45+ Lunch Ideas for Work: Easy Meals To Save You Money

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with eating the same things for lunch at work every day. So what should you do if you are tired of packing and eating the same lunch but still want to avoid ordering takeout at work to save money? You should look for inspiration for some different lunch ideas for work! And that is what you will find in this article.

You will find two different sections in this article. The first section contains easy lunch ideas that don’t take more than 5 or 10 minutes to prepare. They are so simple you don’t even need a recipe. The second section contains work lunch ideas that are slightly more involved and take a bit more work. However, they are still quick, easy, and delicious.  

Read on to find your next favorite healthy lunch options so you can banish lunchtime boredom and continue saving money.

Lunch Ideas for Work: Quick and Simple to Prepare

Below you will find lunch ideas for work that don’t require much meal prep, including cold lunch ideas in case you don’t have access to a microwave or fridge. You will want to have an insulated lunch bag and a couple of cooler packs on hand to keep your lunch cold and safe to eat. Keep reading for quick and easy lunch ideas that are budget-friendly and healthy.  

1. Cottage Cheese and Fruit

The combination of cottage cheese and fruit is a healthy meal option that can be prepped ahead of time and is extremely budget-friendly. Buy a large container of cottage cheese and a can of your favorite fruit. Divide up the cottage cheese into lunch containers to store in the fridge. You can either top your cottage cheese with the fruit or spoon it into a separate container to take to work. Or check out these divided to-go containers for an all-in-one option.

2. Deli Meat Sandwiches

Lunch meat sandwiches are an excellent meal option when you know you will only have a few minutes to eat lunch. Sandwiches are quick to eat and filling when you are on the run at work. Try mixing and matching different meats, cheeses, spreads, veggies, and bread to avoid becoming bored with the same types of sandwiches every day.

3. Oatmeal

Many people think oatmeal is just for breakfast, but oatmeal also makes a delicious and filling lunchtime meal. Plus, if you don’t have access to a microwave, you can easily take oatmeal to work in one of these.  

The easiest way to pack oatmeal for lunch is to make it ahead of time. For example, you can buy a large canister of rolled oats and cook three servings at a time. It takes about 5 minutes to cook oatmeal on the stove. Then, divide the oatmeal into three reusable containers, add your mix-ins, and place the oatmeal in the refrigerator until you are ready to pack it in your lunch bag.  

Some oatmeal mix-ins to try are

• Strawberry (or any flavor) preserves
• Peanut butter
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Walnuts
• Fruit (pack separately and add after re-heating)
• Chocolate chips

Another option is to buy instant oatmeal packs to take to work for lunch. Keep a bowl and spoon at work, so you have something to use to make your oatmeal.

4. Leftovers

Leftover food makes great work lunches because there is no extra prep work. Just place them in a reusable container and directly into the refrigerator after dinner. You can also take certain types of leftovers to work in a thermos, even when you don’t have access to a microwave. Some dinner leftovers that work well in a thermos are

• Soups
• Casseroles
• Pasta dishes
• Rice dishes
• Stews

5. Wraps

Packing a wrap for work makes a portable and quick lunch that is easy to consume on those busy work days when fitting in a full lunch break seems impossible. Wraps are effortless to stuff with your favorite sandwich toppings, like peppers, pickles, lettuce, tomato, avocado, etc. You can go with a simple filler like lunch meat or choose salads like egg, chicken, or ham salad.  

6. Adult Lunchable

Sometimes, there is no time to prepare and pack a lunch, and you must resort to a grab-n-go meal. Grabbing an assortment of healthy snacks can make for a filling and nutritious lunch. Food ideas to include in your adult Lunchable are

• Nuts
• Cottage cheese
• Peanut butter crackers
• Rolled lunchmeat
• String cheese or cubed cheese
• Yogurt
• Pretzels
• Fruit (fresh or canned)
• Pre-cut raw veggies with hummus or dressing

Don’t forget to top it off with something sweet if you have a sweet tooth. A couple of cookies, a piece of chocolate, a cereal bar, a rice Krispie treat, or your other favorite goodies will help you enjoy your packed lunch even more.

7. Tuna Salad, Egg, or Chicken Salad

Another excellent lunch idea for work is to take tuna, egg, or chicken salad. You can eat these salads in many different ways, making them versatile. Versatility is a good thing because it prevents lunchtime boredom. For example, you could top a bed of lettuce with them, eat them in a pita or on bread or a roll, scoop them up with crackers, or eat them with a fork.  

These salads are also quick and easy to prepare. You can buy tuna or chicken salad already prepared or buy the tuna or chicken in a can and prepare them yourself. Not a fan of canned chicken? You could buy a rotisserie chicken for dinner and then pick off the leftovers to use for chicken salad for your work lunches.  

Hard-boiled eggs are simple to make and easy to peel when cooked in an Instant Pot. However, if you don’t have an Instant Pot or time to make hard-boiled eggs, you can purchase hard-boiled eggs already cooked.

