59 (Really Good) Lunch Recipes All In One Place

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    Marie Telling
    by Marie Telling

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed

    Running low on stay-home lunch ideas? No problem.

    Below, you'll find a ton of them to help you stay full and fueled all day. The lunch recipes are divided into categories: no-cook, 15-minute meals, family friendly, salads, sandwiches & wraps, and grain bowls. Save this list! 📝

    BuzzFeed

    1. Simple Tuna Salad

    budgetbytes.com

    Pile this on bread, crackers, or in lettuce wraps. If you don't have red peppers, swap in any other crunchy or bright veg — like celery or cherry tomatoes.

    Recipe: Simple Tuna Salad

    2. Marinated White Beans

    thekitchn.com

    The easiest (and tastiest) use of canned beans and any leftover herbs. Bonus: These get even better as they sit, so it's a lunch that'll last through the week.

    Get the recipe: Marinated White Beans

    3. 10-Minute Blender Gazpacho

    gimmesomeoven.com

    Who said a quick lunch couldn't also be colorful and healthy?

    Get the recipe: 10-Minute Blender Gazpacho

    4. Chickpea Avocado Tacos

    kimscravings.com

    No more chickpeas? Black beans or white beans work too.

    Get the recipe: Chickpea Avocado Tacos

    5. Build-Your-Own Lunch Boxes

    thekitchn.com

    For super busy days, stock your pantry and fridge with items that fit the Snacks for Lunch formula: 1 protein + 1 whole grain + 1 veggie or fruit + 1 wildcard.

    Recipe: Build-Your-Own Lunch Boxes

    6. Chickpea, Tomato, and Egg Toast

    BuzzFeed

    This bills itself as a breakfast toast — but it totally works for lunch too. You can also swap the chickpeas for hummus or avocado.

    Recipe: White Bean, Tomato, and Egg Toast

    7. Pesto and Turkey Cucumber Roll Ups

    ambitiouskitchen.com

    Slice the cucumber length-wise, spread it with pesto, pieces of cheese, turkey and roll it up. That's it.

    Get the recipe: Pesto and Turkey Cucumber Roll Ups

    8. 10-Minute Raw Vegan Tacos

    minimalistbaker.com

    With a plant-based "meat" made with sun-dried tomatoes, raw walnuts, and lots of spices.

    Get the recipe: 10-Minute Raw Vegan Tacos

    9. No-Cook Zucchini Noodles With Pesto

    healthyseasonalrecipes.com

    If you don't own a spiralizer, you can find pre-cut zoodles in many stores or try making your own using these methods.

    Get the recipe: No-Cook Zucchini Noodles With Pesto

    10. Chickpea Salad Sandwich

    tasty.co

    You can replace the kale with any leafy green you want.

    Get the recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwich

    BuzzFeed

    11. Bacon & Egg Ramen

    tasty.co

    Toss the bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan for the easiest cleanup — and let it bake while you cook the ramen and chop a few onions.

    Recipe: Bacon & Egg Ramen

    12. Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado

    gimmesomeoven.com

    Mostly just assembly, and a few minutes of chopping.

    Get the recipe: Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado

    13. Easy Beef and Broccoli

    damndelicious.net

    This might look like a lot of work, but because the meat is chopped so small, it cooks incredibly quickly.

    Get the recipe: Easy Beef and Broccoli

    14. Portobello Pizzas

    cafedelites.com

    Life hack: top anything with mozzarella and pepperoni to make it better. (For an even faster version, ditch the portobellos for English muffins.)

    Get the recipe: Portobello Pizzas

    15. Veggie Fried Rice

    pinchofyum.com

    This is made with frozen corn and peas but you could customize it with any veggies you have at home.

    Get the recipe: Veggie Fried Rice

    16. White Bean, Artichoke, and Basil Toast

    pinchofyum.com

    1. Toss pantry staples into a food processor. 2. Spread on toast. 3. Feast!

    Get the recipe: White Bean, Artichoke, and Basil Toasts

    17. Gnocchi Skillet With Chicken Sausage and Tomatoes

    thekitchn.com

    A restaurant-worthy meal you can whip up in 15 minutes? Say no more.

    Get the recipe: Gnocchi Skillet With Chicken Sausage and Tomatoes

    18. Tuna "Sushi" Stacks

    chelseasmessyapron.com

    Got some leftover rice, or even rice cakes? Top it with canned tuna, mashed avocado, and mango salsa.

    Get the recipe: Tuna "Sushi" Stacks

    19. Easy Lo Mein

    damndelicious.net

    For anyone who's been missing their Chinese take-out.

    Get the recipe: Easy Lo Mein

    20. Shrimp-Stuffed Avocado

    heatherchristo.com

    We can't go a tropical vacation right now — but we can queue up a festive lunch like this. (And watch the Travel Channel.)

    Get the recipe: Shrimp- Stuffed Avocado

    21. Sesame Peanut Noodles

    tasty.co

    This is nice way to use leftover noodles and a great recipe for all the times when it's too hot to turn on the oven.

    Get the recipe: Sesame Peanut Noodles

    22. Chilled Corn Soup With Cucumber Salad

    withfoodandlove.com

    A cold soup with sweet corn, tomatoes and bell peppers, AKA summer in a bowl.

    Get the recipe: Chilled Corn Soup With Cucumber Salad

    23. 15-Minute Thin Crust Pizza With Arugula and Hot Honey

    halfbakedharvest.com

    Full disclosure: The pizza dough here is actually a flour tortilla but that doesn't mean this recipe isn't both brilliant and super tasty.

    Get the recipe: Thin Crust Pizza With Arugula and Hot Honey

    24. Chinese Chicken Salad Spring Rolls

    thekitchn.com

    The freshest, crunchiest lunch you could dream of.

    Get the recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad Spring Rolls

    BuzzFeed

    25. Make-Ahead Egg, Ham, and Cheese Burritos

    budgetbytes.com

    Stash a bunch of these in the freezer — then dole out as necessary.

    Recipe: Make-Ahead Egg, Ham, and Cheese Burritos

    26. French Bread Pizzas

    thepioneerwoman.com

    Can never go wrong with these.

    Recipe: French Bread Pizzas

    27. Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Dumplings

    tasty.co

    Toss everything into the slow cooker after breakfast — and let lunch make itself.

    Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Dumplings

    28. Instant Pot Mac & Cheese with Broccoli

    thegirlonbloor.com

    Get those greens in!

    Recipe: Instant Pot Mac & Cheese with Broccoli

    29. Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos

    budgetbytes.com

    A base of pantry staples — black beans, canned tomatoes — means this is super easy to assemble.

    Recipe: Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos

    BuzzFeed

    30. Perfect Spring Salad

    twopeasandtheirpod.com

    Spring on a plate.

    Get the recipe: Perfect Spring Salad

    31. Pistachio Pesto Salad

    gimmesomeoven.com

    To make this even easier, ditch the homemade pesto for store-bought.

    Get the recipe: Pistachio Pesto Salad

    32. Protein-Packed Chickpea and Black Bean Salad

    ambitiouskitchen.com

    One of the best ways to use all those beans crowding your pantry.

    Get the recipe: Protein-Packed Chickpea and Black Bean Salad

    33. Avocado Potato Salad

    damndelicious.net

    Forget about mayo, the best potato salad is made with avocado.

    Get the recipe: Avocado Potato Salad

    34. Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad

    cafedelites.com

    Best way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken, IMO.

    Get the recipe: Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad

    35. Charred Broccoli Chopped Salad With Spicy Cashew Dressing

    alexandracooks.com

    You can always replace the kale with romaine and there is a lot of room for creativity with the add-ins here: skip the salami if you want, or add some Parmesan. Follow your heart — and stomach!

    Get the recipe: Charred Broccoli Chopped Salad With Spicy Cashew Dressing

    brooklynsupper.com

    Fennel and asparagus are in season right now and they're the star of this crunchy feast of a salad.

    Get the recipe: Fennel-Asparagus Salad With Buttermilk-Lime Dressing

    37. Moroccan Carrot Salad With Harissa and Avocado

    alexandracooks.com

    If you have some feta lying in your fridge, it'll be a great addition to this super fresh and spicy salad.

    Get the recipe: Moroccan Carrot Salad With Harissa and Avocado

    38. Pasta Salad With Roasted Carrots and Sunflower Seed Dressing

    smittenkitchen.com

    You can prep this one on Sunday and eat it for lunch throughout the week.

    Get the recipe: Pasta Salad With Roasted Carrots and Sunflower Seed Dressing

    39. Easy Tuna Niçoise Salad

    theseasonedmom.com

    A French classic and a great way to use the canned tuna in your pantry.

    Get the recipe: Easy Tuna Niçoise Salad

    40. Roasted Spring Vegetable Salad

    Lauren Zaser / buzzfeed.com

    The best way to improve any salad? Add some shaved Parmesan to the mix.

