Breakfast might be the first meal of the day, but lunch is equally as important – especially if you start hitting a slump before the afternoon. Between picking the easiest option like cold leftovers (yum!) and dreaming up lunch ideasin the middle of the work day, it's no wonder we need that afternoon cup of coffee so desperately.
But, eating a healthy, delicious lunch every day doesn't mean you have to devote your entire Sunday to meal prep, and the easy lunch ideas ahead prove it. Keep reading for 54 flavor-packed lunches you can make in a matter of minutes. These will save you time *and* still satisfy you, keeping you energized and more productive for the rest of your afternoon. Enjoy!
What is the easiest thing to make for lunch?
Vikalinka
Some of the easiest foods to make for lunch are quick recipes like overnight oats, scrambled eggs or tofu, or sandwiches that don't take a lot of time or effort.
What are 10 good lunch foods?
Completely Delicious
Pasta, soup, salad, sandwiches, toast, smoothies, jar recipes, grilled chicken, mug recipes, and crackers with dip are all good lunch foods. Find more easy lunch ideas below!
What can I make for lunch at home?
Averie Cooks
There are a variety of lunch ideas that you can make at home. Versatile ingredients like veggies, chicken or tofu, and your favorite sauces can go in multiple recipes like salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
What makes a good small lunch?
Crowded Kitchen
Prepared pasta, chicken and egg salads, finger sandwiches, and soups you can pack for a week are all small lunches that will leave you satisfied without weighing you down.
Easy Pasta Lunch Ideas
Brit + Co
Pre-cooked protein and veggies don't just have to form grain bowls. Liven up your lunch with a fun, healthier take on Cup Noodles.
The Endless Meal
Serve this creamy sauce with your next easy lunch ideas in just 5 minutes. Use it to drown your favorite pasta shape or roasted cauliflower rice in pure deliciousness.
Feel Good Foodie
We could never pass up the opportunity to make mug mac and cheese! Since the recipe calls for a bag of shredded cheese, you can just add your fave.
Rachel Mansfield
This gluten-free pasta tastes like creamy Alfredo, but with a lighter twist, thanks to coconut milk. This one def makes all other lunch ideas look boring.
Rachel Mansfield
This 10-minute lunchtime meal is gluten-free, and made with just four ingredients – easy peasy!
Salad Lunch Recipes
Brit + Co
While this recipe for fattoush salad uses romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, and herbs, you can really use whatever you have on hand. Open a bag of pita chips instead of baking your own for a lightning-fast lunch.
Brit + Co
This handheld take on chicken salad will please your tummy and your carb count.
Brit + Co
If you have leftover quinoa, add in all your fave fruits (dried or fresh), nuts, and herbs for a psuedo-grain salad that will satiate. Whether you eat it cold or warm, this is an easy lunch that won't leave you wanting more.
Brit + Co
Watermelon radishes receive the name for their pink hue and green exterior alone. Flavor-wise, they are the opposite of sweet (the earthy, spicy veg goes best with a simple balsamic vinaigrette). But we don't mind. They're one of the prettiest veggies we've ever seen!
Brit + Co
Whip up this sweet-and-savory salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing for a deceptively nutritious lunch.
Brit + Co
The great thing about salads is how customizable and easy they are to put together. Just reach for whatever fruits and veggies you have in your fridge and mix them up in a bowl! This fennel salad is already making our mouths water.
Feel Good Foodie
This flavorful 5-minute salad made with sour cream, red onion, and dill is delicious on its own or on top of toast. Easy lunch ideas have truly met their match with this fresh take.
Fancy Peasant
Simple and delicious, this healthy salad is super easy to toss together. It makes for an unbeatable side dish to accompany your best lunch sandwiches.
Pinch of Yum
Three-minute poached shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and fresh herbs compose a salad you never knew your lunch repertoire needed.
She Likes Food
This is one amazing salad in terms of taste, nutritional value, and meal prep-ability.
Damn Delicious
Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for this salad, and you’ll have plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. Switch up the fruits and veggies that you add on top depending on your mood. The more colorful, the better! This is one veggie-packed easy lunch idea we can't get enough of.
Crowded Kitchen
In just 10 minutes, mix together fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, vegan or OG mozzarella, avocado, arugula and a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a healthy and refreshing lunch.
No. 2 Pencil
Use some leftover chicken, pre-crumbled bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and your favorite dressing to quickly assemble a hearty lunch that hardly feels like a salad.
Bowl Lunch Recipes
Brit + Co
Perfect for leftover rice, this poke bowl just requires quickly mixing sushi-grade tuna in soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, slicing cucumbers, and topping it off with spicy mayo. This is one of the freshest easy lunch ideas we've seen.
Brit + Co
Like a poke bowl, this veggie-friendly lunch is easily customizable with whatever chopped veggies you have on hand. Top with your favorite poke classics, like seaweed salad and pickled ginger.
Completely Delicious
Warm up in just 10 minutes of cook time with this homemade chicken ramen recipe made with chicken, mushrooms, and noodles in a simple savory broth.
Culinary Hill
With just five ingredients — apple juice, bananas, frozen berries, Greek yogurt, and frozen acai purée — this acai bowl can be whipped up in a blender in minutes.
Clean Cuisine
Your Instant Pot makes this homemade chili an 8-minute meal and a healthy lunch you can have for the week!
Live Eat Learn
This creamy, vegan soup has a tang of lime juice, a taste of garlic, and a spicy kick from jalapeños! We're hooked on easy lunch ideas like this.
