The $3.13 Walmart Lunch I Actually Look Forward To

I work from home, and some days I hike at lunch and then sit at my desk to eat. On other days, I whip up something quick to enjoy with my husband when he’s also working from home. On the busy days, or the days I choose sunshine and movement over a home-cooked midday meal, I rely heavily on leftovers or a few smart, nutritious convenience foods that I keep on hand. 

They have to hit a few basic criteria for lunch to make it into my pantry. These include being a good source of protein, a ready-to-eat or easy-to-upgrade meal option, and it has to taste good. It’s always a bonus if it has vegetables, but I’ve learned how to quickly and easily add some raw veggies to any meal to round it out. 

When I discovered the bettergoods Italian tuna pasta bowls sitting sneakily on a Walmart shelf, it was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. At just $3.13, these shelf-stable meals pack a surprising punch of flavor and nutrition and are a salvation for hectic days. They’re packed with tuna and pasta with just enough tomatoes, red peppers, and briny olives to give them a tangy, Mediterranean flavor.

Why I Love Walmart’s Italian Tuna Pasta Bowls

I never thought I’d say this about a shelf-stable meal, but I was surprised by how satisfying it is. They’re 5.64 ounces and nutritionally dense enough to make me feel like I’ve eaten well. The pasta’s tender (albeit a little mushy), the tuna is MSC-certified (meaning it’s sustainably caught), and the veggie-flecked Mediterranean-inspired dressing brings everything together. 

Since they don’t need refrigeration, they’re also ideal for on-the-go or travel, make easy post-school-pre-soccer meals, and are fantastic for the days I’m juggling too much and forget to eat. And at $3.13 each, they’re about a quarter of what I’d drop on takeout. So, they help me save money!

How to Jazz Up Walmart’s Italian Tuna Pasta Bowls

While the bowl is satisfying, I often add a few extras to boost freshness and flavor. My go-to upgrade takes just 2 to 3 minutes: I toss the contents into a bowl with a generous handful of peppery arugula some halved cherry tomatoes, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. When I have an extra minute, I might sprinkle on a few capers for briny pops of flavor, or toss in some sliced pepperoncini peppers for a bit of heat. 

Sometimes, I’ll even prepare the bowl in the morning, add my extras, and refrigerate it until lunch for a chilled pasta salad version that’s particularly refreshing now that the weather is getting warmer. 

The first time I tried it, I ate it straight from the container on my couch–and honestly, it still hit the spot. If you’re like me and need a solid, low-effort lunch option in your back pocket, these bowls are worth stocking up on.

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