Elevate Your Workday with These 15 Speedy and Satisfying Lunches
If you're short on time but still crave a delicious mid-day meal, it can be tempting to stop and grab fast food. What if you don't want to give in to something fatty and calorie-ridden, though?
Neglecting lunch or opting for something heavy and unhealthy will negatively impact your energy levels, straining your productivity and overall well-being. The best alternative is something made at home.
Made in minutes with mostly pantry ingredients, these effortless lunch recipes are a must-have for busy days. Don't have hours to spend prepping your lunch? With these recipes, you'll barely need minutes.
Quick Expert Tips Faster Meal Prep

Whether you work at a desk job or from home, taking a few minutes each week to plan your lunches ahead of time saves time and money.
Keep various quick protein sources on hand, like canned tuna, chickpeas, pre-cooked chicken, and ready-cut veggies and lettuce for quick salads. You can also batch cook larger quantities of proteins or grains to use throughout the week.
Avocado Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Avocado chickpea salad bagel sandwich is a hearty and vegan healthy sandwich option. Smashed chickpea and avocado salad on poppyseed bagels. It can be ready in minutes for a delicious, plant-based lunch.
For even easier prep, make the avocado chickpea salad ahead of time, then add it to a toasted bagel and a handful of greens when you are ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Chickpea Salad Sandwich.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Our pasta salad features fresh seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean flavors, the perfect combination for a summer delight! Make this one ahead of time for easy meal prep and to let the flavors marinate together.
The pasta salad stays good in the fridge for up to four days, which means you can cook it over the weekend and then portion it into smaller containers for a grab-and-go lunch option.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Pasta Salad.
Chopped salads make for excellent meal prep recipes. For this Italian iteration, make the marinated white beans ahead of time, then assemble with the torn romaine lettuce, croutons and chopped tomatoes right before serving.
For added creaminess, stir in feta cheese and canned artichoke hearts. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, this effortless salad is essential for summer.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad.
Air Fryer Steak Bites With Mushrooms

Yes, you can have steak for lunch! Thanks to the air fryer, these marinated air-fried steak bites are ready in just 10 minutes. They have an appetizing caramelized crust with a juicy, tender interior.
Enjoy them on their own for a low-carb meal, or pair with microwaved rice and steamed broccoli for a more balanced meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites With Mushrooms.
Buffalo Chickpea Lettuce Wraps

You are going to love these gluten-free wraps. Ready in just minutes, these buffalo chickpea lettuce wraps are packed with protein and fiber.
Toss the canned chickpeas with buffalo sauce and warm them on the stove or in the microwave. Then, serve in butter lettuce leaves with sliced avocado, cucumbers, and ranch dressing.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chickpea Lettuce Wraps.
Steak Tostada Salad

Homemade steak tostadas are quick and simple to make. This easy lunch (or dinner) recipe is loaded with tender, seasoned steak cooked to your liking, fresh veggies, and a delicious avocado lime dressing.
It's a quick 15-minute meal sure to energize you for the afternoon ahead.
Get the Recipe: Steak Tostada Salad.
Marinated White Bean Salad

This white bean salad recipe is a wonderful guilt-free lunch. Enjoy on its own or over a bed of greens for a daily dose of fiber. Generously toss canned white beans with herbs, roasted red peppers, and tangy Italian dressing.
White beans are packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals like iron, folate, potassium, and magnesium. Their high protein and fiber content also helps promote digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar.
Get the Recipe: Marinated White Bean Salad.
Italian Sausage Sandwiches

Smothered in tomato sauce and vegetables, these sweet or spicy sausages are perfect for family dinners or lunches. They are simple and easy to prepare, though be sure to pack some napkins.
Make the sausage mix ahead of time to easily warm up for a hearty lunch. Enjoy it in a hoagie for an Italian-inspired meal, or slice the sausage and add it to rice or pasta. For a low-carb option, you can even eat the sausage and veggies on its own.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Sandwiches.
Marinated Lentil Salad

Marinated lentil salad is surprisingly hearty and full of protein. Toss French green lentils with herbs and a bright lemon dressing for a pop of flavor in every spoonful. It can be prepared ahead of time for an easy meal throughout the week. Slice up tomatoes for an added touch of flavor.
Lentils are a great plant-based source of protein, especially for vegetarians and vegans. They are rich in fiber, which aids digestion, promotes gut health, and helps control blood sugar levels.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Lentil Salad.
Burgers In The Oven

For a hearty lunch, why not have a burger? Enjoy a seasoned meaty patty with all the fixings on a bun or over a salad for a low-carb option.
Making burgers in the oven is a quick and easy way to have a hot, juicy, delicious lunch on the table and ready to eat in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Burgers In The Oven.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This chickpea sandwich is amazing! If you love tuna salad, you'll likely love this high-protein, vegan alternative.
Chickpeas are a good source of iron, folate, magnesium, and zinc. Enjoying them in a mock-tuna salad, like this recipe, is a heart-healthy option that's perfect for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwich.