Five work lunch ideas for under a fiver

LEAVE the bland sandwiches behind and make your workmates jealous with these delicious lunch ideas that cost less than a pound a day.

Whether vegetarian, vegan or a meat-eater, you’re sure to find something that tickles your taste buds.

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You don't need any hard to get ingredients, and you won't need a lot of preparation either.

All recipes cost under £5, and you pick up what you need in your usual food shop. Prices will vary, so it might be worth shopping around too.

Then it's just a bit of preparation time before enjoying and new homemade lunch recipe.

Mediterranean vegetable gnocchi

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Quick to make and super filling, this should set you back around 75p per portion.

You’ll need:

• 2 packs of gnocchi - Asda’s is 65p per pack, Tesco 75p
• 400g of fresh or frozen Mediterranean veg - usually around £1.75
• 2 tbsp of red pesto – often less than £1 a jar

How to make:

Pop the veg in the oven. Next boil the gnocchi for two minutes, drain and return to the pan. Add the veg and the pesto, stir it all up. You should be able to make five tasty portions.

Tip: Add parmesan (or vegetarian alternative) for an extra flavour boost

Classic corned beef hash

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Hearty fare for meat-eaters, you’ll need a microwave at work to get the most out of this lunchtime banger. Pick this for lunch and its 70p per meal.

You’ll need:

• 600g of potatoes - 60p
• 2-3 small onions - 15p
• 340g can of corned beef – approx. £1.50
• 2 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce – approx. 80p a bottle
• 2 cans of baked beans – 25p per can
• Vegetable oil for frying

How to make

Chop the potatoes, onions and corned beef into cubes. Fry the onion in the oil for a few minutes before adding the beef and potatoes. Squash down everything with a spatula and fry for five

minutes. Flip it over, splash on your Worcestershire sauce, and cook for a further five while pushing it down.

Tip: Portion up some baked beans to stretch this lunch out for the week

Turkish pittas

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Ditch the sliced white with these Turkish-style pitta breads. They work out at around 75p a pop.

You’ll need:

• 3 carrots – 20p
• Hummus - £1.30
• Rocket – 80p
• Feta - £1
• Pitta breads – 50p for a pack of six

How to make:

Shred the carrot, slice the pitta down the side, slap it all in.

Tip: You can save even more on this lunch by making your own hummus, as you can pick up a can of chickpeas for around 40p.

Spanish lentil soup

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It’ll be £1 a portion if you buy everything new, but if you already have soy sauce or paprika in the cupboard then the price of this vegan delight will be even lower…

You’ll need:

• 1 onion – 10p
• 1 big potato – 20p
• 2 carrots – 15p
• 1 green pepper – 55p
• 1 large tomato – 20p
• 250g of lentils - £1.15 per 500g bag at Asda and Tesco
• 2 cloves of garlic – 15p
• 2 tsp smoked paprika – 85p per jar
• 1 bay leaf - £1 a pack
• 2 tbsp of soy sauce – 65p per bottle

How to make:

Chop up the onion and add to a large pan with the pepper, tomato and garlic. Cook over a medium heat until soft, adding a little water.

Next add the paprika and bay leaf and stir for two minutes.

Now pour in a litre of water, followed by the carrots, potato and lentils. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.

Finally add the soy sauce and season with salt and pepper.

Smashed avocado chickpea salad

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Here’s a healthy lunch that’s bang on trend and costs less than £1 per portion if you make it regularly.
You’ll need:

• 1 ripe avocado - £1 or less
• 60g of tahini - around £2 per 300g jar
• 1/2 lemon - 30p
• 400g chickpeas - 50p
• 1 cucumber - 55p
• 2 stalks celery - 50p
• 2 carrots - 15p
• 2tbsp dill - 70p per pack
• 3 tbsp sunflower seeds - £1
• 4 English muffins - 60p
• 12 cherry tomatoes - 60p

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How to make it:

Mash the avocado, tahini, lemon juice and chickpeas in a bowl.

Then chop up the cucumber, carrot and celery and add to the mix with the dill and sunflower seeds, before seasoning with salt and pepper.

Serve on half or a whole muffin and add chopped cherry tomatoes on top.

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