80 Easy Lunch Ideas That Are Fast, Low-Fuss and Foolproof (original) (raw)

Not today, turkey sandwich

easy fast lunch recipes universal

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

It's the eternal question: What should I have for lunch? Sometimes I barely have time to get everything done in the day, let alone meal prep healthy lunches for the week. But I also don’t have the time—or the budget—for trekking outside for an $18 salad that isn’t even that good. Luckily, I've found a solution in these 80 easy lunch ideas that are fast, satisfying and low-lift, yet still delicious. I love these recipes for their simplicity, as well as their portability. Lots of them can also be made ahead, even a night or two in advance.

With everything from chicken salad-stuffed peppers to radish barbecue bowls with honey mustard dressing on the menu, this handy list of lunch ideas will keep you satisfied for months to come. If sandwiches are your go-to in the afternoon, I have plenty of options for you, like creamy avocado egg salad, Buffalo chicken wraps and Italian deli pinwheels. Pasta stans will love the linguine with bacon, peaches and gorgonzola and 15-minute lemony broccolini casarecce, while veggie fans can opt for shredded Thai salad with avocado or 20-minute burrata salad with stone fruit and asparagus. There are even no-cook meals for extra busy weekdays, like zoodles with avocado and mango sauce and kebabs with mortadella, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes.

Bottom line? Bookmark this page now and you'll never worry about what’s for lunch again.

Sandwiches & Wraps

easy lunch ideas: stack of buffalo tuna melts on a plate

1. Buffalo Tuna Melt

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.

easy lunch ideas: stack of grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

2. Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

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 PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "I'm a sucker for the 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.

easy lunch ideas: avocado egg salad sandwich on cutting board

3. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

If you have 25 minutes, you can make four days’ worth of lunches. The salad will keep in the fridge without issue. As for the sandwich, it’s as easy to prepare as slicing a tomato.

easy lunch ideas: three italian deli pinwheel sandwiches on a plate

5. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches

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.)

easy lunch ideas: two mini chicken shawarma on a plate with tzatziki and a lemon wedge

8. Mini Chicken Shawarma

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, my take on this classic dish is much simpler to make at home," PureWow's recipe developer told us. A fast marinade makes the chicken taste like you spent all day in the kitchen.

easy lunch ideas: two green goddess wraps on a tray with a cup of dressing for dipping

9. Green Goddess Wraps

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.

easy lunch ideas: stack of blackberry-peach grilled cheese sandwiches

10. Blackberry-Peach Grilled Cheese

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 be delightful).

easy lunch ideas: crispy tofu banh mi on a plate

11. Crispy Tofu Bánh Mì

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.)

easy lunch ideas: four thai-style lettuce wraps on a silver tray

12. Thai Lettuce Wraps

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

easy lunch ideas: two pancetta-wrapped grilled cheese sandwiches, one on a piece of parchment and the other being pulled apart by two hands

14. Pancetta-Wrapped Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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 sinfully delicious. Serve this easy lunch idea with sharp arugula salad.

easy lunch ideas: a halved bagel topped with scallion dill cream cheese and lox

15. Lox Bagel with Scallion and Dill Cream Cheese

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?)

Salads

easy lunch ideas: two bell pepper halves on a plate stuffed with greek yogurt chicken salad

16. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers

Bye, lunch rut. See you never, thanks to these adorable pepper boats 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," says PureWow's senior food editor Katherine Gillen, "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."

easy lunch ideas: tomato-and-halloumi-salad

17. Tomato and Halloumi Salad Bowls with Farro and Basil

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," writes senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "Here, it almost manages to steal the spotlight from the tomatoes…almost." Get in on the trend with this flavor-packed salad, featuring a juicy vinaigrette, farro for heft and plenty of pan-fried, caramelized cheese. Serve it with a hunk of crusty bread for good measure.

easy lunch ideas: plate of strawberry and arugula salad

18. Strawberry, Basil and Arugula Salad with Lots of Black Pepper

"Our recipe swaps spinach for arugula and basil, and adds black pepper (like a lot of it) to keep things balanced," writes PureWow's senior food editor Katherine Gillen. 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.

easy fast lunch ideas: chili crisp burrata salad with arugula, apples and walnuts

19. Chili Crisp Burrata Salad with Arugula, Apple and Walnuts

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 also doubles as a key ingredient in the dressing alongside tangy balsamic vinegar.

easy lunch ideas: aerial pf peach caprese salad on a plate with a blue linen

20. Joanna Gaines’s Peach Caprese Salad

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

easy lunch ideas: plate of BLT pasta salad atop a blue linen

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. BLT Pasta Salad

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. "It combines all the crunchy, savory, creamy ingredients of the classic sandwich—minus, well, the bread," says PureWow's recipe developer. (P.S.: It takes 40 minutes to make eight servings.)

easy lunch ideas: guacamole quinoa salad on a plate

23. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad

It's basically a giant bowl of guac masquerading as a salad, and I'm not complaining at all. In fact, that's the definition of my dream lunch. (Bonus points if you pair it with a margarita.)

