60+ Packed Lunch Ideas
Updated Jul 31, 2025
These 60+ packed lunch ideas are great for kids and adults! Whether you're getting ready for school, or never-ending work, these healthy lunches are perfect!
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For me, a good packed lunch is something that holds up well until you’re ready to eat and doesn’t take forever to prep. Bonus if it’s cheaper and better than grabbing takeout.
Whether it’s for work, school, or just a busy day out, having lunch packed and ready makes life easier. This list has all kinds of ideas from big grain bowls to veggie sandwiches that you can make ahead, pack up, and actually look forward to eating.
Packed Lunch Ideas for Adults & Kids
With school around the corner and work never ending, I refer to this roundup every week!
Hearty Salads to Pack for Lunch
Salads
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Greek Pasta Salad is made with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and feta tossed with al dente pasta and a homemade Greek vinaigrette.
30 minutes
Lunch, Salad
Vegetarian Cobb Salad
This Vegetarian Cobb Salad is a meatless recipe, made with hard boiled eggs and chickpeas – full of protein and great for meal prep in jars!
10 minutes
Lunch, Salads
Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Recipe
This creamy Greek yogurt chicken is mayo-free and made with diced chicken, apples, and celery in a fresh dill Greek Yogurt dressing.
10 minutes
Salads
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Make this Mediterranean Chopped Salad for a large crowd. It's full of veggies, chickpeas, feta cheese, and olives and tossed in a lemony herb dressing!
15 minutes
Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Bean Salad
This cold bean salad is a hearty, easy-to-prep all-season dish (or meal!) with lentils, beans, chickpeas, and vegetables, tossed in a light and tangy vinaigrette.
30 minutes
Lunch, Salad
Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad Recipe
This easy chickpea 'tuna' salad recipe is made with canned chickpeas, Greek yogurt, fresh vegetables, and fresh herbs. It's ready in just 10 minutes!
10 minutes
Salad
Shrimp Orzo Salad
Try this shrimp orzo pasta salad with fresh veggies, feta, and a zesty dressing. It's an easy, make-ahead summer recipe for picnics, potlucks, and weeknight dinners.
25 minutes
Salad, Side Dish
Lentil Salad
Simple to make and delicious to eat, this vegan lentil salad is made with fresh ingredients and makes for a really versatile side dish.
30 minutes
Power Bowls for Work
Main Course
Mediterranean Hummus Bowl
Easy and quick to make, a Mediterranean hummus bowl is a great healthy and filling meal. Made with quinoa, fresh vegetables and homemade hummus.
15 minutes
Dinner, Entree
Ground Beef Cottage Cheese Bowls
If you want to make the viral hot honey ground beef bowls with sweet potatoes, cottage cheese and avocados, grab my quick and easy recipe!
1 hour
Main Course
Chicken Burrito Protein Bowl
Chipotle-inspired, this Chicken Burrito Protein Bowl is bursting with color, flavor, and nutrients. It's a chicken bowl recipe that is easily customizable!
2 hours 50 minutes
Entree
Quinoa Buddha Bowl
This vegan Quinoa Buddha Bowl is filled with nourishing roasted sweet potatoes, kale, crispy chickpeas, avocado and a tangy tahini dressing!
40 minutes
Entree
Mediterranean Couscous
A quick and easy summer recipe, this Mediterranean Couscous dish is made with shrimp, tomatoes, feta, olives and capers – it’s fresh, healthy & irresistible
22 minutes
Main Course
Vegetarian Gyro Bowl
Simple and quick to make, this vegetarian gyro bowl is made with chickpea bites, sauteed peppers and onions; served with tzatziki and pita.
35 minutes
Main Course
Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
This Chicken Teriyaki Bowl is inspired by your favorite takeout but prepared with a homemade marinade and served with brown rice and broccoli
25 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Lunch
Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
This Vegetarian Burrito Bowl, with black beans, corn, sweet potatoes, and cilantro lime rice, is perfect for meal prep—a filling, wholesome option that retains its deliciousness throughout the week.
1 hour
Main Course
Shrimp Fajita Bowls Recipe
Shrimp Fajita Bowls recipe, inspired by Tex-Mex flavors, has stir-fried shrimp, onions and peppers, fresh avocado, and cilantro lime rice.
55 minutes
Main Course
Chicken and Quinoa Bowl
Chicken and Quinoa Bowl is an easy weeknight dinner that you can throw together with leftover quinoa, chicken, any vegetables and nuts – hearty and healthy!
30 minutes
Sandwiches and Wraps
Lunch, Sandwich
Hummus Veggie Sandwich
This delicious humus veggie sandwich is quick and easy to make and perfect for lunch on the go. Loaded with fresh vegetables, it's bold, vibrant and easily customizable.