Easy Sandwiches + Wraps + Flatbreads To Eat For Lunch
Brit + Co
An Instant Pot will help cook your mix of eggs, mushrooms, and cream into something truly divine. Dig in with a spoon or spread on a slice of your favorite bread for a breakfast-for-lunch feast.
Brit + Co
This version has cheese both on the inside and outside of the bread for the absolute best grilled cheese possible.
Brit + Co
As long as you have all the ingredients on hand, you can certainly whip up this nostalgic bite in five minutes. Make sure you have plenty of napkins for this gooey 'wich!
Averie Cooks
Busy day? Top these fish tacos with a honey mustard-lemon sauce for a quick and easy lunch idea.
Give Recipe
Give your classic grilled cheese an extra boost of nutrients with warm spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy feta, and melted cheddar.
Vikalinka
Tuna melt lovers will enjoy this hot salmon sandwich with a mix of canned and smoked salmon plus oozing melted cheese on delicious crusty bread!
Munching with Mariyah
This meal is perfect if you're craving eggs (but don't actually eat eggs). Vegan friends, this is the easy lunch idea for you.
Half Baked Harvest
While your bread is toasting, slice up a tomato and some manchego cheese, layer them on the bread, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of basil, salt, and pepper. We love elevated easy lunch ideas like this one.
She Likes Food
Make this mouthwatering lunch extra easily with store-bought tostadas, which you spread with refried beans (or black beans) and your choice of taco toppings, such as shredded sweet potato and grated cheese.
Plain Chicken
The combination of sweet pears with salty blue cheese and prosciutto (on a piece of naan) makes this a toaster-oven lunch you’ll crave even after you’re done eating it.
Feel Good Foodie
It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving to enjoy a turkey-cranberry-cheese sandwich. We'd eat this easy lunch idea every day of the year!
Whitney Bond
This panini is packed with fresh turkey, spinach-artichoke dip, and sun-dried tomatoes. Buy pre-made dip and already sliced turkey, and lunch basically makes itself.
Damn Delicious
Juicy grapes, tart apples, and cranberries is straight-up comfort food between two slices of bread.
Feel Good Foodie
Get your pizza fix in just 10 minutes with this tortilla-based take on pizza dough.
How Sweet Eats
Beef up your usual avocado toast with a shaved hard-boiled egg, salt, and pepper. After noshing on that, you’ll have all the energy you need to conquer the rest of your day, even when that afternoon slump hits!
Half Baked Harvest
If you're looking for something that will go a little bit easier on your stomach, consider this toast recipe! Not only is cinnamon sugar toast a classic that has us feeling all kinds of nostalgic, but the addition of dark chocolate gives it a grown-up spin.
Lunchtime Sandwiches + Toasts + Flatbreads
Brit + Co
This guacamole is a quick mix of spinach, avocado, red onion, garlic, and jalapeño for a true power lunch. It goes great on any sandwich!
A Spicy Perspective
This low-carb dip mixes smoked salmon, dill, cream cheese, and lemon juice. It will go perfectly with some toasted bread for an easily-to-handle lunch at your desk.
Feel Good Foodie
Swap your PB&J for this sweet and savory dip with a side of your favorite fruit.
A Spicy Perspective
We're throwing it back to elementary school days with a dip that's perfect for carrots, celery, and all other kinds of finger foods. Add this recipe to your list of easy lunch ideas for some flavor!
Live Eat Learn
With a bag of carrot sticks or pita chips, this easy tzatziki is an instant lunch. (via Live Eat Learn)
Forks & Foliage
Enjoy this fresh-tasting dip with a bag of chips or toast for a satisfying lunch.
Smoothie Lunch Ideas
Feel Good Foodie
For lunch on the go, blend up bananas, Greek yogurt, oats, almond milk, and peanut butter. You can change up the ratios depending on whether you want it thicker (more PB) or thinner (more milk), and voilà!
A Spicy Perspective
On the lighter side, this watermelon and yogurt smoothie is refreshing and filling and just takes 5 minutes.
More Easy Lunch Ideas
The Endless Meal
This 8-minute easy lunch is perfect with a simple salad, on toast, or on its own.
A Spicy Perspective
If you think about it, nachos are kind of like a different type of salad. This one features cheese, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts for a totally easy but totally delicious. This is also a great way to get rid of leftovers if you have extra veggies in the fridge!
Woman Scribbles
Put your Instant Cup o' Noodles back in your pantry because we just found the easiest Pad Thai recipe to make. Be sure to add rice noodles, coconut milk, and fish sauce to your grocery list because you'll need them in addition to what you may already have at home!
Two Peas and Their Pod
In less than an hour you can be munching on Easy Vegetarian Tacos — at least if you have 30 minutes to spare. We're past thinking that food that looks good can't be healthy and you'll feel the same once you bite into these juicy hand-held treats. Just think, your Taco Tuesday dinners can have this option for anyone who wishes they could have a healthier meal!
The Endless Meal
We've never met a pasta we didn't like, but this Boursin dish may be the one to send us over the edge. Plus, you only need a few ingredients to make it.
Cozy Cravings
It may be fall, but it still feels like summer in many southeastern places. If you're missing its carefree energy and seasonal meals, don't be afraid to make this Sungold Tomato Pasta. It requires fresh ingredients to give it that lightweight, but flavorful taste that you'll be wanting more of.
Find more quick, easy lunch ideas on our Food section, get inspired on Pinterest, or join our newsletter!
This post has been updated.
