82 Easy Lunch Ideas That Are Fast, Low-Fuss and Foolproof

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 1

This protein-packed dinner only takes 15 minutes from start to finish. Not only does the chicken wing-inspired recipe call for diced celery and carrots, but the dressing is also a simple mix of Buffalo sauce and ranch. "You can make it even spicier by adding chopped pickled jalapeños and a dash of their brine to the tuna," suggests recipe developer and PureWow food editor Taryn Pire.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, kid-friendly, vegetarian, one pan
• Serves: 1

When all else fails, you can't go wrong with this childhood favorite, especially when it's grilled in butter. "The best part about this sandwich, other than being a cinch to make, is that you can customize it with any nut butter and jam you want," says former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "I'm a sucker for classic smooth PB and seedless black raspberry jam, but the sky's the limit." Serve it with fresh fruit if you're feeling healthy, or sub Nutella for jelly if you aren't.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, no cook, <30 minutes
• Serves: 3 to 4

Lunch should never be stressful—that's why this recipe can be endlessly adjusted to your liking. "Want things extra creamy? Add more mayo," Gillen suggests. "Prefer Greek yogurt? Use that. It likes a hint of acid (lemon juice or a splash of vinegar), something briny (I call for pepperoncini, but capers, olives or pickles would do) and a bit of spice (crushed red pepper flakes or even hot sauce?), but the point is that it's riffable and easy to make with what's already in your fridge."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 4

"French onion is one of my all-time favorite soups," Gillen admits. "And grilled cheese is up there in my sandwich rankings. Why not combine the two into the coziest combination imaginable?" Pro tip: Caramelize the onions ahead and keep them in the fridge for up to five days, so you can quickly assemble the moment a craving strikes.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 4

If you have 25 minutes, you can make four days' worth of lunches. The chicken salad will keep in the fridge without issue. As for the sandwich, it's as easy to prepare as slicing a tomato. Just be sure to combine everything right before serving, so the bread doesn't go soggy.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Rotisserie chicken, I salute you. How else could I have a mouthwatering lunch and/or game day menu item ready to devour in just 20 minutes without any actual cooking? Sub ranch dressing for blue cheese if you insist.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

These pinwheels are the sandwich equivalent of icebox cookies. By that I mean easy, delicious and impossible to eat just one. (Oh, and the whole roll-slice-devour thing.) Bonus points if you serve them with pepperoncini.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, make ahead, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Aside from being a tasty, easy lunch idea for you or your kids (OK, maybe sans olives), these teeny-tiny skewers are so darn fun to eat. Customize them to your heart's content, but I'm partial to briny artichokes and herby pesto. (Yes, store-bought is fine, friend.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, make ahead, no cook
• Serves: 4

They take 30 minutes to prepare, don’t get soggy right away and last up to two days ahead in the fridge. Plus, there's peanut butter sauce. Need I say more? Make-ahead lunch, here you come.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

You can’t go wrong with these two-bite pockets, which feature all the bold flavors of the Middle Eastern favorite. "Typically cooked on a rotisserie and shaved off in thin slices, this take on the classic dish is much simpler to make at home," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman explains. A fast marinade makes the chicken taste like you spent all day in the kitchen.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Real talk: This easy lunch idea has me excited about vegetables. And that homemade green goddess dressing? It comes together with just a few whirls in your blender. Guess it *is* easy being green.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly, one pan
• Serves: 1

This ten-minute beauty is bursting with fresh fruit and three different cheeses. Feel free to spice the sandwich up even further with bacon, caramelized onions or jam (peach, apricot or raspberry would all be delightful).

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Never worked with tofu before? The secret to a crispy exterior is pressing as much liquid out of it as possible before breading and frying it. (The sesame seed crust helps, too.) Pro tip: "After you drain the vegetables out of the vinegar for the sandwiches, you can save that vinegar for dressings," recipe creator Erin McDowell says.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: low carb, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

The stars of this easy lunch idea are the quick-pickled cucumbers and scallions, which are generously spiked with fresh herbs. Still, the savory chicken and cremini mushroom combo is a close second. This low-carb gem is keto-friendly, too.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 4

You have my full permission to substitute pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for homemade, since the best parts are really the tarragon mayonnaise and the quick-pickled red onions. (Your guests won't know the difference, promise.) Make the components ahead for easy assembly later.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

