Make Work Lunches Easier With These 12 Meal Prep Must-Haves

Slow Cooker Marry Me Chickpea Soup

This slow cooker Marry Me Chickpea Soup is the perfect combo of cozy and nutritious. It's swoon-worthy!

Black Bean Lentil Soup

It's soup season! Try this meatless soup flavored with celery, carrot, garlic and lemon for your next slow cooker fix. It's low calorie, high-protein and fiber so it will keep you satisfied through the day. (via Give Recipe)

Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin is the perfect ingredient for fall and wintertime comfort. Cook it into your next chili using the slow-cooker, and witness the culinary magic for yourself! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Slow-Cooker Enchilada Casserole

This enchilada casserole stacks layers of cheese, beans, corn, and fresh veggies for a lovely differentiation of flavors. (via Damn Delicious)

Slow-Cooker Creamy Wild Rice Soup with Roasted Buttered Mushrooms

Anyone who dubs quinoa as “boring” needs a wakeup call — this cheesy, Italian-seasoned bowl full of quinoa, mushrooms, and peppers ought to do the trick. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Vegan Italian Wedding Soup

Even though this soup has meatballs in it, they're all vegan. The flavors in this bowl are simply unforgettable. (via The Edgy Veg)

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin season calls for a velvety slow cooker pumpkin soup. This one's so easy you'll have a warm bowl of delicious soup in just two steps: chop and blend! (via Where Is My Spoon?)

Slow-Cooker Chana Masala

You'll get a really nice dose of protein from the chickpeas in this vegetarian slow-cooker recipe. Make a big batch so you can feast on the leftovers all week long! (via Brit + Co.)

Vegan Corned Beef (Jackfruit) And Cabbage Soup

Slow cook this easy plant-based meal for a hearty meal on a chilly day.

Slow-Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipe

When a comfort food craving hits — mac & cheese is our forever go-to to deliver a bite of happiness. In this dish, Velveeta, cheddar cheese, butter, milk, and shell pasta bubble together for 2-ish hours to form a truly delish one-pot mac. (via Brit + Co.)

Slow-Cooker Marsala Veggie Grain Bowls

This vegetarian slow-cooker recipe combines quinoa, sweet potato, and black beans for a hearty and flavorful bowl. Everyone in your household will be craving more once you make it! (via Brit + Co.)

This white queso dip is so delicious and versatile that you can dip into it as a game day snack with chips and veggies, or drizzle it over tacos or nachos! (via Barley & Sage)

Slow Cooker Potato Curry

This Slow Cooker Potato Curry features slow-cooked potatoes and veggies in a fragrant and delicious coconut curry sauce recipe that hails from Trinidad & Tobago.

Slow-Cooker Enchilada Quinoa

Be sure to add this vegetarian slow-cooker recipe to your weekly rotation – it only calls for 15 minutes of prep! If you can handle minimal chopping and a little can opening in the morning, you’re so golden. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Slow-Cooker Vegetables

The slow-cooker is a star when it comes to whipping up vegetarian side dishes. You can easily season some of your favorite veggies then toss 'em in for a tender, tasty side for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike! (via Brit + Co.)

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup

French onion soup is the epitome of comfort food, and luckily, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly. Just make sure you have some crusty bread on-hand for delightful dipping! (via Brit + Co.)

Slow-Cooker Indian Butter Lentils

Life is good when you can throw fewer than 10 ingredients into a slow-cooker, let them hang out for 6 to 8 hours, and come home to the smell of a rich and buttery Indian classic. If you've never tried your hand at making Indian cuisine at home, this is the perfect starter recipe to feed your craving. (via Host The Toast)

Slow-Cooker Minestrone Soup

A hot bowl of soup is what chilly weather is all about. Whether you’re enduring a hectic week or relishing in a lazy Sunday, this protein-packed vegan spin on minestrone soup is a very tasty way to nourish your bod. (via Little Spice Jar)

Buffalo Crock Pot Mac & Cheese

Not all vegetarian meals are focused on veggies – indulging in this divine buffalo mac will prove that. Ease your hesitant family into Meatless Monday with this delicious bad boy. (via Whitney Bond)

Slow-Cooker BBQ Chickpeas

Traditional BBQ flavors make this plant-based chickpea sandwich a dinner win. We love how unique this slow-cooker vegetarian recipe is! (via Real Food Whole Life)