10 minutes
Main Course
Vegan Cauliflower Pita Sandwiches
Vegan pita sandwich filled with roasted cauliflower generously seasoned with bright Mediterranean spices, fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and tahini!
45 minutes
Entree, Sandwich
Ground Beef Burritos
Stuff your Ground Beef Burritos with meat, beans, and rice and roll tight in a flour tortilla. To get them to hold together pan sear and serve with all the things!
30 minutes
Breakfast, Brunch, Sandwich
Smoked Salmon Bagel
Quick and easy to make this cream cheese and smoked salmon bagel is the perfect brunch recipe. Full of fresh flavors, every bite is delicious!
10 minutes
Lunch, Salad, Sandwich
Turkey Salad Sandwich
Delicious leftover turkey salad recipe without mayo! Greek yogurt, cranberries, turkey breast, and some fresh veggies make this turkey salad irresistible.
10 minutes
Sandwich
Smash Falafel Pita
Smash Falafel Pita is a new way to enjoy falafel by smashing the batter on pita and frying it on a skillet – it's an easy quick trend to try!
12 hours 20 minutes
Sandwich
Chicken Pesto Panini Recipe
Fresh pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and chicken pressed between sourdough bread to make a chicken pesto panini. You can make this recipe even if you don't have a press!
20 minutes
Sandwich
BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Easy shredded BBQ chicken sandwich with homemade coleslaw on a brioche bun. Use pre-shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken, which takes 15 minutes to prep and serve!
15 minutes
Entree
Cottage Cheese Flatbread
This Viral Cottage Cheese Flatbread is an easy protein-packed alternative to traditional flatbread and made with just cottage cheese, eggs and any spices.
45 minutes
Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Broccoli Wraps
These Grilled Chicken Broccoli Wraps are made with only a few ingredients and wrapped in whole wheat tortillas. They're cheesy, easy-to-make & so flavorful!
30 minutes
Hot Lunches for School or Work
Soup
Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Chicken wild rice soup with fresh mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions & thyme makes for a delicious meal and is perfect for meal-prep. Plus, it's dairy-free!
1 hour 25 minutes
Entree
Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs
Try my easy Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe made with juicy ground beef meatballs and store-bought marinara to keep it simple. It's a hearty family favorite!
40 minutes
Dinner, Entree
Lebanese Chicken and Rice
Enjoy the flavors of Lebanese Roz a Djej with this easy-to-make shredded chicken and aromatic beefy rice recipe. The perfect comfort food.
1 hour 35 minutes
Dinner, Entree
Beef Stroganoff
This creamy homemade Beef Stroganoff is amazing with tender beef and mushrooms and finished with Greek yogurt over egg noodles. It's so good!
2 hours 55 minutes
Soup
Chicken Lemon Rice Soup Recipe
This Chicken Lemon Rice Soup is recipe full of hearty vegetables, chicken thighs, and rice in a homemade lemony broth!
1 hour 5 minutes
Main Course
Unstuffed Peppers
This unstuffed peppers bowl is loaded with flavor and is a great well balanced meal. With all the flavors of stuffed peppers, but so much quicker to make!
1 hour 10 minutes
Dinner, Pastas
Turkish Pasta Recipe
This Turkish Pasta Recipe is made with orecchiette pasta, a creamy Greek yogurt cream sauce with ground beef and fresh sliced tomatoes.
35 minutes
Main Course
Easy Beef Stew
The easy Beef Stew is hearty, comforting and made in one pot. Full of tender flavorful beef and requires minimal prep, it makes for a delicious family meal!
1 hour 40 minutes
Entree, Soup
Chicken Stew Recipe
This chicken stew is creamy made in one pot with chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, onions and herbs.
45 minutes
Entree, Pastas
Taco Pasta
Taco pasta combines two of my favorite dishes! Get the yummy Mexican flavors you love in a taco in a cheesy, creamy pasta dish.
40 minutes
Vegetarian Packed Lunches
Salad
Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Black Bean Quinoa Salad is a vegan and gluten free salad with a delicious Southwestern flavor and 18 grams of protein per serving!
35 minutes
Soup
Vegetarian Minestrone Soup
Vegetarian Minestrone Soup is based on the hearty classic Italian recipe that's loaded with beans, vegetables and pasta in a seasoned aromatic tomato broth!
45 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Soup
Sweet Potato Chili
This Sweet Potato Chili is basic in ingredients but sophisticated in flavor – it has a sweet smoky flavor & packed with a healthy dose of protein and fiber!
45 minutes
Salad
White Bean Salad Recipe
This white bean salad is made with canned white beans, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion tossed in a lemon vinaigrette.
10 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cauliflower Curry
This vegan Cauliflower Curry is the ultimate comfort dish bursting with robust Indian spices and sweetened with coconut milk! It’s a healthy easy dinner idea.