This blissful combination of buttery white bread, gooey mozzarella cheese, salty pancetta and fresh herbs is only 25 minutes away. Needless to say, it’s delectable and ridiculously savory. Serve this easy lunch idea with a sharp arugula salad, because balance is everything.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 1

I'll eat this no-cook brunch staple any time of day, TBH. Finish your bagel with capers, fresh dill and minced red onion for maximum flavor. (Might I suggest washing it down with an afternoon mimosa as well?)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 6

Bye, lunch rut. See you never, thanks to these adorable stuffed peppers filled with healthy chicken salad. How is it no cook, you ask? Chalk it up to store-bought rotisserie chicken. "I typically skip the bell pepper boats," Gillen says, "but I love that this chicken salad is slightly tangy from the Greek yogurt dressing, and that it keeps in the fridge for a couple days. It's like meal prep without trying."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2 to 3

It's always tomato girl summer in my book. "Halloumi is briny, chewy and ideal for tossing in a skillet, or even on the grill," Gillen writes. "Here, it almost manages to steal the spotlight from the tomatoes…almost." This flavor-packed salad features a juicy vinaigrette, farro for heft and plenty of pan-fried, caramelized cheese. Serve it with a hunk of crusty bread for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

"My recipe swaps spinach for arugula and basil, and adds black pepper (like, a lot of it) to keep things balanced," Gillen explains. The strawberries are marinated in rice vinegar and honey, which not only brings out their sweet juices, but also creates a pseudo-dressing for the salad. All that's missing is a drizzle of olive oil.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Creamy, dreamy burrata can make just about any dish look gourmet. Here, it looks extra fancy, thanks to a generous drizzle of chili crisp, which doubles as a key ingredient in the dressing, alongside tangy balsamic vinegar.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

When it comes to low-fuss, healthy, easy lunch ideas, it turns out your design crush, Joanna Gaines, knows best. Feel free to add cantaloupe, prosciutto or both to the mix. Just be generous with the mozzarella, OK?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Bowties beat sad, wilted greens any day of the week. Plus, this pasta eliminates the soggy sandwich bread problem while preserving all the flavor magic of your beloved favorite. "I suggest using a type of pasta with ridges, so it can better hold the dressing," Pire writes. "And don't worry about slicing the produce until the pasta and bacon are already cooking."

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, dairy free
• Serves: 4

Psst: This is the easiest way to prepare Brussels sprouts, and you'll make this clean eating dinner recipe on repeat once you try it. All you have to do is trim, separate and toss the veggie with the farro before serving. Prepare the grains in advance and you're halfway there.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

It's basically a giant bowl of guacamole masquerading as a salad, and I'm not complaining at all. In fact, that's the definition of my dream lunch. Any leftover protein, like grilled chicken, flaked salmon or steak, will work here, too. Bonus points if you pair it with a margarita.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Tip: Don’t skimp on the good stuff. And by good stuff, I mean all that creamy burrata. Make this stunner in the summertime, when stone fruit is at peak deliciousness. The recipe calls for peaches, plums and cherries, but you could mix it up with apricots and nectarines, too.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

What looks fancy but takes virtually no effort? This undeniably simple, flavor-packed, easy lunch idea. "[The couscous] soaks up the liquid off heat and before you know it (aka ten minutes later), it's fluffy and ready to eat," Goldman attests.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly, one bowl
• Serves: 4

Behold: the prettiest salad you'll ever make. Just look at all those colorful veggies (and tender smoked tofu). Substitute shredded chicken or ground pork for more protein, if you don't mind the dish not being vegetarian.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

This easy lunch idea is a brand new way to use chèvre (and it's a far cry from that '90s salad with dried cranberries you used to love). "The goat's milk cheese is so much more than the pallid log on your cheese board or the chalky medallion on a passé beet salad," Goldman claims. Make this one when sugar snap peas are in season for a perfect springtime lunch.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegan
• Serves: 6

File this easy lunch idea under Ingenious Make-Ahead Meals. The picnic-ready pasta salad is much more fun than avocado toast, but just as easy to make. BTW, swap the avocado for a sturdier veggie, like corn or bell pepper, if you're packing it in advance.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Grilled zucchini is a major upgrade to everyone's favorite seasonal salad. This summery spin on caprese would pair beautifully with grilled steak to boot. Drizzle on some extra balsamic for me, would you?

