Breakfast might be the first meal of the day, but lunch is equally as important – especially if you start hitting a slump before the afternoon. Between picking the easiest option like cold leftovers (yum!) and dreaming up lunch ideasin the middle of the work day, it's no wonder we need that afternoon cup of coffee so desperately.
But, eating a healthy, delicious lunch every day doesn't mean you have to devote your entire Sunday to meal prep, and the easy lunch ideas ahead prove it. Keep reading for 50 flavor-packed lunches you can make in a matter of minutes. These will save you time *and* still satisfy you, keeping you energized and more productive for the rest of your afternoon. Enjoy!
What is the easiest thing to make for lunch?
Photo by Vikalinka
Hot Cheesy Salmon Sandwich
Some of the easiest foods to make for lunch are quick recipes like overnight oats, scrambled eggs or tofu, or sandwiches that don't take a lot of time or effort.
What are 10 good lunch foods?
Photo by Completely Delicious
Easy Chicken Ramen Soup
Pasta, soup, salad, sandwiches, toast, smoothies, jar recipes, grilled chicken, mug recipes, and crackers with dip are all good lunch foods. Find more easy lunch ideas below!
What can I make for lunch at home?
Photo by Averie Cooks
Easy Lemon Butter Grouper Fish Tacos
There are a variety of lunch ideas that you can make at home. Versatile ingredients like veggies, chicken or tofu, and your favorite sauces can go in multiple recipes like salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
What makes a good small lunch?
Photo by Crowded Kitchen
Arugula Avocado Caprese Salad
Prepared pasta, chicken and egg salads, finger sandwiches, and soups you can pack for a week are all small lunches that will leave you satisfied without weighing you down.
Easy Pasta Lunch Ideas
Pre-cooked protein and veggies don't just have to form grain bowls. Liven up your lunch with a fun, healthier take on Cup Noodles. (via Brit + Co)
Serve this creamy sauce with your next easy lunch ideas in just 5 minutes. Use it to drown your favorite pasta shape or roasted cauliflower rice in pure deliciousness. (via The Endless Meal)
We could never pass up the opportunity to make mug mac and cheese! Since the recipe calls for a bag of shredded cheese, you can just add your fave. (via Feel Good Foodie)
This gluten-free pasta tastes like creamy alfredo, but with a lighter twist, thanks to coconut milk. This one def makes all other lunch ideas look boring. (via Rachel Mansfield)
This 10-minute lunchtime meal is gluten-free, and made with just four ingredients – easy peasy! (via Rachel Mansfield)
Salad Lunch Recipes
While this recipe for fattoush salad uses romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, and herbs, you can really use whatever you have on hand. Open a bag of pita chips instead of baking your own for a lightning-fast lunch. (via Brit + Co)
This handheld take on chicken salad will please your tummy and your carb count. (via Brit + Co)
If you have leftover quinoa, add in all your fave fruits (dried or fresh), nuts, and herbs for a psuedograin salad that will satiate. Whether you eat it cold or warm, this is an easy lunch that won't leave you wanting more. (via Brit + Co)
Watermelon radishes receive the name for their pink hue and green exterior alone. Flavor-wise, they are the opposite of sweet (the earthy, spicy veg goes best with a simple balsamic vinaigrette). But we don't mind. They're one of the prettiest veggies we've ever seen! (via Brit + Co)
Whip up this sweet-and-savory salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing for a deceptively nutritious lunch. (via Brit + Co)
The great thing about salads is how customizable and easy they are to put together. Just reach for whatever fruits and veggies you have in your fridge and mix them up in a bowl! This fennel salad is already making our mouths water. (via Brit + Co)
This flavorful 5-minute salad made with sour cream, red onion, and dill is delicious on its own or on top of toast. Easy lunch ideas have truly met their match with this fresh take. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Simple and delicious, this healthy salad is super easy to toss together. It makes for an unbeatable side dish to accompany your best lunch sandwiches. (via Fancy Peasant)
Three-minute poached shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and fresh herbs compose a salad you never knew your lunch repertoire needed. (via Pinch of Yum)
This is one amazing salad in terms of taste, nutritional value, and meal prep-ability. (via She Likes Food)
Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for this salad, and you’ll have plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. Switch up the fruits and veggies that you add on top depending on your mood. The more colorful, the better! This is one veggie-packed easy lunch idea we can't get enough of. (via Damn Delicious)
In just 10 minutes, mix together fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, vegan or OG mozzarella, avocado, arugula and a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a healthy and refreshing lunch. (via Crowded Kitchen)
Use some leftover chicken, pre-crumbled bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and your favorite dressing to quickly assemble a hearty lunch that hardly feels like a salad. (via No. 2 Pencil)
Bowl Lunch Recipes
Perfect for leftover rice, this poke bowl just requires quickly mixing sushi-grade tuna in soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, slicing cucumbers, and topping it off with spicy mayo. This is one of the freshest easy lunch ideas we've seen. (via Brit + Co)
