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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Easy Lunches That Will Turn Heads in the Break Room

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 7, 2025, updated June 7, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Lunchtime can be a great opportunity to impress your coworkers with something a little different. Instead of the usual sandwich or salad, try these 26 easy lunch ideas that are sure to catch attention in the break room. From colorful wraps to hearty grain bowls, these meals are not only simple to prepare but also packed with flavor and creativity.

    Ricotta Toast

    Herbed ricotta toasts.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Lunch becomes super easy with this quick recipe. Just spread herbed ricotta cheese on sourdough bread and pile on your favorite toppings.

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    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These wraps are popular with everyone, from kids to food lovers. The combination of halloumi cheese, pesto, and crunchy walnuts creates a delicious flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Pasta Salad

    Greek pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Home at Sedar Springs Farm.

    This Greek Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh vegetables and a tasty dressing, perfect for a light and satisfying lunch. It's quick to prepare and really delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Cold Soba Noodle Salad

    Cold soba noodle salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This noodle salad is perfect for lunch at work. You can add your favorite protein or enjoy it just as it is.

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    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.

    With just 15 minutes of active cooking you can make this delicious sweetheart cabbage salad that's sure to win over any salad hater. Spinach, sweetheart cabbage and the most flavorful chickpeas are topped with a good amount of Parmesan cheese to turn this salad into a feast - healthy, delicious and easy to make.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Ceasar Salad

    kale cesar salad.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegetarian lunch is a delicious take on a classic favorite. Your coworkers will be asking for a bite!

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    Caprese pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Leftovers Then Breakfast.

    This Caprese Pasta Salad is a quick and delicious option for lunch. With fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and pasta tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing, it's sure to impress your coworkers.

    Get the recipe

    Orzo Pesto Salad

    Orzo Pesto Salad.
    Photo credit: Healthfull Blondie.

    Orzo pesto salad is packed with veggies and fresh mozzarella, all tossed in a simple homemade basil pesto without nuts. This easy lunch is sure to have your coworkers wanting a bite.

    Get the recipe

    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    This Strawberry Balsamic Vegan Tofu Pasta Salad is a tasty option for lunch. It's filled with juicy strawberries, marinated balsamic tofu, fresh spinach, basil, and creamy feta cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is a great choice for lunch, especially on warm days. It's easy to prepare and tastes delicious cold, making it perfect for enjoying at work.

    Get the recipe

    Miso Veggie Soup in a Jar

    Miso Veggie Soup in a Jar.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Miso Veggie Soup is a quick and easy option for lunch. Just combine shredded veggies and miso paste in a jar, add hot water, and let it sit for a bit to enjoy a delicious vegan soup that's perfect for work.

    Get the recipe

    Croque Madame Sandwich

    Croque Madame Sandwich
    Photo Credit: Foreign Fork.

    This ham and cheese sandwich is taken to the next level with a creamy bechamel sauce and a sunny-side-up egg. The Croque Madame is delicious whether you enjoy it warm or cold.

    Get the recipe

    Healthier Chicken Salad

    Chicken salad in a sandwich.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This creamy salad offers a healthier take on a classic favorite, perfect for a tasty lunch sandwich. Your coworkers will definitely want to get a taste of this one.

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    Chickpea Mason Jar Salad

    Mason jar salads.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Lunch can be the highlight of your day with this simple salad that's easy to prepare and perfect for taking to work. It's a great option to share with your coworkers and enjoy together.

    Get the recipe

    Hashbrown Quiche

    Hashbrown quiche.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This dish brings together breakfast and pie in a delicious way. It's great for a packed lunch that you can enjoy hot or cold.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Veggie Pasta

    Red lentil pasta.
    Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

    This veggie pasta dish features red lentil noodles, plenty of fresh vegetables, and a flavorful vegan butter sauce with herbs. Your coworkers will definitely notice and wish they had what you're eating.

    Get the recipe

    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad

    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    This Vietnamese beef noodle salad is a great choice for lunch. It's filled with fresh herbs, tasty beef, and a tangy lime fish sauce dressing, all ready in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Pasta Salad

    Tuna Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Homemade Interest.

    This tuna pasta salad is loaded with veggies and fresh flavors. It's a lighter option that leaves out the mayo for a healthier meal.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl.
    Photo credit: Fresh Apron.

    The Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl is a quick and easy lunch option. It's full of fresh summer flavors and can be made in less than 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Southwest Salad

    Spicy Southwest Salad.
    Photo credit: The Oregon Dietitian.

    This grilled chicken salad is a great choice for lunch. It's marinated in honey and lime juice, then served on fresh veggies with a zesty ranch dressing.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Orzo Salad

    Greek orzo salad with feta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This lunch is sure to turn heads at the office. It features orzo pasta mixed with crunchy cucumbers, artichoke hearts, chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty balsamic dressing.

    Get the recipe

    Sweet Potato & Feta Cheese Salad

    A plate of sweet potato salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    The Sweet Potato Feta Salad combines great flavors and textures, all drizzled with a tangy Lemon Tahini Dressing. It's an easy and filling choice for lunch or dinner, perfect for taking to the office.

    Get the recipe

    Cashew Caprese

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This twist on the classic caprese salad brightens up lunchtime with fresh spinach, crunchy cashews, and a tasty vinaigrette. It's a simple and delicious option that your coworkers will definitely want to try.

    Get the recipe

    Southwest Salad with Honey Chipotle Chicken

    Southwest Salad with Honey Chipotle Chicken.
    Photo credit: Big Delicious Life.

    This Southwest Salad is loaded with black beans, corn, avocado, and delicious honey chipotle chicken, all drizzled with a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It's a filling and tasty meal that's easy to prepare!

    Get the recipe

    Chickpea Salad Sandwich

    Chickpea salad sandwich.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Lunchtime just got a lot better with this tasty sandwich that's great for bringing to work. Your coworkers will definitely be jealous when they see what you're eating.

    Get the recipe

    Black Lentil Salad with Feta

    Black Lentil Salad with Feta.
    Photo credit: Evergreen Kitchen.

    Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad with Feta is full of great flavors and easy to make. It's a protein-rich option that's ideal for preparing lunches and dinners ahead of time.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Cauliflower potato bake,
      26 Vegetable Loaded Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Lasagna.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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