77 Easy Lunch Ideas That Are Fast, Low-Fuss and Foolproof
It’s the eternal question: What should I have for lunch? We barely have time to get everything done in the day, let alone meal prep healthy lunches for the week. But we also don’t have the time—or the budget—for trekking outside for an $18 salad that isn’t even that good. Luckily, there’s a solution in these 77 easy lunch ideas that are fast, satisfying and low-lift, yet still delicious.
With everything from chicken salad-stuffed peppers to radish barbecue bowls with honey mustard dressing on the menu, this handy list of lunch ideas will keep you satisfied for months to come. If sandwiches are your go-to in the afternoon, we have plenty of options, like creamy avocado egg salad, Buffalo chicken wraps and Italian deli pinwheels. Pasta stans will love our linguine with bacon, peaches and gorgonzola and 15-minute lemony broccolini casarecce, while veggie fans can opt for our shredded Thai salad with avocado or 20-minute burrata salad with stone fruit and asparagus. There are even no-cook meals for extra busy weekdays, like zoodles with avocado and mango sauce and kebabs with mortadella, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes.
Bottom line? Bookmark this page now and you’ll never worry about what’s for lunch again.
65 Easy Dinner Recipes for Beginners (That Even the Most Culinarily Challenged Can Manage)
Sandwiches & Wraps
1. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, make ahead
If you have 25 minutes, you can make four days’ worth of lunches. The salad will keep in the fridge without issue. As for the sandwich, it’s as easy to prepare as slicing a tomato.
2. Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Blue Cheese and Celery
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein, make ahead
Rotisserie chicken, we salute you. How else could we have a mouthwatering lunch and/or game day menu item ready to devour in just 20 minutes? Sub ranch for blue cheese if you insist.
3. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
The sandwich equivalent of icebox cookies. By that we mean easy, delicious and impossible to eat just one. (Oh, and the whole roll-slice-devour thing.)
4. Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Aside from being a tasty, easy lunch idea for you or your kids, these teeny-tiny skewers are so darn fun to eat. Customize them to your heart’s content, but we're partial to briny artichokes and herby pesto.
5. Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead, no cook
They take 30 minutes to prepare, don’t get soggy over time and last up to two days ahead in the fridge. Plus, there’s peanut butter sauce. Need we say more?
6. Mini Chicken Shawarma
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
You can’t go wrong with these two-bite pockets, which feature all the bold flavors of the Middle Eastern favorite. "Typically cooked on a rotisserie and shaved off in thin slices, our take on this classic dish is much simpler to make at home," PureWow's recipe developer told us. A fast marinade makes the chicken taste like you spent all day in the kitchen.
7. Green Goddess Wraps
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly
Real talk: This easy lunch idea has us excited about vegetables. And that homemade green goddess dressing? It comes together with just a few whirls in your blender. Guess it *is* easy being green.
8. Blackberry-Peach Grilled Cheese
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly, one pan
This ten-minute beauty is bursting with fresh fruit and three different cheeses. Feel free to spice the sandwich up even further with bacon, caramelized onions or jam (peach, apricot or raspberry would be delightful).
9. Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, kid-friendly, vegetarian, one pan
When all else fails, you can't go wrong with this childhood favorite. (Especially when it's grilled in butter.) Serve it with fresh fruit if you're feeling healthy, or sub Nutella for jelly if you aren't.
10. Crispy Tofu Bánh Mì
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why We Love It: vegetarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy
Never worked with tofu before? The secret to a crispy exterior is pressing as much liquid out of it as possible before breading and frying it. (The sesame seed crust helps, too.)
11. Thai Lettuce Wraps
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
The stars of this easy lunch idea are the quick-pickled cucumbers and scallions, which are spiked with fresh herbs. Still, the savory chicken and cremini mushroom combo is a close second. This low-carb gem is keto-friendly, too.
12. Buffalo Tuna Melt
Photo/Styling: Taryn Pire
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, <10 ingredients
This protein-packed dinner only takes 15 minutes from start to finish. Not only does the chicken wing-inspired recipe call for diced celery and carrots, but the dressing is also a simple mix of Buffalo sauce and ranch. "You can make it even spicier by adding chopped pickled jalapeños and a dash of their brine to the tuna," suggests recipe developer and PureWow food editor Taryn Pire.
13. Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Eva Kolenko/Bread Toast Crumbs
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, make ahead
You have our full permission to substitute pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for homemade, since the best parts are really the tarragon mayonnaise and the quick-pickled red onions. Your guests won't know the difference, promise.
14. Pancetta-Wrapped Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
YUM CREATIVE/I HEART CHEESE
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
This blissful combination of buttery white bread, gooey mozzarella cheese, salty pancetta and fresh herbs is only 25 minutes away. Needless to say, it’s sinfully delicious. Serve this easy lunch idea with sharp arugula salad.
15. Lox Bagel with Scallion and Dill Cream Cheese
Carmen Emmi
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
We'll eat this no-cook brunch staple any time of day, TBH. Finish your bagel with capers, fresh dill and minced red onion for maximum flavor. (Might we suggest washing it down with an afternoon mimosa as well?)
Salads
16. Chili Crisp Burrata Salad with Arugula, Apple and Walnuts
Heami Lee/Chili Crisp
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly
Creamy, dreamy burrata can make just about any dish look gourmet. Here, it looks extra fancy, thanks to a generous drizzle of chili crisp, which also doubles as a key ingredient in the dressing alongside tangy balsamic vinegar.
17. Tomato and Halloumi Salad Bowls with Farro and Basil
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
It's always tomato girl summer in our book. Get in on the trend with this flavor-packed salad, featuring a juicy vinaigrette, farro for heft and plenty of pan-fried, caramelized cheese. Serve it with a hunk of crusty bread for good measure.
18. Joanna Gaines’s Peach Caprese Salad
Amy Neunsinger/Magnolia Table
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
When it comes to low-fuss, healthy, easy lunch ideas, it turns out our design crush knows best. Feel free to add cantaloupe, prosciutto or both to the mix. Just be generous with the mozzarella.
19. BLT Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Bowties beat sad, wilted greens any day of the week. Plus, this pasta eliminates the soggy sandwich bread problem while preserving all the flavor magic of your beloved favorite. "It combines all the crunchy, savory, creamy ingredients of the classic sandwich—minus, well, the bread," says PureWow's recipe developer. (P.S.: It takes 40 minutes to make eight servings.)
20. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, high protein
Bye, lunch rut. We’ll see you never, thanks to these adorable pepper boats filled with healthy chicken salad. How is it no cook, you ask? Chalk it up to store-bought rotisserie chicken.
21. Make-Ahead Farro and Brussels Sprout Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, dairy free
Psst: This is the easiest way to prepare Brussels sprouts. All you have to do is trim, separate and toss them with the farro before serving. Prepare the grains ahead and you're halfway there.
22. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad
Power Plates
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly
It’s basically a giant bowl of guac masquerading as a salad, and we’re not complaining at all. In fact, that’s the definition of our dream lunch. (Bonus points if you pair it with a margarita.)
23. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
Tip: Don’t skimp on the good stuff. And by good stuff, we mean all that creamy burrata. Make this stunner in the summertime, when stone fruit is at peak deliciousness.
24. 15-Minute Mediterranean Couscous with Tuna and Pepperoncini
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly
What looks fancy but takes virtually no effort? This ridiculously simple, flavor-packed easy lunch idea. What can we say, we’re suckers for canned tuna.
25. Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly, one bowl
The prettiest salad you’ll ever make. Just look at all those colorful veggies (and tender smoked tofu). Substitute shredded chicken or ground pork for more protein, if you don't mind the dish not being vegetarian.
26. Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Chèvre Ranch
Lauren V. Allen/Chèvre
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
This easy lunch idea is a brand new way to use chèvre (and it’s a far cry from that ’90s salad with dried cranberries you used to love). "The goat’s milk cheese is so much more than the pallid log on your cheese board or the chalky medallion on a passé beet salad," urges PureWow's recipe developer. Pro tip: Make this one when sugar snap peas are in season for a perfect springtime lunch.
27. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegan
File this easy lunch idea under Ingenious Make Ahead Meals. The picnic-ready pasta salad is much more fun than avocado toast, but just as easy to make.
28. Zucchini Caprese Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
Grilled zucchini is a major upgrade to everyone’s favorite seasonal salad. This take on caprese would pair beautifully with grilled steak. Drizzle on some extra balsamic for us, would you?
29. Avocado Chicken Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, high protein, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
No grapes or walnuts in sight, just how we like it. The addition of creamy, buttery avocado, on the other hand? *Chef’s kiss*.
