This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.
These make ahead lunch ideas will help you save time and give you a delicious and filling lunch that tastes amazing.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
From salads and sandwiches to hearty freezer friendly meals, these make ahead lunch ideas are ones that you’ll want to keep on hand.
Easy Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Great for meal prep, this easy shrimp sushi bowl is loaded with fresh ingredients and crunchy shrimp. It’ll be a lunch time favorite.
Get The Recipe: Easy Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
Sometimes you just crave a hearty brothy soup for lunch and when you do, this stovetop chicken noodle soup is easy for your make ahead lunch ideas.
Get The Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
Orange Quinoa Salad
Get ready for some lunch magic! This healthy salad combines the flavors of quinoa, veggies, juicy oranges and a tahini dressing. It’s a colorful make ahead lunch idea that’ll store well in the fridge for a few days.
Get The Recipe: Orange Quinoa Salad
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Make a batch of spaghetti and meatballs in the instant pot for your weekly lunch routine. This meal idea is a quick and easy way to make your favorite pasta dish.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Easy Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Let the crockpot do all of the work for you over the weekend so that you can enjoy the leftover scalloped potatoes and ham throughout the week. Just reheat the leftovers in the microwave for a filling lunch.
Get The Recipe: Easy Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
Offering up a variety of different fall veggies and fruits, this copycat harvest bowl is one that you can make ahead of time and enjoy it when you’re ready.
Get The Recipe: Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
Besides being a cozy and comforting meal to enjoy, this slow cooker beef stew is a meal prep recipe that you can make and keep in the fridge for lunch. Just reheat it in the microwave.
Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
Nigerian Jollof Rice
With a simple mix of ingredients, this Nigerian jollof rice comes together in no time. It’s perfect for making ahead of time and enjoying throughout the week.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Jollof Rice
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Chicken bites can be enjoyed on their own or you can make them ahead of time and add them to your weekday lunch salad. Either way, these easy instant pot chicken bites are delicious.
Get The Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Hot Girl Summer Salad
A vibrant and healthy salad that’s perfect for lunch. This summer salad is made with fresh veggies to give you a delicious lunch idea that’s easy to make ahead of time.
Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad
TikTok Juicy Chicken
Seasoned chicken is easy to make and this TikTok juicy chicken took over the social media platform because of how easy and flavorful it is. Make it ahead of time and use it in salads or other dishes for your weekday.
Get The Recipe: TikTok Juicy Chicken
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Easy Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings
Made on the stovetop, this chicken and dumplings can be made ahead of time so that you have a silky and cozy meal to enjoy for lunch.
Get The Recipe: Easy Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings
Best Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Dairy free and perfect for your make ahead lunch ideas. A vegan egg salad sandwich gives you all the flavor of the original, just without the eggs and dairy.
Get The Recipe: Best Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Easy Vegan Stir Fry
With a sweet and savory sauce, this vegan stir fry is a veggie loaded make ahead lunch idea that you can pair with rice. It’s filling, flavorful, and easy to make.
Get The Recipe: Easy Vegan Stir Fry
Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich
Lunch never tastes so good. If you want a vegan option for your make ahead lunch ideas, this sandwich will be a go to. Enjoy it with veggies and fruit for a complete meal.
Get The Recipe: Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich
Easy Vegan Cobb Salad
A healthy salad that’s loaded with tofu, crispy vegetable, chickpeas, and more. Top the cobb salad off with a healthy ranch dressing and you have a flavorful lunch idea you can make ahead of time.
Get The Recipe: Easy Vegan Cobb Salad
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
Add some flavor to your lunch with this quinoa and black bean salad. It’s a hearty, healthy, and flavorful lunch to enjoy any day of the week.
Get The Recipe: Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
Cold and Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad
Tender tuna, crispy veggies, and pasta is a meal that you can make ahead of time and enjoy it for lunch. It’s loaded with healthy benefits and nutritious ingredients.
Get The Recipe: Cold and Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad
Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Rice
This enchilada rice is a filling meal that you can enjoy for lunch. It’s easy to make ahead of time and you can keep it stored in the fridge for a quick and easy meal.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Rice
Asian Chicken Salad
A light lunch idea that’s satisfying, this Asian chicken salad features teriyaki chicken that has just the right amount of flavor.
Get The Recipe: Asian Chicken Salad
Cucumber Miso Salmon Rice Bowls
With salmon, rice, fresh cucumbers, and miso, these rice bowls are an easy meal prep idea for your make ahead lunch ideas.
Get The Recipe: Cucumber Miso Salmon Rice Bowls
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Freezable Pizza Pockets
Easy to make, these pizza pockets are a freezable make ahead lunch idea that you can enjoy. Just put them in your lunchbox with a freezer pack and they’ll be ready to eat by lunch.
Get The Recipe: Freezable Pizza Pockets
Creamy Chickpea Salad
A delicious idea for lunch, this creamy chickpea salad can be made in advance and enjoyed throughout the week for a quick and easy meal.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Salad
Cucumber Avocado Quinoa Salad
Packed with protein and veggies, this cucumber avocado quinoa salad is tossed with a creamy lemon dressing that adds a burst of extra flavor.
Get The Recipe: Cucumber Avocado Quinoa Salad
Tuna Salad Stuffed Peppers
Meal prep friendly, these tuna salad stuffed peppers will brighten up your day and make your taste buds happy.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Salad Stuffed Peppers
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Not only will these make ahead lunch ideas save you time throughout the week but you’ll also be able to get in a filling and nutritious meal in.
25 Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas That Make Mornings Easy
These make ahead breakfast ideas will make your mornings easy as you try to get everyone prepared for the day and out the door.
Read it here: 25 Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas That Make Mornings Easy
25 Healthy Weekend Dinners That Donโt Feel Like a Diet
Need some healthy weekend dinners that donโt taste bland? These dinner ideas are easy, healthy, and donโt skimp out on flavor.
Read it here: 25 Healthy Weekend Dinners That Donโt Feel Like a Diet
Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
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!
Interested in more recipe ideas? You’ll love these related recipes:
- 25 Weekend Meal Ideas That Taste Like a Summer Staycation
- Warning: These 25 Cheat Day Food Ideas Might Ruin Your Diet (In the Best Way)
- 25 Make Ahead Meals Thatโll Save You All Week Long
- 25 Easy Make Ahead Appetizers for a Crowd That Never Disappoint
- 25 Weekday Breakfast Ideas Youโll Jump Out of Bed For