From comforting soups and stews you can make ahead to warm sandwiches for days at home, these lunch ideas are well-suited for winter afternoons. With four and five star reviews, these midday meals are comforting, healthy, and tasty. Recipes like our 10-Minute Tuna Melt and our Hearty Chickpea and Spinach Stew are sure to warm you up.
Tuna melt in 10 minutes
This twist on a classic sandwich uses mayonnaise, but not where you think! Mayonnaise is slathered on the outside of the sandwich in place of butter to make the sandwich golden and crispy when heated in a pan. Plain Greek yogurt replaces mayonnaise in the salad, along with crunchy celery, roasted red peppers and green onions, for a satisfying lunch with less saturated fat.
Instant Chicken Soup with Root Vegetables and Barley
Be sure to use bone-in chicken here: it enhances the flavor of the broth and the bones are easy to remove after cooking. This healthy chicken soup can be made in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
Hearty Chickpea and Spinach Stew
This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. The chickpea puree adds body to the broth and the tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium. To simplify preparation, look for chopped fresh onion and grated carrots or soup starter mix in the produce section.
Stuffed cabbage soup
Like stuffed cabbage? You will love this easy stuffed cabbage soup. It has all the classic flavors of stuffed cabbage without the hassle of stuffing. Plus, you can make this warming soup ahead of time or freeze it for later for a quick dinner or lunch.
Spinach and Raspberry Egg Scramble
This quick scrambled eggs recipe with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines protein-rich eggs and superfood raspberries with whole-grain toast and nutrient-rich spinach. Protein and fiber help fill you up and keep you going through the morning.
Butternut Squash Soup with Grilled Cheese and Apple Sandwiches
Layering apple slices into grilled cheese sandwiches adds a little crunch to your favorite soup. And the creamy butternut squash soup with ginger, cumin, and turmeric is a nice change of pace from the usual grilled cheese tomato soup. If you have a sensitive palate, you can reduce the spices. Make sure to use seasonal squash for the best squash flavor. Serve the duo for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner for the family. The soup keeps well in the refrigerator, so save any leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.
BLAT (bacon-lettuce-avocado-tomato sandwiches)
In this healthy BLT recipe, we use a creamy avocado spread flavored with garlic and basil, and add sprouts. Look for sprouted wheat bread in the frozen section or with other specialty breads at your grocery store.
Hearty Minestrone
This version of the classic Italian Minestrone soup is loaded with leeks, potatoes, beans, zucchini, spinach, and orzo, making it perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner on a cold night. ‘winter. To make a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth rather than chicken broth. Top each bowl with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for a burst of tangy flavor.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Kale
This healthy and easy soup is packed with vegetables, protein, and fiber to keep you full and energized. Serve this winter soup topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a side of garlic toast.
Spinach and Feta Turkey Meatballs with Herbed Quinoa
With a variety of flavors and textures (and 30 grams of protein!), these meal prep bowls will keep you energized all afternoon. Turkey meatballs with spinach and feta are adapted from Turkey burgers with spinach, feta and tzatziki by Hilary Meyer. Look for tzatziki prepared near your grocery store’s specialty cheeses and dips or make your own.
Cabbage and vegetable soup
Cabbage soup gets a boost of fiber and flavor with the addition of beans. A simple tomato broth is brightened by fresh herbs and lightly spiced by crushed red pepper. Serve with crusty bread.
Roasted Vegetable Bowls with Pesto for Meal Prep
Your coworkers will be jealous when you make this healthy lunch of roasted vegetables and brown rice. Pack 4 lunches when you have time and you’ll have on-the-go lunches (or ready-to-eat dinners) for several days – just grab a container on your way out the door in the morning.
Chicken Enchilada Soup
Corn tortillas thicken this chicken enchilada soup, but the cheddar and cream cheese give it the richness you expect from an enchilada. Serve it with something fresh and crunchy like a jicama salad dressed with a little olive oil and lime juice for a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual features of a taco salad, without the fried bowl. We’ve loaded it with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and avocado, plus an easy-to-drizzle hummus dressing.
One-Pot Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
This lentil and vegetable soup is loaded with kale and tomatoes for a hearty and flavorful main dish. If you have it, the parmesan rind adds a nutty flavor and gives body to the broth.
