70+ Healthy and Hearty Lunches That Are Perfect For a Busy Workweek

Add a little healthy crunch to your lunch with these zucchini noodle wraps that have avocado and cheese for maximum flavor.

Get the recipe: zucchini noodle wrap

You'll have no problem eating your vegetables when these tropical mango spring rolls are what's for lunch.

Get the recipe: tropical mango spring rolls with avocado-cilantro dipping sauce

Upgrade the cheap ramen packets you used to stock up on in college by turning the noodles into a chicken, vegetable, and ramen stir-fry.

Get the recipe: 15-minute chicken, vegetable, and ramen noodle stir-fry

If you like pad Thai, then you'll love this Thai-influenced quinoa recipe. It contains all of the best elements of the classic dish, such as peanuts, cilantro, and bean sprouts, with a fun twist: it substitutes quinoa for rice noodles.

Get the recipe: Thai peanut quinoa salad

Cook up a big batch of Instant Pot chicken noodle soup on a Sunday, and you can reheat it all week long.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot chicken noodle soup

Eat a hunk of bread alongside this slow-cooker white bean recipe to mop up its brothy sauce.

Get the recipe: slow-cooker gigante beans

With its piquant flavors and toothsome texture, sun-dried tomato pasta salad is sure to rise you out of a midday slump.

Get the recipe: sun-dried tomato pasta salad

This soba noodle salad is full of Southeast Asian flavor.

Get the recipe: sesame-ginger soba noodle salad

This soup is super easy to put together — use a rotisserie chicken to save time! — and is a comforting bowl to have during lunch.

Get the recipe: chicken tortellini soup

This zoodle, quinoa, pea, and feta salad is so fresh and so green.

Get the recipe: zucchini noodle, quinoa, and pea salad

A Greek-inspired salad of chickpeas, farro, greens, olives, and feta will inspire lunch envy.

Get the recipe: chickpea, farro, and greens salad

For a lighter take on Cobb salad, try this fresh recipe. Craving something a bit heartier? Go classic.

Get the recipe: Cobb salad

A rainbow in a bowl, this citrus quinoa dish incorporates plenty of fresh produce. Prepare to make your coworkers jealous when you bust this out at lunch.

Get the recipe: rainbow quinoa salad with honey-citrus vinaigrette

For maximum freshness, pack the chicken and dressing separately for this hearty salad; toss everything together at lunchtime.

Get the recipe: avocado and grilled chicken salad with chipotle-lime ranch

Adding steak to a heaping pile of greens and noodles is a delicious way to use up leftover beef. Follow this recipe and toss the noodles in the dressing the night before. That way, it's easy to pack the next morning.

Get the recipe: steak noodle salad

This fresh and produce-packed summer salad needs to make its way into your dinnertime rotation. It's a vegetarian-friendly recipe high in fiber and protein to help you feel full once the meal is done. Mix up a big batch the night before, and let all the flavors meld overnight for best results.

Get the recipe: summer veggie black bean salad

Roasted sweet potatoes swirling with tender black beans and corn, succulent red peppers, and juicy tomatoes wrapped in a warm whole-wheat tortilla make this one delicious and gratifying meal. It is under 500 calories and offers almost 15 grams each of fiber and protein.

Get the recipe: roasted sweet potato and black bean burrito

At under 300 calories, one serving of this cucumber corn salad offers almost 12 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein, so after enjoying one crunchy bite after another, you'll feel full, satisfied, and energized.

Get the recipe: cucumber corn salad

This spicy turkey taco salad is for those who like a bit of heat in their food.

Get the recipe: spicy turkey taco salad

Make your own Trader Joe's Mexicali Chicken Salad for the whole week instead of spending money on a bunch of them.

Get the recipe: Trader Joe's Mexicali Chicken Salad

Thanks to the flavorful marinade in this recipe for chicken fajita bowls with quinoa, this chicken reheats much more nicely than leftover cooked chicken breasts tend to, making it a good make-ahead lunch option.

Get the recipe: chicken fajita bowls with quinoa

Corn kernels, black beans, and confetti-like diced bell peppers, radishes, and red onion combine into a hearty, salsa-like salad.

Get the recipe: black-bean salad

Instead of beef, chicken, or turkey, this loaded chili is bulked up with quinoa for a vegetarian-friendly recipe.

Get the recipe: quinoa chili

For a sturdier spin on classic tabbouleh, use quinoa instead of bulgur.

Get the recipe: quinoa tabbouleh salad

Gruyère, mushrooms, and caramelized onions add umami oomph to this wild rice casserole. Reheat a leftover slice for a lovely lunch.

Get the recipe: kale and wild rice casserole

A big batch of slow-cooker beans and quinoa yields enough for a whole week of lunches. (Hot sauce, scallions, and cheddar ensure you won't be sick of it by Friday.)

Get the recipe: slow-cooker beans and quinoa with scallions, cheddar, and hot sauce

A hearty farro salad is guaranteed to give you the energy needed for a long day at work. The citrus vinaigrette dressing and fruit add a lively spring to this salad's step.

Get the recipe: farro salad with citrus vinaigrette

We love using Trader Joe's staples (like canned coconut milk and yellow curry sauce) for this easy Instant Pot chicken curry. Serve it with a slice of warm naan bread.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot chicken curry

If you can't find millet, substitute brown rice in this satisfying millet, lentil, and pomegranate salad.

Get the recipe: millet, lentil, and pomegranate salad

If you've yet to get on board with the mason jar salad trend, this roasted sweet potato and quinoa option is a great place to start.

Get the recipe: roasted sweet potato and quinoa salad with mango balsamic vinaigrette

This edamame- and carrot-packed soba noodle salad will keep you full all afternoon long.

Get the recipe: spicy peanut soba noodle salad

If you have a functioning microwave available, make a pot of tomato soup and reheat it for lunch. (Swap crumbled Cheez-Its for the grilled cheese croutons since leftover grilled cheese isn't great.)

Get the recipe: spicy tomato soup

This quinoa veggie burger is perfectly spiced and completely satisfying. At 202 calories per patty, you can add a 120-calorie whole-wheat bun and lettuce, tomato, and ketchup (34 calories) and still come in at well under 500 calories. Make multiple patties in advance to enjoy as a sandwich or on top of greens for the week.

Get the recipe: sweet potato, chickpea, and quinoa veggie burger

Step away from the chips and guac! This zesty mason jar salad offers a satisfyingly tangy crunch with every single bite.

Get the recipe: guacamole mason jar salad

If your ideal salad is a mix of savory and sweet, this grilled beet and apple salad offers the ideal fruity twist on traditional greens.

Get the recipe: grilled chicken, beet, apple, and spinach salad with strawberry vinaigrette

Low effort to make (it's a straightforward, set-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker recipe) and great as leftovers, this hearty chili is a no-brainer inclusion to this list.

Get the recipe: slow-cooker chili

Broccoli slaw transforms from side dish to full-fledged meal when quinoa is added to the mix.

Get the recipe: quinoa broccoli slaw with honey-mustard dressing

These pasta spring rolls are a fresh and healthy take on an Italian hero sandwich.

Get the recipe: Italian zucchini pasta spring rolls

Like all pasta salads, this Mediterranean orzo-based version tastes better after the ingredients have a few hours (at least) to mingle.

Get the recipe: Mediterranean orzo salad

You'll look forward to lunch all day when this white bean salad is what you're having.

Get the recipe: marinated white bean salad

Treat yourself to a slice of this caramelized shallot and mushroom quiche on a stressful workday.

Get the recipe: caramelized shallot and mushroom quiche

If you're on the hunt for a quick and tasty detoxifying recipe, this crunchy hemp salad is for you. If you haven't had them yet, it's time to give hemp seeds a try. They're a great source of omega-3s and vitamin E for vegans and vegetarians, and the combination of the cold-pressed oil and seeds in this recipe gives this fresh salad a nutty flavor you'll love.

Get the recipe: cabbage and hemp salad

This carrot paleo pasta is made with carrot ribbons using a simple vegetable peeler, then sautéed with mushrooms, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil for a bowl that's sure to satisfy your pasta cravings.

Get the recipe: carrot pasta

Like all summer rolls, this recipe has the best texture on the day it's made but is also still solid the next day and is a great change-up from your typical lunch routine.

Get the recipe: summer rolls with peanut sauce

If you're tired of a vegan-friendly sandwich that doesn't satisfy, prepare to build the best veggie sandwich ever. Hummus and avocado provide the fiber and protein you need to stay fueled, and layers of tasty veggies offer crunch, flavor, and important nutrients your body needs.

Get the recipe: veggie and hummus sandwich

We recommend packing this avocado-tuna salad with one major caveat: be polite to your neighbors by not eating it at your desk if you're in an office (unless you have the space to yourself).

Get the recipe: avocado-tuna salad with cucumber noodles

After a hard midday workout, this bean salad is the perfect, protein-packed refreshing meal. It has more than 13 grams of fiber and nearly 17 grams of protein to fill you up and help your muscles recover.

Get the recipe: vegan bean salad

This satisfying, refreshing, and detoxifying vegan salad offers over 10 grams of protein and almost 40 percent of your daily recommended fiber. Whether you're starting to feel under the weather or simply want to boost your immune system, this salad should become your go-to lunch, since it offers over 300 percent of recommended vitamin C for the day.

Get the recipe: kale, almond, and shredded veggie salad

Go vegetarian at lunchtime with this avocado chickpea salad. It comes together in less then 10 minutes and will fill you up until dinner.

Get the recipe: smashed avocado chickpea salad

Another riff on the classic caprese comes in the form of this hydrating and refreshing cucumber caprese salad that might turn into your new go-to recipe. Higher in protein, fiber, and anti-inflammatory omega-3s, this delicious salad aligns with your healthy goals.

Get the recipe: cucumber caprese salad

Combine the best elements of Greek salad into a pita wrap spread with hummus for an easy lunch.

Get the recipe: Greek grilled chicken and hummus wrap

This turkey chili is jam-packed with hearty essentials that'll keep you full for hours.

Get the recipe: turkey chili with butternut squash

Move over, Chipotle. This healthy burrito bowl recipe is half the calories and easy to make (the secret is precooked chicken breast). In under 10 minutes, you'll have a fresh lunch that hits all your Mexican takeout cravings. Plenty of protein plus a dollop of Greek yogurt keep bloat at bay.

Get the recipe: burrito bowl

This beautiful veggie-packed quinoa salad is under 350 calories, offering 13 grams of protein and seven grams of fiber. Any vegetarians or vegans looking for a protein-rich recipe will fall hard for this salad.

Get the recipe: rainbow quinoa salad

Wrap it up! These hummus chicken salad wraps are packed with chickpea goodness.

Get the recipe: hummus chicken salad wraps

The next time you're craving Chinese, skip the delivery and make your own delicious and nutritious stir-fry at home. This easy shrimp stir-fry recipe requires just eight ingredients and will be ready on the table in less than 20 minutes and is perfect for bringing leftovers as lunch the next day.

Get the recipe: broccoli shrimp stir-fry

Made with fiber-rich Bibb lettuce, this flat-belly salad gets an extra boost from every ingredient tossed into the mix. From the monounsaturated fats from the avocado and almonds to the chia seeds in the dressing, every tasty ingredient in this satisfying vegan salad helps fight belly bloat.

Get the recipe: flat-belly salad

If you're always left wanting something else after chowing down on a standard Greek salad, this Mediterranean quinoa salad is the answer to your olive- and feta-filled prayers. The addition of this complex carb fills you up with even more fiber!

Get the recipe: Mediterranean quinoa salad

Colorful, crispy, and packed with nutrition, this Asian chicken salad will satisfy your cravings for the fried restaurant alternatives. With nearly 20 grams of protein and clocking in at just over 230 calories per filling portion, it's a much healthier alternative you'll enjoy just as much.

Get the recipe: Chinese chicken salad

This chicken salad is creamy, tangy, filling, and everything you love about a classic. It's packed with nearly 40 grams of protein and 33 percent of your daily recommended fiber; when you pack this sandwich for lunch, you won't be hungry until dinner.

Get the recipe: avocado chicken salad