Looking to mix up your lunch game? We’ve reinvented 15 classic lunches that are a cinch to make and perfect for taking to work. These recipes are flavorful and just the ticket for those of us with a full plate. Say goodbye to mediocre midday meals and hello to lunches that’ll have your coworkers asking, “What’s that you’re eating?”
Bell Pepper Sandwich
Revive the classic sandwich for your work lunch with a twist using the Bell Pepper Sandwich. It’s quick and takes only about 10 minutes, and swaps out traditional bread for bell pepper halves filled with turkey, cheese, and lettuce. This reinvention offers a refreshing change that’s perfect for eating at your desk or on the go, making it a smart pick for those looking to lighten up their lunch routine without sacrificing convenience.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
The Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad puts a spicy, creative spin on your work lunch, inspired by the beloved appetizer. With ingredients like chicken, jalapeños, cream cheese, and spices, it’s easy to prepare the night before and ready to spice up your lunch hour. This salad is a nod to those looking for a break from the ordinary so that lunch at work can be both fun and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Transform a traditional chicken salad into something special with Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats for your work lunch. This dish takes the familiar flavors of chicken and bacon, enhanced with ranch seasoning, and serves them in cucumber boats for a refreshing take. It’s an easy prep meal that brings a bit of excitement to your lunchtime, blending nostalgia with a modern, healthy twist.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
Reinvent the meatball lunch with Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice, offering a hearty yet lighter option for the workweek. This duo combines juicy meatballs with a side of cauliflower rice for a great meal that’s easy to prepare in advance. It’s a great way to enjoy a classic favorite in a new, more convenient form, perfect for busy professionals.
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites offer a quick and easy update to the traditional chicken dish for a work lunch. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe simplifies lunch preparation without skimping on flavor. It’s a modern take on a beloved classic, ensuring your lunch break is as enjoyable as it is efficient.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Big Mac Salad
For a lighter, work-friendly version of a fast-food favorite, try the Big Mac Salad. This recipe deconstructs the iconic burger into a salad form, complete with all the flavors but without the heaviness. It’s an inventive way to enjoy the taste of a Big Mac during your lunch break, showing that you can have the best of both worlds.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
These Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins bring a protein-packed, retro-inspired twist to lunchtime. Originally designed for breakfast, these muffins make an equally great lunch option, using ingredients like eggs, cottage cheese, and veggies. They’re an easy, portable choice that nods to the past while fitting perfectly into a modern workday.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Avocado Tuna Salad
Update your lunch with Avocado Tuna Salad, a fresh take on the classic tuna salad. This version uses avocado for a creamy texture and added nutrients, making it a healthy and simple choice for work. It’s a quick, no-cook meal that brings a beloved staple into the present — great for those looking to enjoy classic flavors in a new way.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Broccoli Fritters
Give your lunch a retro makeover with Broccoli Fritters, turning a familiar vegetable into a fun meal. This recipe combines broccoli and Parmesan for a delicious crunch, making it a fantastic way to enjoy a vegetable-centric lunch at work. It’s a playful approach to lunch that’s both easy to make and eat, perfect for adding a bit of variety to your meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
The Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is a refreshing update on traditional salads, perfect for a work lunch. Ready in just about 30 minutes, it mixes cucumbers, onions, and a creamy dill dressing for a light and flavorful meal. This salad is a great choice for those seeking a quick and easy way to incorporate fresh, vibrant tastes into their lunchtime routine.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Revamp your lunch options with Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties, a flavorful and modern twist on the classic tuna cake. Ready in 30 minutes and paired with lemon dill aioli, these patties are a convenient and tasty choice for work. They’re a great way to spice up your lunch with minimal effort, offering a contemporary take on a traditional favorite.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties bring a touch of nostalgia to the lunch hour, offering a simple yet savory option that’s easy to enjoy. Ready in just 20 minutes, these patties can be served with veggies or as a sandwich for a versatile and straightforward meal just like the ones you grew up eating.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
These Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars introduce a convenient and flavorful way to enjoy a classic salad at work. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have a week’s worth of fresh, tasty lunches ready to go. This approach to meal prep is perfect for those seeking a balanced and enjoyable lunch option that combines the ease of preparation with the timeless appeal of a Greek salad.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Thai Chicken Salad
This Thai Chicken Salad is a vibrant, easy-to-make option that brings the flavors of Thailand to your work lunch. It’s a quick and nourishing choice, combining marinated chicken with fresh veggies for a meal that’s light yet fulfilling. This salad is a modern take on the traditional chicken salad, perfect for those seeking a refreshing and flavorful lunch.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad
Keto Chicken Nuggets
These Keto Chicken Nuggets offer a fun and low-carb update to a childhood favorite, making them a great choice for work lunch. Ready in 30 minutes, they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This recipe gives you a great excuse to enjoy the comfort of chicken nuggets — reinvented for your adult lunchbox.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets