17 Packable Lunch Ideas That'll Actually Fill You Up

    From pasta salads, to above-average sandwiches, to Buddha bowls.

    Michelle No
    by Michelle No

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Hannah Wong / BuzzFeed

    There's no better way to set yourself up for a solid day ahead than to pack your own lunch. And if you're out of recipe ideas, we've put together this list of versatile lunches that you can pack the morning or night before — from pasta salads, to above-average sandwiches, to Buddha bowls.

    1. Crispy Southwest Wrap

    tastesbetterfromscratch.com

    A wrap is basically a tidy way to use all your leftover kitchen scraps. Serve with a side of salsa for maximum deliciousness. Recipe here.

    2. Steak and Avocado Salad

    tasty.co

    The perfect way to use up any leftover steaks from the weekend's BBQ. Squeeze some lime on your avocado slices to keep them from turning brown before lunch. Recipe here.

    3. Mediterranean Chopped Salad Pita

    shelikesfood.com

    To keep things from getting soggy, pack the pita on the side, then just assemble your pocket right before you eat. And for creaminess, added a smear of hummus or tzatziki sauce. Recipe here.

    4. Turkey, Bacon, and Avocado Grilled Cheese

    Cheryl Sousan | Tidymom

    Minimal cooking skills necessary. Recipe here.

    5. Tuscan Pasta Salad

    therecipecritic.com

    Pasta salads are perfect if you don't have access to a microwave. This one lightens things up with sliced olives, crunchy red bell pepper, and spinach. Recipe here.

    6. Honey Mustard Ham and Cheese Sandwich

    lemontreedwelling.com

    Sometimes, a unique sauce is the only thing you need to take your lunch from boring to "Seconds, please!" Recipe here.

    7. Crispy Grilled Turkey and Cheese Sandwich With Chipotle Mayo

    yummyhealthyeasy.com

    Second case in point: this chipotle mayonnaise made with diced chipotle peppers. Recipe here.

    8. Almond, Berry, And Chicken Spring Salad

    chelseasmessyapron.com

    And if you don't have any chicken ready, just toss in some canned tuna and you're good to go. Recipe here.

    9. Chicken Burrito Bowl

    buzzfeed.com

    This meal prep-style lunch is one you can put together in a flash, and easily tweak to fit your taste. Recipe here. And if you're curious about meal prepping, check out our 7-day meal prep plan.

    10. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

    budgetbytes.com

    Add chicken breast or shrimp to make this lunch a little extra hearty. Recipe here.

    11. Turkey Taco Salad

    wellplated.com

    It's like a taco meal, but without the 3 p.m. food coma. Recipe here.

    12. One-Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies

    chelseasmessyapron.com

    Good for lunch and dinner — just make a whole tray of these in advance, then pack and serve throughout the week with rice, over salad greens, or just by itself. Recipe here.

    13. Avocado Salmon Rice Bowl

    justonecookbook.com

    This bento lunch will work with whatever protein you have leftover from last night's dinner. Recipe here.

    14. One-Pan Garlic Chicken Pesto Pasta

    tasty.co

    Done in 30 minutes or less. Recipe here.

    15. Chickpea and Wheat Berry Veggie Salad

    inpursuitofmore.com

    Chewy and tender, whole wheat berries are a delicious way to incorporate way fiber and protein into your diet. Recipe here.

    16. Healthy Kale and Quinoa Bowl

    karalydon.com

    Because it's such a hearty vegetable, kale is perfect for work lunches — it'll stand up to a few hours packed away in Tupperware, no problem. Recipe here.

    17. Sweet Potato and Broccoli Bowl

    ambitiouskitchen.com

    And if you're not a fan of the mango coconut rice, simply switch it out for brown or plain white rice. Recipe here.

    And here are even more lunch ideas for the week ahead: