Going out to buy lunch isn’t the most feasible option as we work from our homes, and making a gourmet meal might not be possible in between calls. But these limitations don't mean your lunch has to suffer!
Whether you're into salads (of all kinds — including pasta!) or a classic sandwich, here are cold lunch ideas to rock your workday eating.
If you're a first-time cold lunch maker, these roll ups are a perfect place to start. With just three ingredients and five minutes, you'll have a protein-filled, delicious lunch perfectly paired with your choice of veggies.
We may not look fondly at our old school lunches, but this recipes puts old PB&Js to shame. The secret? Putting your sandwich on the stove to grill to perfect. Even if you end up refrigerating the sandwich before eating, the pressed bread will keep your peanut butter and jelly oozing out the sides.
Egg salad is one of my favorite go-to dishes of all time. Once you hard boil your eggs, the options are endless. Do you love red onions? Throw them in. Scallions? Add them too! Celery? Perfect for a crunch.
Who doesn't want breakfast for lunch? Making a yogurt parfait is a great way to get a little sweetness and tons of protein to keep you motivated during the afternoon slump.
You can't really go wrong with a BLT, especially when you're cooking with "good quality applewood-smoked bacon," as this recipe suggests. Add a little lemon juice or zest for an extra fancy kick.
If you're not into the bread part of the BLT, consider turning to lettuce for your new sandwich base. These chicken lettuce wraps include broccoli slaw for an added crunch.
Like egg salad, chicken salad is a great go-to, especially if you want to spruce up the leftover chicken from last night's dinner. You can put this on a roll, in a salad or even just eat it straight. There's no wrong answer.
You don't need a fancy Sunday brunch as an excuse to make avocado toast. While the basic meal is just two ingredients, there's so much more that the avocado toast world has to offer. If you're looking for more protein, add a fried or poached egg on top. If you want something sweet, add tomatoes and balsamic. You can even get herbal with basil, cilantro, dill or parsley.
If the turkey, hummus, and avocado roll ups were your thing, get ready to rock and roll again with these super easy ham and cheese pinwheels. Simply spread a cream cheese mixture on a tortilla, and top with your ham and cheese. Once you've rolled, your lunch is all set!
Store-bought Lunchables may be a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean we can't borrow some of the creativity from their lunch box ideas. For this recipe, you'll be gathering all the essential items to put together mini cracker pizzas. Feel free to mix it up with your own favorite pizza toppings, mini-style: even if that means getting little bits of ham and pineapple.
These might not be as easy as the ham and cheese pinwheels, but they're almost close enough. You'll mix creamy avocado and Caesar dressing with some protein-packed chicken and bacon for an extra crunch.
Looking to freshen up your pasta? This pesto pasta salad brings together fresh and flavorful ingredients for a delicious and nutritious lunch option. It serves up to 8 people, so you'll have more than enough to share (or to save for future lunches!).
This recipe helps you make your own peanut sauce to mix in with spaghetti, sesame and a bunch of veggies. To really get the cold noodle experience, you'll have to refrigerate your finished product for four hours - the perfect amount of time between getting to work and getting out your new yummy meal.
A pasta salad perfect for pescatarians and fish lovers alike! You'll combine shrimp and imitation crab meat with tricolor pasta and veggies in this recipe. If you're looking to cut back on fat, mix with a yogurt dressing instead of mayo.
Inspired by antipasto, this recipe combines prosciutto with mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and veggies for a unique and delicious pasta salad. Swap the pasta out for arugula and you'll have an appetizing salad course!
Looking for something to remind you of summer barbecues? This twist on a classic macaroni salad might do the trick. You'll get a protein boost from the hard-boiled eggs while you enjoy the creamy pasta base.
Mix up your cuisines with this pasta salad filled with corn, avocados, lime, cilantro, jalapeños, cheese, green onions and even bacon. No need for a blender — just whisk the ingredients together!
This pasta salad recipe is especially great for the summer. With onions, olives, feta, tomatoes and even creamy avocado, your workplace will become your own Greek get away.
You'll get to make your own dressing with this pasta salad recipe, which includes mixing up soy sauce and brown sugar. Add some veggies and noodles and you'll have a flavorful and delicious new lunch.
Kale is a superfood filled with Vitamin A, C and K. So why not make it the base of your work salad? This recipe combines kale with onions, cranberries, almonds and broccoli to provide extra nutrition and flavor.
Eating food out of jars is somehow all the rage, so if you're looking to hop on the bandwagon...these taco salad jars are your way in! This paleo-friendly, low carb and gluten-free recipe will have your taste buds shaking with everything from salsa to cumin toasted vegetables.
This summery salad finds it base (shockingly) with spinach and strawberries. This recipe gives you the steps to jazz up your salad with a light poppy seed dressing.
You can't go wrong with a Greek salad, especially with big chunks of feta and salty olives. Just make sure to bring pita and hummus for your work snacks!
I love brussels sprout salads because they add a bit of bitterness to your meal. This recipe complements that taste with tart cranberries and salty cheese. Don't forget the chives and lemon for extra fresh flavor.
Who said salads had to be boring and look boring? Bring some color to your lunch with this pink detox salad, featuring the prettiest of fruits: grapefruit, pomegranate, strawberries and watermelon!
My mom loved whipping up this dish for sister and me as a healthy and hearty afternoon snack. We'd eat it as stand alone salad, or sometimes add some crunch by scooping with tortilla chips.
If you're not the biggest fan of lettuce, getting creative with your salad bases is always helpful. Quinoa's a great base if you're looking to add protein to your salad without adding any type of meat or fish. This recipe tops it all off with chickpeas and red bell peppers for an invigorating meal.
Get a little extra crunch to your salad with this recipe's toasted pecans. The rest (your arugula, apples, cranberries and onions) is simple, gluten-free and vegan!
Nothing says summer foods like watermelon and tomato, but this recipe's so refreshing you'll want it all year round. If you're sharing, make sure to warn about the jalapeños, which give this dish a surprising kick.
This bowl might take a lot of prep time, but with its filling and nutritious ingredients, it's worth the work. This recipe calls for quinoa, kale, butternut squash, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, lentils, red cabbage, beets and walnuts, but feel free to mix and match ingredients you love.
You don't need to keep spending your money at the nearest poke place to get your fix. Luckily, making your own poke is almost as easy as ordering it! You can even get creative with your bases and switch up your sushi rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
In just three ingredients, you'll have a deliciously creamy and crunchy new dish. If you're looking for more protein beyond the cheese, don't hesitate to spread some chicken shreds or accompany your meal with a hard boiled egg.
You'll never feel happier about raw vegetables than you will with these scrumptious Thai summer rolls. Make sure you make enough peanut sauce for dipping!
Chicken, meatloaf and muffins? It may be perplexing, but this lunch may soon be your new delicious protein boost. This recipe isn't exclusive to lunch; try these for a snack or even breakfast if you're looking for something hearty.
These seaweed-wrapped rice balls are filled with seafood to bring elements of sushi into a larger, "comforting form," says Anjali Prasertong, recipe creator.
This recipe does require a number of spices, but the extra ingredients add to its exciting mix of flavors. You'll even learn how to steam your tortillas, two different ways!
Zoodles defy pasta to give you a unique veggie-eating experience. This recipe goes beyond expectations with a creamy, light and spicy sauce to add an extra kick to your new favorite cold lunch.
Zoë Kaplan is an English major at Wesleyan University in the class of 2020. She writes about women, theater, sports, and everything in between. Read more of Zoë’s work at www.zoeakaplan.com.