30. Meal-Prep Creamy Kale Caesar Salad
100 Days of Real Food
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
If you’re looking to spruce up a classic for minimal effort, this easy lunch idea fits the bill. The homemade dressing is a breeze to make and the walnuts add pleasant crunch and earthy flavor you never knew your snoozy Caesar was missing.
31. Roasted Broccoli and Bacon Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Why should summer have dibs on pasta salad? We love this hearty, savory take that's great for warming up with when the weather's cold. (Although the leftovers taste just as good straight out of the fridge.)
32. Keto Steak and Blue Cheese Salad for One
Dana Carpender/The Keto for One Cookbook
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, high protein, <10 ingredients, make ahead
Color your coworkers jealous. This lightning-fast salad is a great way to use up all that leftover steak from last night's barbecue. (But any spare protein will do, really.)
33. Strawberry, Basil and Arugula Salad with Lots of Black Pepper
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian
"Our recipe swaps spinach for arugula and basil, and adds black pepper (like a lot of it) to keep things balanced," writes PureWow's senior food editor Katherine Gillen. The strawberries are marinated in rice vinegar and honey, which not only brings out their sweet juices, but also creates a pseudo-dressing for the salad. All that's missing is a drizzle of olive oil.
34. Tuna Salad with Yogurt, Capers and Za’atar
Romas Foord/Sea Salt and Honey
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, high protein, <10 ingredients
No offense, but this five-minute tuna salad blows your usual way out of the water. The recipe calls for tangy Greek yogurt in place of mayo, and it's brightened up with a splash of zingy apple cider vinegar and briny capers.
Pastas & Noodles
35. Hot Chili Oil Noodles with Kale Chips
Christine Han/Big Bites
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, dairy free
When you want beef lo mein but should really eat a salad, compromise with this simple noodle dish. The gluten-free rice noodles are finished with crispy kale. We'd recommend making a double—or triple—batch of the veggie chips for snacking.
36. Linguine with Bacon, Peaches and Gorgonzola
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
This dish takes just 30 minutes from start to finish and strikes the optimal balance between fresh, summer flavor and crave-worthy decadence. Be brave and eat it cold—it tastes just as good (if not better) that way.
37. Zoodles with Avocado and Mango Sauce
LAURA EDWARDS/THE YOGA KITCHEN PLAN
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, vegan, gluten free
You had us at "15-minute lunch," and again at "no oven required." If ever there were a reason to bust out the spiralizer and double a recipe, this is it. (Although you can likely find pre-spiralized zucchini at the supermarket.)
38. Meal-Prep Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein, beginner-friendly, gluten free
Ready in half an hour is just the beginning. These meatballs are protein-packed, tender, rich and juicy. Plus, they’re baked instead of fried for easy cleanup. Let’s just say they check all the boxes.
39. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, make ahead, vegan
The secret ingredient? Store-bought marinated tofu. It’s a time-saving, easy way to add a ton of umami flavor (not to mention protein) to this easy lunch idea.
40. 15-Minute Cheater’s Pad Thai
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
It’s way faster than ordering takeout and every bit as tasty. "It’s quick and easy enough for weeknights, but fancy enough for Saturday night with a glass of wine," adds PureWow's recipe developer. You can even swap the ground pork for turkey or chicken, if you feel so inclined. Just don't skip the crunchy peanuts or crisp bean sprouts.
41. 15-Minute Lemony Broccolini Pasta
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, make ahead
Nothing against jarred marinara sauce, but we need a break. The good news? You can totally swap the pine nuts for almonds in a pinch if you want to save yourself a trip to the grocery store.
42. Zoodles with Summer Vegetables
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, make ahead
Presenting the best way to use up a boatload of produce. Feel free to swap tomatoes, corn or bell peppers for whatever looks good at the farmers market (or whatever's available in your fridge).
43. One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: one pot, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
This fresh, bright and oh-so satisfying Italian classic couldn’t be easier to make. (Hint: You only need eight ingredients, and that's including salt and pepper.) Pass the Parm, please.
44. 10-Minute Pad See Ew
Stir-Fry
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Nothing puts the 3-o'clock slump in its place like oodles of noodles doused in garlicky stir fry sauce. Plus, you can always add a protein of your choice if you’re looking for an extra filling lunch.