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, high protein, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 to 6

No grapes or walnuts in sight, just how I like it. The addition of creamy, buttery avocado, on the other hand? *Chef’s kiss*. "This recipe is chock-full of healthy fats, light on the mayo and totally delicious," Goldman summarizes. "Enjoy it on toasted bread, crunchy crackers or hey, straight out of the jar with a spoon."

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, make ahead, <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

If you’re looking to spruce up a classic for minimal effort, this easy lunch idea fits the bill. The homemade dressing is a breeze to prepare, and the walnuts impart pleasant crunch and earthy flavor that you didn't know your snoozy Caesar was missing.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Why should summer have dibs on pasta salad? I love this hearty, savory take that's great for warming up with when the weather's cold. (That said, you should know the leftovers taste just as good straight out of the fridge.)

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, high protein, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 1

Color your coworkers jealous. This lightning-fast salad is a great way to use up all that leftover steak from last night's barbecue. (But any spare protein will do, really.) Substitute feta for blue cheese if the latter isn't your thing.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 2

No offense, but this five-minute tuna salad blows your usual way out of the water. The recipe calls for tangy Greek yogurt in place of mayo, and it's brightened up with a splash of zingy apple cider vinegar and briny capers for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, high protein, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

This lighter take on a decadent pasta dish will satisfy your comfort food craving without weighing you down. But the best part is that you won't need to wait for water to boil, since all the ingredients cook in the same pot. I'd call that a win-win, wouldn't you?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, dairy free
• Serves: 4

When you want beef lo mein but should really eat a salad, compromise with this simple noodle dish. The gluten-free rice noodles are finished with crispy kale. I'd recommend making a double (or triple) batch of the veggie chips for snacking.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

This dish takes just 30 minutes from start to finish and strikes the optimal balance between fresh, summer flavors and crave-worthy indulgence. Be brave and eat it cold—it tastes just as good (if not better) that way. Aren't leftovers the best?

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, vegan, gluten free
• Serves: 2

You had me at "15-minute lunch," and again at "no oven required." If there were ever a reason to bust out the spiralizer and double a recipe, this is it. (Although you can likely find pre-spiralized zucchini at the supermarket, if you're feeling a bit lazy.)

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, high protein, beginner-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Ready in half an hour is just the beginning. These meatballs are protein-packed, tender, rich and juicy. Plus, they’re baked instead of fried for easy cleanup. Let’s just say they check all the boxes.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, make ahead, vegan
• Serves: 4

The secret ingredient? Store-bought marinated tofu. It’s a time-saving, easy way to add a ton of umami flavor (not to mention protein) to this easy lunch idea. The savory, nutty dressing, made with tahini, fresh ginger and sriracha, is just a bonus.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

It's way faster than ordering takeout and every bit as tasty. "It's quick and easy enough for weeknights, but fancy enough for Saturday night with a glass of wine," Goldman adds. You can even swap the ground pork for turkey or chicken, if you feel so inclined. Just don't skip the crunchy peanuts or crisp bean sprouts.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Nothing against jarred marinara sauce, but I need a break from the usual. The good news? This one refreshes your routine with a few simple ingredients, like heavy cream and fresh lemon. You can totally swap the pine nuts for almonds in a pinch if you want to save yourself a trip to the grocery store.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Presenting the best way to use up a boatload of produce in one fell swoop. Feel free to swap tomatoes, corn or bell peppers for whatever looks good at the farmers market (or whatever's available in your fridge). Cheese and meat are fair game, too.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

This fresh, bright and oh-so satisfying Italian classic couldn't be easier to make. (Hint: You only need eight ingredients, and that's including salt and pepper.) "The end result isn't particularly saucy, but that makes it taste light, zesty and refreshing," PureWow VP of editorial and recipe tester Candace Davison explains. "Don't forget to spritz with a little extra lemon juice just before serving—it brightens up the whole meal."

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

Nothing will make you look forward to lunch more than oodles of noodles, doused in garlicky stir fry sauce—and they're ready in about as much time as it takes to hit up the drive-thru (if not less). Plus, you can always add a protein of your choice if you’re looking for an extra filling lunch. (I'm partial to ground pork.)

