When you’re working in an office, there’s plenty of reasons why ordering out is easier. Microwaving your chicken won’t result in the same level crispiness as the night before. Maybe your salad has already gone soggy. Or that roasted cauliflower you’re about to reheat is going to offend your coworkers. On the other hand, when you’re working from home, you might be tempted to skip lunch altogether—or if you’re like me, you just simply just forget to eat. Is it 3 o’clock already?
Looking on the bright side, lunch can be whatever you want it to be these days. It can be leftovers that you dress up or something entirely new—we just want it to be delicious, and not feel like a chore. The beauty of being home means you’ve got full access to your pantry, so use it to your advantage. We’re offering up 15 lunches to make while you’re working from home for those in need of a bit of inspiration.
Warm Chickpea Bowls with Lemony Yogurt
I’ve made this recipe so many times I’ve lost count. For an extra boost of protein, you can throw in some grilled chicken or just eat it as is. And whatever you can’t find (fennel, chile peppers) leave it out. We’re all about compromise.
Recipe by Bon Appetit
French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese
While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your standard grilled cheese sandwich, this is definitely one you’ll want to try. It uses a quick version of caramelized onions that are reduced in apple cider and herbs (just use apple juice or even chicken stock if you don’t have). It’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory and crunchy.
Recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Tomato Sourdough Soup (For One)
If you’re not trying to make enough soup for a family of five, this tomato soup is an ideal serving size. It also requires less than 10 ingredients, all which you probably have in your pantry already.
Recipe by My Name is Yeh
Stovetop Mac and Cheese
If you don’t know how to make a bechamel or simply don’t want to, this mac and cheese skips all that. But if you do have a little extra time to spare, the recipe suggests throwing this in the oven and topping it with buttery bread crumbs.
Recipe by The Kitchn
Rainbow Kale Power Salad with Peanut Dijon Dressing
Salads are the standard for lunches to make while you’re working from home, right? For a quick, healthy lunch try this crunchy rainbow kale salad that gets tossed in a tangy-sweet peanut and mustard dressing. You can throw whatever other vegetables you have into the mix and it’ll still be delicious.
Recipe by With Salt and Wit
Chilaquiles with Fried Eggs
Just because we’re in quarantine doesn’t mean we have to miss out on brunch. Chilaquiles are meant to be quick, easy and oh so satisfying—the only thing that takes some work is the sauce, but as Ina Garten would say, store-bought is fine. And if you don’t want to fry your own tortillas, use chips.
Recipe by A Cozy Kitchen
Spicy Brown Rice Seared Tuna Roll Bowl
This rice bowl is just like eating a giant piece of sushi, but deconstructed. It’s bright-tasting, super colorful and although the ingredients might be kind of ambitious (given the grocery store shortage), it’s worth the extra effort.
Recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Homemade Merguez with Herby Yogurt
Merguez is essentially a North African sausage, most popular in the Middle East and Europe. This recipe calls for lamb, but you can use whatever ground meat you have laying around or in the freezer (beef, pork, breakfast or Italian sausage). The end result is a falafel-ish crispy patty with a tangy yogurt sauce.
Recipe by Smitten Kitchen
Feel Better Chicken and Rice Soup
This is an updated take on that chicken soup your mom would make when you were sick, and it doesn’t have to cook all day. There’s a small amount of rice, but the soup stays brothy and the sweet potatoes keep you nice and full. Don’t skip the finishings here though, the lemon and soy sauce are key!
Recipe by Bon Appetit
Ham-Jam Sandwiches
Of all the 15 lunches to make while you’re working from home, this is by far the easiest. Softened butter and goat cheese are mixed together and then spread on a baguette (or whatever kind of bread you have), topped with prosciutto and is sandwiched between a layer of jam, any flavor you got will work.
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Alison Attenborough, Prop Stylist Thom Driver
Recipe by Food & Wine
Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
Joanna Gaines is good for more than just her work on “Fixer Upper.” The HGTV star is also a master in the kitchen. This recipe comes from her second cookbook and is perfect for a chilly, rainy, or any kind of day really.
Recipe by Magnolia/Joanna Gaines
Cauliflower Toasts
The almighty Ina Garten blessed us with this recipe for cauliflower toasts—not two words you’d expect to hear together. Once the cauliflower is cooked, it’s piled onto bread with mascarpone, gruyere cheese, prosciutto, nutmeg and spends a few minutes under the broiler. They’re finished with Parmesan, chives and flaky sea salt.
Recipe by Barefoot Contessa
Confit Tuna Sandwich
After watching Samin Nosrat make this for the MUNCHIES Youtube channel, I knew I had to make this. And I don’t even like tuna salad. It’s not the quickest thing to throw together but it’s also not totally outside the realm of possibility. I highly, highly recommend.
Recipe by Samin Nosrat
Brown Rice Cakes with Toppings
I’m a big fan of rice cakes. They make for a great blank slate for anything you want to put on top. Here are a couple ideas from Martha Stewart to get you started.
Recipe by Martha Stewart
Spaghetti Pangrattato with Crispy Eggs
While you’ve probably never heard of this dish, it’s basically just spaghetti that’s topped with a fried egg and finished with bread crumbs (or not). It’s comforting, kid-friendly and satisfies our never-ending carb craving.
Recipe by Smitten Kitchen
About the Author/s
Abby is The Digest's Managing Editor. She spends her time looking at dogs on Instagram and eating her way around Jersey City.