Vegan Mushroom “Bone” Broth

Some days (AKA sick days), you just want to curl up to a piping hot mug of broth. This nutritious blend features shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, and chickpeas. Though it’s made in a pressure cooker, you could absolutely go the slow-cooker route and cook this on low for 6 to 8 hours. (via Simply Quinoa)

Crock Pot Lentil Bolognese

If you’re hankering for a Bolognese sauce, but could do without the heft and greasiness, lentils will do the trick! This slow-cooked sauce is a healthy and substantial option. You may never consider a classic Bolognese again! (via Simply Whisked)

Quinoa Black Bean Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers

The best way to enjoy bell peppers? Stuffed and and utterly overflowing with vegetarian goodies. (via Pinch of Yum)

Slow-Cooker Bean Soup

If you’re going to dig into a bowl of bean soup, you have to go big or go home. Start with a bag of 15-bean mix (yes, it’s a real thing), and let the slow cooker do the hard work. (via The Seasoned Mom)

Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Dal

If you've been toying with the idea of incorporating more squash into your life, this Indian dal dish is a fab place to start. (The Girl on Bloor)

Slow-Cooker Spinach Ricotta Lasagna

If you’re not quite ready to ditch the lasagna noodles for eggplant or zucchini, worry not! There are ample vegetarian lasagnas out there that cater to plant-based diets, and this spinach and ricotta lasagna will make sure you don’t miss out on the meatiness. (via Kristine’s Kitchen)

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Ratatouille

This belly-warming blend of eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes just might end up on your weekly slow-cooker menu. (via Eating Bird Food)

Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash

Once your gourd is cooked until tender, serve it up with plenty of Parmesan, olive oil, and parsley for a low-frills dinner that always satisfies. (via Well Plated)

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Curry with Chickpeas

Top this vegetarian slow-cooker recipe off with crunchy cashews, and allow yourself to sink into a state of pure bliss. (via The Lemon Bowl)

Crock Pot Low-Carb Lasagna

Comfort food is all about the cheesy and the saucy. Sadly, with that usually comes the carb-y and the heavy, but not in this case! This meatless slow-cooker lasagna replaces noodles with eggplant, and it's kind of the best thing ever. (via Well Plated)

Greek Goddess Chicken Wraps

Roasted chicken, avocado, olives, cucumbers make this wrap an easy and delicious combo. Pair it with pita and go lighter on the carbs with lettuce. Either way, you'll find these will be your go-to lunch or dinner wrap year-round! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Waldorf Chicken Salad Wrap

Apples and walnuts gives these high-protein wraps a delightful crunch. The protein-packed chicken salad included can be made in a big batch at the start of the week for an easy and healthy meal prep option! (via Salt & Lavender)

Keto Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Whether you're chowing down on these wraps for a snack or a full meal, they'll hold a deliciously bright flavor that's super refreshing for a food break. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

Originally developed by Chef Bai, these vegan lettuce wraps have all the ingredients you need to feel your best. (via Brit + Co)

The Yummiest High-Protein Wraps To Fuel You Up

Beef + Lamb Shawarma Wrap

This Lebanese street food makes for a perfect lemony, garlicky savory lunch. Marinated beef and Greek yogurt give this recipe a boost of protein! (viaForks & Foliage)

Mediterranean Egg Wrap

This versatile wrap is perfect for breakfast or lunch, and will keep you satisfied through whatever the work day brings. Dress it up with veggies and cheese for added taste. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Grilled Chicken + Broccoli Wraps

Tender chicken and broccoli are seasoned to perfection with a cheesy filling in these high-protein wraps. This recipe is the best mix of delicious and healthy! (via Feel Good Foodie)

BLT Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Upgrade your classic BLT with tender chicken chunks, creamy avocado oil mayo, red onion, fresh chives and avocado for a healthy and hearty lunch or dinner. Yum! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Spicy Pork Lettuce Wrap

These spicy pork wraps are so easy to make and ready in less than 20 minutes. Here's your high protein, gluten-free dinner to add to your dinner rotation! (via Averie Cooks)

Kale Chicken Caesar Wrap

This Chicken Caesar wrap is a lot healthier since it uses a lighter homemade Caesar dressing, chicken breast, multigrain wraps and kale (which is full of good nutrients). (via The Girl on Bloor)

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

These fresh and tasty Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are full of flavor with lime, garlic and cilantro, plus a little guac and salsa! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Hot Honey Salmon Wrap

