If you can survive a morning at work looking forward to lunch, you’ve come to the right post. Whether you’re looking to break out of your lunch rut or just looking for some fun ideas, we’ve got you covered.
We’re writers and editors at BuzzFeed, and we love to cook (and eat, of course). We live all over the United States and spend our days surfing the web for fun and practical tips, tricks, and recipes. So this time, we’d like to introduce some recommended lunches that are delicious, filling, and quick and easy to prepare. Here’s what we cooked:
1.
Spinach, Feta, and Egg Wrap — I’ve been making this meal non-stop for the past month, and for good reason. If you’re looking for something hearty, quick and easy to make for breakfast, lunch, or brunch, this meal might be for you.
What I love about making this wrap is that it requires no prep. No need to chop, shred, or dice. Mix everything and cook in one frying pan. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes.
2.
Egg tacos without a recipe — As my go-to “emergency food” (i.e., meals that can be made with just a handful of ingredients that I always have on hand), life without egg tacos is not the life I want to experience. It’s my go-to lunch (or breakfast! or dinner!) because it’s cheap, simple, and infinitely customizable.
3.
Pear, goat cheese, and arugula salad — that’s all I can say about me. Rarely I never reach for a leafy salad for lunch (apart from a reluctant order of sweet greens at the office), but this is my one exception. I think the tangy flavor of the goat cheese, the sweetness of the pear, and the slightly peppery flavor of the arugula are a perfect balance.
Four.
5-Minute Miso Chili Crisp Noodles — only requires 3 ingredients (in case you were wondering!) and is perfect for a quick lunch. These noodles pack a punch of flavor and are endlessly customizable. Too.
Five.
Smoked Salmon Toast — Can I get a bagel with lox and cream cheese from one of the three bagel places within a 10-block radius of me? Of course. But there’s something about turning your favorite bagel order into smørrebrød toast with crispy bread that makes it so satisfying.
6.
Lentil and Zucchini Orzo Salad — This make-ahead salad is the definition of a “leftovers are better” meal. When you leave it in the fridge, it absorbs more of the tangy dressing and the flavors meld together deliciously.
7.
Spring Salad with Cottage Cheese — Most of the time I have a random bunch of leftovers or snacks for lunch, but this week I was inspired to try this salad after reading Hannah Lowentheil’s post. And then I realized that cottage cheese could become my new best friend.
8.
Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich — When I went to Japan a few years ago, I fell in love with Japanese egg salad sandwiches. This is an egg salad that rivals America. The egg salad is so creamy and smooth that you can’t tell the whites from the yolks.
9.
Radish toast — as the self-proclaimed president [imaginary] Radish Fan Club, I am always unexpectedly satisfied with this lunch or anytime snack. Between the crunchy toast, the cold, crunchy radishes, and the creamy butter, it’s a *chef’s kiss* in texture.
Pro tip: I made this lunch with every type of radish under the sun (I won’t lie about my stance on radishes!). And you can see in the photo above that the Spicy Easter Egg Radish is on top. -layer. Radish season is at its peak, so be sure to find them at your local farmers market. 👀
Ten.
Overnight Oats and Yogurt Parfait — I used to always go straight to a salty meal for lunch, but ever since I got pregnant, I’ve found myself craving something sweet from time to time. Lately, I’ve been into combining overnight oats with Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Adding overnight oats to my parfaits adds the perfect textural ingredient and just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the sour yogurt.
11.
Bagel Sandwiches — A quick lunch that’s perfect when you’re too lazy to cook.
12.
Leftover Pesto Pasta Salad — Leftovers are one of my favorite work lunches because the hard work is already done. Literally, all you have to do is open the fridge and grab a fork.
13.
Mochi “sandwiches” — I kept eating mochi when I was a student. Then I forgot about them for 10 years. Luckily, I recently rediscovered the charm of mochi and have been eating this crunchy snack nonstop. My new obsession is turning mochi into something like an open-faced sandwich or smørrebraux.
14.
Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Copycat — I’m not going to lie and say this recipe is “easy” to put together because, let’s be honest, it’s a little messy to prepare. But as someone who hates meal prep most of the time, the process of not having to pay $16 for a salad and being able to enjoy a bowl of this fresh, crunchy deliciousness right away during a weekday workday is great. I feel it’s worth it.
What’s an easy workday lunch you can whip up in between meetings? Tell us about it in the comments below.
