Make it easier to feed yourself, even through your busiest days, with the best easy mom lunch ideas. Each of these can be prepped ahead or made in minutes—and is yummy, nutritious, and seriously satisfying.
I know firsthand how hard it can be to feed myself in the day-to-day busy life as a mom, so these recipes are here to make it a little easier for me—and for you. Below you’ll find a range of lunch ideas that work for us busy moms to eat at home, to pack for work or a day out of the house, or to grab and enjoy whenever we have a sliver of time.
Each can be made quickly or can be meal prepped ahead of time so they are ready and waiting in the fridge for lunchtime. Each has nutrition, including protein and fiber, to help keep us full longer, as well as a mix of flavors, textures, and veggies.
(You may also like Postpartum Freezer Meals and my go-to Mango Overnight Oats that are I love to make ahead for an easy breakfast.)
Table of Contents
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Easy Salad Wrap
This Salad Wrap is versatile, filling, nutritious, and the best combo of flavors and textures. It can be prepped ahead of time and stored until you need it without any of the ingredients wilting.
Focaccia Sandwich Recipe
It’s versatile, filling, delicious, and is a much less expensive version of an Italian sandwich that I might buy at the store…and just tastes SO good.
Easy Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
I love a good quinoa salad and I particularly love how easy they are to make ahead of time and grab whenever I need a fast meal for myself. This version, which features tender quinoa, crunchy cucumbers and shredded carrots, protein (and fiber!) packed beans, and creamy cheese, is a perfect mix of textures and nutrition.
Easy Farro Salad
The beauty of this salad is that you can make it ahead of time, it stores so well, and that it’s versatile. Which means you can change the cheese or omit it completely, swap the vegetables for ones you happen to have on hand, and vary the dressing.
Favorite Salmon Salad Sandwich
It’s a protein-packed riff on tuna salad that’s mild in flavor and includes a nice dose of the healthy fats our kids need for proper brain development.
Vegetarian Hummus Wraps
I love a good wrap for kids, and this one is so, so easy and satisfying. You can use store-bought or homemade hummus and add any veggies or cheeses you like.
Easy Quinoa Patties
With just a few ingredients, including quinoa, broccoli, cheese, and eggs, and a super fast method that allows you to make a batch in under 10 minutes, these are a favorite meal to share with the kids.
Best Easy Pasta Salad
The beauty of this method is you can swap ingredients and dressings in an out to make it your own. You can make the Easy Pasta Salad recipe more or less complicated as you like.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
With just a few ingredients and a super simple method, you can make the yummiest Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad as an easy meal to share with the kids.
Yogurt Flatbread (2 Ingredients)
You can mix together this bread dough and have the whole thing ready to eat in under 20 minutes. There’s no waiting for it to rise or rest and no need for yeast. It’s similar to naan bread in flavor and texture and can be used in similar ways.
How to Store
Each lunch can be prepped ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for about 5 days so you can enjoy them all week. Look at each individual recipe for the specifics on the storage for each recipe.
Best Tips for Success
- Go with the portion that you prefer to satisfy your own unique hunger.
- Add a side of fruit or dessert as you prefer.
- Try my favorite Bentgo Meal Prep Containers for easy packed lunches in a container that is affordable and easy to clean.
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