16 of our favourite healthy lunch options
Whether 'wfh' or heading into the office, our healthy lunch options will trump that soggy clingfilmed sandwich any day..
Whether you're working from home, heading into the office or just looking for a healthy lunch option for the weekend, we have plenty of recipes you'll enjoy, and most only need around 20 minutes to be left with a substantial and healthy lunchtime meal.
We've got recipes from speedy pasta, heartwarming soups, filling salads and all make great leftovers the next day, too.
For more healthy recipe options, take a look at our best healthy recipes, including some decadent desserts lower in calories for guilt-free enjoyment.
Smoked Salmon Poke Bowl
This speedy poke bowl only takes 35mins in total. Feel free to use any smoked fish you like (we also love smoked mackerel or cod in its place).
Recipe: Smoked Salmon Poke Bowl
Grated Tofu 'Chorizo' Tacos
Use shop-bought guac and salsa to save even more time on these delicious tofu tacos.
Recipe: Grated Tofu 'Chorizo' Tacos
Smoked mackerel couscous salad
We love couscous here at GH and this giant version is ready in 6-8 minutes, served with smoked mackerel fillets and tenderstem broccoli it's a very hearty and healthy option for lunch.
Recipe: Smoked mackerel couscous salad
Chunky pea and tortellini soup
This vibrant and hearty pea and tortellini soup is ready in only 20 minutes and you can add your favourite filled pasta so customise as you please!
Recipe: Chunky pea and tortellini soup
Halloumi salad
Creamy hummus and mouthwatering halloumi make this salad feel indulgent, but it comes in at just 402 calories per serving.
Recipe: Halloumi salad
Pork & Mushroom Yaki Udon
We love this speedy pork and mushroom noodle dish, ready in 35mins.
Recipe: Pork & Mushroom Yaki Udon
Courgette and goat's cheese tortilla
Ditch your shop-bought baguette in favour of a hearty slice of this tasty tortilla.
Bean and bacon stew
If the cold weather leaves you craving comfort food, then look no further than this lovely smoky bean and bacon stew.
Recipe: Bean and bacon stew
Chicken and bean soup
Try this chunky, main course soup to fill you up with goodness for the afternoon.
Recipe: Chicken and bean soup
Chicken and chickpea salad
A salad that’s super versatile – change it up by adding any leftover meat or veg from last night’s dinner.
Recipe: Chicken and chickpea salad
Mexican quinoa wrap
With a Mexican-style flavour and filling wholesome quinoa, we seriously doubt you’ll find a shop-bought wrap as tasty or nutritious as this!
Recipe: Mexican quinoa wrap
Prawn noodle salad
For a fishy feast that doesn’t require any cooking, whip up this colourful Thai-style salad.
Recipe: Prawn noodle salad
Green goat's cheese gnocchi
Pre-made gnocchi is a staple in our kitchen and always makes the speediest lunches. This one is mixed with a vibrant spinach and pea sauce and topped with crumbled goat's cheese. The perfect lunchtime option.
Recipe: Green goat's cheese gnocchi
Fruit and nut lentil stew
Packed with flavour, this wholesome veggie stew is nourishing and amazingly simple to make.
Recipe: Fruit and nut lentil stew
Speedy chicken risotto
Needing only 20 minutes in total, this speedy chicken, pea and garlic 'risotto' is perfect for time-poor people. It makes great leftovers the next day, too.
Recipe: Speedy chicken risotto
Feta and mint couscous salad
With protein, carbs and plenty of veggies, this nourishing dish takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
Recipe: Feta and mint couscous salad
An experienced and highly skilled team of food writers, stylists and digital content producers, the Good Housekeeping Cookery Team is a close-knit squad of food obsessives. Cookery Editor Emma Franklin is our resident chilli obsessive and barbecue expert, who spends an inordinate amount of time on holidays poking round the local supermarkets seeking out new and exciting foods. Senior Cookery Writer Alice Shields is a former pastry chef and baking fanatic who loves making bread and would have peanut butter with everything if she could. Her favourite carb is pasta, and our vibrant green spaghetti is her weeknight go-to. Lover of all things savoury, Senior Cookery Writer Grace Evans can be found eating crispy corn and nocellara olives at every opportunity, and will take the cheeseboard over dessert any time (though she cannot resist a slice of tres leches cake). With a wealth of professional kitchen know-how, culinary training and years of experience between them, they are all dedicated to ensuring every Good Housekeeping recipe is the best it can be, so you can trust they’ll work (and if they don’t – we’ll have the answer for why*) every time (*90% of the time the answer is: “buy an separate oven thermometer”!).
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