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, high protein
• Serves: 6

Isn't it gorgeous? Because Italian sausage is so flavorful on its own, this 25-minute pasta doesn't need much more than a flourish of grated Parm to become table-ready. You could use boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into pieces) or andouille sausage instead, if those are more your style.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, make ahead, dairy free
• Serves: 4

Believe it or not, this homemade soup only requires 15 minutes of prep—your oven basically takes care of the rest. The end result? A mouthwatering blend of warm spices and peak autumn flavor. "I chose a crunchy seed brittle to top it, but croutons or cheese would be equally lovely," Gillen suggests.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Doctor up a box of noodles with store-bought (or homemade!) broth, aromatics and my old standby, rotisserie chicken. It's way better than Top Ramen, and not that much harder to make. Pile on the chile garlic sauce and chopped scallions for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, high protein, vegan
• Serves: 4

Shoutout to recipe creator Monique Volz for keeping me warm with this cold-weather main, which is simple, flavorful, healthy and ready in 35 minutes. "I personally love topping it with crushed tortilla chips, a little cheese and cilantro, but anything goes. It's also wonderful over a baked sweet potato," Volz writes. Canned black beans keep it as low-lift as possible.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: make ahead, high protein, crowd-pleaser, one pot
• Serves: 8

Kick off your clean-eating meal plan with this hearty number. It's light enough to eat all year long, yet satiating enough to serve at your next Super Bowl party. Even better, it freezes like a dream, so you can stash some away for busy days ahead.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

I like the sound of zero prep even more than I like that cheese-encrusted, toasted baguette. Fortunately, I (read: you) don't have to choose between them—you're welcome. Avocado and Greek yogurt ensure a buttery, rich consistency to the soup.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pot, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Yup, I'll *definitely* be warming up with this hug in a bowl all winter long. Store-bought gnocchi (i.e., Italian potato dumplings) are pillowy morsels that add both substance and a touch of nostalgia to this creamy chicken soup. Beats humdrum egg noodles, no?

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Come June, the last thing I want to do is stand over a hot stove for hours on end. Luckily, this cold soup is a flavor bomb that comes together in the blender instead—and without making the cook break a sweat.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 4

"I don't care if it's basic, I love Caesar salad with my whole heart," Gillen asserts. "It's crisp, creamy, garlicky and packed with all the right toppings—namely, croutons. Two of my favorite dishes (crispy, creamy, garlicky salad and cheesy, gooey pizza), combined into one easy-to-make, highly satisfying meal." Even your picky kids might enjoy the pie.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

This easy lunch idea sounds time-consuming, but I promise it's a breeze. There's only ten minutes of prep—just chop everything up, toss it on a tray and cook. "While the chicken roasts to golden perfection, the potatoes soak up its juices, becoming soft and almost soused," chef and author Nigella Lawson explains.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 4

The answer to your lunchtime prayers? Spicy, nourishing pork burrito bowls, portioned out for the entire week. Substitute ground beef, saucy chicken or taco-spiced cauliflower for pork if you'd prefer, or substitute guacamole for sliced avocado so it doesn't brown as quickly.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, high protein, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Kick that sad salad to the curb and replace it with this satisfying, Asian-inspired meal. The sides are swappable, but the sticky-sweet glaze is mandatory. Most importantly, this easy lunch idea keeps in the refrigerator for up to four days.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Low-maintenance is the name of the game when it comes to fuss-free lunches. Make this spicy-sweet number the night before and reap the rewards when your stomach starts to growl tomorrow afternoon.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly, keto-friendly
• Serves: 6

One-pan lunches are the way to go. This one, which is teeming with summer tomatoes, tastes super decadent, despite being surprisingly healthy and low carb. Plate it with buttery pasta, cheesy risotto or white rice.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Dishes? What dishes? I'm only making sheet pan lunches from now on, namely this super simple pick that calls for bell peppers, broccoli and carrots. "It's ready in 35 minutes and requires just one pan, which means cleanup is a breeze," Goldman explains. All that's missing is a starch, grain or carb.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, Paleo-friendly, high protein, dairy free, low carb
• Serves: 4

Let's ditch the fussy egg roll wrappers, because everyone knows it's what's on the inside (pork! cabbage! scallions!) that counts. Try this spin on the takeout appetizer, and you'll be singing the praises of this deconstructed riff on a crowd-pleaser.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

The beauty of shrimp? It’s ready to eat after five minutes of cooking and goes with just about everything. Consider it a lunchtime blessing (along with avocado). Substitute whatever leftover grains you have on hand for quinoa, and use cauliflower rice in its place to keep the carbs to a minimum.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Put down the phone and step away from the takeout menu—you got this. I might even venture to say this easy lunch idea tastes better as leftovers. (It reheats like a charm in the microwave, but I wouldn't blame you for eating it cold.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Two things I love: hands-off meals and zero dishes. This easy lunch happens to offer both and then some. Serve it with rice or pasta, if you'd like to add a carb to the mix.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly, one pan
• Serves: 2

