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7 Easy Lunch Ideas When You're Short on Time

Busy weekdays often leave little time for lunch, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for boring or nutrient-poor meals. All you need is a few go-to recipes for quick and easy lunch ideas that are healthy, filling and use up leftovers from the fridge.

From sandwiches and wraps to fresh salads and snacks, these 7 fridge-to-fork, easy lunch recipes are perfect for busy families and time-poor professionals.

Why Quick Lunches Matter During Busy Weeks

Time-Saving, Family-Friendly Meals

Busy schedules mean lunch can easily lead to skipped meals or reaching for junk food. But with a bit of planning, easy lunch ideas can be satisfying, ready in minutes and fuel you and your family to make the most of every day.

Fridge-to-Fork Staples You Can Rely On

The best easy lunch options are made from simple ingredients you can rustle up from the fridge, such as bread, eggs, yoghurt, cheese and leftover vegetables.

 

7 Easy Lunch Ideas You Can Make in Minutes

These quick and easy lunches are proof that speedy doesn’t have to mean boring or unhealthy.

1. Cheesy Veggie Quesadillas

Keep tortillas on hand for this easy lunch recipe. Fry chopped vegetables in a pan until soft. Place a tortilla on a hot pan and fill one half with grated cheese and leftover vegetables. Carefully fold in half and cook on either side until bubbling, golden and melted. Serve with sour cream or salsa.

2. 5-Minute Egg Mayo Sandwiches

Boiling a few eggs at the beginning of the week and keeping them in the fridge is a handy hack for quick and easy lunches. Mash with mayonnaise and add chives, salt a little bit of mustard to taste. Sandwich between two slices of wholemeal or sourdough bread and serve with a side of salad.

3. Greek-Style Couscous Salad

Mix cooked couscous with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese and olives. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon and season with salt and pepper for a light but veggie-packed easy lunch recipe.

4. Hummus and Roasted Veg Wraps

Spread hummus on a wrap and add leftover roasted vegetables to create a tasty vegetarian wrap. Add roasted chickpeas seasoned with paprika for an extra veggie protein punch.

5. Speedy Tomato and Mozzarella Toasties

Spread tomato pasta or pizza sauce on both sides of the bread. Add torn mozzarella and basil in the middle. Butter the outsides of the sandwich and place it in a toastie machine or hot pan until golden.

6. Fruity Yogurt Pots with Nuts and Seeds

If you’re really short on time, grab some yoghurt from the fridge for a fast, easy lunch meal or snack at your desk. Layer greek yoghurt with fresh berries, nuts (such as almonds or brazil nuts) and seeds (such as chia seeds or sunflower seeds) for a fibre-filled last-minute lunch.

7. Leftover Chicken Pitta Pockets

Leftover chicken in the fridge? These leftover chicken pitta pockets are the perfect easy lunch solution. Shred the leftover chicken and mix with salad and a spoonful of yoghurt or mayonnaise. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder, then spoon into toasted pitta breads.

 

Quick Lunch Tips for Work or School

Plan Ahead with Batch Prep

Planning ahead can help make your week run more smoothly. It only takes a few minutes to cook grains such as quinoa, couscous or bulgar wheat to keep in the fridge and grab whenever you need.

Keep Your Fridge Stocked with Essentials

Produce such as cheese, eggs, tortilla wraps, and fresh vegetables make it easy to whip up fast and easy lunches whenever you need. Add these to your weekly shopping list to make lunchtimes a little easier.

 

Easy Lunches for Guests or Weekends

Sometimes weekends call for more extravagant meals. Why not try these easy lunch ideas for guests next time you’re hosting?

One-Tray Bakes and Deli Boards

One tray bakes are a great way of prepping a meal without lots of washing up. Add vegetables and chickpeas or chicken to a large baking tray and season with salt, pepper, dried oregano, red pepper flakes and olive oil. Roast until cooked and serve with salad.

Deli boards are also a great way of putting on an impressive spread without too much time or effort. Arrange bread, cheese, olives and charcuterie on a deli board and serve outside for an easy summer lunch that is sure to wow guests.

Fresh Salads with a Twist

Salads are also a great way of clearing out the fridge for a quick weekend lunch. Our go-to? A summer Nicoise salad: lettuce, tuna, olives, tomatoes, radishes, potatoes, green beans and steamed courgettes, served with a classic vinaigrette dressing.

Or, why not try our kombucha salad dressing recipe for a zingy twist on a fresh salad.

 

Stock Up on Lunch Essentials with Milk & More

Whether you’re looking for quick and easy lunches for work or show-stopping, easy lunch meals for guests, Milk & More has everything you need to make lunch more delicious.

Explore our full range of produce and check out the Besides the Pint blog for more meal-time inspiration.