Here's a hot tip: add hot honey-glazed salmon, avocado, and a creamy scallion slaw for an instant lunch upgrade! (via Whole And Heavenly Oven)

Keto Egg Roll Wrap

These warm wraps are inspired by your favorite egg rolls – yum! They're keto-friendly and especially high in protein, thanks to the eggs and meat. You'll want to eat one every single day. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Black + Blue Steak Wraps

It doesn’t get much more protein-filled than a steak wrap! Your work buddies will be begging for a taste of this steakhouse-style lunch at the office. (via Emily Bites)

Chicken Caesar Wrap

You’re going to love this Caesar salad-inspired wrap. It has strips of tender chicken breast and a zesty homemade Caesar dressing made with protein-rich Greek yogurt. Get ready to make your salad-loving coworkers jeal-ous! (via Skinny Ms.)

Easy Black Bean Wrap

Making sure you have enough protein is important, especially if you're a vegan eater. Black beans are a great plant-based source of protein, and go perfectly in this lunchtime wrap. (via Veggie Primer)

California Chicken Club Wrap

Turn your favorite sandwich order into a portable feast! These chicken club high-protein wraps have a double-dose of protein from the bacon and chicken, and will keep you full until your work day is over. The recipe even incorporates fruit for a varied taste and texture. (viaTaste & Tell)

Chicken, Spinach & Cream Cheese Tortilla Wrap

You’ll feel like Popeye when you eat this chicken spinach wrap for lunch! Not only are these high-protein wraps filled with fresh spinach, they're also all wrapped up in a yummy spinach tortilla. (via Tried and Tasty)

Keto Breakfast Egg Wrap

This low-carb wrap is stuffed with chicken sausage, avocado, and jalapeño cream cheese for a heavenly breakfast bite. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Grilled Chicken Naan Wraps with Roasted Red Pepper Tahini Sauce

Playing around with different high-protein wraps is a fun way to switch up your mealtime routine. This grilled chicken wrap is housed in Indian naan bread and drizzled with a nutty red pepper tahini sauce. Dreamy! (via Tara’s Multicultural Table)

These Healthy High-Protein Wraps Are So Delicious & Easy To Make

Greek Grilled Chicken + Hummus Wrap

This wrap is everything you love from your go-to Greek lunch spot. Did someone say CAVA dupe?! You have tons of veggies and olives, tangy feta cheese and chicken and hummus (both of which are full of protein) in these high-protein wraps. (via Cooking Classy)

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wraps

Take your lunch outside and enjoy it in the sunshine for once! When you get back to work after lunch, you’ll be reenergized from your Hawaiian-influences high-protein wraps, and your 30 minutes of vitamin D. (via Tastes Better From Scratch)

Vegan Grilled Sweet Potato + Mint-Tahini Cauliflower Rice Wraps

These vegan wraps are a light and healthy lunch option that won’t put you in a total food coma for the afternoon. Prep them on Sunday, and you can have a healthy lunch every day of the week. (via Food Faith Fitness)

Portobello Mushroom Gyro

Seasoned with Mediterranean spices, these high-protein wraps are satisfyingly drizzled with a creamy tzatziki saucethat brings the protein. (via Live Eat Learn)

Green Goddess Wrap

Mashed avocado, arugula, purple cabbage, edamame, and zucchini all wrapped in a warm wholegrain wrap will treat your body so good. (viaTwo Spoons)

Hummus Veggie Wrap

Homemade spicy hummus serves as the main protein source for this vegetarian lunch wrap. It’s packed with cucumbers, tomatoes, sprouts, spinach and avocado. Even though there’s no meat, you’ll be full and focused for the rest of the work day! (via Foodiecrush)

Ultimate Veggie Wrap

With herbed cream cheese and Havarti cheese, this fresh veggie wrap is anything but boring. (via Culinary Hill)

Grilled Lemon Chicken Flatbread Wraps with Spicy Garlic Sauce

Take your leftover grilled chicken from dinner the night before, squeeze a lil' lemon on it, and whip up this wrap for lunch. Just add the homemade spicy garlic sauce to these high-protein wraps, and you have a whole new meal in your hands! (via The Cozy Apron)

Roasted Red Pepper Chicken + Basil Pinwheels

Make these dairy-free wraps for a crowd in pinwheel form – or for yourself in a good old-fashioned wrap. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Healthy Ham Wrap