45. Sausage and Fennel Pasta
Colin Price/Dinner Then Dessert
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, high protein
Isn't it gorgeous? Because Italian sausage is so flavorful on its own, this the 25-minute pasta doesn't need much more than a flourish of grated Parm to become table-ready.
Soups
46. Rotisserie Chicken Ramen
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser
Doctor up a box of noodles with store-bought (or homemade!) broth, aromatics and our old standby, rotisserie chicken. It’s way better than Top Ramen, and not that much harder to make.
47. Easy Black Bean Soup
Ambitious Kitchen
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: one pot, high protein, vegan
Shoutout to Coterie member Monique Volz for keeping us warm with this cold-weather main, which is simple, flavorful, healthy and ready in 35 minutes. "I personally love topping it with crushed tortilla chips, a little cheese and cilantro, but anything goes. It’s also wonderful over a baked sweet potato," Volz writes. Canned black beans keep it as low-lift as possible.
48. White Turkey Chili with Avocado
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein, crowd-pleaser, one pot
Light enough to eat all year long, hearty enough to serve at your next Super Bowl party. Even better, it freezes like a dream, so you can stash some away for busy days ahead.
49. 15-Minute Cucumber-Avocado Blender Soup
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
We like the sound of zero prep even more than we like that cheese-encrusted, toasted baguette. Fortunately, we (you) don’t have to choose between them. You're welcome.
50. Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pot, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Yup, we'll *definitely* be warming up with this hug in a bowl all winter long. Store-bought gnocchi (i.e., Italian potato dumplings) are pillowy morsels that add both substance and a touch of decadence to this creamy chicken soup.
51. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, make ahead
Come June, the last thing we want to do is stand over a hot stove. Luckily, this cold soup is a flavor bomb that comes together in the blender instead—and without making the cook break a sweat.
52. Sheet Pan Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, make ahead, dairy free
Believe it or not, this homemade soup only requires 15 minutes of prep—your oven basically takes care of the rest. The end result? A mouthwatering blend of warm spices and peak autumn flavor.
High Protein
53. Sheet Pan Indian-Spiced Chicken
Jonathan Lovekin/At My Table
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, high protein, special occasion-worthy
This easy lunch idea sounds time-consuming, but we promise it’s a breeze. There's only ten minutes of prep—just chop everything up, toss it on a tray and cook. "While the chicken roasts to golden perfection, the potatoes soak up its juices, becoming soft and almost soused," explains chef and author Nigella Lawson.
54. Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe
Two of our favorite dishes (crispy, creamy, garlicky salad and cheesy, gooey pizza), combined into one easy-to-make, highly satisfying meal. Even your picky kids might enjoy the pie. Don’t skimp on the Parmesan, okay?
55. Slow Cooker Meal-Prep Burrito Bowls
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 7 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, make ahead
The answer to your lunchtime prayers? Spicy, nourishing pork burrito bowls portioned out for the entire week. Substitute ground beef, saucy chicken or taco-spiced cauliflower for pork if you'd prefer.
56. Meal-Prep Honey Sesame Chicken with Broccolini
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein, kid-friendly
Kick that sad salad to the curb and replace it with this satisfying Asian-inspired meal. The sides are swappable, but the sticky-sweet glaze is mandatory.
57. Firecracker Chicken with Rice
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, high protein, beginner-friendly, make ahead
Low-maintenance is the name of the game when it comes to easy lunch ideas. Make this spicy-sweet number the night before and reap the rewards when your stomach growls at lunchtime the next day.
58. Bruschetta Chicken
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly, keto-friendly
One-pan lunches are the way to go. This one, which is teeming with summer tomatoes, tastes super decadent despite being surprisingly healthy and low carb.
59. Keto Sheet Pan Chicken and Rainbow Veggies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, make ahead
Dishes? What dishes? We’re only making sheet pan lunches from now on, namely this super simple pick that calls for bell peppers, broccoli and carrots. "It’s ready in 35 minutes and requires just one pan, which means cleanup is a breeze," explains PureWow's recipe developer.
60. 20-Minute Paleo Egg Roll Bowls
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, Paleo-friendly, high protein, dairy free, low carb
We’re ditching the fussy egg roll wrappers, because everyone knows it’s what’s on the inside (pork! cabbage! scallions!) that counts. Try this one and you’ll be singing the praises of deconstructed takeout dishes.
