Cheap Lunches to Bring to Class (College Student Edition)

Buying lunch on campus is one of the fastest ways to burn money without noticing. The move is having a few cheap, packable lunches you can rotate—stuff that:

• doesn’t leak in your bag,

• tastes good cold or microwaved,

• and doesn’t require culinary greatness.

Below are the best cheap lunch ideas, how to pack them, and the grocery basics that make it easy.

The “cheap lunch” formula (use this forever)

A good budget lunch is usually:

• 1 protein (keeps you full)

• 1 carb (energy)

• 1 fruit/veg (volume + nutrition)

• 1 sauce/seasoning (so it doesn’t taste sad)

If you build lunches with those four pieces, you’ll spend less and snack less later.

25 cheap lunches you can bring to class

No-cook lunches (best if you’re busy)

1) Turkey/ham sandwich + apple

Upgrade: add mustard, pickles, lettuce.
Cheap tip: buy a whole loaf, not fancy buns.

2) Tuna salad wrap

Tuna + mayo (or yogurt) + salt/pepper + relish.
Pack tip: keep filling separate until you eat, if you hate soggy wraps.

3) “Adult Lunchable” box

Crackers + cheese + deli meat + baby carrots.
Cheap tip: buy big bags and portion into containers.

4) Peanut butter banana sandwich

Cheap, filling, and surprisingly good.
Extra: cinnamon.

5) Hummus wrap

Hummus + cucumber + tomato + spinach.
Protein add: chickpeas or deli turkey.

6) Chickpea salad sandwich

Mash chickpeas + mayo/yogurt + mustard + spices.
Why it rules: cheap and very filling.

7) Greek yogurt bowl

Greek yogurt + oats/granola + frozen berries.
Pack tip: keep granola in a small bag to add later.

8) Cottage cheese + fruit + crackers

Cheap protein, zero cooking.

9) Bagel “sandwich”

Bagel + cream cheese + cucumber + pepper.
Protein add: ham or turkey.

10) Tortilla roll-ups (pinwheels)

Tortilla + cream cheese + deli meat + spinach. Slice into pinwheels.

Meal-prep lunches (cook once, eat 3–5 times)

11) Rice + beans + salsa bowl

Microwaveable, cheap, filling.
Protein boost: add shredded chicken or extra beans.

12) Burrito bowls

Rice + seasoned ground turkey/chicken + corn + salsa.
Pack tip: keep salsa in a small container.

13) Pasta salad

Pasta + frozen veg + dressing (Italian works) + cheese (optional).
Protein add: tuna, chickpeas, or leftover chicken.

14) Fried rice

Rice + egg + frozen mixed veg + soy sauce.
Cheap tip: day-old rice is best.

15) Chili in a thermos

Cheap, high-protein, and makes you feel like you have your life together.

16) Lentil curry + rice

Ridiculously cheap per serving and lasts all week.

17) Sheet pan chicken + veggies

Chicken thighs + frozen broccoli + potatoes.
Portion into containers.

18) “Protein mac”

Macaroni + ground turkey + tomato sauce.
Not fancy, but it’s a cheap bulk meal.

“Microwave on campus” lunches

19) Instant ramen upgrade cup

Add: egg (pre-cooked or crack it in carefully), frozen veg, leftover meat.
Better option: bring ramen + extras in a container and microwave.

20) Baked potato lunch

Microwave potato + top with chili, beans, or tuna.
Pack tip: bring toppings separately.

21) Oatmeal that isn’t breakfast

Oats + savory seasonings + egg + cheese (optional).
It’s weird until you try it.

Snacky, cheap, and surprisingly filling

22) Quesadilla wedges

Tortilla + cheese + beans.
Cook once, pack wedges. Reheats well.

23) Hard-boiled eggs + fruit + crackers

A simple “I need protein” lunch.

24) PB + pretzels + apple

The cheapest “I’m broke but need calories” lunch.

25) Leftover dinner (the champion)

Bring leftovers in a container. This is literally the #1 budget hack.

How to keep packed lunches from getting soggy or gross

Pack wet ingredients separately

• tomatoes, pickles, sauces, salsa, dressing

• add them right before eating

Use “barriers”

• lettuce between bread and wet fillings

• tortilla wrap around filling tightly

Cold packs matter

If your lunch has meat/dairy, use a small ice pack.

Cheap grocery list for 1–2 weeks of class lunches

Proteins

• eggs

• canned tuna or canned chicken

• deli meat (or rotisserie chicken)

• beans/chickpeas

• Greek yogurt (or cottage cheese)

• peanut butter

Carbs

• bread

• tortillas

• rice

• pasta

• crackers

Fruits/veg

• bananas

• apples

• carrots

• cucumbers

• frozen mixed veggies

• spinach (optional)

Flavor

• mustard

• mayo (or plain yogurt)

• salsa

• soy sauce

• hot sauce

• Italian dressing

A simple weekly lunch prep plan (30 minutes)

1. Cook rice or pasta (big batch)

2. Make one protein filling (beans/chili/tuna/chickpea salad)

3. Portion into 4–5 containers

4. Pack 4 “grab-and-go” snacks (fruit + yogurt, eggs + crackers)

Now you have a week of lunches without thinking about it.