99 Healthy Lunch Recipes For Going Back To Work Or School

As you head back into the office, classroom, and wherever else you’re doing work these days, chances are that you need better lunches. It’s easy to default to the same old sandwich or salad you made last week, or to not bring lunch and just buy a meal — which is something that happens to me more often than I’d like to admit. Making lunch is cheaper, healthier, and more sustainable, but it’s also slower and more labor-intensive (especially if you’re cooking for kids, too).

With that in mind, these recipes are designed to help you get excited about making your lunch again. We selected options that you can meal-prep the night before and take on the go the next day — you won’t see many soups and stews on this list, but there are still tons of warming, comforting options for the colder weather. There’s plenty of kid-focused and family-friendly meals, too, so you only have to cook once for everyone. But most importantly, these lunch ideas could be something fun and new for your kitchen this fall: From an egg roll in a bowl to purple pasta, there’s bound to be something on this list you haven’t made yet.

If you’re looking for nourishing, filling dinners, we’ve got 99 ideas for that, too. And for even more delicious recipes, subscribe to The Daily Good, a 30-second morning newsletter with soothing playlists, recipes, articles, and more.🕊 Join 350,000 readers for free.

Vegan Lunch Recipes

Southwest Dense Bean Salad
Eggplant Unagi Rice Bowl
Green Curry Ramen Bake
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Avocado White Bean Sandwich
Zucchini Lasagna
Vegan Sloppy Joes
Purple Pasta
Vegan Potstickers
Courgette Risotto
Smoky BBQ Shredded Tofu Tacos With Yogurt Ranch Slaw
Vegan Burrito Bowl
Shepherd’s Pie
Creamy Pasta Primavera
Tempeh BLT With Vegan Mayo

A skillet of rotini pasta in a creamy purple sauce, garnished with parsley, black pepper, and a lemon slice, with two utensils resting in the pan. — *Purple Pasta; Vegan Burrito Bowl*

A black bowl with rice, sautéed green peppers and onions, seasoned ground meat, corn salsa, and guacamole, with a spoon on the side. — *Purple Pasta; Vegan Burrito Bowl*

Vegetarian Lunch Recipes

Braised Chickpeas With Zucchini and Pesto
Palak Paneer Rice
Spiced Cauliflower Chickpea Pitas
Breakfast Burrito Southwest Style
Pan Bagnat
Mushroom Pepper Fry Naan Sliders
Crispy Baked Lemon Chickpea Cakes
Vegetarian Gumbo
Wheat Berry Salad
Pesto Pizza
Tofu Banh Mi Bowls
Creamy Vegetable Orzo
Green Bean Casserole
Turmeric Honey-Mustard Cauliflower and Chickpeas

A plate with six golden brown patties, three topped with white sauce, next to a bowl of dipping sauce on a gray surface. Sliced almonds and a cutting board are nearby. — *Crispy Baked Lemon Chickpea Cakes; Tofu Banh Mi Bowls*

A bowl with rice, glazed tofu cubes, sliced cucumber, carrots, red onion, fresh mint, and a creamy orange sauce, served with a fork. — *Crispy Baked Lemon Chickpea Cakes; Tofu Banh Mi Bowls*

Kid-Friendly Lunch Recipes

Burger Bowls With House Sauce and Ranch Fries
Tropical Granola (With Yogurt)
Instant Pot Sausage and Potatoes
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Pizza Casserole
Pinwheel Sandwiches Four Ways
Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf
Open-Faced Sandwiches
Veggie Spaghetti
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
Fish Cakes With Beans and Greens
Cottage Pie
Garlic Butter Pasta and Charred Green Onions

Two bowls of yogurt topped with diced papaya, mango, pineapple, granola, and coconut sit near fresh fruit, a tray of granola, and a container of yogurt on a white surface. — *Tropical Granola (With Yogurt); Pinwheel Sandwiches Four Ways*

Plate of tortilla pinwheels filled with cheese and spinach, arranged in a circular pattern. Slices of cheese and a bowl of spinach are visible in the background. — *Tropical Granola (With Yogurt); Pinwheel Sandwiches Four Ways*

