16 Packable Work Lunches That'll Actually Fill You Up

    No more sad desk lunches!

    Jesse Szewczyk
    by Jesse Szewczyk

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Brooke Greenberg / BuzzFeed

    Packing your own lunch is a great way to save money, but finding make-ahead recipes that'll actually keep you full can be a challenge.

    So we rounded up 16 of our favorite make-ahead work lunches that are packed with protein — from refreshing sesame noodle bowls to garlicky chicken meatballs — to keep you full all day long.

    1. Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs With Cauliflower Rice

    eatwell101.com

    These garlicky meatballs are served over a a bed of tender cauliflower rice, but you could serve them with regular short-grain rice as well.

    Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs With Cauliflower Rice

    2. Salmon and Asparagus in Garlic Lemon Butter

    eatwell101.com

    This simple lemony salmon is gluten-free, low-carb, and made in less than 15 minutes — the perfect make-ahead recipe for busy workweeks.

    Get the recipe: Salmon and Asparagus in Garlic Lemon Butter

    3. Sesame Noodle Bowls

    pinchofyum.com

    Pro tip: For added protein, swap out the linguine for soba noodles which have six grams of protein per cup.

    Get the recipe: Sesame Noodle Bowls

    4. Chickpea and Black Bean Salad

    ambitiouskitchen.com

    Serve this simple bean salad with crusty bread, dressed greens, or soft-boiled eggs for a quick lunch that's packed with plant-based protein.

    Get the recipe: Chickpea and Black Bean Salad

    5. Smoky Chicken With Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    budgetbytes.com

    A generous amount of smoked paprika (also called pimentón, sweet paprika, or Spanish paprika) gives this chicken a wonderful smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the potatoes.

    Get the recipe: Smoky Chicken With Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    6. Taco Salad Lunch Bowls

    kristineskitchenblog.com

    Feel free to use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of ground beef if red meat isn't your favorite.

    Get the recipe: Taco Salad Lunch Bowls

    7. Italian Chicken Wrap

    foodiecrush.com

    Pro tip: When assembling the wraps, place the sliced cheese down first to prevent the wraps from getting soggy.

    Get the recipe: Italian Chicken Wrap

    8. Italian Orzo Tuna Salad

    gimmesomeoven.com

    A simple homemade vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard replaces the heavy mayo-based dressing used in most tuna salads.

    Get the recipe: Italian Orzo Tuna Salad

    9. Avocado Chicken Salad

    gimmedelicious.com

    Feel free to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make preparing this simple avocado salad a breeze. Pack it with pita, sliced bread, or wholewheat wraps for a quick make-ahead lunch.

    Get the recipe: Avocado Chicken Salad

    10. Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

    sweetpeasandsaffron.com

    Prep a big batch of the turkey on Sunday and eat it all throughout the week — just make sure to pack the lettuce leaves separately so they don't get soggy.

    Get the recipe: Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

    11. One-Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies

    chelseasmessyapron.com

    Just throw everything onto one tray, let it roast, and serve on top of rice, pasta, or fresh greens for the easiest work lunch ever.

    Get the recipe: One-Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies

    12. Steak Cobb Salad

    damndelicious.net

    The perfect hearty salad to help you power through the work day.

    Get the recipe: Steak Cobb Salad

    13. Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls

    sweetpeasandsaffron.com

    This recipe serves the chicken with stir-fried broccoli and asparagus, but you can use just about any vegetable you have on hand. Bell peppers, mushrooms, and cauliflower would all make great alternatives.

    Get the recipe: Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls

    14. Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

    40aprons.com

    Greek chicken + tabbouleh + tzatziki = the complete opposite of a #SadDeskLunch.

    Get the recipe: Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

    15. Sriracha Chickpea Salad Wraps

    budgetbytes.com

    Feel free to dial back the amount of Sriracha used in this recipe if spicy food isn't your favorite.

    Get the recipe: Sriracha Chickpea Salad Wraps

    16. Pineapple BBQ Tofu Bowls

    sweetpeasandsaffron.com

    If you don't have an outdoor grill, a grill pan heated over a medium flame will do just the trick.

    Get the recipe: Pineapple BBQ Tofu Bowls