8. Canned Soup

Taking canned soup to work is an easy grab-n-go lunch idea when you don’t have time to prepare or pack anything else. Just grab the can of soup and head out the door. You could keep a reusable container or bowl and spoon at work for the days you take soup for lunch.

If you don’t have access to a microwave, take your soup to work in one of these. Your lunch will take a couple of minutes of prep work in the morning, but it will be well worth it when lunchtime rolls around and you have a hot lunch to eat. Soup makes the perfect hot lunch for work, whether canned or homemade.

9. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

Making a homemade fruit and yogurt parfait to take to work for lunch is an easy cold lunch idea. First, pack the granola separately to keep it crunchy until you are ready to eat lunch. Then layer fruit, yogurt, and granola in a bowl or reusable lunch container for a healthy and delicious lunch idea for the workplace.

10. Large Salad

The secret to quickly preparing a large garden salad for your work lunch is to wash and chop some of the veggies up in advance. Cut up your lettuce and use a salad spinner to rinse it. Then lay it out on a clean dishtowel to drain the excess water while you prep other veggies. Store your pre-chopped vegetables in green containers in the humidity-controlled area of your refrigerator to keep them fresh as long as possible.

When making a side salad for dinner, you can simultaneously prepare your garden salad for the next day. Add hard-boiled egg, cheese, and rolled and sliced lunchmeat for some filling protein. And don’t forget your salad dressing. If you enjoy eating salads for lunch, consider keeping a bottle of your favorite dressing at work in the fridge.  

11. Breakfast Foods

Your favorite breakfast foods also make tasty and filling lunchtime meals. Your imagination is the limit when taking breakfast foods for lunch. In addition, the foods you typically eat in the morning are some of the cheapest food ideas.  

Here are some breakfast foods that are delicious lunch ideas for work:

• Pancakes: make ahead, freeze, and thaw as you need them
• Belgian waffles: make them with one of these, freeze, and thaw as needed
• Bagels with your favorite spread
• English muffins: try open-faced and topped with slices of tomato and swiss cheese
• Burritos: made with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, cheese, salsa
• Scrambled eggs with your favorite add-ins: try using leftover veggies and meats from dinner to add to scrambled eggs

Lunch Ideas for Work: Delicious Recipes to Beat Lunchtime Boredom

If you have some extra time to meal prep your lunches for the week, these recipes may be what you need to get the job done. You’ll find many different types of foods, so you won’t get tired of eating the same things when you’re on the job.

12. Oatmeal Bliss Balls

These oatmeal bliss balls are packed with healthy oats, seeds, and a touch of spice and are so easy to make. Perfect for packing up for a school or work lunch.

13. Protein Snack Pack

Protein Snack Packs filled with hard-boiled eggs, almonds, hummus, and crunchy veggies are an easy and delicious lunchtime meal-prep solution. Perfect for any protein lover, these fantastic little protein snack packs are perfect for work or school lunches, post-workout snacks, or picnics in the park.

14. Banana Pikelets

These healthy banana pikelets are super easy to make with just four ingredients. They freeze well and make excellent school or work lunches.

Photo Credit: Always Use Butter

15. Easy Halloumi Wraps (Vegetarian)

Make the halloumi wraps that everyone loves – kids and foodies included! With halloumi cheese, red pesto (store-bought is fine), avocado, and walnuts, these wraps are packed with flavor, done in 20 minutes, and perfect to pack for lunch.

16. Pink Hummus

This pink hummus recipe is bright and fun and goes along with most dippers, even grilled chicken strips or steak. Kids and adults enjoy dipping crackers, vegetable sticks, and olives in the beetroot hummus. It’s great for lunchboxes!

17. Easy Spinach and Feta Muffins

These delicious, savory spinach and feta muffins are easy to make and perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner, or your lunchbox. All you have to do is wash and chop the spinach and mix a few ingredients. Then bake.

18. Healthy Power Balls

Super easy power balls made with dry fruits and desiccated coconut are the perfect healthy snack to boost energy enough to uplift your tiring day.

19. Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps

A good lunch is filling, flavorful, and easy to make. Enjoy a healthy and delicious family favorite lunch that’s economical and simple to make using leftover chicken.

20. Easy Filipino Style Pancit Bihon (Vegan)

Quick and simple to prepare pancit bihon is a tasty Asian recipe that is great to eat any time of the day. It is vegan and gluten-free.

21. Easy Pizza Rolls

This easy homemade pizza recipe will quickly become a family favorite that is easy to pack for a yummy lunch! You won’t break a sweat making your homemade dough, and the finished product tastes like pizzeria perfection!

22. Broccoli Cheese Egg Muffins

Broccoli Cheese Egg Muffins are fluffy inside, with golden cheese crust on top, and are perfect for meal prep.

23. Pinwheel Sandwiches

These pinwheel sandwiches are super easy to make. They’re perfect for work lunches.

24. Air Fryer Zucchini Pizza Boats

This air fryer zucchini pizza is easy to prepare. Fill cored zucchini with pizza sauce, toppings, and mozzarella cheese. It takes 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

25. Pepperoni Pizza Muffins

These muffins are a simple recipe your kids can even help you make. They take five minutes to put together and are packable lunches!

