17 Meal Prep Recipes for Easy Lunches

Meal prepping is all the craze right now, but is it worth the hard work? Prepping every single meal and dinner in advance can be difficult, but if you focus on simpler, lighter fare, you can end up with a week full of no-fuss lunches for work, campus, home, or nature hikes. These meal prep recipes for lunch are tailored specifically for hot and cold lunches and require simple ingredients. From meal prep meatballs to pasta salads, you’ll have all the veggies, carbs, and proteins to get you going. Enjoy!

by Nina L. Palmer

Nina L. Palmer

Nina Palmer is a recipe developer and editor for Eatwell101 since 2013. She is passionate about food and culture and specializes in sweet recipes, desserts, baking, as well as developing editorial content.

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Updated Mar 14, 2025

1. Meal Prep Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Cauliflower Rice

These delicious chicken meatballs are easy to put together for the ultimate high protein meal prep lunch.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

2. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Meal Prep

This Tuscan chicken meal prep recipe is a restaurant quality lunch ready in 30 minutes or less
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

3. 15 Minute Meal Prep Garlic Butter Steak with Zucchini Noodles

Tender, juicy and so flavorful: Every bite of this easy meal prep recipe is simply sensational!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

4. 15-Minute Pepper Steak Stir Fry Meal Prep

This meal prep pepper steak stir-fry recipe tastes better than take-out. You'll love our pepper steak stir-fry meal prep!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

5. Shrimp Meal-Prep with Zucchini Noodles

Shrimp Meal Prep with Zucchini Noodles! A healthy lime garlic shrimp made with zucchini noodles and fresh salsa in 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

6. Meal Prep – Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potato

The chicken and sweet potato roasted to crisp perfection are perfect for meal prepping throughout the week.
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

7. Creamy Broccoli Salad Meal Prep

A light and filling broccoli salad meal prep that’s easy to pull together with the beautiful and fresh combinations of fresh broccoli, savory bacon, and creamy dressing. This broccoli salad is easy to make and full of bright flavors!
Cooking time: 5 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

8. Meal Prep Cajun Shrimp and Veggies

This easy Meal Prep shrimp recipe with veggies is a spicy one-pan recipe that’s ready in just 20 minutes and perfect for meal prepping!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

9. Meal-Prep Salmon and Asparagus in (15-Minute )

This easy salmon meal prep recipe is a great way to guide yourself into a healthier lifestyle.
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

10. Meal Prep Chicken Spinach Cauliflower Salad

This meal prep chicken spinach and cauliflower salad is light, delicious, and super easy to make. Perfect to make ahead for lunch!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

11. Chickpea Quinoa Salad Meal Prep

This chickpea quinoa salad meal prep is full of good-for-you ingredients, and so easy to prepare!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

12. Meal Prep Chicken Patties & Veggie Salad

These meal prep chicken patties are so easy to put together and make the perfect protein addition to your meal prep lunch!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

13. Creamy Spinach Chicken Meal Prep with Zucchini Noodles

This spinach chicken meal prep recipe is colorful, packed full of flavor, and ready in 30 minutes or less!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

14. Meal Prep Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles

Cheesy, juicy and so flavorful: Every bite of this easy chicken meal prep recipe is simply sensational!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

15. Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad Meal-Prep

This spinach chicken pasta salad meal prep makes a healthy, satisfying lunch on the go. You can make this amazing chicken pasta salad in less than 15 minutes flat!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

16. Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Enjoy an inexpensive and well-balanced lunch option for all week long.
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

17. Spring Roll Meal Prep Bowls for the Week

Eating great all week is as easy as opening the fridge!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

Have you made any of these meal prep recipes for lunch? Please share on your social media using our hashtag #eatwell101!