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Running out of lunch box ideas? This list includes quick, tasty, and portable meals, from sandwiches and wraps to rice bowls and salads.
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If you’re tired of the same old sandwiches, it’s time to switch things up.
These lunch ideas are exciting, delicious, and convenient enough for even the busiest days. They’re also easy to pack and hold up well in containers.
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
These sliders are the ultimate grab-and-go lunch.
Pack them in a small container, and don’t forget to add extra ranch dressing for dipping.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Mac and cheese is a fantastic addition to any lunchbox. Check out this version!
It has that signature Cracker Barrel flavor—savory, buttery, and irresistibly cheesy.
Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
This sushi bowl brings all the flavors of your favorite sushi roll without the hassle of rolling.
Pack it in a bento box with separate compartments for toppings and sauces.
Get The Recipe: Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Instant Pot Chicken Bites
These chicken bites are seasoned to perfection with garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
You can pair them with almost anything. Serve them with noodles or roasted veggies!
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites
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Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza
Who says pizza is just for dinner?
This one has a crispy pastry base, gooey cheese, onions, and a sprinkle of savory toppings.
Get The Recipe: Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza
Sushi Bake Cups
If you love sushi but want something more fun and portable, these sushi bake cups are a great option.
Sprinkle them with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake Cups
Parmesan Potatoes
These potatoes are made with parmesan cheese, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and a bit of sea salt.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Get The Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs
These eggs are so easy to make. All you need are eggs, water, and a quick cook time in the air fryer.
Serve them on a small bed of greens for an elegant presentation.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs
Akara (Black Eyed Peas Fritters)
Ready to try this West African classic?
Akara is made with just a few simple ingredients like black-eyed beans, habanero peppers, onions, and crayfish.
Get The Recipe: Akara (Black Eyed Peas Fritters)
Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
You’ll never go wrong with salad sandwiches!
This vegan recipe offers a fresh take on a classic, with tofu, maple syrup, white wine vinegar, and vegan mayo.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Vegan Lobster Roll
This plant-based roll gives you all the buttery flavors of the original without any seafood.
It’s made with artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, red onions, and roasted red peppers.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Lobster Roll
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Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese
There’s grilled cheese, and then there’s the Ultimate grilled cheese.
This copycat version of Zupas’ famous sandwich takes things to a whole new level with Roma tomatoes and vegan pesto.
Get The Recipe: Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese
Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Porcupine Meatballs
These meatballs are made with lentils, brown rice, oats, flax egg, and dairy-free cheddar cheese spread.
They’re ready in less than an hour! If you want, you can pair them with jasmine rice for a heartier meal.
Get The Recipe: Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Porcupine Meatballs
Ranch Chicken Rollups
Looking for a new way to use up your leftover chicken from last night’s dinner?
Shred it and make these roll-ups! Aside from chicken, you’ll need ranch dressing, Italian cheese, and crescent rolls.
Get The Recipe: Ranch Chicken Rollups
Dill Pickle Tuna Salad
If you love a little tang and crunch in your tuna salad, this dill pickle version is a must-try.
Main ingredients include tuna, Dijon mustard, chopped dill pickle, and red onions.
Get The Recipe: Dill Pickle Tuna Salad
Protein Snack Pack
This 15-minute snack pack is packed with protein and variety.
It includes hummus, mixed nuts, deli lunch meat, tomatoes, and eggs, but feel free to include your other healthy favorites.
Get The Recipe: Protein Snack Pack
Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad
You’ll love this dairy-free take on Caesar pasta salad.
It’s an amazing make-ahead meal that you can easily customize and transport to picnics.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad
Peanut Chicken Wraps
These wraps offer a great blend of crunch, creaminess, and bold flavors. The highlight?
Its sauce made with natural peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, and ginger root.
Get The Recipe: Peanut Chicken Wraps
Cream Cheese Cucumber Sandwiches with Jalapeno
This isn’t your ordinary cucumber sandwich—it’s got a spicy twist!
It pairs cucumbers with cream cheese, jalapeños, and lime juice. Every bite is both refreshing and exciting.
Get The Recipe: Cream Cheese Cucumber Sandwiches with Jalapeno
Caprese BLT Sandwich
Have fun making the most delicious sandwiches! This one is one of the most convenient ones you can make.
Just use your favorite bread, along with bacon, tomato, and mozzarella slices.
Get The Recipe: Caprese BLT Sandwich
Kale and Quinoa Salad
Time to say goodbye to bland and boring salads!
This one is worth a try, especially if you’re preparing lunch boxes for your kids. It includes chickpeas, quinoa, and bell peppers.
Get The Recipe: Kale and Quinoa Salad
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Ube Steamed Buns
These buns are soft, fluffy, and naturally sweet. They’re a great addition to your lunch box as mini desserts while in transit.
Pack them in an insulated bag to keep them warm until lunch.
Get The Recipe: Ube Steamed Buns
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
These chicken creations are made with flour, salt, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
Let them cool slightly before sealing and packing to keep the breading crispy.
Get The Recipe: Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
Healthy Hamburger Helper
Here’s a filling meal you can easily make and bring to Grandma’s house (she’ll love it for sure!).
It’s made with ground meat, coconut milk, tapioca flour, and your pasta of choice.
Get The Recipe: Healthy Hamburger Helper
Carrot, Broccoli And Cheese Pinwheels
These pinwheels are a fun, cheesy way to sneak more greens into your lunch.
Main ingredients include broccoli, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and carrots. Store them in a snug container to prevent them from breaking apart.
Get The Recipe: Carrot, Broccoli And Cheese Pinwheels
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Is it your first time preparing a lunch box?
Starting with your favorite foods and giving them a fun twist is a great way to ease into this new routine.
Try adding one or two new ingredients to something you or the kids already love for an extraordinary twist.
25 On The Go Lunch Ideas to Rescue You From Fast Food
Enjoy these on the go lunch ideas so that you don’t let the lunch hour drag you down and sucker you into the fast food routine.
Read it here: 25 On The Go Lunch Ideas to Rescue You From Fast Food
25 School Lunch Ideas For Picky Eaters
There’s something for everyone on this list of school lunch ideas for picky eaters. No matter how picky they are, you are sure to find something in this collection of ideas!
Read it here: 25 School Lunch Ideas For Picky Eaters
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Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
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