Salad is great, but there are other options.
When it comes to work lunches, it seems the only thing people bring are salads — which, don't get me wrong, are great — but sometimes you want a little something more.
So we rounded up our favorite make-ahead lunch recipes that are definitely not salads. Check out some of our favorite bowls, wraps, and sandwiches.
1. Spicy Rice Noodles With Ground Pork And Scallions
![26 Wholesome Work Lunches You Can Pack In The Morning (2) 26 Wholesome Work Lunches You Can Pack In The Morning (2)](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2023-11/29/22/asset/1919aec4fb66/sub-buzz-896-1701295322-2.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
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What’s more comforting than a bowl of noodles with spicy and savory ground pork? With fragrant, flavorful sesame oil, scallions, and chile-garlic paste, this dish is a treat for all of the senses.
Recipe:Spicy Rice Noodles With Ground Pork And Scallions
2. Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew
![26 Wholesome Work Lunches You Can Pack In The Morning (3) 26 Wholesome Work Lunches You Can Pack In The Morning (3)](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2023-11/29/22/asset/ac54c33f85c7/sub-buzz-931-1701295672-8.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
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Make a big batch of this hearty vegan stew at the beginning of the week. It reheats beautifully and the flavors get better the longer it sits.
Recipe: Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew
3. Veggie Fried Rice
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We love how customizable this fried rice is. Throw in any veggies lingering in your crisper drawer to give them new life.
Recipe: Veggie Fried Rice
4. Pesto Turkey Pinwheels
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These delicious turkey wraps are rolled up with pesto, tomatoes, baby spinach, and Provolone cheese. Slice into pieces to show off the fillings and for easy eating.
Recipe: Pesto Turkey Pinwheels
5. Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Mushrooms
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Pack the tofu filling, lettuce cups, and crispy rice noodles separately, then warm the filling and assemble just before eating. If you're not a fan of tofu, ground chicken, turkey, or pork would taste great here, too!
Recipe: Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Mushrooms
6. Chickpea Salad Sandwich
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While we love this flavorful mashed chickpea mixture on bread with our favorite sandwich fixings, it's also great over a bed of greens or with crackers and veggies.
Recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwich
7. Turkey Taco Bowls
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These loaded turkey taco bowls are full of protein, vegetables, and flavor from taco seasoning and salsa. `Feel free to swap in your preferred ground meat or meatless alternative for the turkey!
Recipe: Turkey Taco Bowls
8. Garlic Chicken and Veggie Pasta
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This all-in-one meal is easy to prep and pack for the week. As long as you keep the ratios the same, you can experiment with different veggies and noodle shapes to mix it up a bit.
Recipe: Garlic Chicken and Veggie Pasta
9. Crunchy Avocado Tuna Wraps
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Wrap up tuna, avocado, and veggies in whole wheat tortillas for a filling and easy lunch. The "dressing" is mixed in with the tuna salad, and the lettuce keeps the tortillas from getting soggy.
Recipe: Crunchy Tuna Avocado Wraps
10.
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This only requires one pan and minimal prep — and store-bought pesto does all the heavy lifting.
Recipe:
11. Freezer Prep Breakfast Burritos
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These may be dubbed as breakfast burritos — but they're delicious enough to devour any time of day.
Recipe: Freezer Prep Breakfast Burritos
12. Portobello Fajita Bowls
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This vegetarian version is perfect for a Meatless Monday option. If you're not a mushroom fan, swap in tofu, soyrizo, or extra veggies.
Recipe: Portobello Fajita Bowls
Pro tip: Pack the chickpea filling, sauce, and pitas separately to prevent them from getting soggy.
Recipe: Chickpea Shawarma Sandwiches
14. Southwestern Cream Cheese Chicken Wraps
Feel free to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make these wraps a breeze to meal prep.
15. Onigirazu (Rice Sandwich)
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These simple rice sandwiches call for fresh shiso leaves, but you can leave them out or use your favorite herb instead.
Recipe:Onigirazu (Rice Sandwich)
16. Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Hold off on assembling these wraps until you're just about to eat — otherwise the lettuce may get soggy before lunch comes around.
Recipe:Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Wraps
17. Chicken Burrito Bowl
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This wholesome work lunch has everything you need in it: Veggies, protein, and some brown rice to keep you energized until work is over.
Recipe:Chicken Burrito Bowl
This recipe uses a homemade lemon herb dressing, but feel free to use your favorite store-bought dressing to save yourself some time.
Chicken, roasted red peppers, spinach, and provolone cheese give these pinwheel sandwiches a ton of flavor without a ton of work.
Recipe: Italian Chicken Wrap
20. Cold Sesame Noodles With Crunchy Vegetables
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Load these cold sesame noodles up with chicken or shrimp to make this lunch even heartier.
21. Veggie Nori Wraps
A simple dipping sauce made with tahini and miso takes these veggie-loaded nori wraps from good to great.
Recipe:Veggie Nori Wraps
Make a big batch of these veggies on Sunday, then eat them over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice all throughout the week.
These pita sandwiches are spread with smashed avocado, but if you're worried about it turning brown you can easily substitute it for hummus.
Recipe: Lemony Broccoli, Chickpea, and Avocado Pita Sandwiches
24. Vegetarian Greek Pitas
These pitas call for feta cheese, but you can leave it out if you're looking for a vegan option.
Recipe:Vegetarian Greek Pitas
25. Muffuletta Sandwiches
This muffuletta uses a homemade giardiniera to give it a ton of flavor — which is not as hard to make as it sounds — but you can use your favorite store-bought variety instead (which is found in the pickle section of most grocery stores).
Recipe:Muffuletta Sandwiches
26. Pesto Quinoa With White Beans
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This hearty quinoa salad is tossed in a homemade pesto made with fresh arugula to give it a pop of peppery flavor.
Recipe:Pesto Quinoa With White Beans
Looking for more lunch inspiration? Check out these posts:
• 27 Clever Tips For Anyone Who Packs Their Own Lunch