Lunch recipes

Lunch recipes built for packing, from wraps and sandwiches to cold salads and soups that reheat well. Many are made ahead: boiled egg sandwiches, chicken salad, chickpea salad bento boxes and a rice ball bento with salmon all hold up in a container until noon. Pasta salads such as Greek pasta salad with feta and Italian tortellini salad are mixed in about 20 minutes and taste better after a rest in the fridge.

For something warm, look to hot chickpea pitas, cheese quesadillas, Mediterranean chicken wraps or a pot of red lentil or tomato soup. Check the time in each title to match your break, and choose a cold dish if you have no microwave at work.

Homemade French Dip Beef Sandwich

Pan-Seared French Dip Beef

4.50 (6 Ratings)

Tender beef and rich broth define this French Dip Beef. A deep sear creates a rich crust before cooking for 2 hours 55 minutes. Try this recipe.

Autumn Harvest Apple Feta Salad

Apple Feta Salad

4.71 (7 Ratings)

Honeycrisp apples, salty feta, and arugula make this Apple Feta Salad. Check out what each ingredient does in this 20 minute side dish.

Velvety High Protein Tomato Soup

High Protein Tomato Soup

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Want a High Protein Tomato Soup for meal prep? This recipe uses blended cottage cheese for a creamy finish and includes a quick recipe specs section.

Crockpot Tomato Soup with Canned Tomatoes

Crockpot Tomato Soup

4.40 (5 Ratings)

Canned tomato soups often taste too acidic. This Crockpot Tomato Soup uses slow heat for a rich, buttery finish and includes detailed recipe specs.

One-Pot Protein-Packed Red Lentil Soup

Red Lentil Soup

4.75 (4 Ratings)

Carrots, celery, and garlic flavor this Moroccan-inspired Red Lentil Soup. It includes a guide to essential ingredients and takes 55 minutes total.

Mediterranean Hot Chickpea Pitas

Hot Chickpea Pitas

5.00 (3 Ratings)

Zesty roasted Hot Chickpea Pitas hit every taste bud. This guide includes a substitute table for ingredients. Ideal for hot lunch box recipes.

Apple and Peanut Butter Sandwich Bento in 10 Minutes

Apple Peanut Butter Bento

4.40 (5 Ratings)

A crisp, salty-sweet treat for kids is this Apple and Peanut Butter Sandwich Bento. Follow the step-by-step instructions to keep apples crunchy until lunch.

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Bento Box

Chickpea Salad Bento Box Meal Prep

4.80 (5 Ratings)

Desk lunches often get soggy or require a microwave. This Chickpea Salad Bento Box stays fresh via a zesty marinade; see the making the salad section.

Easy Boiled Egg Lunch Box in 22 Minutes

Easy Boiled Egg Lunch

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Ready in 22 minutes, this Easy Boiled Egg Lunch is high protein. It includes a guide on lunch box logistics to stop afternoon energy crashes at work.

High-Protein Boiled Egg Snack Box

Boiled Egg Snack Box Meal Prep

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Looking for a Boiled Egg Snack Box for work? This balanced prep takes 25 minutes and includes a helpful ingredient substitution table for variety.

Veggie Hummus Wraps in 15 Minutes

Veggie Hummus Wraps

4.00 (4 Ratings)

Colorful, crunchy Veggie Hummus Wraps. This guide includes the Quick Recipe Specs for efficient assembly. These are great healthy lunch box wraps.

Tuna Salad Bento Box with Greek Yogurt

Tuna Salad Bento Box

4.67 (3 Ratings)

Ready in 10 minutes, this Tuna Salad Bento Box is a fresh lunch option. Check the What You'll Need section for the Greek yogurt swap to keep it light.

Rice Ball Bento with Salmon

Rice Ball Bento with Salmon

4.33 (3 Ratings)

Wondering how to pack a Rice Ball Bento for work? These salmon treats stay fresh all day, and the guide includes a table on ingredient roles.

Easy Chicken Salad Sandwich in 20 Minutes

Easy Chicken Salad Sandwich

4.00 (5 Ratings)

A crisp, refreshing lunch starts with this Easy Chicken Salad Sandwich. Check our equipment needed list and start prepping these fresh sandwiches today.

Turkey Cheese RollUps in 10 Minutes

Turkey Cheese RollUps

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Protein-packed bites for busy days are these Turkey Cheese RollUps. Learn what makes them hold in our guide to keep school lunches fresh and tidy.

Protein-Packed Boiled Egg Sandwich

Boiled Egg Sandwich for Meal Prep

4.60 (5 Ratings)

Looking for a Boiled Egg Sandwich that stays fresh? This protein-packed version is ideal for work and includes a serving size and mayo amount table.

Crispy Cheese Quesadillas in 17 Minutes

Cheese Quesadillas in 17 Minutes

4.50 (2 Ratings)

Cheese Quesadillas with a golden, buttery crust. Learn the technique in the What Makes This Work section to avoid burning. Ready in just 17 minutes.

Roasted Potato Leek Soup in 60 Minutes

Roasted Potato Leek Soup

4.50 (6 Ratings)

Roasted Potato Leek Soup with a deep, caramelized flavor. Learn the difference in the Why the Roast Matters section. Ready for your table in 60 minutes.

Creamy Spiced Sweet Potato Soup

Spiced Sweet Potato Soup

4.50 (2 Ratings)

Includes a variations and substitutions guide. This Spiced Sweet Potato Soup is a rich, comforting meal for plant-forward eaters and autumn lovers.

Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad

Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad

4.50 (6 Ratings)

Master this refreshing cucumber tomato salad with our step-by-step timing guide. Perfect for healthy vegetarian side dishes. Ready in 20 minutes.

New York Deli Shrimp Salad: Snappy and Creamy

New York Deli Shrimp Salad

5.00 (2 Ratings)

Master the classic New York Deli Shrimp Salad with our specialized poaching method. Includes a step-by-step timing guide for perfect texture.

Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

4.75 (4 Ratings)

Master the taco bell chicken quesadilla recipe with our step-by-step guide. Includes the exact smoky jalapeño cream sauce recipe and a common mistakes…

Tuna in a Salad Recipe: Mediterranean Vinaigrette

Tuna in a Salad Recipe

5.00 (5 Ratings)

Master tuna in a salad recipe with our bright, Mediterranean approach. This healthy tuna salad recipe includes a common mistakes checklist and timing guide.