Customize these high-protein wraps with your favorite veggies (or just any ingredients you have lying around), and you can have a healthy lunch on the table in just 10 minutes! (via Salt & Lavender)

Try These High-Protein Wraps With A Flavor Twist For Your Next Lunch

Mexican Chicken Quinoa Salad Wraps

Quinoa + beans + chicken = the high-protein trifecta. You won't find yourself reaching for a snack a few hours later, because this Mexican wrap will fill you up – and then some. (viaSpices in my DNA)

Vegan Tofu Wrap

Vegan Caesar dressing, flour tortillas, baked tofu, and pico de gallo make for some easy and flavorful high-protein wraps in you're eating plant-based. (via Cilantro & Parsley)

Buffalo Chicken + Avocado BLT Wrap

The secret ingredient here? Potato chips for extra crunch. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Loaded Philly Cheese Steak Wraps

A good Philly cheese steak can be hard to find. Skip the search and make your own version into a portable wrap that’s totally desk-appropriate. (via Maebells)

Cuban Press

Panini-fy this wrap for a warm protein-packed lunch! (via Mission Foods)

Coconut Curry Wrap

These high-protein wraps host a flavorful kick of spices, perfectly paired with a little apple crunch. (via Whole Foods)

Spicy Tuna Wraps

Give your usual tuna salad a little zest by adding a squirt of Sriracha to the mix! Spread it on a whole wheat tortilla with some fresh veggies and you’re good to go! You could also get fancy with your high-protein wraps and use rice paper rolls with this recipe. (via Goodie Godmother)

Tuna Wrap

Walnuts, raisins, and capers give these tuna high-protein wraps a sweet n' salty vibe. If you don’t like mayo, try using Greek yogurt as your tuna salad binder instead, for added protein. (via The Healthy Foodie)

Vegan BBQ Tempeh Coleslaw Wrap

Even meat-eaters will be drawn to this easy, healthy, and plant-based wrap recipe. The coleslaw is wrapped up inside these high-protein wraps, so all you need is a side of sweet potato wedges to complete your meal. (via Veggie Primer)

Lettuce Wraps

Steak Lettuce Wrap

Prefer to keep it light with lettuce wraps vs. a tortilla? You'll never miss a thing with this savory, steak-centered recipe. (via The Endless Meal)

Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Your classic chicken teriyaki in a healthy lettuce wrap will keep your energy up, post-lunch. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Chard Sandwich Wrap

Filled with a chickpea tuna salad, these high-protein wraps provide a crunchier and more filling alternative to butter lettuce. (via Live Eat Learn)

Carnitas Tacos Lettuce Wrap

Crunchy, juicy, and delicious taco flavors swarm every bite of this lettuce wrap. Choose to wrap in lettuce or a tortilla, depending on your mood. (via The Endless Meal)

Spinach And Feta Wrap

Inspired by the Starbucks spinach feta wrap, this version is packed with protein and veggies for the ultimate grab-and-go breakfast or lunch. (via RachL Mansfield)

Buffalo Chicken Wrap ​from Half Baked Harvest

As a bonus, we're throwing in one of our favorite easy and healthy wrap recipes that pushed all the right buttons on flavor. You'll combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, herbs, lettuce, and a little cheddar cheese, fold them up in wraps, then pan-fry until warm and crispy.

These easy wraps, made by Half Baked Harvest, come together in mere minutes. They're crunchy on the outside, cheesy on the inside. Serve with the deliciously creamy jalapeño lime ranch and additional buffalo sauce! These healthy wraps are great for both lunch and dinner, but equally fun for a game night, too!

First things first: start with the buffalo chicken. Shred up a couple of chicken breasts and toss them with homemade buffalo sauce, Greek yogurt (for creaminess), and fresh herbs. Most buffalo chicken fillings are made with cream cheese, but you can swap in yogurt for a healthier choice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 4 large (burrito size) whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas
• 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 1-2 jalapeños or poblano peppers, chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• Olive oil, for cooking

Ingredients for jalapeño ranch:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños chopped + 2 tablespoons brine
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• One-quarter of buffalo chicken
• Another quarter wrap of greens n' things
• A quarter full of ranch
• And finally a quarter full of cheese
• Fold it all up into one triangle

But even Larson has days she feels off, saying she knows that feeling "very well," and whether it's seasonal blues or mental health days, she knows routine is where she thrives — and seasonal affective disorder lamps. "Light is a big game changer for me because I grew up in California," she says.