61. The Ultimate Quinoa-Avocado Bowl
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
The beauty of shrimp? It’s ready to eat after five minutes of cooking and goes with just about everything. Consider it a lunchtime blessing (along with avocado).
62. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly
Put down the phone and step away from the takeout menu—you got this. We might even venture to say this easy lunch idea tastes better as leftovers. (It reheats like a charm in the microwave.)
63. Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Two things we love: hands-off meals and zero dishes. This easy lunch happens to offer both and then some. Serve it with rice or pasta if you'd like to add a carb to the mix.
64. Kung Pao Chicken
Stir-Fry
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly, one pan
Juicy, sweet and totally irresistible, you won't believe how easy this staple is to prepare. We should also mention that it comes together in a single skillet, so cleanup is easy-peasy.
65. 15-Minute Skillet Pepper Steak
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, high protein, <10 ingredients
Calling all carnivores: This delightful dish requires very little time and clean up of the cook. "Zero special ingredients, less than 230 calories a serving and very few dirty dishes make this an instant weeknight hit," explains PureWow's recipe developer. We'll take ours with brown rice, please.
66. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
In a perfect world, we'd be at the beach noshing on fresh seafood 24/7. Until then, these 20-minute beauties will have to do. (Pro tip: Pack the tortillas separately, so they don't get soggy before lunchtime.)
67. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
Esteban Castillo/Chicano Eats
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Warm up some white rice or bust out the dinner rolls so you can sop up every drop of the zingy citrus garlic butter. (And obviously make sure not a single tender shrimp is left behind.)
Quick & Easy
68. Jalapeño Popper Omelet
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Eggs are the easiest route to a protein-packed meal on the fly. This omelet is not only extra satiating (thanks, bacon), but it's also packed with flavor and boasts a super silky texture.
69. Charcuterie-Board Flatbread
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
A five-minute easy lunch idea that's fancy enough to serve at a dinner party? Don't mind if we do. Substitute prosciutto, apple, burrata and almonds with whatever you have on hand; just be sure to finish the flatbread with a drizzle of honey before serving.
70. Easy Stir Fried Rice Cakes with XO Sauce
DIANA KUAN/RED HOT KITCHEN
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, beginner-friendly
These chewy, sticky rice cakes are about to win the lunch game. "You can find fresh rice cakes in Chinese or Korean grocery stores, usually in the refrigerated section near the fresh noodles and tofu," says recipe creator Diana Kuan. (Look there to find flavor-packed XO sauce and Chinese rice wine as well.)
71. Radish Barbecue Bowls with Tangy Honey-Mustard Dressing
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
This is our new favorite way to eat veggies, hands down. It must have something to do with those briny, charred radishes. (Or maybe it's the honey mustard vinaigrette...)
72. 15-Minute Mezze Plate with Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, high protein
Hot take: Finger food is the best food. The second best? It’s a tie between charcuterie, olives, toasted pita and yogurt sauce.
73. Cauliflower Rice Bowl with Curried Lentils, Carrots and Yogurt
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, make ahead
Who says eating healthy has to be boring? This fresh legume-veggie-yogurt combo will fill you up without weighing you down. How pretty are those carrot ribbons?
74. Buddha Bowl with Kale, Avocado, Orange and Wild Rice
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, high protein, one pot
Mixing and matching is the name of the game. With all the fresh, filling ingredients in this easy lunch idea, you’ll avoid the afternoon slump like nobody’s business and stay full 'til dinnertime. Kudos.
75. Spring Roll Bowls
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
The healthiest way to get your takeout fix is to ditch the crispy fried spring roll wrappers for chewy rice noodles and make this meal yourself to save a few bucks in the process. P.S: You'll want to use the store-bought peanut sauce on *everything*.
76. Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Let’s eat every meal on a stick from now on, shall we? "In this recipe, rather than just chopping up the ingredients and tossing them with dressing, our flavorful salad begins on the grill," says PureWow's recipe developer. Light, tangy and irresistible, these skewers put summer watermelon front and center. Char them on a grill pan in the off-season.
77. Cauliflower Fried Rice
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, dairy free, beginner-friendly
Sure, you can pass on the carbs by substituting cauliflower rice for regular rice in this easy lunch idea. But whatever you do, don't skip the runny egg. It offers richness, umami and protein.
