Easy Lunch Ideas For Work To Make At Home

When it comes to work lunches, we’re often tempted to grab a quick bite at a nearby fast-food joint or rely on the not-so-healthy options from the office vending machine. However, making lunch at home can save you money and improve your health. Here’s a list of 10 easy quick and cheap lunch ideas that you can prepare at home and bring to work, helping you keep your wallet full and your body happy.

Easy Quick and Cheap Lunch Ideas For Work To Make At Home

1. Chickpea Salad Wrap

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas (15 oz), drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Whole grain tortillas

Instructions: Combine chickpeas, onion, celery, bell pepper, and parsley in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Mix well and let the flavors meld for at least 30 minutes. When ready to assemble, spoon the chickpea salad onto a whole grain tortilla and wrap it up.

3. Mason Jar Greek Salad: lunch ideas for work

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup mixed greens
• 2 tablespoons Greek vinaigrette

Instructions: Layer the ingredients in a mason jar, starting with the quinoa, followed by cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta cheese, and mixed greens. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad just before eating, or store it separately in a small container.

3. Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels: lunch ideas for work

Ingredients:

• 4 large whole grain tortillas
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup spinach, chopped
• 8 thin slices of deli turkey
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions: Spread a layer of cream cheese on each tortilla, followed by a layer of chopped spinach. Place two slices of turkey on each tortilla and season with salt and pepper. Roll up the tortillas tightly, then slice each roll into 1-inch pinwheels.

4. Tuna and Avocado Stuffed Pita

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna (5 oz), drained
• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Whole grain pita bread, cut in half

Instructions: In a bowl, combine tuna, avocado, red onion, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Stuff the tuna salad into the pita halves.

5. Veggie and Hummus Collard Wrap: lunch ideas for work

Ingredients:

• 4 large collard green leaves, washed and trimmed
• 1 cup hummus
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup thinly sliced bell pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber

Instructions: Spread a quarter of the hummus on each collard green leaf. Top with equal portions of shredded carrots, bell pepper, and cucumber. Roll up the collard greens tightly, tucking in the sides

as you go, to create a wrap. Slice each wrap in half before serving.

6. Egg Salad Lettuce Cups

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Large lettuce leaves (such as romaine or butter lettuce)

Instructions: In a bowl, combine chopped eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, celery, and red onion. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Scoop the egg salad into the lettuce leaves and fold the leaves over to create lettuce cups.

7. Chicken, Pesto, and Mozzarella Panini: lunch ideas for work

Ingredients:

• 8 slices whole grain bread
• 1/2 cup basil pesto
• 8 oz cooked chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

Instructions: Spread a layer of pesto on each slice of bread. Layer chicken, mozzarella, and roasted red peppers on 4 of the slices. Top with the remaining slices of bread, pesto-side down. Cook the panini in a panini press or on a grill pan over medium heat, flipping halfway through, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.

8. Black Bean and Veggie Burrito Bowl

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels, thawed if frozen
• 1 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Lime wedges and fresh cilantro, for serving

Instructions: Divide the brown rice among four containers. Top each with equal portions of black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, salsa, avocado, and cheddar cheese. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro on the side.

Caprese Pasta Salad: lunch ideas for work

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta (such as rotini, fusilli, or penne), cooked and cooled
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup balsamic glaze

Instructions: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and toss until well combined. Divide the pasta salad among four containers.

Asian Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup edamame, cooked and cooled
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
• Asian-inspired dressing of your choice

Instructions: In a large bowl, combine quinoa, cabbage, carrots, edamame, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, and peanuts or cashews. Drizzle with your favorite Asian-inspired dressing and toss until well combined. Divide the salad among four containers.

Preparing lunch at home not only saves you money, but it also helps you maintain a healthier lifestyle. These ten easy, quick and cheap lunch ideas for work offer a variety of flavors and ingredients to keep your taste buds satisfied and your wallet happy. By making a habit of preparing your work lunches at home, you’ll enjoy the benefits of nutritious, delicious meals while avoiding the temptation of unhealthy, overpriced options. Plus, with a little creativity and planning, you can mix and match these recipes to create endless combinations that suit your preferences and dietary needs. Happy lunching!