The ever-evolving landscape of remote work has redefined our daily routines, introducing a new set of dynamics and challenges. While the flexibility and comfort of working from home are undeniable, it also presents unique situations, especially when it comes to midday meals. The traditional office lunch break has transformed, and we now find ourselves facing the task of creating quick, satisfying, and wholesome lunches within the confines of our home offices.
As remote work continues to redefine our daily routines, it's essential to acknowledge the significance of midday meals in our lives. These quick and wholesome lunch ideas not only save time but also nourish both body and mind, empowering you to make the most of your home office experience. By investing just a few minutes in meal preparation, you can enjoy delicious, homemade lunches that cater to your dietary preferences and invigorate your workday. The advantage of efficient meal planning when working from home is evident—more time to savour your lunch break, more energy to fuel your productivity, and more opportunities to savour the joys of thoughtful home cooking.
Here, we have collected a selection of delicious midday meal ideas designed to elevate your home office lunch break. These quick solutions, all achievable in under 20 minutes, are not only convenient but also nourishing, homemade meals that can refresh your workday.
Toast is such a versatile canvas for creativity. Our creamy and comforting toast recipes combine simple ingredients like peas, beans, avocado, and mushrooms with flavourful sauces and spices. These toasts offer a quick and satisfying way to elevate your lunch, providing a cosy and wholesome midday meal experience.
Forget avocado on toast, and make this simple, speedy creamy peas on toast recipe for a protein-packed breakfast, lunch or brunch, using just a handful of ingredients. Serve with sautéed mushrooms and a sprinkle of chilli flakes for an extra kick.
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This harissa butter beans on toast is the ultimate simple breakfast recipe packed full of flavour. The creamy harissa sauce tastes delicious mixed with the garlicky fried butter beans. We love to serve this on some toasted sourdough, with a pinch of chilli flakes and some fresh parsley.
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This avocado & mushrooms on toast is a great, simple breakfast to make on mornings where you fancy something a little special. The avocado base is deliciously creamy and tastes amazing topped with the garlicky mushrooms and crunchy pine nuts.
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These tahini tomatoes on toast are the perfect meal to make when you want something a little more special that you can pull together quickly. The tahini and olive oil create a creamy sauce for the tomatoes, while the garlic and lime juice add a delicious flavour.
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Roasted chickpeas are one of our favourite things to make and add a delicious crunch to creamy avocado on toast. We love to roast them in olive oil and cumin - but paprika, chilli powder and even cayenne pepper all work great too.
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We’re giving the humble beans on toast a makeover with this hearty homemade version. This recipe wins hands down when it comes to flavour, texture and simplicity — a great brunch, lunch or weeknight dinner.
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Super quick and versatile with minimum prep. Garlic and ginger are the only things you need to chop! These creamy, flavourful chickpeas are great on toast or with cooked grains. Feel free to play around with toppings. We’ve suggested basil, tahini & sesame seeds, but lots of things will work.
View RecipeQuick and flavourful noodles are perfect for remote workers looking for a convenient lunch option. These recipes transform basic instant noodles into gourmet dishes by adding fresh ingredients and flavourful sauces. These recipes prove that a satisfying and flavourful lunch is just minutes away.
Whip up this satisfying, budget-friendly peanut noodle dish for a quick and easy midweek meal. The Asian-inspired recipe takes just 20 minutes to make, so it’s great for busy days.
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This zero-fuss noodle dish takes just 15 minutes from prep to plate. Flavoured with chilli, maple syrup, tamari and spring onions and packed with nourishing vegetables, it’s great for busy weeknights.
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We love almond butter on almost anything, and this stir-fry is no exception. Noodles are mixed with vibrant, crunchy vegetables in a creamy almond butter and tamari sauce. A quick, easy and satisfying supper or lunch. Feel free to substitute any noodles or vegetables you like.
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These miso mushroom coconut noodles are our idea of heaven. A creamy flavoursome broth loaded with spring onions, sesame seeds and chilli flakes. They really take just 15 minutes or so to make, we think you'll love them too.
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These green miso noodles are a quick and simple recipe for a busy day. The creamy green sauce is full of flavour thanks to coriander, cashews, sunflower seeds and miso. We've kept this recipe simple, but you can easily add any veg that you have at home.
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Move over ready-made instant noodles, this healthy DIY version is ready in 15 minutes. Pack the ingredients into a heatproof lidded jar and you’re all set for a flavoursome workday lunch or speedy supper.
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Make this your go-to lunch on a hot summer day. Flavourful, fresh and satisfying, this noodle salad combines a zesty lime dressing with crunchy vegetables and protein-rich tofu. This recipe uses leftovers from day 1 of the plan.
View RecipeHigh-protein bowls offer a balanced and nutritious midday meal. These recipes focus on providing a substantial amount of protein, often combined with colourful vegetables and grains. They are designed to keep you energised and satisfied throughout your work-from-home day, offering a quick and nourishing solution to your lunchtime needs. These recipes are perfect for a plant-powered midday boost.
