Delicious and Nutritious: 30 Healthy Lunch Ideas For The Whole Family
Theresa Gonzalez is a content creator based in San Francisco and the author of Sunday Sews. She's a lover of all things design and spends most of her days raising her daughter Matilda.
From healthy twists on classic sandwiches to reinventing breakfast for lunch, these healthy lunch recipes are the next great add to your at-home cooking. Satisfy picky eaters with refreshing flavors, pack these to-go for school and work, or just gather around the kitchen for a warm, comforting meal together this season. These easy healthy lunch ideas prove a healthy diet doesn't have to be boring. These healthy recipes from friends in our 'Co and the B + C archives are tasty, creative, and keep nutrition in mind. So dig in!
Turkey Burger
Mushrooms are the secret ingredient to this juicy and healthy turkey burgers recipe, adding more health benefits and extra flavor to your lunch. (via Clean Cuisine)
The Best Vegan Mac And Cheese
This easy and super cheesy recipe, made with just seven ingredients, only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. It's nut free, gluten-free and just as creamy as your favorite comfort food. (via Crowded Kitchen)
Instant Pot Vegan + Nut- Free Split Pea Soup
This vegan version of the classic split pea soup uses soy instead of ham and still has a delicious smokey flavor. (via The Edgy Veg)
Ham and Cheese Puffs With Asparagus
These delicious asparagus, ham and cheese puffs are so easy to make in just 10 minutes and help get an extra serving of veggies into your kids' day. (via Vikalinka)
Healthy Sloppy Joes
This Healthy Sloppy Joes recipe is a great make-ahead recipe that you can store in the freezer for a quick-to-reheat weeknight meal. Serve it over baked sweet potatoes or sandwich buns for a filling, high-protein recipe. (via Real Food Dietician)
Baked Egg Crepes
These Baked Egg Crepes are quick, healthy…ish, and so delicious. Made using a few simple ingredients and fresh herbs, these savory crepes make the perfect anything: breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
No need to deep-fry chicken wings to get them extra crispy and juicy. Use your air fryer and add a tangy buffalo sauce for a total crowd pleaser! (via Averie Cooks)
Rainbow Veggie Bowl
How pretty is the bowl? Dig into this easy plant-based meal with quinoa, a rainbow of veggies, and a tasty garlic dressing. (via The Girl on Blor)
Plant-Based Fried Chicken Biscuit Sandwich
This buttery sage-infused biscuits with pecan-crusted fried "chicken" and maple butternut squash puree is full of complimentary flavors and makes a delightful lunch! (via No Eggs or Ham)
Smoked Gouda Corn Chowder
Soups on! Serve up this cheesy and veggie-packed corn chowder, made with gouda, cheddar, or monterey jack cheese, for a cozy lunch at home.(via Completely Delicious)
Easy Southern Salmon Croquettes
Canned pink salmon combined with cornmeal, chopped veggies, and plenty of seasonings, make this recipe budget-friendly and so easy. It's delicious and easy to pack on-the-go! (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Plant-Based Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Served with your favorite gravy (kids love dips!) , these mini meatloaves are great to add to lunches or turn it into a savory and delicious meal at home. (via This Wife Cooks)
Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup is loaded with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and fresh herbs for the ultimate healthy lunch. (via Kathryn's Ktichen)
Creamy Vegetarian Mushroom Pasta Bolognese
This flavorful Vegetarian Mushroom Bolognese delivers an earthy, umami flavor (from the mushrooms) for a hearty gluten-free meal everyone will love. (via Vanilla and Bean)
ENJOY THESE EASY HEALTHY LUNCH IDEAS FROM BRIT + CO!
Paleo, Air-Fried Chicken Tenders
The key to this healthier version of fried chicken tenders is the almond meal. It replaces the breadcrumbs and flour traditionally called for with fried chicken and adds a nutty, almost cornmeal-like flavor and consistency to the chicken.
3-Ingredient Chicken Pineapple Skewers
Low cal and healthy, these skewers are sure to please the whole family. Plus, the lettuce wrap and coconut peanut sauce make it a winning combo!
The Perfect Grilled Cheese
Try this simple hack for making an exceptional grilled cheese.
Chrissy Teigen's Bành Mí Sandwich
Chrissy Teigen's bành mí sandwich from Cravings: Hungry for More is best served with a glass of a Riesling or Grüner Veltliner for the grownups in the room.
Vegan BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit with a neutral taste that has a similar texture and appearance to pulled pork or chicken. Sauté it in a savory-sweet sauce like BBQ and pile high on top of buns for an easy sandwich.
Quinoa Salad Recipe
Once you've steamed or pressure-cooked the quinoa, you just have to toss in the remaining ingredients for a quick and healthy meal. Experiment with your kiddos favorite veggies.
Mermaid Veggie Sushi Bowl
Let kids know that this is how mermaid's feast and your healthy lunch is in the bag.;)
Grilled Fluffernutter Vegan Sando
Here's a heathified version of the '90s fluffernutter sandwich (or peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiched between two slices of white bread).
Sweet Potato Egg Boat
Roast up a twice-baked sweet potato egg boat that comes fully loaded with bacon and avocado to keep everyone fueled for hours.
Watermelon Raddish Salad
This one takes little preparation, and packs a good veggie punch with so pretty (and crunchy!) watermelon radishes.
Whole30-Approved 'Animal-Style' In-N-Out Burger
Combine our tangy 100 percent Whole30/paleo special sauce with the savory mustard-grilled beef patties. Slow-cooked onions simmered in coconut oil add natural sweetness FTW.
Superfood Egg Sandwich
Delivering all the taste and comfort of the traditional egg sando, this one is packed with amazing superfoods, like chia seeds, avocado, shoots, Greek yogurt and spinach.
Zucchini Fries
Swap greasy fries for this healthier take made with big wedges of zucchini dusted with parmesan, then baked until golden.
Veggie Burgers
These super easy kidney bean burgers only need five ingredients. They can be whizzed up in a food processor, so they're really quick to make too — just add favorite toppings!
Apple Cheddar Waffles
Kick your plain buttermilk waffles up a notch with apple and cheddar to go from brunch to lunch.
Vegetarian Pigs in a Blanket
Try this simple vegetarian take on the classic pigs-in-a-blanket, with veggie sausage, pepper jack cheese, and fluffy golden crescents.
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Lead image via Real Food Dietician
Theresa Gonzalez is a content creator based in San Francisco and the author of Sunday Sews. She's a lover of all things design and spends most of her days raising her daughter Matilda.