super simple because you just mix everything together and it ends up making a complete meal. I feel good about feeding my macaroni and cheese obsessed kids this mix up with extra protein and vegetables!
Frozen Burritos
An age old classic, I used to eat these as a child and still do today. It’s so inexpensive to buy a bag of your favorite flavor burritos in the frozen isle and keep them for when time is short. In the summer, we often end up at home for an hour or so between play dates or library time. It’s super easy for me to throw burritos in the microwave and get a load of laundry in before we start our next adventure.
Gold Fish & Ranch Chicken Nuggets
These nuggets are absolutely delicious! What kid doesn’t love chicken, goldfish crackers, and ranch dressing? Ranch is the binder for these golden nuggets and it brings all the flavor. I like to make up a batch of these and throw them in the freezer. They defrost really well in the microwave or air fryer! You can get the full recipe here!
Cream Cheese Roll Ups
These cream cheese roll ups are a great lunch of snack to make up for the week. They last in the fridge really well and contain the much needed vegetables and protein my kids need. I often make these up out of leftover veggies and lunch meat I have in my fridge. They are good with both ham and turkey, it just depends on what you have on hand or perhaps, what’s on sale! You can get the full recipe here!
Pizza Bagels
The traditional bagel bites make the roof of my mouth hurt just thinking about them. Homemade pizza bagels are far superior, healthier, and budget friendly. And we don’t need to leave it at pizza bagels, you can always use english muffins to make english muffin pizzas, if that’s what you have!
Simply slice your bread of choice in half, top with pizza sauce or your favorite marinara, shredded mozzarella and any toppings you like. I find that buying the traditional pepperoni and slicing it small is more cost effective than buying the mini pepperonis. Simply bake the bagels at 475 for 6 minutes and your homemade bagel bites are ready! Just remember to wait for them to cool off!
Spaghetti-O’s
Ok this might be too easy but it’s definitely a budget friendly classic. In my house, everything is better when it’s Mario! I do try to serve some sliced carrots or cucumbers on the side with this or at least a banana but it’s a great meal in the a pinch. This is also nice because it has a long shelf life.
I don’t usually buy these to eat on any specific day. But, I’ll buy a few when they are on sale so that I have something ready to go when we are busy.
Cup Noodles
Have I mentioned I hate doing dishes? Cup O Noodles as I like to call them, come in their own disposable container! Similar to the Spaghetti O’s I do try to serve something healthy on the side but these are a salty treat for my kids. These are especially nice on a cooler, rainy day, curled up watching a movie.
More of the Best Cheap Dinners!
To see me make all of the best cheap summer lunches and provide some extra cooking tips, go ahead and watch my Youtube Video here! And now that you have a great start cooking for less this summer check out these inexpensive and low calories summer meals to add to your recipes list. And, if you’re really just short on time and money, it’s ok because I’ve made a list of 15 recipes that can be made for just $5 in less than 10 minutes!
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