Delicious budget lunch recipes that are easy on your wallet and packed full of flavour.
These tasty little pastries are so quick and easy to make in an air-fryer, with crisp puff pastry and a oozy ham and cheese filling. The addition of courgette adds moisture and a bit of hidden veg for kids. Perfect for lunch, picnics or snacking.
Vegetarian lasagne is a classic that everyone loves. This one is amplified with the addition of Puy lentils, while the mushrooms add great texture. The trick to getting a great white sauce is to slowly add the milk.
Homemade wraps are really easy to make and great for stashing in the freezer. We've rolled these up into pinwheels with tuna and sweetcorn. It's a lovely lunch for little ones, suitable from 12+ months weaning stage*.
These veggie muffins are great for little ones to grab for lunch or as a snack, and are suitable from 12+ months weaning stage*. They're easy to make, even if baking's not your thing! And they freeze well, too.
Fritters are a great way of introducing your baby to different vegetables and textures. These are suitable from 10+ months weaning stage* and make a great lunch or dinner. The fritters freeze well too, so are good for batch-cooking!
Roasted squash gives a lovely depth of flavour and texture to this houmous recipe, perfect to serve to little ones from around 7+ months*. It makes a big batch, see our tip for freezing and check out our homemade wholemeal wraps, perfect for dipping.
This hearty and wholesome slow-cooker chilli, with gentle warming spices, is one of the most versatile baby weaning recipes – suitable for infants from 12+ months*, but it also makes a great meal for all the family. Once you've prepped the chilli, you can let it slow-cook during the day while you get on with other things, plus you'll have some leftover mini portions for the freezer – bonus!
Spend less time in the kitchen and more time in the sun with these slow-cooker pulled turkey rolls
Fish pie is an absolute classic and this easy recipe is suitable from 10+ months*, making it ideal for all the family. We've used frozen fish pie mix to keep things simple and budget-friendly, with lots of root and green veg for hidden goodness. The cheesy mash top will ensure clean plates! Great for making ahead and freezing too…
This super-tasty and fragrant Thai chicken curry is a lovely way to introduce all the family to new flavours. Suitable from 10+ months*, everyone will love the mild, creamy taste and there's a trio of veg for some hidden green goodness. Freeze curry portions for little ones and half the paste for another dish.
These little omelette bites make ideal baby weaning food, suitable from 7+ months stage*, but toddlers will love them too. Protein-rich with some hidden veg, these are great for a quick and tasty lunch or even a picnic. You can even air-fry them if you want or bake them in the oven.
Looking for lunch ideas for a 7 month old? These tasty mini fish cakes are ideal for little eaters, suitable from 7+ months weaning stage*. Made with just 5 ingredients in just over half an hour, they're quick and easy too. You can serve them as mash, if you prefer.
Avocado and spinach make a great purée for babies, full of green goodness yet deliciously creamy. This baby food recipe is suitable for weaning from around 6 months* and you can purée all the avocado or cut one into wedges to serve as finger food. Freeze portions in an ice cube tray for nutritious baby food whenever you need it.
Hearty and wholesome, this sweet potato and lentil dish is great for babies from around 6 months* or you can shape into balls, bake and serve as a finger food. This is a great weaning recipe for batch-cooking – store in the fridge or freeze for future meals.
Puréed broccoli is an excellent, nutrient-rich baby weaning food to serve to little ones from around 6 months*. You can purée the whole broccoli head or save some florets to steam and serve as finger food. You only need one ingredient and 10 minutes and you have a great dish for little ones and you can freeze leftovers too!
Cauliflower purée is a brilliant, nutritious baby weaning food to serve to little ones from around 6 months* and you can reserve some florets to serve as finger food, if you want. Just grab a cauliflower head and in 10 minutes you'll have a lovely creamy purée. You can freeze portions too.
Make a batch of these wholemeal wraps to have on standby in the freezer. They're super versatile and can be filled for quick lunches or dinners, the recipe can be easily doubled too!
Here's a stunning veggie main for your Christmas dinner that's a doddle to make. This tart features a trio of red onions, leek and shallots to make a gorgeous caramelised topping, reminiscent of the classic French dessert tarte Tatin.
Turn your Christmas leftovers into these simple savoury scones. They can be made with whatever root veg and cheese you have in the fridge. Leftover roast potatoes add a crispy hash brown-style texture, which tastes great with scrambled eggs. Or fill with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce for a festive lunch.
Inspired by the flavours of the classic British hors d'oeuvre – devils on horseback (that's dried fruit wrapped in bacon), these delicious Christmas stuffing balls are a must-try.
Charring sprouts gives them a lovely nutty flavour in this seasonal twist on a classic Caesar salad. It's a great way of using up festive leftovers – perfect for a Boxing Day buffet or light lunch over the holidays.
Make this easy soup that’s brimming with good-for-you garlic, ginger, chilli and veggies. Perfect for keeping in the freezer for when hunger (or lurgy) hits! The crispy topping isn't essential but does make it extra tasty.
Roasting this distinctly colourful broccoli gives it a nutty and earthy flavour which works perfectly with a light dressing and crunchy sourdough
Packed with a warmly spiced vegan mince filling, this stuffed aubergine recipe from Noda Marvani is a hearty family meal that's vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free
These fritters are a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch or as a tasty snack, a favourite among both kids and adults.
These egg pots are a super-easy snack to prepare for the week ahead. Roasted chickpeas and tomatoes are topped with feta and a jammy egg for a protein hit. They also count towards 2 of your 5-a-day and are way more colourful than a cereal bar.
If you’ve not tried fruit in your salad before, you’re missing a trick. Clementine’s add a pop of juiciness and go so well with the fresh herbs. Lucy's recipe counts towards 2 of your 5-a-day and is a source of fibre, all whilst delivering big, bright flavours. It's great on its own or works well as a side dish too.
A spin on the classic French stew, this healthy traybake is the perfect choice for getting more veggies into your diet
Upgrade baked sweet potatoes with a colourful zesty tuna salsa for an easy family dinner idea
Upgrade your beans on toast with this delicious Greek-inspired dish. Packing in three of your 5-a-day, this healthy dish makes a lovely lunch, light dinner or even a weekend brunch.
Plump, shiny seasonal aubergine and potatoes come together in this simple curry, also known as aloo baingan
Ready in just 15 minutes, this healthy Italian-style salad is perfect for a simple yet hearty lunch and is high in protein. Tuna and butter beans is a classic combination which tastes even better when paired with a sharp and zesty mustard dressing. Top with a boiled egg and enjoy with a sprinkle of basil leaves.
Give crunchy tacos a tasty tuna twist with this exciting gluten-free lunch idea that kids will love. Jam-packed with tinned tuna, fresh veggies, tangy salsa and boiled egg, this easy Mexican-inspired lunch is full of flavour and ready in no time at all. Let kids load up their tacos to add to the fun!