30 Easy Packed Lunch Ideas To Satiate Your Midday Hunger

Make a big batch of this bow tie pasta salad at the beginning of the week and enjoy it for the subsequent afternoons to come! The colorful ingredients—peas, cubed ham, cheese, red bell pepper, and green onions—soak up the creamy dressing as the days go on, so it's ideal for making ahead of time.

Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.

It isn't a packed lunch without a tasty treat at the end! This homemade version of the popular prepackaged snack is sweet and satisfying, thanks to a tender wheat-blend dough and an easy dried fig filling.

Get the Fig Bars recipe.

SHOP BAKING PANS

Instead of pairing your sandwich with a bag of prepackaged chips, consider making your own at home to take the otherwise simple meal to new heights. They feature thinly sliced potatoes fried until crunchy and golden, then tossed in a spicy-sweet seasoning that you'll want to eat by the spoonful.

Get Ree's Homemade Potato Chips recipe.

Craving a salad without the inevitable sogginess? These antipasto skewers are just the thing! Each easy-to-assemble skewer features salami, cheese, and pickled veggies for a balanced and flavorful bite. Best of all, you can drizzle on the balsamic glaze right before you eat them so the skewers remain fresh.

Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.

Enjoy these sweet and salty peanut noodles when they're fresh and hot for dinner, and then pack the chilled leftovers for lunch the next day! The al-dente, peanut-infused noodles pair perfectly with shredded coleslaw mix, thawed edamame, and sliced green onion for added color and flavor.

Get the Peanut Noodles recipe.

SHOP MIXING BOWLS

Making a big batch of this BBQ chicken at the start of the week will keep your family happy for days! You can use the saucy, smoky chicken in different ways, like as a filling for sandwiches and wraps or as a topping for salads.

Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.

These healthy, lean meatballs are still packed with moisture and lots of flavor. You can stuff them in a pita pocket with tzatziki, lettuce, and tomato for a quick and easy weekday lunch.

Get the Turkey Meatballs recipe.

Spending money at popular fast-casual spots for lunch can quickly add up, but this homemade recipe is an easy swap. It's just like the build-your-own bowls will tons of veggies, chicken, and mix-ins over wild rice and greens.

Get the Harvest Bowls recipe.

This salad might remind you of an elegant sit-down lunch, but it's just as easy to pack up on the go. In fact, it would make a perfect picnic lunch when served in crisp lettuce cups.

Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.

This recipe combines two popular salads—creamy chicken salad and hearty Cobb salad—on one tasty sandwich with sourdough bread. There's even bacon, avocado, and blue cheese.

Get Ree's Cobb Chicken Salad recipe.

SHOP FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS

Quick sheet pan salmon with a flavorful spicy-sweet marinade is the perfect topping for these healthy rice bowls. The heat from the sriracha is cooled by adding slices of cucumber and avocado.

Get the Spicy Salmon Rice Bowls recipe.

Don't be fooled by the name, these sausage and egg burritos can be served for brunch, lunch, or anything in between. Once you wrap them up in foil, you can store them in the refrigerator for two days and simply warm them up to reheat.

Get Ree's Breakfast Burritos to Go recipe.

This recipe is as simple as it gets! The star of the sandwich is the juicy, seasonal tomatoes but the herby garlic aioli is just as good.

Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.

Like a mix between a taco and a pita pocket, gorditas are homemade corn tortillas stuffed with flavorful pulled pork. Of course, you can also switch up the fillings with leftover steak, chicken, or anything else you have handy.

Get the Gorditas recipe.

Making salad on a stick will ensure that you never have soggy greens again! The skewers are filled with all the classic ingredients of a Chef's salad and the ranch dressing can be kept on the side for dipping.

Get the Chef's Salad on a Stick recipe.

SHOP SKEWERS

Not only is this sandwich stacked high with sliced deli meats and cheese, but it's also great for making ahead. Build the sandwich the day before, wrap tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and stash in the refrigerator overnight.

Get the Italian Sandwich recipe.

This deli lunch mash-up combines the best of pasta salad with the flavors of chicken salad. It's creamy, flavorful, and perfect for an office meal or picnic.

Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.

Quiche is a great lunch idea because it tastes just as good at room temperature as it does warm. Pack a slice of quiche with a side salad for a meal that's way better than store-bought!

Get the Spinach Quiche recipe.

Everyone will be asking where you got this creative salad idea. It's got cheesy, crunchy goodness of croutons and parmesan tossed with hearty chicken and noodles.

Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.

Swap your typical sliced bread sandwich for something a little more exciting, like this ham sandwich served on focaccia bread. Even the mayo gets an upgrade with the addition of pesto.

Get Ree's Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo recipe.

SHOP LUNCH BOXES