easy lunch ideas: burrata salad with stone fruit and asparagus

24. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus

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.

easy lunch ideas: aerial of shredded thai salad with avocado on a plate

26. Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado

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.

easy lunch ideas: snap pea salad with chevre ranch dressing on a plate

27. Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Chèvre Ranch

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," urges PureWow's recipe developer. Pro tip: Make this one when sugar snap peas are in season for a perfect springtime lunch.

easy lunch ideas: plate of avocado-black bean pasta salad

28. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad

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.

easy lunch ideas: cutting board with grilled zucchini caprese salads

29. Zucchini Caprese Salad

Grilled zucchini is a major upgrade to everyone’s favorite seasonal salad. This take on caprese would pair beautifully with grilled steak. Drizzle on some extra balsamic for us, would you?

easy lunch ideas: cracker bread topped with avocado chicken salad

30. Avocado Chicken Salad

No grapes or walnuts in sight, just how I like it. The addition of creamy, buttery avocado, on the other hand? *Chef’s kiss*.

easy lunch ideas: meal prep creamy kale caesar salad in a lunch container

31. Meal-Prep Creamy Kale Caesar Salad

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 make and the walnuts add pleasant crunch and earthy flavor you never knew your snoozy Caesar was missing.

easy lunch ideas: three plates of roasted broccoli-bacon pasta salad

32. Roasted Broccoli and Bacon Pasta Salad

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. (Although the leftovers taste just as good straight out of the fridge.)

easy lunch ideas: plate of steak blue cheese salad on a pink and white linen

33. Keto Steak and Blue Cheese Salad for One

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.)

easy lunch ideas: plate of tuna salad with yogurt, capers and za'atar

34. Tuna Salad with Yogurt, Capers and Za’atar

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.

Pastas & Noodles

school lunch ideas: one pot chicken pasta

35. One-Pot Chicken Pasta

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.

easy fast lunch ideas: hot chili oil noodles with kale chips

36. Hot Chili Oil Noodles with Kale Chips

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.

easy lunch ideas: linguine with peaches, bacon and gorgonzola cheese on a plate

37. Linguine with Bacon, Peaches and Gorgonzola

This dish takes just 30 minutes from start to finish and strikes the optimal balance between fresh, summer flavor and crave-worthy decadence. Be brave and eat it cold—it tastes just as good (if not better) that way.

easy lunch ideas: zucchini noodles with radishes in a mango-avocado sauce on a plate

38. Zoodles with Avocado and Mango Sauce

You had me at "15-minute lunch," and again at "no oven required." If ever there were 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.)

easy lunch ideas: two glass food storage containers with zoodles and turkey meatballs

39. Meal-Prep Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles

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.

easy lunch ideas: plate of cold sesame cucumber noodles with a fork

40. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles

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.

easy lunch ideas: two plates of 15-minutes cheater's pad thai

41. 15-Minute Cheater’s Pad Thai

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," adds PureWow's recipe developer. 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.

easy lunch ideas: plate of 15-minute lemony broccolini pasta

42. 15-Minute Lemony Broccolini Pasta

Nothing against jarred marinara sauce, but I need a break. The good news? You can totally swap the pine nuts for almonds in a pinch if you want to save yourself a trip to the grocery store.

easy lunch ideas: plate of summer vegetable zoodles with a linen and fork

43. Zoodles with Summer Vegetables

Presenting the best way to use up a boatload of produce. Feel free to swap tomatoes, corn or bell peppers for whatever looks good at the farmers market (or whatever's available in your fridge).

easy lunch ideas: skillet and plate of one-pot 15-minute pasta limone

44. One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone

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.) Pass the Parm, please.

easy lunch ideas: 10-minute pad see ew in a bowl

45. 10-Minute Pad See Ew

Nothing puts the 3-o'clock slump in its place like oodles of noodles doused in garlicky stir fry sauce. Plus, you can always add a protein of your choice if you’re looking for an extra filling lunch.

easy lunch ideas: plate of sausage and fennel pasta

46. Sausage and Fennel Pasta

Isn't it gorgeous? Because Italian sausage is so flavorful on its own, this the 25-minute pasta doesn't need much more than a flourish of grated Parm to become table-ready.

Soups

easy lunch ideas: pot of curried butternut squash soup next to a sheet pan of roasted butternut squash

47. Sheet Pan Curried Butternut Squash Soup

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," suggests PureWow's senior food editor Katherine Gillen.

easy lunch ideas: two bowls of rotisserie chicken ramen topped with soft-boiled egg and chili sauce

48. Rotisserie Chicken Ramen

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.

easy lunch ideas: bowls of black bean soup

49. Easy Black Bean Soup

Shoutout to Coterie member 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.

easy lunch ideas: aerial of white turkey chili with avocado in a bowl with a spoon

50. White Turkey Chili with Avocado

Kick off your clean eating meal plan with this hearty dish. Light enough to eat all year long, hearty 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.

easy lunch ideas: aerial of asiago-crusted baguette on cutting board between two bowls of 15-minute cucumber-avocado blender soup