1 hour 5 minutes
Main Course
Tempeh Tacos
Full of flavor and quick to make, these tempeh tacos are a delicious meat-free alternative. Load them with your favorite toppings for a vegan taco that the whole family will love.
20 minutes
Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili
Hearty and filling, this black bean chili with quinoa is a meatless wonder! This bean chili is delicious and full of flavor!
50 minutes
Main Course
Farro Grain Bowl
Easy to make, these healthy fall grain bowls are made with farro, butternut squash and beets and tossed in a delicious balsamic dressing. Perfect for make ahead meals!
50 minutes
Main Course
Oven Roasted Chickpea Shawarma
Oven roasted chickpea shawarma is dairy-free and full of plant-based protein. Prepped and roasted in one pan, it's an easy weeknight dinner!
45 minutes
Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids
Main Course
Healthy Tuna Salad
This recipe for Healthy Tuna Salad is lightened up by using greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise; it has less calories and less fat, but is still so flavorful
15 minutes
Entree
Crispy Salmon Fish Sticks
These salmon fish sticks are coated in a creamy garlic sauce and crunchy breadcrumbs and then baked to perfection. They're flaky and delicious!
35 minutes
Appetizer, Sandwich
Pinwheel Sandwiches – 4 ways
Looking for lunch ideas? These pinwheel sandwich recipes are easy to make and have some untraditional fillings that are sure to be a hit.
10 minutes
Entree, Lunch
Baked Chicken Nuggets
These crispy baked chicken nuggets are dredged in seasoned panko bread crumbs, easy to make, and taste amazing!
35 minutes
Salad, Side Dish
Macaroni Egg Salad Recipe
This macaroni egg salad recipe is made with yogurt instead of mayo, with chopped hard-boiled eggs, celery, red onions, and pickle all tossed with elbow noodles in a creamy dressing.
27 minutes
Appetizer, Lunch, Snack
Pizza Muffins
These pizza muffins are stuffed with cheesy goodness! They are perfect bites of pizza to eat as a snack, appetizer or even dinner.
35 minutes
Main Course
Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
This Chicken Teriyaki Bowl is inspired by your favorite takeout but prepared with a homemade marinade and served with brown rice and broccoli
25 minutes
Soup
Easy White Chicken Chili
This white chicken chili is full of warm spices and ultra creamy! It's one of my favorite cold-weather recipes that tastes so good and fills you up.
55 minutes
High Protein Packed Lunch Ideas for Work
Dinner
Ground Beef and Broccoli
My Ground Beef and Broccoli is a play on traditional beef and broccoli just with the steak swapped out for ground beef! It's easy and budget-friendly!
25 minutes
Dinner, Pastas
Shrimp Lo Mein
My Shrimp Lo Mein is so easy to make and tastes just as good as takeout with shrimp, veggies, and noodles tossed in the best sauce!
50 minutes
Dinner, Entree
Creamy Cajun Chicken Recipe
This creamy Cajun chicken is made in one pan with seared chicken breasts that have been tossed in a Cajun seasoning. The pan bits are then turned into a creamy sauce to serve with rice, pasta or mashed potatoes.
45 minutes
Main Course
Chicken Shawarma Pita Pizza
This Shawarma pizza is made with Arabic-style pita that is layered with a tahini sauce and topped with chicken shawarma, tomatoes, onions, and a little mozzarella cheese.
40 minutes
Appetizer, Dinner, Entree
Lamb Meatball
These Lamb Meatballs are made with ground lamb and are full of Mediterranean flavor. Serve with an easy mint tzatziki sauce!
25 minutes
Dinner, Pastas
Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
You’ve probably tried cottage cheese in everything, but this lasagna is a must! Swapping ricotta for cottage cheese adds a creamy layer between meat sauce and pasta.
2 hours 20 minutes
How to Keep a Packed Lunch Good to Eat for Lunch Time
- Use insulated coolers: Invest in insulated lunch bags or containers to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results. This prevents bacterial growth and helps maintain safe temperatures.
- Keep cold foods chilled: If your lunch includes perishable items like salads, fruits, or yogurt, use ice packs or frozen water bottles to keep them cold until mealtime. Keep your lunch refrigerated if you have access to a fridge.
- Avoid prolonged storage: Try to consume your packed lunch within a few hours of preparation to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
- Use clean containers: Make sure all lunch containers, utensils, and surfaces are clean and free from any food residues before packing up your lunch.
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Meal Prepping Ideas, Easy Ideas for Everyday Breakfast, and Beginner Muffin Recipes.
If you found this recipe roundup for Packed Lunch Ideas helpful or if you try any recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipes! It helps others who are thinking of trying out this tutorial and we would love to hear about your experience. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
