Cheap, Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work: 12 Easy Packed Lunches

Buying lunch every working day can quietly become one of your biggest weekly costs. A packed lunch made at home usually costs a fraction of a shop-bought meal deal, and you know exactly what's in it.

Here are 12 easy ideas, split into lunches that need a microwave and lunches that don't.

No microwave needed

• Pasta salad. Cooked pasta with tinned tuna or chickpeas, sweetcorn, peppers and a spoon of pesto.
• Wraps. Leftover chicken, hummus, grated carrot and spinach. Wrap them tightly in foil so they don't go soggy.
• Rice salad. Cooked and cooled rice with peas, spring onion, a boiled egg and soy sauce.
• Couscous bowl. Couscous only needs boiling water. Add roasted veg, feta and lemon.
• Ploughman's box. Cheese, crackers or bread, an apple, pickle and some cherry tomatoes.
• Bean and lentil salad. A tin of mixed beans, red onion, tomatoes and a simple oil and vinegar dressing.

If you have a microwave

• Leftovers from dinner. The cheapest lunch of all. Just cook a little extra the night before.
• Homemade soup. Make a big pot on Sunday and take a portion each day.
• Chilli or curry with rice. Perfect if you batch cook.
• Jacket potato. Microwave it at work and top with beans, tuna or cheese.
• Egg fried rice. Leftover rice, frozen peas, an egg and soy sauce.
• Pasta bake. Bake one dish and it covers several days.

Tips to make packed lunches easier

• Prep on Sunday. Cook a batch of pasta, rice or grains for the first few days of the week.
• Cook once, eat twice. Make extra at dinner and put a portion straight into your lunch box.
• Keep it cold. Use an insulated bag or ice pack, especially for meat, fish, eggs and dairy, and put your lunch in the work fridge if there is one.
• Add snacks. Fruit, yoghurt or a handful of nuts stop you buying snacks in the afternoon.
• Get a good lunch box. A leak-proof box with sections makes salads and wraps easier to carry.

Common questions

How much can I save with a packed lunch?

It depends on what you buy now, but if you buy lunch most workdays, switching to packed lunches can save you hundreds of pounds a year.

How do I stop sandwiches going soggy?

Spread butter or a thin layer of mayo right to the edges of the bread, and pack wet fillings like tomato separately.

Is it safe to keep rice for lunch?

Yes, if you cool it quickly after cooking, keep it in the fridge and eat it within a day. Reheat it until steaming hot, or eat it cold straight from the fridge.

What are good healthy snacks for work?

Fruit, carrot sticks with hummus, plain yoghurt, nuts and oatcakes are all cheap and filling.

Related guides

• Batch Cooking for Beginners
• How to Save Money on Your Food Shopping
• How to Get More Steps When You Work from Home

This guide is for general information only. Prices, rules and offers can change, so always check the latest details before you decide.