51. 15-Minute Cucumber-Avocado Blender Soup

I like the sound of zero prep even more than I like that cheese-encrusted, toasted baguette. Fortunately, I (you) don’t have to choose between them. You're welcome.

easy lunch ideas: bowl of chicken gnocchi soup on a linen with a spoon

52. Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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 decadence to this creamy chicken soup.

easy lunch ideas: two bowls of 15-minute gazpacho

53. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil

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

High Protein

easy lunch ideas: aerial of two chicken caesar salad pizzas on a sheet pan

54. Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza

"I don’t care if it’s basic, I love Caesar salad with my whole heart," asserts senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "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. Don’t skimp on the Parmesan, okay?

easy lunch ideas: two indian-spiced chicken thighs on a plate with mango salsa

Jonathan Lovekin/At My Table

55. Sheet Pan Indian-Spiced Chicken

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," explains chef and author Nigella Lawson.

easy lunch ideas: aerial of four glass food storage containers with burrito bowl ingredients like black beans, avocado, tomatoes, and carnitas

56. Slow Cooker Meal-Prep Burrito Bowls

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.

easy lunch ideas: four glass food storage containers with honey-sesame chicken thighs and broccolini

57. Meal-Prep Honey Sesame Chicken with Broccolini

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.

easy lunch ideas: plate of white rice topped with firecracker chicken

58. Firecracker Chicken with Rice

Low-maintenance is the name of the game when it comes to easy lunch ideas. Make this spicy-sweet number the night before and reap the rewards when your stomach growls at lunchtime the next day.

easy lunch ideas: skillet of bruschetta chicken

59. Bruschetta Chicken

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.

easy lunch ideas: sheet pan of assorted chopped vegetables and cut chicken breast

60. Keto Sheet Pan Chicken and Rainbow Veggies

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," explains PureWow's recipe developer.

easy lunch ideas: two bowls of paleo egg roll filling with forks

61. 20-Minute Paleo Egg Roll Bowls

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 one and you'll be singing the praises of deconstructed takeout dishes.

easy lunch ideas: ultimate quinoa avocado bowl with shrimp and kale

62. The Ultimate Quinoa-Avocado Bowl

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).

easy lunch ideas: snap pea and chicken stir fry on a plate

63. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry

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.)

easy lunch ideas: two bowls of sheet pan lemon-garlic veggies and sausage

64. Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage

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.

easy lunch ideas: kung pao chicken stir fry in a bowl

65. Kung Pao Chicken

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.

easy lunch ideas: 15-minute pepper steak in a skillet

66. 15-Minute Skillet Pepper Steak

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," explains PureWow's recipe developer. I'll take ours with brown rice, please.

easy lunch ideas: three plates of spicy shrimp tacos with mango salsa

67. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

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: Pack the tortillas separately, so they don't get soggy before lunchtime.)

easy lunch ideas: platter of garlic butter shrimp with rice, rolls and limes

68. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)

Warm up some white rice or bust out the dinner rolls so you can sop up every drop of the zingy citrus garlic butter. (And obviously make sure not a single tender shrimp is left behind.)

school lunch ideas: pork dumplings

69. Pork Dumplings

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.

Quick & Easy

easy lunch ideas: jalapeno popper omelet on a plate with mixed greens

70. Jalapeño Popper Omelet

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 boasts a super silky texture. "Don’t be intimidated by making an omelet—it’s actually one of the easiest ways to prepare eggs," claims senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "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."

easy lunch ideas: charcuterie board flatbread on parchment

71. Charcuterie Board Flatbread

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," says senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "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.

easy lunch ideas: plate of stir fry rice cakes in xo sauce

72. Easy Stir Fried Rice Cakes with XO Sauce

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," says recipe creator Diana Kuan. (Look there to find flavor-packed XO sauce and Chinese rice wine as well.)

easy lunch ideas: aerial of radish bbq bowl with avocado and shredded carrot

73. Radish Barbecue Bowls with Tangy Honey-Mustard Dressing

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...)

easy lunch ideas: buddha bowl with kale, avocado, orange, wild rice and pomegranate arils

76. Buddha Bowl with Kale, Avocado, Orange and Wild Rice

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.

easy lunch ideas: two spring roll bowls with lime halves

77. Spring Roll Bowls

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 yourself to save a few bucks in the process. P.S: You'll want to use the store-bought peanut sauce on *everything*.

easy lunch ideas: six watermelon-feta skewers with grill marks

78. Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers

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," says PureWow's recipe developer. Light, tangy and irresistible, these skewers put summer watermelon front and center. Char them on a grill pan in the off-season.

easy lunch ideas: cauliflower fried rice on a plate with a fried egg

79. Cauliflower Fried Rice

Sure, you can pass on the carbs 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.

leftover pasta frittata recipe: a blue plate with a quarter of a leftover pasta frittata on it, next to a fork and knife

80. Leftover Pasta Frittata

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.

heathgoldmanheadshot 1

Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?

taryn pire

Food Editor