Who loves to plan lunch?
Yep, me neither.
I've got to be honest, planning dinner makes me want to take a nap. I get finished with our weekly dinner plan, only to realize we need to eat breakfast and lunch too?
This is too much.
A short time ago, our weekly lunches could be some form of leftovers. Those were the days you guys. Three kids later, our kitchen hasn't seen a leftover since 2007. Our people like to eat.
I've got a hunch, your family might be like ours. You really want to save money on lunch but don't know where to begin? I've got your back.
Here is a simple weekly lunch plan. My meal plan comes right from my local Aldi store. Everything you need for lunch, you can pick up there. No extra special trips required.
Of course, if you shop at another grocery store, you can use my plan there too! Do what works for you.
At the end of this post, I included a shopping list and a prep ahead option. If you want to prep your lunches on the weekend, this option is for you!
Also, check out our FREE Aldi prep ahead lunch plan below. It includes free printable shopping list and prep schedule.
This lunch plan is for 4 people. My kids are older so adjust portions as needed!
Ready to pack lunch?
Lunch 1: BLACK BEAN AND CHEESE QUESADILLA
I love quesadillas for lunch. The possibilities are endless!
For this lunch, we used flour tortillas. I spread 2 tablespoons of drained, rinsed black beans on one tortilla. Top the beans with mozzarella cheese. Place another tortilla on top.
Cook in a nonstick pan with a little butter until golden brown.
We served this with whole wheat tortilla chips and strawberries.
LUNCH 2: SOUTHWEST TURKEY WRAP
I got this wrap inspiration from Emeals. I use their lunch meal plan app from time to time. They do not have an exclusive Aldi lunch plan so I have to improvise. I made some changes to make it Aldi friendly.
Take one flour tortilla and place deli turkey meat across it. Top with 1/4 cup of shredded Cheddar Cheese. On top of the cheese, I put 1 Tablespoon of Ranch dressing and 1 Tablespoon of pre-made guacamole on top of the cheese. You could also use 1/4 of a fresh avocado, chopped.
Roll up and cut in half.
We served this with fresh grapes and Green Pea Crisps.
LUNCH 3: NAAN PIZZA
You guys, naan makes the best pizza. If you need a quick meal, naan pizza is your next go-to. Trust me.
Take a jar of pre-made pesto from Aldi and spread about 2 Tablespoons of pesto across the naan. Top with precooked chicken breasts, mozzarella, and a few Tablespoons of feta cheese.
Cook in a 350-degree oven for about 8 minutes.
Serve with sliced cucumbers and grapes.
LUNCH 4: PB & J
Who doesn't love PB & J? My youngest son would eat a PB & J every single day. On busy weeks, we have this meal a lot.
I used Aldi's whole wheat sandwich bread and apricot jam. Be sure to spread peanut butter on both side of bread so your sandwich does not get soggy.
Serve with Green Pea Crisps and grapes. Easy lunch.
SHOPPING LIST
SLICED TURKEY DELI MEAT
AVOCADO (1)
GRAPES
BLUEBERRIES
1 CUCUMBER
STRAWBERRIES
1 BAG OF MOZZARELLA CHEESE, SHREDDED
1 BAG OF CHEDDAR CHEESE, SHREDDED
FETA CHEESE
1 PACKAGE OF PRECOOKED GRILLED CHICKEN
FLOUR TORTILLAS (8" SIZE)
15 OZ CAN OF BLACK BEANS
WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLA CHIPS
NAAN (REGULAR SIZE)
1 JAR OF PESTO
1 LOAF OF WHOLE WHEAT SANDWICH BREAD
PEANUT BUTTER
APRICOT JELLY
PANTRY ITEMS: RANCH DRESSING
PREP AHEAD GUIDE
Have a busy week? Use this prep ahead guide to prepare all your lunches over the weekend! Prep once and have lunch ready all week!
PRODUCE. Wash all your produce. Cut strawberries and place in a container in your fridge. Do the same with the cucumbers and grapes.
Black Beans. Open the can of black beans. Drain and rinse the beans. Place in a container with a lid and put in the refrigerator.
Naan Pizza. You can prepare your naan pizza ahead of time! Spread 2 Tablespoons of pesto on one naan. Top with precooked chicken, mozzarella, and feta. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool. When cool, wrap in foil and place in your refrigerator.
PB &J. Prep your PB &J by spreading both sides of your bread with peanut butter, then add jelly. Place in a plastic baggie or another air-tight container in your refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
The Quesadilla and Southwest wrap is best to prepare the night before or the day of!