10 Easy Ways to Save Money on Back-to-School Lunches
It’s no secret that grocery prices are inflating and it’s getting more and more expensive to feed your family. If your kids are anything like mine, they go through snacks and lunches fast—and the cost of keeping up with school lunches can sneak up on you in a hurry.
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But good news! With a little prep and planning, you can save serious money (and time) packing those lunchboxes.
Here are 10 Easy Ways to Save Money on Back-to-School Lunches. Tried-and-true ways to stretch your budget while still packing lunches your kids will actually want to eat.
1. DIY Lunchables for the Win
Not sure about you, but my kids are obsessed with Lunchables. The only problem? They’re pricey—and let’s be honest, they’re not super filling or exceptionally healthy either.
It’s so easy (and cheaper!) to make your own at home. Use a reusable container with dividers and fill it with:
- Crackers, sliced deli meat or pepperoni, cheese cubes or slices, and some fruit, vegetables, or sweet treat for a DIY “meat and cheese” Lunchable.
- Mini naan or pita rounds, shredded cheese, marinara, and pepperoni for a homemade pizza version
You can customize it with your kid’s favorite ingredients and skip the wasteful packaging too! It’s a total win!
2. Buy in Bulk and Portion It Out
Those individual bags of pretzels and Goldfish may be convenient, but they’re not kind to your grocery budget. Plus they aren’t very generous with the portion sizes, either! Buy larger bags in bulk and portion them out into small reusable containers or snack bags for the week. It’s way more cost-effective and just as easy to grab-and-go.
I love these reusable snack and sandwich bags. The plastic bags are so pricy. 😧
3. Skip Juice Boxes—Use Reusable Bottles
Another big tip: skip the juice boxes and single-serve milk or water bottles. Instead, invest in a good quality reusable drink bottle. Then fill it each morning with:
- Water + a splash of fruit juice or lemon
- Milk from your fridge
- Iced tea or lemonade
- Fruit juice
We love an insulated thermos or reusable drink bottles that are lunchbox friendly.
It’s a small change that adds up fast over the course of the school year!
4. Use Dinner Leftovers
Leftovers aren’t just for grown-ups. With a little creativity, last night’s dinner can become tomorrow’s lunch! Here are some ideas:
Spaghetti and Meatball Nests
Use muffin tins to portion out leftover spaghetti and bake with a little extra sauce and cheese for a fun, portable lunch.
*Cut this recipe in half if you have less leftover spaghetti
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked leftover spaghetti and meatballs (meatballs optional)
2 eggs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup marinara or pasta sauce, plus extra for dipping
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional: chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and marinara sauce until well combined.
3. Divide the spaghetti mixture evenly among the muffin cups, using a fork to create a “nest” shape in each cup (pressing down in the center a bit). Place a meatball in the center of each nest. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese on top of each meatball.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden and the nests are set.
5. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin.
Chicken Salad
Turn baked or grilled chicken into chicken salad with a little mayo and seasoning, then serve with crackers, in a wrap, or spread on a sandwich.
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups leftover cooked chicken, diced large
- 1 stalk celery, diced large
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, cooled and peeled (optional)
- salt + pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- In a food processor, add chicken, celery, mayonnaise and relish. Pulse 6-7 times.
- With the food processor on, add eggs one at a time and let process up to 10 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.
- Make it Buffalo Chicken or BBQ by adding sauce
Nacho Lunch
Use leftover taco meat and pack with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and salsa for a fun DIY nacho box. Warm the taco meat and spoon into an insulated food container, add your toppings into a bento box and serve tortilla chips on the side.
- Use the bento box lid as a plate to build your lunchtime nachos!
Having pasta for dinner?
Reserve plain cooked pasta or cook a little extra and turn it into a delicious lunchtime pasta salad. Add your kid’s favorite ingredients and bonus, it’s best served cold!
Pizza Night
Pizza Dippers – Cut leftover pizza into strips and pack with warm marinara or ranch dressing for dipping.
Leftover Steak or Roast Beef:
- Mini Cheesesteak Sliders – Reheat steak with peppers and onions, then stuff into slider buns with cheese
- Beef & Cheese Roll-Ups – Roll thin steak slices around cheese sticks or spread with cream cheese and roll around sliced pickles
You’re cutting down on waste and saving money by making one meal stretch into two!
5. Shop Store Brands and Watch Sales
Generic versions of cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, and granola bars are often just as good—especially when bought on sale or with coupons.
6. Freeze Homemade Items for Grab-and-Go
Make and freeze homemade muffins, waffles, or mini burritos to quickly pack in lunches throughout the week.
Freeze extra portions. Leftover pancakes, sandwiches, or soups can be frozen and pulled out later for easy, budget-friendly lunches.
7. Prep Produce Instead of Buying Pre-Packaged
Pre-cut fruits and veggies are convenient, but you’re definitely paying for that convenience. Save money by buying whole produce and prepping it yourself.
Take apples, for example—kids love them, but nobody wants a brown apple in their lunchbox. The trick? Soak apple slices in salt water (½ – 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water) for a few minutes, then drain, rinse and pat dry.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge 4-5 days. It keeps them from browning and keeps your budget happy too.
8. Use What You Have
Before you go shopping, check your pantry and fridge for items to use up. I like to make a list of items I have on hand that need to be used, whether that be fridge or pantry.
Go to websites that take ingredients you have on hand and give you recipes to use them.
- www.supercook.com
- https://reciperadar.com/
- https://foodcombo.com/
- https://recipeland.com/recipes/by_ingredient
9. Invest in Reusables
I’m one of those people who really can’t stand using plastic water bottles or single-serve packaging. My kids even bring real forks and spoons in their lunchboxes instead of disposable plastic ones (though I’m always crossing my fingers they make it back home!).
Investing in reusable items for everyday lunchbox packing—like stainless steel utensils, refillable water bottles, and washable snack bags—might cost a bit more upfront, but it pays off quickly. Not only does it save money in the long run by cutting down on single-use purchases, but it also helps reduce waste and teaches kids to be more mindful of the environment. It’s a small habit that makes a big impact.
Some of the containers I’m loving:
- These 4 quadrant lunch containers– my son is a creature of habit and takes the exact same thing in this lunch container every single day. A hard boiled egg, pretzels, the chocolate teddy grahams, and apples or blueberries. I love these compact containers for smaller snack sized appetites and they fit well into a lunch box.
- Insulated thermos for leftovers. These are great for keeping hot food hot and cold food cold!
- Insulated water bottles– an absolute must, especially on hot days. We have these large bottles so there’s less filling needed through the day. I love that most schools have water bottle refilling stations nowadays!
10. Plan Ahead to Stay on Budget
Having a weekly plan (and shopping list!) helps avoid impulse buys and keeps things organized. Plan out your weekly lunches just like you plan your dinners.
Bonus: kids can help pick items, which makes them more likely to eat what you pack!
Just like you meal plan for dinner, try planning lunches for the week ahead. You’ll waste less food, shop smarter, and avoid those last-minute grocery runs for overpriced convenience items.
A few extra planning tips:
- Pack lunches the night before while you’re cleaning up from dinner
- Prep all your snacks and produce for the week on Sunday
- Keep a running list of what your kids actually eat so you can shop accordingly
When mornings get chaotic (because they will), you’ll be so glad the lunches are already done—and you won’t be tempted to hit the drive-thru on the way to school.
In Summary
Packing school lunches doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful. With just a little prep and planning, you can feed your kids well and keep more money in your pocket.
Start with a few of these tips and build from there—your wallet (and your mornings) will thank you!
Here’s to the best school year yet!🍎✏️📚✂️
Love money saving tips? Check out this post with tips on saving on your grocery bills HERE.
