Easy Lunch Ideas

Have you ever experienced that feeling when you’re tired of spending too much on bland takeout for lunch and you desire a delicious, fulfilling meal that fits within your budget? Well, worry no more! Instead of splurging on expensive takeout, you can opt for a homemade lunch using these 22 simple and tasty lunch ideas. This collection includes no-cook options, refreshing salads, and vegetarian alternatives. Remember to save this page for future reference whenever you’re in need of an effortless lunch idea! 😉

Let’s kick things off with 5 lunch ideas that are not only delicious but can also be prepared in 15 minutes or less!

Hearty Black Bean QUesadillas

Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas

These Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas are an easy vegetarian snack or light meal that are filling, flavorful, and freezer-friendly!

4.89 from 219 votes

$6.61 recipe / $0.66 eachGet the Recipe

You can easily whip up these Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas in just 15 minutes. They are not only delicious but also convenient to prepare in advance and freeze for future enjoyment.

Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad

Light, bright, and full of spring flavors, this Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad will keep you full all afternoon. Serve as a sandwich, wrap, or salad!

4.84 from 49 votes

$2.46 recipe / $1.23 servingGet the Recipe

You’ll love this Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad – it’s incredibly simple, smooth, and packed with flavor! The dressing is mayo-free, making it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a salad, stuffed into a pita, or sandwiched between two satisfying pieces of bread.

Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen

This incredibly simple Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen is a rich and flavorful 15 minute meal that only requires a handful of ingredients!

4.84 from 134 votes

$2.75 per servingGet the Recipe

Forget about the ordinary instant ramen! This Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen is bursting with flavor, featuring a delectable broth, and can be prepared in a mere 15 minutes!

Classic Tuna Salad

Say goodbye to gloopy, bland tuna salad and hello to a delicious tuna salad packed with flavor and texture! Perfect for brown bag lunches.

2 from 1 vote

Get the Recipe

At our place, we don’t settle for dull tuna salads. Our Classic Tuna Salad is bursting with vibrant flavors and delightful textures, making it the ultimate choice for a speedy and satisfying lunch.

The Best Veggie Sandwich

Use what you have on hand to build the best vegetarian sandwich packed with color, flavor, and texture. Eat the rainbow!

4.93 from 13 votes

Get the Recipe

We possess the perfect recipe for creating the Ultimate Veggie Sandwich! Moreover, since veggie sandwiches offer great versatility, we provide an abundance of ingredient suggestions and flavor combinations for you to experiment with!

Lunch Salad Ideas

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious lunch option, salads are the way to go. But why settle for a plain salad when you can have one that’s bursting with flavor, has a great mix of textures, and is super easy to prepare? Take a look at our top picks for lunch salads!

Ramen Noodle Salad

This light and fresh ramen noodle salad features crisp cabbage, shredded chicken, crunchy ramen noodles and a simple homemade vinaigrette.

5 from 5 votes

$8.33 recipe / $1.39 servingGet the Recipe

If you’re a fan of Asian-inspired flavors in salads, you absolutely must give this Ramen Noodle Salad a try! This delightful dish combines basic ingredients such as shredded cabbage, chicken, carrots, green onions, and uncooked ramen noodles, offering an extra crunch in every bite.

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad

This chunky chopped Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad is a great fresh salad that can be eaten on its own or turned into several different easy lunch ideas!

4.90 from 29 votes

$4.84 recipe / $1.61 servingGet the Recipe

To add variety to your lunch, keep the recipe for this delightful Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad. Enjoy it as it is, or use a tortilla to make a delicious wrap sandwich. Alternatively, combine it with cooked pasta to create a delectable pasta salad.

Crunchy Kale Chicken Salad

Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad

This Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad is full of flavor, texture, and a tangy-sweet homemade dressing. It’s perfect for your weekly meal prep!

4.95 from 18 votes

$6.19 recipe / $1.55 servingGet the Recipe

The Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad boasts succulent chicken breast, almonds, ample amounts of kale, and a delectable homemade honey Dijon dressing!

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

This simple, fresh, and filling Mediterranean Tuna Salad makes an easy protein-packed make-ahead lunch for your workweek.

4.77 from 26 votes

$7.89 recipe / $1.32 servingGet the Recipe

The Mediterranean Tuna Salad is an ideal lunch and meal prep option as it remains fresh and delicious even when stored in the refrigerator. This delightful salad features tuna, crisp vegetables, white beans, a sprinkle of feta cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette made from scratch.

Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

This Cold Peanut Noodle Salad with homemade peanut lime dressing is the perfect meal prep for summer! No reheating necessary.

4.90 from 96 votes

$5.30 recipe / $1.33 servingGet the Recipe

The Cold Peanut Noodle Salad is a well-loved salad recipe that requires minimal ingredients and is finished with a delightful peanut-lime dressing, creating a creamy and tangy flavor.

Chicken Salad With Apples

Chicken Salad with Apples

This chicken salad is packed with sweet and crunchy apples, tart dried cranberries, and a light and creamy homemade dressing.

4.87 from 22 votes

$10.35 recipe / $2.59 servingGet the Recipe

Another beloved favorite from Budget Bytes is the Chicken Salad with Apples! This dish is not only satisfying but also incredibly simple to whip up and can be tailored to your liking. Enjoy it for a delightful lunch by pairing it with a flaky croissant, your preferred bread, some crispy crackers, or even as a delectable addition to a refreshing green salad.

No Cook Lunch Ideas

If you need fast lunch ideas with minimal preparation, we have you covered! Our assortment of no-cook lunch boxes and recipes are simple to prepare in advance and store in the fridge. This way, you can conveniently grab your lunch and be on your way!

The Hummus Lunch Box

This Hummus Lunch Box is a cold lunch classic. With almost zero prep work, this is the fastest, easiest no-cook lunch around.

5 from 3 votes

$8.04 recipe / $2.01 servingGet the Recipe

The Hummus Lunch Box offers a fantastic no-cook lunch alternative, perfect for both meals and snacks. You have the freedom to customize the ingredients to create a combination that suits your taste buds, and relish it either as it is, as a pita sandwich, or alongside a refreshing salad.

Cottage Cheese Crab Bowl

This Cottage Cheese Crab Bowl is the perfect light, fresh, and filling lunch for summer. It also meal preps well, so pack a few to take to work for lunch!

4.96 from 21 votes

$1.21 eachGet the Recipe

The Cottage Cheese Crab Bowl strikes the perfect balance of being light and refreshing, yet substantial enough to be enjoyed as a complete meal!

The Cheese Board Lunch Box

This easy no-cook lunch idea is perfect for the cheese lovers of the world! The Cheese Board Lunch Box makes a meal out of savory nibbles.

4.93 from 13 votes

$7.45 recipe / $1.86 per boxGet the Recipe

The Cheese Board Lunch Box is an excellent choice for your midday meal. It offers a delightful personal charcuterie board experience that is truly satisfying! 😉

Turkey Pinwheels

Turkey Pinwheels are a fun and easy spin on simple sandwiches, and the perfect recipe to make ahead for lunch meal prep or take to a party or potluck.

5 from 3 votes

$9.91 RECIPE / $2.48 SERVINGGet the Recipe

Making Turkey Pinwheels for lunch at work or school is always enjoyable and straightforward. Moreover, they offer great flexibility in terms of ingredients. Start with our recipe’s basic formula, and feel free to experiment with different combinations!

The Peanut Butter Lunch Box

This peanut butter lunch box is an easy no-cook lunch idea for school, work, picnics, or road trips! No reheating needed!

5 from 4 votes

$4.57 recipe / $1.14 per servingGet the Recipe

The Peanut Butter Lunch Box offers a delectable assortment of sweet and savory side items, all perfect for indulging in the rich and creamy peanut butter dip.

Antipasto Salad

This super hearty antipasto salad is full of cured meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables for an extra flavorful and filling salad.

5 from 4 votes

$16.92 recipe / $2.12 servingGet the Recipe

The Antipasto Salad is an excellent choice for lunch. Its toppings remain fresh when stored separately, allowing you to prepare smaller portions, whether it’s half, a quarter, or even just one salad at a time!

Vegetarian Lunch Recipes

We have a variety of delicious vegetarian lunch options that we believe you will thoroughly enjoy if you are in search of some.

Spinach And Feta Grilled Cheese

Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese

Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with this gourmet Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese! An easy and flavorful lunch idea.

5 from 39 votes

$3.40 recipe / $1.70 servingGet the Recipe

Who can possibly resist the temptation of a delectable grilled cheese sandwich, oozing with cheesy goodness? Elevate your lunchtime experience by indulging in the tantalizing Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese sandwich!

Creamy White Bean And Spinach Quesadillas

Creamy White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas

Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, these insanely delicious Creamy White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas make an awesomely fast weeknight dinner.

4.94 from 91 votes

$3.99 recipe / $1.00 per quesadillaGet the Recipe

Add some variety to your lunch routine with these delightful Creamy White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas. With their crispy exterior, delectable taste, and quick preparation time of only 20 minutes, they are a must-try.

Autumn Kale And Sweet Potato Salad

Autumn Kale and Sweet Potato Salad

This fresh and crisp Autumn Kale and Sweet Potato Salad is chock full of fresh produce, but still has all those cozy fall flavors!

4.96 from 22 votes

$6.67 recipe / $1.67 servingGet the Recipe

The Autumn Kale and Sweet Potato Salad is an excellent choice for vegetarians seeking a flavorful and textured salad. With its delightful mix of fresh apple and kale, roasted sweet potatoes, and a delectable maple tahini dressing, this salad offers incredible taste and satisfaction.

Roasted Cauliflower Taco Bowls

Roasted Cauliflower Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Ranch

These light and flavorful Roasted Cauliflower Taco Bowls have tons of color, flavor, and texture to keep you coming back for more! Great for meal prep!

4.95 from 50 votes

$8.31 recipe / $2.08 servingGet the Recipe

Who doesn’t adore a delicious taco bowl? These Roasted Cauliflower Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Ranch are incredibly tasty, simple to personalize, and perfect for meal preparation!

Roasted Vegetable Salad Meal Prep

These Roasted Vegetable Salad Meal Prep boxes are an easy, no-reheat, plan-ahead lunch option that will help you get your daily vegetables!

4.96 from 22 votes

$11.62 recipe / $2.91 servingGet the Recipe

Craving more vegetables? Try out these delectable Roasted Vegetable Salad Meal Prep boxes, which offer a convenient way to indulge in your preferred veggies and dressing while being effortlessly customizable.

Easy Lunch IDeas

Hearty Black Bean QUesadillas