    Get the recipe: Roasted Spring Vegetable Salad

    BuzzFeed
    alexandracooks.com

    No matter the question, the answer is always grilled cheese.

    Get the recipe: Gouda Grilled Cheese With Curried Apple Chutney

    42. Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps

    ambitiouskitchen.com

    Another great use for rotisserie chicken. The peanut butter dressing is the star of the show here and you can have fun with the rest of the ingredients, using whatever you have at home.

    Get the recipe: Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps

    43. Green Goddess Sandwich

    bojongourmet.com

    The secret of this stunner? A mayonnaise packed with herbs that takes it to another level.

    Get the recipe: Green Goddess Sandwich

    44. Vegan "Tuna" Salad Sandwich

    alexandracooks.com

    This is a chickpea-based salad with briny ingredients like capers and pickles, along with celery and onions — which make this recipe a great vegan substitute to classic tuna salad.

    Get the recipe: Vegan "Tuna" Salad Sandwich

    45. Mozzacado Sandwich

    Faith Durand / thekitchn.com

    Sometimes, the simplest recipes are also the best. And you only need bread, avocado, tomato, cheese and basil to make this one.

    Get the recipe: Mozzacado Sandwich

    46. Three-Pepper Shakshuka Pita With Feta

    smittenkitchen.com

    You can prep the sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container. When it's time for lunch, warm it up on the stove-top, crack some eggs in there, then stuff everything into a pita.

    Get the recipe: Three-Pepper Shakshuka Pita With Feta

    47. Pork and Cheddar Sandwich on a Portobello "Bun"

    Lauren Zaser / buzzfeed.com

    This is a great option if you're craving a sandwich but want to keep it low-carb.

    Get the recipe: Pork and Cheddar Sandwich on a Portobello "Bun"

    halfbakedharvest.com

    This one is a bit more labor-intensive than the other sandwiches on the list, but if you have time for a 30-minute break and want to treat yourself to a banh mi, this is the way to go.

    Get the recipe: 30-Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich

    49. Avocado Club Sandwich With Spicy Chipotle Pepper Spread

    damndelicious.net

    Bacon and spicy chipotle pepper spread? I'm in.

    Get the recipe: Avocado Club Sandwich With Spicy Chipotle Pepper Spread

    50. Nuevo Cubano Sandwich

    pinchofyum.com

    If you don't own a panini press, toss this in a skillet.

    Get the recipe: Nuevo Cubano Sandwich

    BuzzFeed

    51. Roasted Veggie Grain Platter

    greenkitchenstories.com

    The grain bowl to end all grain bowls!!! In all seriousness, though, this is highly customizable, so use the ingredients list as an inspiration and let your creativity do the rest.

    Get the recipe: Roasted Veggie Grain Platter

    minimalistbaker.com

    These crispy miso chickpeas would also make for a great little snack on their own.

    Get the recipe: Crispy Miso Chickpea Bowls With Garlic Sesame Dressing

    53. Grain Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Poached Eggs, and Lemon Dressing

    pinchofyum.com

    You had me at turmeric sweet potatoes.

    Get the recipe: Grain Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Poached Eggs, and Lemon Dressing

    54. Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls

    gimmesomeoven.com

    Humanity is truly at its best when it's finding new ways to eat burritos without really eating burritos.

    Get the recipe: Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls

    55. Farro Salad With Beets, Scallions and Pistachios

    alexandracooks.com

    As delicious as it's pretty. This recipe would also work very well with brown rice or Israeli couscous.

    Get the recipe: Farro Salad With Beets, Scallions and Pistachios

    56. Glazed Hoisin and Sesame Salmon Bowl

    saltandlavender.com

    This is made with cauliflower rice but you can also use quinoa or regular rice.

    Get the recipe: Glazed Hoisin and Sesame Salmon Bowl

    57. Crispy Rice and Egg Bowl With Ginger Scallion Vinaigrette

    smittenkitchen.com

    Number 1: crispy rice. Number 2: crispy fried egg. Need I say more?

    Get the recipe: Crispy Rice and Egg Bowl With Ginger Scallion Vinaigrette

    58. Quinoa Chickpea Buddha Bowl

    minimalistbaker.com

    The secret to this very straightforward recipe is its ultra-good tahini sauce.

    Get the recipe: Quinoa Chickpea Buddha Bowl

    59. Tomato and Avocado Quinoa Bowl

    Taylor Miller / buzzfeed.com

    Packed with protein and healthy fats.

    Get the recipe: Tomato and Avocado Quinoa Bowl