Say goodbye to sad desk lunches with these 17 easy recipes

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Easy recipes are about to become your new best friend for lunchtime. Let’s face it, we’ve all had our share of sad desk lunches: the same old sandwiches, the wilted salads, or the last-minute takeout that leaves us feeling underwhelmed. Say goodbye to the boring lunch routine and hello to a week where every lunch break is something to look forward to.

A stack of broccoli fritters on a plate.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bell pepper sandwich cut in half on a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Swap traditional bread for bell peppers to create a new take on a light sandwich in just 10 minutes. This easy-to-make option uses bell peppers as the base, filling them with your favorite sandwich ingredients. It’s an excellent way to keep your work lunch fresh, interesting, and light, perfect for those looking for a quick and nutritious meal.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Three muffins on a white plate with green onions.
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These breakfast muffins are not only ready in 30 minutes but also pack a high-protein punch, making them perfect for a busy morning or as a light work lunch. Using cottage cheese, eggs, and your choice of veggies, they’re filling and easy to make. Grab one for a convenient, protein-rich meal that will keep you full and focused throughout your workday.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Turn jalapeño poppers into a simple salad for your work lunch. This dish is easy to assemble with chicken, jalapeños, and a creamy dressing, making it quick to prep in the morning or the night before. It’s a light meal that brings a flavorful punch to your lunch break, perfect for a busy day at work.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These chicken patties are a breeze to make in 20 minutes using canned chicken, breadcrumbs, and spices. They’re versatile enough to be enjoyed alone or as part of a sandwich, making them a great option for a light lunch at work. Prep them quickly in the morning, and you’re set for a no-stress meal that keeps you going.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats lined up on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Combine chicken, bacon, and ranch in cucumber boats for a fast, light lunch option. Ready quickly, these cucumber boats are perfect for those seeking a balanced meal of veggies and protein without heavy prep work. They’re an excellent choice for a refreshing lunch to enjoy at work.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Mini spicy canned salmon patties in a serving bowl.
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These spicy salmon patties, made with canned salmon, jalapeño, and cayenne pepper, are a light and flavorful lunch option ready in 30 minutes. Easy to pan-fry, they’re a quick solution for a spicy and savory meal. Pack them for work for a light lunch that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

Low-carb Greek salad meal prep jars.
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prep your work lunches ahead of time with these Greek salad meal prep jars, combining fresh veggies, feta cheese, and Greek dressing. They’re easy to assemble for a week’s worth of light, nutritious lunches. This meal prep idea is perfect for those looking for a quick, healthy lunch option that saves time during busy workdays.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

Broccoli Fritters

Broccoli Fritters on a white plate with sauce.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo Credit: Real Balanced.

In just 35 minutes, create broccoli fritters with chopped broccoli, eggs, and Parmesan cheese for a light and delicious work lunch. They can be served with Greek yogurt or sour cream for added flavor. This recipe is an easy way to add more vegetables to your lunch routine.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Spicy tuna cucumber boats on a plate.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These are ready in 10 minutes, combining cream cheese, canned tuna, and spices in cucumber boats for a light, quick meal. They’re easy to make and serve as a nutritious lunch during a busy workday. This dish is a smart choice for those seeking a convenient, light meal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Cauliflower Potato Salad

Cauliflower potato salad garnished with green onions in a bowl with a fork.
Cauliflower Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This cauliflower potato salad is a light take on the classic, ready with cauliflower, bacon, cheese, and a dash of hot sauce. It’s easy to make, requiring no complex steps, making it a great choice for a light, delicious work lunch. This recipe works best for those looking for a simple yet flavorful meal during the workday.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare these for a work lunch that combines chicken, bacon, and ranch flavors in an easy-to-make dish. They’re oven-baked and come with homemade ranch for dipping, ready in under an hour. This recipe is a good pick for a light yet hearty lunch that’s easy to prepare ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Zucchini Bites

A zucchini bite being dipped into a dipping sauce.
Zucchini Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With just 30 minutes, you can enjoy these zucchini bites, combining shredded zucchini with cheeses and seasoning for a light, veggie-filled lunch. The recipe is simple, using familiar ingredients for an easy, quick-to-prepare meal. They’re an excellent choice for adding a light, nutritious snack to your work lunch repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Loaded Zucchini Boats

Three loaded zucchini boats on a plate.
Loaded Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded zucchini boats, ready in under an hour, are a flavorful, light main dish for your work lunch. Simple to prepare, they’re filled with your favorite ingredients, making for a pleasantly light meal. They’re a fantastic way to eat a delicious lunch at work without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This salad combines cucumbers, onions, dill, sour cream, and mayo for a refreshing side dish ready in 30 minutes. It’s an easy addition to your lunch that’s light and refreshing, perfect for those days when you need something quick and flavorful. Pack it with your main meal for a work lunch that’s both simple and fun to eat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Keto Chicken Nuggets

Keto chicken nuggets on a plate with a cup of dipping sauce.
Keto Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These keto-friendly chicken nuggets are a great quick lunch option, ready in 30 minutes. Made with canned chicken and a pork rind coating, they’re baked to perfection. Easy and light, they’re a convenient choice for anyone looking for a simple, delicious meal during their workday.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets

Avocado Tuna Salad

A bowl of avocado tuna salad with avocado slices and lemon slices.
Avocado Tuna Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Mix up a light avocado tuna salad for a protein-packed lunch that’s both low-carb and dairy-free. Quick to put together, it’s a refreshing alternative to heavier meals. This salad is a great pick for a fast, healthy lunch that keeps you energized throughout your workday.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad

Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats

Spicy egg salad cucumber boats being held in hands.
Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These spicy egg salad cucumber boats are a light and quick lunch option, ready in 30 minutes. Just hollow out cucumbers and fill them with a spicy egg salad for a refreshing meal. Perfect for those looking for an easy, light lunch to bring to work. This recipe serves up a nutritious and flavorful midday meal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats

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