Desk lunches just got an upgrade. Say goodbye to soggy sandwiches and hello to 17 great recipes that make brown bagging it a total win. These lunches are easy to make, even easier to pack, and guaranteed to make your coworkers jealous. Get ready to look forward to noon with a lineup that’s anything but boring.
Reuben Bowls
You don’t need to wait in line at a deli when you can have a Reuben Bowl right at your desk. This lunch option is quick to prepare, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish. It features layers of corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese, and dressing tossed with a coleslaw mix. The Reuben Bowl is not just convenient but also hearty, keeping you satisfied without the need for a mid-afternoon snack. It’s a no-brainer for a busy day when you need something reliable and filling to power through your tasks.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Our Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the best choice if you want a quick yet hearty lunch. Whip it up in just 25 minutes using pre-cooked chicken and store-bought dressing. It’s a practical and straightforward recipe that serves all the enjoyment of a classic Caesar salad with the added heartiness of pasta. This dish makes your midday meal a breeze and leaves you more time to relax or catch up on work. With this in your lunch repertoire, you’ll soon forget the hassle of waiting in line to get food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Take a break from the typical lunch fare with a Tuna Macaroni Salad that comes together in just 40 minutes. This dish combines macaroni pasta, creamy dressing, canned tuna, and hard-boiled eggs, making it a straightforward yet hearty choice for lunch. It’s perfect for those who need a meal that is both easy to make and easy to enjoy. Plus, it’s a great alternative to spending on overpriced cafeteria food, giving you a taste of home without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Refresh your lunch hour with a Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad that’s as easy to make as it is to eat. This dish pairs crisp cucumbers and sharp red onions with a creamy, herb-infused dressing, delivering a refreshing escape from the usual desk lunch. Ready in minutes, this salad is light on the stomach but big on flavor, helping you avoid that dreaded mid-afternoon slump. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a pleasant lunch that will help you stay productive for the rest of the day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Broccoli Fritters
Broccoli Fritters are your go-to for a fast, easy, and full-flavored lunch. These fritters are crafted from fresh broccoli, eggs, and Parmesan and fried until golden. They’re crispy on the outside with a cheesy, delicious inside that makes them irresistible. Not only are they simple to prepare, but they also add a touch of gourmet to your workday lunch, ensuring you’re well-fed and ready to tackle the afternoon with gusto.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Add a little excitement to your lunchtime with the Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Packed with baked chicken, crispy bacon, and a punch of broiled jalapeños, this dish is a flavorful adventure. It’s creamy, spicy, and has just the right amount of crunch to keep lunchtime interesting. You can prepare it the night before, making your morning rush easier. This bold choice not only perks up your midday but also has you looking forward to lunch all morning long. Forget about going out when you have such exciting flavors right at your desk.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins are perfect for those looking for a lunch option that’s both filling and easy to make. Loaded with protein from eggs and cottage cheese and spiced up with herbs, these muffins are a powerhouse that can be prepared in just 30 minutes. They’re a great pick-me-up during a hectic workday and a surefire way to keep you energized. Plus, these muffins are bound to get your coworkers talking, making you the star of the lunch hour.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Bell Pepper Sandwich
Ditch the bread and get creative with a Bell Pepper Sandwich. This innovative lunch choice uses bell peppers to hold a filling of turkey, cheese, avocado, bacon, and cucumber. It only takes 10 minutes to put together but keeps you energized and full throughout the afternoon. The crunch of bell pepper combined with the creamy avocado and rich fillings is a fresh take on the traditional sandwich. It’s not just a meal; it’s a conversation starter that will have your coworkers peeking over in envy.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich
Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
When you’re looking for a meal that’s delicious and simple to manage, try Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice. This dish is ready in about 30 minutes and features homemade meatballs paired with fluffy cauliflower rice. It’s a wholesome choice that fills you up and keeps you going without the post-lunch crash. Plus, it’s a smart way to save money while still enjoying a flavorful, nutritious meal that feels like a treat in the middle of your workday.
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
Big Mac Salad
Big Mac Salad serves the taste of a classic burger but in a lighter, more lunch-friendly form. It’s quick to put together, combining crisp lettuce, juicy beef, tangy pickles, and onions with a rich and creamy “Big Mac” special sauce. Not only does it hold up well in the fridge, perfect for meal prepping, but it also keeps you full without weighing you down. This salad is the kind of lunch that makes your coworkers ask for the recipe and helps you smoothly power through your afternoon slump.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars make your lunch break a breeze. With fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta, these jars are not only healthy but also colorful and refreshing. The homemade dressing perfectly enhances the salad, giving it a classic Mediterranean taste. Ready in just 10 minutes, they’re a perfect escape from routine office meals. These jars keep your lunch light and mess-free, allowing you to enjoy your break without the need for heavy foods or the usual fast-food run.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are quick and easy to prepare, making them a perfect choice for a busy workday. The chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smothered in a rich garlic butter that brings great flavor to each bite. Ready in about 20 minutes, these bites are not only convenient but also incredibly filling without being too heavy. Bring them to work, and you’ll find they’re just the thing to power you through the afternoon slump.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Try Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats for a fresh and fun lunch option. They’re easy to prepare with pre-cooked bacon and canned chicken, and the cucumbers serve as a cool, crisp vessel for a delicious and convenient lunch option. With the addition of homemade ranch seasoning, these boats are a hit for their freshness and flavor. They’re perfect for those who prefer a lighter meal but don’t want to compromise on taste. Bringing this to work means enjoying a new lunch recipe that keeps you fueled and focused, and definitely outshines any fast-food choice.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties are the solution for a fast, delicious lunch made with less effort. Ready in just 20 minutes, these patties are perfectly served with vegetables or tucked into a sandwich for a heartier meal. Made with canned chicken, they’re seasoned with garlic powder and paprika for a simple yet flavorful meal that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This dish is not only quick to prepare but also packs a punch of flavor, perfect for anyone looking to streamline their lunch routine while enjoying great food.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Avocado Tuna Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad is a refreshing lunch option that combines the nutritional benefits of wild-caught yellowfin tuna with the creamy texture of avocado. Enhanced with fresh dill and a touch of lemon, this salad is light yet filling. It’s ready in just five minutes, making it a smart choice for those hectic days when you need a quick yet healthy meal. This salad keeps well, which means you can prep ahead and avoid the lunchtime rush for fast food.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties bring a delectable change from standard lunch fare with their bold flavors and hearty texture. Made with canned salmon and a mix of pork rinds and eggs, these patties are spiced up with red pepper flakes and a homemade lemon dill aioli. They take about 30 minutes to prepare and are perfect for when you want something different at lunch that’s both filling and energizing. Forget about the usual sandwiches or salads — these patties are here to spice up your lunch hour!
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Thai Chicken Salad
Thai Chicken Salad is perfect for anyone looking to brighten their lunchtime with something flavorful and nourishing. It features chicken marinated in coconut milk, garlic, and cilantro, which adds a rich, aromatic flavor to the fresh mix of arugula, cucumber, onions, and chile peppers. This salad is not only colorful but also packed with nutrients. It’s a great way to enjoy a gourmet lunch experience right at your desk without missing the flavors of your favorite restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad