Looking for some simple yet flavorful lunches? These recipes have no more than five ingredients (excluding staples like salt, pepper, and oil) for an easy yet nourishing midday meal. They are all lower in calories yet high in protein and/or fiber to help support weight loss and keep you satisfied longer. Try options like our Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes or our Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette for a delicious lunch that will help you reach your nutrition goals.
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Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes
Abbey Littlejohn
Cheese Dreams are nostalgic open-faced cheesy toasts—simple, satisfying and perfect for lunch. This version is inspired by a family favorite: juicy tomato slices layered under melted Cheddar cheese on crisp whole-wheat toast.
Watermelon-Peach Smoothie
Ali Redmond
Made with ripe watermelon and frozen peaches, this smoothie bursts with fruity flavor without the need for added sugar. Use frozen peaches from a bag or freeze your own ripe, in-season peaches for the best sweet and fruity flavor.
Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
Inspired by the classic warm party dip, this simple salad can be served up right away or divided into small lidded containers for a week of delicious lunches. To keep the hard-boiled eggs tasting fresh, we suggest adding them to your salad just before serving. or in the morning before packing your lunch to go.
English Muffin Pizza with Tomato & Olives
This pizza-inspired English muffin topped with tomato, cheese, olives and oregano does triple duty—it’s great as a snack or as part of a delicious breakfast or lunch.
Orange-Mango Smoothie
Ali Redmond
The vitamin C from the oranges helps support immune health, making this smoothie a great staple during cold and flu season. Plus, it tastes just like a creamsicle. If you don’t have almond milk, any other dairy or nondairy milk will work.
Cannellini Bean & Herbed Ricotta Toast
Herbed ricotta toast gets topped with cannellini beans and roasted red peppers for a colorful, tasty open-face sandwich. Simple, quick and flavorful, it makes a great option for an easy lunch.
Meal-Prep Vegan Lettuce Wraps
For this healthy lunch idea, we swap the traditional warm filling with a cold plant-based bean salad loaded with fresh herbs and lemon. Topping each lettuce leaf with a little quinoa before adding the filling helps to keep the wrap from getting soggy.
Zucchini Noodles with Quick Turkey Bolognese
Forgo regular pasta (and most of the carbs) for spiralized zucchini “noodles” in these make-ahead meals. The zoodles quickly turn tender-crisp as the veggie-packed Bolognese warms in the microwave.
Creamy Orange Peel Smoothie
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Tricia Manzanero, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This creamy smoothie makes the most of the entire orange—peel and all. In addition to cutting down on food waste, studies suggest that orange peel is a powerhouse for gut health, packed with fiber to nourish beneficial gut bacteria. We recommend fresh ginger for the best flavor.
Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich
Pack this sandwich for a delicious five-ingredient lunch. Healthy-fat-filled avocado gets mashed into a creamy, silky spread that is schmeared onto toasty nutty multigrain bread. Protein-rich chicken is layered with juicy antioxidant-rich tomato to make one satisfying sandwich.
Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu & Peanut Dressing
Prep four days’ worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four easy ingredients. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry.
Spicy Slaw Bowls with Shrimp & Edamame
The quick 10-minute Spicy Cabbage Slaw serves as the low-carb base in this veggie-packed lunch. Topped with high-protein edamame and shrimp, this satisfying lunch will help you power through the afternoon.
Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas
This high-fiber salad comes together in just 10 minutes. Using pre-shredded Brussels sprouts from the produce department and store-bought roasted chickpeas cuts down on prep time, making this tasty lunch convenient and satisfying.
Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie
Blend almond milk, strawberry and pineapple for a smoothie that’s so easy you can make it on busy mornings. A bit of almond butter adds richness and filling protein. Freeze some of the almond milk for an extra-icy texture.
Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna
This power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens it enough so you don’t need to massage or cook it to make it tender.
Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Ali Redmond
Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!
Couscous & Chickpea Salad
Cooked couscous and canned chickpeas come together in this quick lunch salad. The basil vinaigrette makes it taste anything but basic! When in season, we recommend adding fresh chopped tomatoes for a spin on tabbouleh.
Berry-Kefir Smoothie
Ana Cadena
Get a probiotic boost at breakfast when you add kefir to your smoothie. Feel free to use any berries and nut butter you have on hand in this healthy smoothie.
Marinara Meat Sauce Topped Baked Potato
Break out of your pasta routine by subbing in a baked potato in this simple and satisfying dinner for one.
Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions
These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table.
Spinach, Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie
Peanut butter and banana is a classic combo that’s even more delicious with the addition of tangy probiotic-rich kefir. Plus, this peanut butter banana smoothie helps you up your veggie servings for the day with a bit of mild-flavored spinach mixed in.
