Kids' budget lunch ideas

Crumpet pizzas

Crumpets aren't just for breakfast anymore - they make a great base for sandwiches and even pizzas. Help younger children make these easy crumpet pizzas for lunch, or let older kids put them together themselves. Use whatever veg you have in the fridge for the toppings, we used olives, peppers, tomatoes and sweetcorn.

Omlette in a bun

Make this tasty vegetarian omelette bun for a speedy lunch, or a quick and easy dinner for kids. Make a simple omelette with hearty potatoes, cherry tomatoes, leafy spinach and a handful of crumbled feta. Add the cooked omelette to a wholemeal bun and serve with a side salad.

Tuna & sweetcorn slice

Use up storecupboard essentials with this simple tuna & sweetcorn slice. Roll out a sheet of ready-made pastry, blind-bake, then top with crème fraîche, cheddar, tinned tuna and sweetcorn. Bake for a further 15 minutes until golden brown, then sprinkle with chopped chives.

Crispy cod fingers with wedges & dill slaw

Take classic fish fingers to the next level with our crispy cod fingers with wedges & dill slaw. This colourful dish is low in fat and full of fresh flavours. Toss sweet potato wedges in oil and seasoning, then bake for 30 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Make a crunchy slaw with red cabbage, cornichons, yogurt and dill. Coat slices of cod fillets in egg, then breadcrumbs and grill for seven minutes until cooked through.

Chicken & sweetcorn ramen

Upgrade the instant noodles sitting in your cupboard with this chicken & sweetcorn ramen. Cook instant noodles on the hob with chicken stock. Add some leftover or pre-cooked bought sliced chicken, tinned sweetcorn or frozen peas. Boil an egg for six minutes, then cut in half and add to the ramen. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil, if you like.

Hummus rainbow wraps

Make these colourful rainbow wraps, with hummus, beetroot, carrot, feta and baby spinach for a quick and easy veggie lunch for the whole family. They're a great way to introduce new veggies to younger children. They're super-filling too – half a wrap should be enough for little ones.

Broccoli pasta shells

Kids will love this healthier take on pesto and pasta, with broccoli upping their veg intake to get their five a day. Try making a big batch of these broccoli pasta shells at the beginning of the week, then splitting it up into daily lunches. It only takes 20 minutes to make, plus it's low in calories.

Mini pizza quiches

Get little ones involved in the kitchen with these mini pizza quiches. Kids will love helping to assemble these quiches for a scrumptious meal. Line muffin tins with tortilla wraps then fill with beaten eggs, salami and cherry tomatoes. Feel free to swap salami for any deli meat or add extra veggies.

Lunchbox pasta salad

Raid the storecupboard for this easy lunchbox pasta salad. Combine cooked pasta with a few tablespoons of pesto, Greek yogurt and mayonnaise. Add any fresh veggies you have to hand, cherry tomatoes and some leftover protein – chicken, ham, hard-boiled eggs and prawns all taste great. Top with some cheddar, for extra flavour.

Mini chorizo, pea & potato frittatas

These simple mini chorizo frittatas are perfect for eating on the go and packing for a picnic. This easy recipe calls for minimal ingredients – just combine eggs with new potatoes, chorizo, frozen peas, grated cheddar and a few springs of parsley.

Super-salad wraps

Little ones can pack in some of their five-a-day with these super-salad wraps. Kids can help make the wraps by spreading hummus on a tortilla and topping with crunchy veggies like cucumber sticks, shredded carrot and lettuce leaves. Top with a few tablespoons of tomato salsa and a sprinkle of grated cheddar. Roll up the wrap and cut in half or bite-sized pieces.

Creamy lentil & veggie curry

Make a big batch of this freezable creamy lentil & veggie curry to get ahead. Combine red lentils, sweet potatoes, veg stock, canned tomatoes and curry powder for gentle spice. Add green beans or any veggies you have in the kitchen, and a can of chickpeas to make it extra filling. Stir through some Greek yogurt and scatter with coriander.

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What do your kids enjoy for lunch? Leave a comment below...