Healthy Lunch Recipes

There is more to lunch than sandwiches and salads (and sometimes those aren't so bad, either). Food Network offers scrumptious ideas for home, school or the office.

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Broccoli Melts

These ooey-gooey vegetarian sandwich melts are made with broccolini and two kinds of cheese, but they clock in at just 261 calories and 12 grams of fat each.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Melts

Lemon-Herb Rice Salad

Fresh herbs, like mint and basil, add bursts of fresh flavor to this simple salad. Make sure you leave room for leftovers – the dish tastes even better the next day!

Get the Recipe: Lemon-Herb Rice Salad

Miso Soup

Forget take-out and the packaged stuff. Our Miso Soup is a cinch to make, and clocks in at just 115 calories per serving.

Get the Recipe: Miso Soup

Kale and Apple Salad

Antioxidant-rich kale is even better for you when eaten raw. Thin strips are softened in a light lemon dressing, then tossed with the savory-sweet blend of apple, dates, almonds and cheese. A little pecorino goes a long way in giving this nutritious salad a satisfying depth of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Kale and Apple Salad

Veggie Lover’s Club Sandwich

Stacked high with veggies, this sandwich is as appealing to look at as it is to eat. With luscious avocado spread and smoky tofu, there's no bacon or deli meat required.

Veggie Lover's Club Sandwich — Meatless Monday

California Grain Salad

This sunny salad can brighten up the dreariest desk lunch. Thanks to rice cereal, veggies and goat cheese, there’s a combination of flavors and textures to enjoy.

Get the Recipe: California Grain Salad

Vegetarian Chili

Beans and vegetables add a rich bite to this meatless chili. With fiery spices and a dash of hot sauce, it's guaranteed to power you through the afternoon.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

Israeli Couscous with Cherries

Gem-like fresh cherries, parsley, red onions and scallions make for a fresh and colorful salad when combined with Israeli couscous.

Get the Recipe: Israeli Couscous with Cherries

Pork and Broccoli Grain Bowl

A fresh, slightly spicy grain bowl adds a fun zing to your lunch break. The pork, quinoa and sweet potato combo are enough to keep you satisfied, but not so heavy that you’ll fall asleep at your desk.

Get the Recipe: Pork and Broccoli Grain Bowl

Sweet Potato Toast with Steak, Roasted Peppers and Arugula

Turn leftover steak into a bright and healthy, low-carb lunch with this sweet potato toast topped with sweet red peppers and spicy arugula.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Toast with Steak, Roasted Peppers and Arugula

Vegetable Noodle Soup

Make this childhood favorite in less than 20 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Vegetable Noodle Soup

Garden Egg Salad

Celery, radishes, romaine and sprouts add a heart-healthy crunch to this vegetarian lunch. Don’t skip the mustard in this egg salad — just a little bit adds loads of flavor!

Get the Recipe: Garden Egg Salad

Ellie's Tuscan Vegetable Soup

Packed with vegetables, beans and fresh herbs, Ellie’s soup makes for quick and healthy comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Vegetable Soup

Antipasti Penne

This healthy, budget-friendly pasta dinner is inspired by pricey antipasti platters. We love the spicy-garlicky flavor the soppressata brings — lots of bang for your buck!

Get the Recipe: Antipasti Penne

Spicy Chard Soup

Make a steaming pot of soup for dinner and pack the leftovers for lunch the next day.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Chard Soup

Crab and Avocado Salad

This fresh, California-style salad makes a hearty meal for lunch or dinner — to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy, pack the dressing separately and add it when you're ready to eat.

Get the Recipe: Crab and Avocado Salad

Smokey Salmon Lettuce Wraps

If you like bagels and lox, you'll love these cream cheese and smoked salmon wraps, made with lettuce instead of bagels.

Get the Recipe: Smokey Salmon Lettuce Wraps

Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

Trisha loves chickpeas because they’re similar in texture to black-eyed peas, a true Southern staple. She combines the high-fiber, high-protein beans with avocado, a little mayo and lime juice for a light, fresh salad that’s super-filling.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

Light Nicoise Salad

This salad is packed with briny olives, hearty tuna, tender potatoes and crunchy green beans, but it's lighter than the classic version, thanks to a slimmed-down homemade salad dressing.

Get the Recipe: Light Nicoise Salad

Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap

Cook zucchini on the grill or in a grill pan until tender and layer it with raw peppers, spinach, store-bought hummus and herbs for a nutrient-packed, packable lunch.

Get the Recipe: Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap

Lightened-Up Stuffed Peppers

White rice, lentils and ground beef bulk up the filling for this gluten-free lunch.

Get the Recipe: Lightened-Up Stuffed Peppers

Buddha Bowl

A Buddha bowl, grain bowl or harvest bowl is a healthy trend we can get behind! Balanced with lots of colorful produce plus healthy grains and proteins, Buddha bowls are fun to create and easy to make. Experimenting with different ingredients is encouraged!

Get the Recipe: Buddha Bowl

Veggie-Stacked Pita Pockets

Instead of cold cuts, try fresh veggies, cheese and smear of hummus on whole-grain pita bread — it will reignite your love for sandwiches.

Get the Recipe: Veggie-Stack Pita Pockets

Lemony Orzo Chicken Soup in a Jar

Trisha’s chicken soup is made for desk lunches. Stored in individual Mason jars, it’s the perfect grab-and-go option for busy weekdays.

Get the Recipe: Lemony Orzo Chicken Soup in a Jar

Shrimp and Snow Pea Salad

This is not your everyday salad. Mix shrimp, radishes and snow peas with crunchy sesame seeds and a rice vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Snow Pea Salad

Ellie's Herb Toasted Pita Salad

Ellie's homemade crouton variation tops this salad, featuring fresh herbs and a lemon-oil dressing.

Get the Recipe: Herbed Toasted Pita Salad