37 Make-Ahead Lunch Recipes To Last You All Week
Updated: Oct. 31, 2022When you don't have time to cook your meals each morning, these make-ahead recipes are the answer. Cook them on Sunday, divide them into containers and enjoy delicious, homemade lunches all week long!
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Grilled Steak Fajitas
This tasty main dish is as quick and easy to assemble as tacos. Marinating the meat overnight makes it very tender.
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Shredded Chicken Gyros
Pack this tasty filling in a container with a pita & toppings and roll up a tasty gyro at your desk!
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Pepperoni Pizza Loaf
Bake up this loaded, golden pizza loaf on Sunday and enjoy slices for lunch all week!
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Cashew-Chicken Rotini Salad
This bright salad is refreshing and satisfying, and easy to make ahead.Try one of these other cold lunch ideas, too.
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Honey-Lime Roasted Chicken
It’s hard to believe this finger-licking main course starts with only five ingredients. The chicken is easy, light and so good.
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Quinoa Turkey Chili
This hearty, heart-healthy chili can be easily portioned out and warmed up for lunches.
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Chicken Salad
This recipe is great to make ahead for busy days. Serve with some crackers or toast for a complete meal.Featured: The Container Store stainless steel divided-to-go containers ($17)
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Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad
Pack this savory beef and crisp asparagus in a container with lettuce or cooked rice.
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Crustless Spinach Quiche
Wrap up slices of this veggie-filled quiche and enjoy them warmed or at room temperature for lunch!
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Mediterranean Bulgur Salad
Pack up this delicious vegetarian salad as it is or add chicken or tofu for extra protein.
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Spinach and Cheese Lasagna Rolls
These Italian-inspired roll-ups are fast and fun to make. They may look elegant, but they are also very kid-friendly.
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Lime Chicken Tacos
This slow-cooked taco filling can be easily portioned out for the week, packed with a soft tortilla and sour cream on the side!
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Italian Apricot-Pancetta Strata
This beautiful strata is packed with wholesome ingredients and is a perfect make-ahead, midday meal.
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Turkey Dumpling Stew
Simmered on Sunday, this flavorful stew makes for warm and satisfying lunches all week.
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Chicken Crescent Wreath
This crescent ring slices up easily into portable portions for the week.
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Gingered Spaghetti Salad
We love this chilled chicken salad brimming with colorful veggies. Make it meatless by omitting the chicken and tossing in more edamame. —Cindy Heinbaugh, Aurora, Colorado
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Pan-Roasted Chicken & Vegetables
This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
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Deli Pasta Salad
The recipe comes together quickly, is easily divided up for lunches, and requires no reheating!
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Garlicky Chicken Pizza
Pizza for lunch is always a treat, and this homemade version is way better than leftover delivery pizza.
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Asparagus Swiss Quiche
Fresh asparagus stars along with bacon, onion and Swiss cheese in this hearty quiche. —Mary Ann Taylor, Rockwell, Iowa
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Bacon Macaroni Salad
A BLT is a lunchtime classic, and this tempting salad is like having a BLT in a bowl.
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Wintertime Braised Beef Stew
This easy beef stew is incredibly rich. Since it's even better a day or two later, you may want to make a double batch. —Michaela Rosenthal, Woodland Hills, California
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Italian Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Slow-cooked pulled pork is a cinch to make ahead for hearty sandwiches all week.
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Gnocchi with White Beans
This vegetarian dish is substantial on its own, but add sausage or shredded chicken for even more protein.
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Colorful Quinoa Salad
As well as being delicious and perfect for lunch, this salad is gluten and dairy-free.
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Hearty Paella
I had paella for the first time in Spain. It was so good that I've been on the quest to re-create the rich flavors ever since. We love the shrimp, chicken, veggies and olives in this easy homemade version. —Libby Walp, Chicago, Illinois
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Roasted Kielbasa & Vegetables
Pack a side of cooked pasta or a soft breadstick for a warm and savory meal!
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Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup
This is my favorite tortellini soup recipe. It's quick to fix on a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. It originally called for spicy sausage links, but I've found that turkey sausage, or even ground turkey breast, is just as good. —Tracy Fasnacht, Irwin, Pennsylvania
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Stromboli Sandwich
You can swap in your favorite deli meats to customize this yummy, make-ahead lunch.
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Shredded Pork Burritos
This pork roast is slow-cooked with savory and sweet ingredients, including a can of cola, to create tender shredded pork burritos. A tomatillo sauce, made easy with a dressing mix, tops the pork for an out-of-this-world entree. —Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah
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Vegetarian Linguine
This meat-free dish is loaded with veggies and Parmesan cheese, and makes a filling midday meal.
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Southwestern Goulash
I had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn't want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio
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Mom's Swedish Meatballs
In less than an hour you can make these savory meatballs with pasta to enjoy all week!
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Slow-Cooked Pork Tacos
This wonderful taco filling also tastes great wrapped in Bibb lettuce leaves. I like to use any leftovers to make burritos the next day. —Kathleen Wolf, Naperville, Illinois
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Santa Fe Chili
Packed with protein this chili makes for hearty lunches to get you through the week.
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Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes
This tangy sandwich filling is so easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and it goes over well at gatherings large and small. I frequently take it to potlucks, and I'm always asked for my secret ingredient. —Marylou LaRue, Freeland, Michigan[skyword_trackin
Originally Published: October 15, 2019