Looking for a simple way to pack more protein into your diet? This nutritious bowl is the answer. It’s brimming with plant-based protein sources including black beans, quinoa, edamame beans and tahini — and will be on the table in just 10 minutes.
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It takes just five minutes to make this salad that’s high in protein and packed with fibre. It’s a sure-fire way to keep your blood sugar levels stable all day.
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This quick and easy lunch makes the perfect midweek meal.
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Eat the rainbow with this buddha bowl that’s bursting with flavour — a base of quinoa is topped with colourful vegetables and spicy black beans.
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This salad is filled with so much texture and flavour. The creamy tahini dressing coats the fresh leaves, with the crunch of the crispy roasted chickpeas and the soft avocado bringing it all together so nicely. We love to serve this with hummus, but it's also delicious on its own.
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Using only a handful of ingredients, these spicy smashed chickpeas are a go-to for speedy meals. We love them piled onto avocado on sourdough toast.
View RecipeThese recipes are great for creating hearty and flavourful handheld lunches, showcasing how simple ingredients like chargrilled broccoli or a chickpea 'tuna' salad can be transformed into delicious sandwiches or pittas. These options offer a quick and satisfying way to enjoy a wholesome midday meal without sacrificing flavour or nutrition.
For an easy lunch, try these chargrilled broccoli pittas. With maple- and chilli-toasted chickpeas and walnuts and tahini yoghurt, they’re big on flavour but light on prep time. You can swap the broccoli for any quick-to-cook veg — courgettes, mushrooms and asparagus all work well too.
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Super easy to make and packed with protein, this is the ultimate plant-based sandwich filling. The crushed chickpeas give a ‘tuna’ texture and the combination of nori, nutritional yeast and lemon add to the wonderful savoury flavour.
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This is one of my favourite recipes; I love its simplicity and the mix of flavours. The yoghurt with fresh mint is light and creamy, while the pan-fried harissa tofu adds real depth and spice. Adding a squeeze of lemon brings it all together.
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We recently made kimchi in the office and have been obsessed ever since - it's such a great addition to any sandwich or salad. This avocado & kimchi toastie works perfectly if you're feeling like a savoury breakfast. The creaminess of the avocado pairs amazingly with the sharpness of the kimchi and lemon juice.
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These chickpea stuffed pittas are a delicious change to a sandwich or salad on working from home days. The chickpeas are cooked with red onion, red pepper and paprika with some creamy tahini and lemon juice bringing it all together. We love to serve them in toasted pittas but wraps also work great.
View RecipeIn the realm of nutrient-rich salads, we emphasise the importance of nourishing your body with vibrant and wholesome ingredients. These salads are a celebration of colour, flavour, and nutritional value. They showcase the versatility of salads, combining ingredients like quinoa, orzo, fresh herbs, and a variety of vegetables to create a symphony of taste and texture. These recipes are designed to provide a quick, refreshing, and healthful midday meal, ensuring that your work-from-home lunch is both satisfying and nutritious.
Tucking into this fresh crunchy rainbow salad will no doubt fill work colleagues with envy. The addition of mint, pomegranate and pistachios takes a simple salad up a notch, making it a brilliant workday lunch that’s worth getting excited for.
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This fresh, vibrant Greek-inspired salad comes together in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect midweek meal. The tofu adds a hit of protein, while the mix of veg adds brilliant flavour, with a lovely saltiness from the olives. Orzo keeps well too, so the leftovers serve as a great on-the-go lunch the next day.
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Need a nutritious meal in a hurry? This super simple savoury-sweet quinoa salad comes together in under 20 minutes and it’s packed with flavour.
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This is such a simple salad to make for lunch during a busy week. The balsamic and olive oil bring the flavours together and taste delicious with the fresh tomatoes and parsley. We love to enjoy this with a side of fresh rocket drizzled in balsamic vinegar and our butter bean and artichoke dip.
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This vibrant pasta salad looks and tastes like sunshine on a plate. The creamy tofu-based sauce is made with turmeric, lemon and mustard; then tossed with pasta, yellow peppers and sweetcorn — full of flavour and ready in 20 minutes. Bellissimo!
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Looking for a tasty dish, guaranteed to power you through a busy day? This quick and easy salad is big on flavour and combines protein, healthy fats and fibre, leaving you feeling satisfied and full of energy.
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This salad screams summer. The zesty, olive oil brings all of the ingredients together, while the acidity from the artichokes taste amazing with the garlicky sourdough.
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This salad is so fresh and vibrant. It's the perfect dish to serve at any family sharing style dinner and tastes delicious next to roasted aubergine, big bowls of hummus, baba ganoush and fresh cucumber infused water.
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This simple salad is packed full of flavour and fresh ingredients. We love to make a big batch of our roasted almond pesto and mix it through, but you can use whatever pesto you have at home.
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