To engage her other senses, she relies on movement, breathing techniques, and temperature changes to keep in touch with her body. "A hot bath, a cold shower, both — anything that sort of wakes your brain up and kind of jolts it," she says. "I have a pretty demanding schedule and I truly don't have room to not feel like I'm present in my life. And so you come up with ways to figure out how to do that."

That includes everything from drinking plenty of water and prioritizing sleep to packing foam rollers and bands in her carry on. "It looks like a clown bag!" she says. "I always do [those exercises] every morning because even if I don't want to do it, which I always don't want to do it, I feel a lot better after I do it."

Admittedly, that's exactly how I feel some days about making breakfast — but a powerhouse like Larson knows how important fueling our bodies is. "Pretty consistently I'm having an egg, like a breakfast sandwich, egg on toast first thing in the morning," she says. "I can't think beyond that for breakfast because I wake up so early. It's like there's no creativity happening in the morning. I'm sorry. No."

And while her mornings are all about wellness, her evenings are all about getting cozy, and she tells me her dream night in includes playing a new video game, wearing Gelato Pique sweatpants, and ordering Thai food. But when she's in the kitchen? "I've been making pasta and sausage quite a bit and I make tacos quite a bit. I mean, I kind of just do like protein and veggies and a little bit of a carb," she says.

Cozy nights in wouldn't be the same without a movie, and there's a very good chance you've seen Larson on your screen recently, whether you're rewatching Captain Marvel, 13 Going on 30, or Lessons in Chemistry. But how does the actress consistently choose such beautiful, inspiring pieces to work on? She equates the feeling to having a crush.

"When I feel like [a story] hits something that lives so truthfully in me that I just want to know if it's true to other people," she says. "I just know that we all have more that's the same than different...Film and television, it lives in a way that is beyond me physically. So I'm here talking to you, but anybody can be watching whatever they want. And so I try my best to think through what the pieces are saying so that they go out in the world and I don't get to be at the end of it and explain it or tell people what to feel or what to take from it. It lives a life outside of me. So I try and make sure that it has a complete message in it that I feel like I'll be able to live with for the rest of my life."

Just like Carol Danvers and Elizabeth Zott empower so many viewers, Brie Larson says she feels empowered by her own Hollywood heroes. "Earlier in my career, like when I was trying to visualize what kind of career I wanted, it was Toni Colette and she's still a hero of mine, but she was truly the one that I was like, 'I want to disappear into characters the way she does.'"

"There's so many incredible [actors]," she continues. "Some of them are people that are more my age and some are older than me. But that's the fun part of my job is that there's so many good people and so many things that are getting made. And so it just feels like we're constantly kind of maneuvering, and when they take on certain roles and represent certain things, it frees up for other people to do other things. And so we kind of all work as a unit."

One movie on the horizon that I'm excited for is Mattel's new American Girl movie. Like many 80s and 90s kids, Brie Larson loved American Girl dolls — and borrowed her stage name from pioneer Kirsten Larson! And just like the rest of us AG kids, she tells me she can't wait for the movie. "I've also seen that there's going to be adult Halloween costumes, which I'm also very excited about," she says. Will she be grabbing a Kirsten one for herself? "I just might!"

Q+A With Brie Larson

What's the first thing you did after you won your Oscar?

I probably drank champagne...I drank champagne and I put sneakers on, and then I went to the airport.

What's the best piece of advice you've received?

"When I think I know, I miss so much." We all get stuck in these things — I think an easy one to think about is like, you're in a fight with your sibling or your partner, and you are just so right in how angry you are. And then maybe the next day you wake up and you're like, "Maybe there was another side to that." And so we miss things when we're in a space where we believe that we know. Having an openness to what something can be or that things can be different than what you think makes things easier.

What's on your holiday bucket list?

I love the holidays. Because I'm in California, I really am looking forward to this year having a chilly winter. I love a cold winter, cozy winter. I love Christmas markets, so I'll definitely hit things like that. All the little holiday markets pop up around, yeah, it's just like a rare time when everybody is resting at the same time.

What are you watching, reading and listening to right now?

Okay. I am reading a book called Patricia Wants To Cuddle. I am watching Love is Blind season 7 because I am not silly. And listening to Chappell Roan, obviously.