Sometimes, we get stuck in a boring sandwich rut when packing our lunchboxes but shaking it up is easier than you think. From versatile salads to comforting soups, the possibilities are endless. In fact, here are at least 17 incredible lunch box alternatives that are far from ordinary sandwiches to keep your midday meals exciting and nutritious!
Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup
Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup is a creamy, comforting choice that’s perfect for veggie lovers. This soup blends smooth cauliflower with sweet potatoes for a light yet satisfying lunch option. It’s a fantastic way to mix up your lunch routine with something warm and wholesome. And it’s proof that even a simple veggie soup can be a lunchbox superstar.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
If you’re looking for a hearty alternative to your typical sandwich, the Old Fashioned Ham Salad is a great pick. It mixes savory ham with crisp veggies for a real powerhouse lunch option. You can whip this up in no time and it’s sure to break the monotony of your usual lunch routine. Plus, it’s a tasty way to bring some old-school deli vibes right into your lunchbox.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
For a little Italian inspiration, pack some Chicken Gnocchi Soup. It combines tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and a flavorful broth for a touch of comfort food in your lunchbox. It’s like a mini-trip to Italy, minus the flight, and it’s sure to make lunchtime something to look forward to. A warm and filling choice that hits the spot every time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Say hello to a burst of flavor with Mexican Street Corn Salad. This dish brings the zest and tang of street food right to your lunchbox, making it a vibrant alternative to the typical sandwich. It’s a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and totally delicious. Perfect for those days when you want your taste buds to take a trip without leaving the lunchroom.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Steak & Potato Soup
Craving something hearty? Steak & Potato Soup has got you covered with its robust flavors and satisfying ingredients. It’s a meat-and-potatoes kind of lunch that’s sure to fill you up and keep you going through the afternoon. A great choice for when you want something warming and filling that’s not just another sandwich. And it’s perfect for those days when you need a little extra comfort.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Potato Soup
Shirazi Salad
Dive into the simplicity and freshness of Shirazi Salad for a refreshing lunchtime treat. This light mix of cucumber, tomato, and onion is a perfect side or a light meal on its own, offering a crisp alternative to heavy lunch fare. It’s a breeze to put together and brings a touch of Middle Eastern flair to any lunchbox. Great for beating the lunchtime heat with something cool and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad
Beef and Barley Soup
Warm up with a bowl of Beef and Barley Soup, a perfect winter warmer that’s a cozy alternative to cold sandwiches. This soup packs in rich flavors and hearty ingredients, making it a lunchtime favorite that comforts from the inside out. It’s great for those colder days when you need a bit of warmth come lunchtime. Plus, it’s easy to transport in a thermos and stays delicious even after reheating.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Barley Soup
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts is a lunchbox game-changer. The tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts mix perfectly with tender chicken, creating a flavorful salad that’s far from your average lunch fare. It’s a sweet and savory combo that packs well and brings a burst of flavors to your midday meal. Say goodbye to sandwich boredom with this delightful salad.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Dive into the rich flavors of Tortellini Soup with Sausage, a hearty blend that brings a taste of Italy to your lunch hour. This soup pairs well-loved tortellini with savory sausage in a warming broth, making it a filling and flavorful alternative to the daily sandwich. It’s a little bowl of comfort that offers a welcome change of pace. Perfect for keeping lunchtime interesting and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins
Give your lunch a spicy twist with Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins. This salad packs a punch with its blend of flavors and sweet raisins add just the right touch of sweetness. It’s a refreshing break from the everyday sandwich, and the curry gives it just enough kick to spice up your lunch hour. This is one salad that will keep you looking forward to lunchtime without a doubt.
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins
Turkey Pot Pie Soup
Turkey Pot Pie Soup brings the hominess of pot pie without the crust, making for a lighter yet equally comforting lunch option. It’s a deconstructed take on a classic, delivering all the savory goodness in a spoon-ready form. This soup is a great way to enjoy the flavors of a home-cooked meal, even when you’re on the go. And it’s a surefire way to add some variety to your lunch routine.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie Soup
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad makes last night’s chicken the star of today’s lunchbox. It combines the ease of pre-cooked chicken with the heft of pasta for a meal that’s both satisfying and easy to put together. A brilliant way to mix things up when sandwiches start to feel a bit stale. And who doesn’t love a good pasta salad, especially when it’s this easy to enjoy?
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Add some smoky flavor to your lunch with Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup. This bold soup combines smoked chicken with a mix of veggies and crunchy tortilla strips for a meal that’s both hearty and flavorful. It’s a little bit smoky, a little bit spicy, and totally satisfying. A fantastic pick for when you’re looking for something different to spice up your lunch hour.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Steak & Pasta Salad
For a lunch that feels more like a steak dinner, try packing a Steak & Pasta Salad. It’s a hearty choice that mixes tender steak with your favorite pasta for a lunch that’s both filling and a tad luxurious. This is the kind of lunch that can make any regular day feel a bit special. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to repurpose leftovers into something exciting and new.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad
Cream of Jalapeno Soup
Spice up your lunch with Cream of Jalapeno Soup, a creamy yet fiery soup that packs a flavorful punch. This soup is perfect for those who like a little heat with their eat, offering a spicy twist on the standard lunch fare. It’s a bold choice that’s bound to wake up your taste buds and add some excitement to your lunch break. A great way to turn up the heat and keep lunchtime far from boring.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Jalapeno Soup
Southern Ham Salad
Get a taste of the South with Southern Ham Salad. It’s a robust option that stands out with its mix of ham, sweet relish, and a dash of mayo, offering a comforting and hearty alternative to the common sandwich. This salad is like bringing a little southern hospitality to your lunch break. Plus, it’s both easy to make and satisfying to eat.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Salad
Salmon Pasta Salad
Salmon Pasta Salad is a smart pick for a nutritious and filling lunch. With omega-rich salmon and your choice of pasta, it’s a meal that’s both brain food and comfort food. It’s an easy way to jazz up your lunchbox with something that feels a bit gourmet without all the fuss. A great choice for when you’re craving something different but still want to keep things simple.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad