Easy Lunches You’ll Actually Look Forward To

Lunchtime doesn’t have to mean a boring sandwich or unhealthy fast food. You don’t have to waste money going out for something expensive and you don’t have to spend inordinate amounts of time for a satisfying and healthy meal. With a little bit of preparation, you can easily make tasty lunches at home that you’ll actually look forward to. Here are some easy lunch ideas that you can enjoy.

Salads

Salads are a classic lunch option because they are healthy, easy to make and, with a few additions, surprisingly filling. Here are some ideas to try:

• Cobb salad with eggs, bacon, tomatoes and avocado
• Mediterranean salad with feta cheese, chickpeas, cucumber and red onion
• Fruit salad with diced melon, mango and kiwi
• Tomato, mozzarella and basil salad

Sandwiches and Wraps

Sandwiches and wraps provide great variation and convenience when you need a change of pace. Try some of the following options:

• Turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and mustard
• Hummus wrap with cucumber, tomato and spinach
• PB&J sandwich with a twist, like adding in banana slices
• BLT wrap with guacamole and bacon

Soups and Stews

If you’re looking for a warm option, soups and stews are perfect. They’re filling, full of vegetables and easy to make in advance. Some easy soups to try out for lunch are as follows:

• Tomato and vegetable soup
• Creamy broccoli and cauliflower soup
• Mushroom and barley soup
• Chicken noodle soup

Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are tasty and inexpensive, and they can be filled with almost any ingredient you have on hand. Here are some ideas:

• Loaded baked potato with cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream
• Mediterranean-style baked potato with feta cheese, spinach, tomatoes and olives
• Mexican-style baked potato with black beans, corn and cheddar cheese
• Asian-style baked potato with mushrooms, edamame and hoisin sauce

Pasta

Pasta dishes can be cooked in minutes and are filling enough for an easy lunch. Here are some ideas to try:

• Creamy spinach and ricotta gnocchi
• Farfalle with sundried tomato pesto
• Penne with tomatoes, garlic and olive oil
• Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil

Baked Goods

Baking something delicious doesn’t have to be time consuming. Here are some delicious lunch recipes that don’t require too much effort:

• Baked oatmeal
• Banana bread
• Biscuits
• Muffins

Leftovers

If you have leftovers from dinner, you can turn them into an easy lunch. Here are some ideas for creative leftover lunches:

• Takeout-style veggies: Stir-fry leftover vegetables with a little soy sauce
• Zucchini fritters: Mix grated zucchini with egg, onion, and Parmesan cheese and then fry them up
• Fried rice: Fry leftover rice with egg, carrots, peas and onions
• Veggie quesadillas: Fill a tortilla with black beans, chopped vegetables, and cheese and then bake or fry it

Quick Microwave Meals

For a lazy lunch, there are several healthy microwave meals that you can make in just minutes. Here are a few ideas:

• Ham and cheese omelet
• Mac & Cheese
• Scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach
• Burritos

Snacks

Sometimes lunch can just be a few snacks and light foods. Here are some healthy snacks that can make a tasty lunch:

• Pretzels
• Popcorn
• Yogurt with granola and berries
• Hummus and crackers
• Celery, peanut butter and raisins
• Pita chips, hummus and cucumber slices

No matter how long you have for lunch or what you’re in the mood for, you can easily put together a delicious meal that you’ll look forward to. With just a bit of preparation, you can make a healthy, affordable and enjoyable lunch that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Try something new from the list above and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.