Like a poke bowl, this veggie-friendly lunch is easily customizable with whatever chopped veggies you have on hand. Top with your favorite poke classics, like seaweed salad and pickled ginger. (via Brit + Co)
Warm up in just 10 minutes of cook time with this homemade chicken ramen recipe made with chicken, mushrooms, and noodles in a simple savory broth. (via Completely Delicious)
With just five ingredients — apple juice, bananas, frozen berries, Greek yogurt, and frozen acai purée — this acai bowl can be whipped up in a blender in minutes. (via Culinary Hill)
Your Instant Pot makes this homemade chili an 8-minute meal and a healthy lunch you can have for the week! (via Clean Cuisine)
This creamy, vegan soup has a tang of lime juice, a taste of garlic, and a spicy kick from jalapeños! We're hooked on easy lunch ideas like this. (via Live Eat Learn)
Easy Sandwiches + Wraps + Flatbreads To Eat For Lunch
An Instant Pot will help cook your mix of eggs, mushrooms, and cream into something truly divine. Dig in with a spoon or spread on a slice of your favorite bread for a breakfast-for-lunch feast. (via Brit + Co)
This version has cheese both on the inside and outside of the bread for the absolute best grilled cheese possible. (via Brit + Co)
As long as you have all the ingredients on hand, you can certainly whip up this nostalgic bite in five minutes. Make sure you have plenty of napkins! (via Brit + Co)
Busy day? Top these fish tacos with a honey mustard-lemon sauce for a quick and easy lunch idea. (via Averie Cooks)
Give your classic grilled cheese an extra boost of nutrients with warm spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy feta, and melted cheddar. (via Give Recipe)
Tuna melt lovers will enjoy this hot salmon sandwich with a mix of canned and smoked salmon plus oozing melted cheese on delicious crusty bread! (via Vikalinka)
This meal is perfect if you're craving eggs (but don't actually eat eggs). Vegan friends, this is the easy lunch idea for you. (via Munching With Mariyah)
While your bread is toasting, slice up a tomato and some manchego, layer them on the bread, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of basil, salt, and pepper. We love elevated easy lunch ideas like this one. (via Half-Baked Harvest)
Make this mouthwatering lunch extra easily with store-bought tostadas, which you spread with refried beans (or black beans) and your choice of taco toppings, such as shredded sweet potato and grated cheese. (via She Likes Food)
The combination of sweet pears with salty blue cheese and prosciutto (on a piece of naan) makes this a toaster-oven lunch you’ll crave even after you’re done eating it. (via Plain Chicken)
It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving to enjoy a turkey-cranberry-cheese sandwich. We'd eat this easy lunch idea every day of the year! (via Feel Good Foodie)
This panini is packed with fresh turkey, spinach-artichoke dip, and sun-dried tomatoes. Buy pre-made dip and already sliced turkey, and lunch basically makes itself. (via Whitney Bond)
Juicy grapes, tart apples, and cranberries is straight-up comfort food between two slices. (via Damn Delicious)
Get your pizza fix in 10 minutes with this tortilla take on pizza dough. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Beef up your usual avocado toast with a shaved hard-boiled egg, salt, and pepper. After noshing on that, you’ll have all the energy you need to conquer the rest of your day, even when that afternoon slump hits! (via How Sweet Eats)
If you're looking for something that will go a little bit easier on your stomach, consider this toast recipe! Not only is cinnamon sugar toast a classic that has us feeling all kinds of nostalgic, but the addition of dark chocolate gives it a grown-up spin. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Lunchtime Sandwiches + Toast + Flatbreads
This guacamole is a quick mix of spinach, avocado, red onion, garlic, and jalapeño for a true power lunch. (via Brit + Co)
This low-carb dip mixes smoked salmon, dill, cream cheese, and lemon juice. It will go perfectly with some toasted bread for an easily-to-handle lunch at your disk. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Swap your PB&J for this sweet and savory dip with a side of your favorite fruit. (via Feel Good Foodie)
We're throwing it back to elementary school days with a dip that's perfect for carrots, celery, and all other kinds of finger foods. Add this recipe to your list of easy lunch ideas for some flavor! (via A Spicy Perspective)
5-Minute Tzatziki Sauce
With a bag of carrot sticks or pita chips, this easy tzatziki is an instant lunch. (via Live Eat Learn)
Enjoy this fresh-tasting dip with a bag of chips or toast for a satisfying lunch. (via Forks & Foliage)
Smoothie Lunch Ideas
For lunch on the go, blend up bananas, Greek yogurt, oats, almond milk, and peanut butter. You can change up the ratios depending on whether you want it thicker (more PB) or thinner (more milk), and voilà! (via Feel Good Foodie)
On the lighter side, this watermelon and yogurt smoothie is refreshing and filling and just takes 5 minutes. (via A Spicy Perspective)
More Easy Lunch Ideas
This 8-minute easy lunch is perfect with a simple salad, on toast, or on its own. (via The Endless Meal)
If you think about it, nachos are kind of like a different type of salad. This one features cheese, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts for a totally easy but totally delicious. This is also a great way to get rid of leftovers if you have extra veggies in the fridge! (via A Spicy Perspective)
Find more quick, easy lunch ideas on our Food section, get inspired on Pinterest, or join our newsletter!
This post has been updated.
Lead image via Give Recipe.