26. Crispy Pan-Fried Gnocchi

This crispy pan-fried gnocchi is a simple and quick recipe to make in only 20 minutes for an easy weeknight meal or prepped for work lunches. Crispy gnocchi coated in a light sauce made with garlic, herbs, butter, and parmesan.

Photo Credit: Recipes From a Pantry

27. Ranch Cream Cheese Ham Rollups

Ham Roll Ups will be your favorite back-to-school lunch or work lunch solution. So simple to make, these tasty ranch ham and cream cheese roll-ups are delicious and filling.

28. Homemade Uncrustables (Gluten-Free & Allergy Free)

These are food allergy-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free versions of the packaged “PBJ crustless pocket” sandwich. Make these ahead of time for a quick and easy lunch recipe or snack for the entire school or work week.

29. Salmon Salad

This creamy Salmon Salad is so delicious and makes an excellent lunch for work. You can make this salad with grilled salmon, smoked salmon, poached salmon, or canned salmon if you desire.

30. Garlic Olive Oil Pasta

Garlic and Olive Oil Pasta is a super easy lunch dish that is ready in 15 minutes! Everyone will love this simple and delicious pasta dish for your lunchtime meal.

31. Quinoa Pasta Salad

A pasta salad with quinoa is for days when you crave a good Italian pasta salad yet want to eat a low-calorie healthy dinner! This quinoa pasta salad with a delicious and light basil balsamic vinaigrette and feta is all you need on those hot summer days.

32. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich Rolls

Any age is sure to love these cucumber and cream cheese sandwich rolls. You’ll also love how easy they are to make!

33. Vegan Tuna Salad

This Vegan Tuna Salad is tasty and perfect for work lunches. It’s made with chickpeas and hearts of palm, full of flavor, and seasoned with nori for a taste of the sea. Ready in 10 minutes and perfect for lunch meal prep.

34. Gluten-Free Salsa Pinwheels

These gluten-free salsa pinwheels are a quick and easy appetizer made in under 15 minutes! Also known as tortilla roll-ups, this creamy snack can be eaten cold from the fridge or baked and dipped in salsa. Perfect for kids and adults alike!

35. Pesto Chicken Salad Wrap

Adding pesto to this classic lunch staple brings a new flavor. This pesto chicken salad tastes super fresh and light, and it’s perfect for your weekly meal prep or lunch on the go.

36. Grain-Free Corn Dog Muffins

Not only are these grain-free corn dog muffins super easy to make, but they are also full of healthy protein and a fantastic lunch idea for work.

37. Chicken Salad Without Mayo

Making a Chicken Salad Recipe Without Mayo could not be more straightforward or flavorful! Instead of mayo, make this chicken salad with a delicious sweet and tangy honey mustard. A few crunchy veggies are added, becoming the perfect, light mayo-free chicken salad!

38. Spam Musubi With Egg

This Spam Musubi with Egg will take you straight to Hawaii! It’s easy and flavorful with homemade sauce. They’re great as an on-the-go snack or breakfast or as part of a bento lunch.

39. Turkey Bacon Ranch Pinwheels

These Turkey Bacon Ranch Pinwheels are ready in 5 minutes. They’re full of flavor and are a delicious and satisfying lunch idea for work.

Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens

40. Granola Crunch Apple Peanut Butter Wraps

These crunchy Peanut Butter Sandwich Wraps come together in moments and are adaptable – no need to measure exact amounts! Perfect for on-the-go meals and make-ahead lunches, they’re full of nutrient-rich fruits, whole grains, and lots of protein.

41. Avocado Roll

This avocado roll recipe is just what you need for an at-home sushi night or quick lunch! It’s simple to make, incredibly healthy, and comes in at a fraction of the price compared to restaurants.

42. Vegan BLT Tempeh Sandwich

Don’t you love a crisp sandwich with a smoky kick mixed with avocado’s smooth, nutty taste? Then you are going to enjoy this drool-worthy Vegan Tempeh BLT Sandwich. It’s much healthier than your traditional BLT, but you’re guaranteed to be just as satisfied after your plate is polished off.

43. California Club Croissant Sandwich

This California Club Croissant Sandwich recipe is an easy lunch recipe. This croissant sandwich makes a quick and flavorful sandwich.

44. Pinwheel Sandwiches

These quick and easy club-style pinwheel sandwiches are the best appetizer to bring to parties and BBQs or to take along for lunch. Fresh veggies, deli meat, and cheese tightly wrapped in cream cheese and ranch-coated tortilla.

45. Air Fryer Egg Cups

Egg bites prepared in an air fryer are the perfect breakfast or protein-rich lunchtime meal. They are easily customized to your taste and freeze up perfectly to stay fresh so you can meal prep your lunch ahead of time.

Final Thoughts on Easy Lunch Ideas for Work 

Packing and eating lunch at work every day should not be a drag. After all, work lunches are a time to relax your mind and body and refuel to get through the second half of the workday. So pick a few of these lunch ideas to spice up your work lunches and finish your workday feeling satisfied.