Gluten-Free Lunch Recipes

Zucchini Stuffed With Sausage, Mushroom, and Sage
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp With Zucchini Noodles
Guacamole Crispy Sweetcorn Chicken Salad
BLT With Rosemary Mayo
Rice Bowl with Chicken, Kale and Creamy Tahini Dressing
Weeknight Tomato Basil Chicken
Taco Rice Casserole
Everything Bagel Chicken Salad
Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad
Vegetable Enchilada Casserole
Chicken Rollatini
Buttered Salmon With Red Onion, Capers, and Dill
Grilled Steak and Charred Veggies With Creamy Cilantro Dressing

Cooked shrimp seasoned with herbs and pepper sit next to a serving of zucchini noodles in a skillet, garnished with lemon slices and parsley. — *Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp With Zucchini Noodles; Buttered Salmon With Red Onion, Capers, and Dill*

Cooked salmon pieces topped with fresh dill, sliced red onions, lemon, black pepper, and drizzled olive oil on a light pink plate. — *Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp With Zucchini Noodles; Buttered Salmon With Red Onion, Capers, and Dill*

Gluten-Free and Vegan Recipes

Best Buddha Bowl
Easy Jalapeño Corn Fritters
Gluten-Free Vegan Wellington
Charred Lemon-Asparagus Risotto
Sweet Potato Chickpea Taco Salad
Minestra
Thai Noodle Salad
Sweet Potato Salad With Warm Pepita Dressing
Grilled Broccoli Steaks With Spicy Peanut Chili Crisp Lentils
Smashed Potatoes with Sweet Corn Relish
Thai Larb With Tofu
Spicy Quinoa Casserole
Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Tacos
Best-Ever Beefless Stew

Roasted broccoli steaks topped with chopped peanuts and sliced scallions, served over a bed of saucy chickpeas on an oval white plate. — *Grilled Broccoli Steaks With Spicy Peanut Chili Crisp Lentils; Spicy Quinoa Casserole*

A bowl of quinoa stir-fry with broccoli, chickpeas, red bell peppers, green onions, and lime wedges on a wooden surface, with chopsticks resting on the side. — *Grilled Broccoli Steaks With Spicy Peanut Chili Crisp Lentils; Spicy Quinoa Casserole*

5-Ingredient Lunch Recipes

Chicken and Cabbage Bowls With Sesame Dressing
Chicken Club Lettuce Wrap Sandwich
Vegetable Fried Brown Rice
Stuffed Sweet Potato With Hummus Dressing
Spicy Sausage Carbonara
Roasted Veggie and Hummus Pita Pockets
Easy Broccoli Quiche
High-Protein Mini Pizzas
Tomato and Pimento Cheese Sandwich
Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Burst Tomato and Zucchini Spaghetti With Avocado Sauce
Chili-Cheese Enchiladas
Weeknight Chicken Paprikash
Potato Chip Spanish Tortilla

Two whole wheat pita halves filled with lettuce, roasted vegetables, red onions, and crumbled cheese are served on a ceramic plate on a wooden table. — *Roasted Veggie and Hummus Pita Pockets; Chili-Cheese Enchiladas*

A baked casserole topped with melted cheese, enchilada sauce, and chopped green onions sits in a white oval dish on a light surface. — *Roasted Veggie and Hummus Pita Pockets; Chili-Cheese Enchiladas*

Other Healthy Lunch Recipes

Roasted Broccoli Salad
Peanut Chicken Wraps
Balsamic Chicken Peach Flatbread
Chicken Bacon Quesadillas
15-Minute Wonton Power Bowl
Stuffed Pasta Shells With Ground Beef and Spinach
Apple Cheddar Bundles
Maryland Crab Cakes
Spanish-Style Tuna Burgers
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Portobello-Chickpea Wraps
New Orleans Muffuletta
No-Fry Eggplant Parmesan
Panzanella Salad

Flatbread pizzas topped with grilled chicken, arugula, sliced peaches, cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, arranged on a wooden surface with fresh basil leaves nearby. — *Balsamic Chicken Peach Flatbread; Stuffed Pasta Shells With Ground Beef and Spinach*

Stuffed pasta shells filled with spinach, ricotta, and meat, topped with tomato sauce and shredded cheese. — *Balsamic Chicken Peach Flatbread; Stuffed Pasta Shells With Ground Beef and Spinach*

Featured image is from The First Mess

Katherine J. Igoe is a writer and editor who covers fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, with sustainability at the core of her work. She’s written for The New York Times, The Cut, InStyle, etc., and been a contributing editor at Cosmo and Marie Claire.