Some days it seems like temptation is everywhere . . . especially when lunchtime rolls around. Saying no to takeout or a drive-through is much easier when you've devoted some time to meal prep and have a healthy meal waiting for you in the fridge, so we've pulled together 15 healthy recipes that are just as craveable as whatever your coworkers try to tempt you with on any given day.
While these meals run the gamut from soups and salads to lettuce wraps, lentil bakes, and burrito bowls, they all have a few things in common. They use fresh, natural ingredients, they're made with lean or plant-based proteins, and they're all easy to portion out and pack up for lunch. It'll be tough to choose a favorite, but read on to give it your best shot.
While this recipe only makes enough for one serving, you can easily add a few portions to kick-start your week. Just store the chicken salad separate from the other sandwich ingredients until ready to serve.
What's not to love about this fresh and flavorful salad? There are beans for protein, avocado for healthy fats, and corn, peppers, and cucumbers for that all-important crunch.
This combo of red peppers and lentils bakes in one dish and is a good alternative to salad when you want something warm for lunch. It's the perfect meal-prep dish for vegetarians.
Mason jar salads were made for meal prep. This one is made with quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, and a mango balsamic vinaigrette that'll leave you feeling satisfied until dinner.
Instant noodles can't compete with this healthier version, made with zucchini noodles and a flavorful tahini-based sauce. The recipe includes instructions for prepping and storing enough food for four meals.
To keep this (or any) salad crisp and fresh, store it in a mason jar with the dressing and other wet ingredients, like tomatoes, at the bottom and the lighter ingredients, like lettuce, on top.
Soups work well for meal prep because most recipes make at least six servings, and leftovers can easily be refrigerated or frozen for later. We especially love the turkey meatballs and parmesan cheese in this hearty soup.
Some salads just don't have enough staying power to get you through to dinner, but this is not one of them. To keep the ingredients fresh, try storing them in a compartmentalized container, where you can keep the veggies, lettuce, and protein separate, then add the avocado just before serving.
Many dishes don't work well for lunch because they aren't easy to pack, but these Italian stuffed peppers are healthy, portable, and delicious. You can make as many as you need and reheat them in the microwave when hunger calls.
We cannot get over the bright, fresh colors and flavors in this sweet potato, kale, and avocado salad. Kale is heartier than other greens, so things won't get soggy even if you prep the whole thing ahead of time.
It's hard to believe, but the "meat" used in these burrito bowls is actually made with walnuts and cauliflower. Along with roasted veggies and rice, you've got yourself one tasty lunch.
We guarantee this will not be like any other egg salad you've eaten before. It's spicy, nutritious, and gets all wrapped up in lightly steamed collard green leaves.
This soup is thick, creamy, and loaded with warm Moroccan spices. The recipe makes six servings, but it's pretty low in calories, so we suggest topping with yogurt or crunchy chickpeas (or both).
If you're looking for a creative way to use frozen veggie burgers, look no further than this taco salad. Store prepped ingredients separately until ready to serve or layer in mason jars, pouring in the chipotle tahini dressing first.
This veggie-filled chili is made with ground beef, but you could just as easily swap in turkey or chicken, and with five servings, you'll have lunches all week.