Juicy, sweet and totally irresistible, you won't believe how easy this staple is to prepare. I should also mention that it comes together in a single skillet, so cleanup is easy-peasy. Substitute tamari for soy sauce if you don't eat gluten.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Calling all carnivores: This delightful dish requires very little time and clean up of the cook. "Zero special ingredients, less than 230 calories a serving and very few dirty dishes make this an instant weeknight hit," Goldman attests. I'll take mine with brown rice, please.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

In a perfect world, I'd be at the beach noshing on fresh seafood 24/7. Until then, these 20-minute beauties will have to do. (Pro tip: If you're transporting this meal before enjoying it, pack the tortillas separately, so they don't get soggy before lunchtime.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
• Serves: 5

Warm up some white rice or bust out the dinner rolls, so you can sop up every drop of the zingy citrus garlic butter—trust me, you won't want it to go to waste. (You'll obviously want to make sure not a single tender shrimp is left behind, either.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, dairy free
• Serves: 8

The trick here is assembling the dumplings as far in advance as you'd like, storing them in the freezer, then pan-frying them the night before you plan to eat them for lunch. Freeze the dumplings on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or in a plastic bag to keep them from sticking together.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 2

Eggs are the easiest route to a protein-packed meal on the fly. This omelet is not only extra satiating (thanks, bacon), but it's also packed with flavor and super silky. "Don't be intimidated by making an omelet—it's actually one of the easiest ways to prepare eggs," Gillen claims. "Make sure to preheat your pan, then start stirring the second the eggs go in. Once you have large curds, stop stirring so the bottom can set."

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

A five-minute, easy lunch idea that's fancy enough to serve at a dinner party? Don't mind if I do. "The ingredients here are merely suggestions," Gillen says. "If you prefer another meat (like soppressata or speck), cheese (mozzarella would be nice) or garnish (a balsamic drizzle?), by all means, switch it up." Just be sure to finish the flatbread with a drizzle of honey before serving.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

These chewy, sticky rice cakes are about to win the lunch game. "You can find fresh rice cakes in Chinese or Korean grocery stores, usually in the refrigerated section near the fresh noodles and tofu," recipe creator Diana Kuan says. (Look there to find flavor-packed XO sauce and Chinese rice wine as well.)

• Time Commitment: 4 hours
• Why I Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

This is my new favorite way to eat veggies, hands down. It must have something to do with those briny, charred radishes. (Or maybe it's the honey mustard vinaigrette...) You won't miss the meat, I promise.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 4

Hot take: Finger food is the best food. But the second best? It's a tie between charcuterie, olives, toasted pita and yogurt sauce. In other words, this ~girl dinner~ checks all your boxes on one loaded plate.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Who says eating healthy has to be boring? This fresh legume-veggie-yogurt combo will fill you up without weighing you down. How pretty are those carrot ribbons? Feel free to use regular rice or another leftover grain if you're not a fan of cauliflower rice.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, high protein, one pot
• Serves: 2

Mixing and matching is the name of the game. With all the fresh, filling ingredients in this easy lunch idea, you’ll avoid the afternoon slump like nobody's business and stay full 'til dinnertime. Kudos to you, chef.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

The healthiest way to get your takeout fix is to ditch the crispy fried spring roll wrappers for chewy rice noodles and make this meal at home to save a few bucks in the process. P.S: You'll want to use the store-bought peanut sauce on *everything*, so go ahead and prep a double batch.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Let’s eat every meal on a stick from now on, shall we? "In this recipe, rather than just chopping up the ingredients and tossing them with dressing, this flavorful salad begins on the grill," Goldman writes. Light, tangy and irresistible, these skewers put summer watermelon front and center. Char them on a grill pan in the off-season.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, dairy free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Sure, you can keep the carbs down by substituting cauliflower rice for regular rice in this easy lunch idea. But whatever you do, don't skip the runny egg. It offers richness, umami and protein. (You can add diced pork or ground beef to the mix, too.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
• Serves: 2 to 4

Last night's noodles can be given new life with the help of a few eggs and a generous dose of grated Parm. The recipe creator, Dan Pelosi, gets the pasta extra crispy on the bottom of the pan, and makes the eggs fluffy and cheesy before serving the frittata is straight from the skillet.