These are our favourite healthy lunch recipes

The Good Housekeeping Cookery Team
·3-min read
best healthy lunches
The best healthy packed lunch recipes Hearst Owned

Whether you're working from home, heading into the office or just looking for a healthy lunch option for the weekend, we have plenty of recipes you'll enjoy, and most only need around 20 minutes to be left with a substantial and healthy lunchtime meal.

We've got recipes from speedy pasta, heartwarming soups, filling salads and all make great leftovers the next day, too.

For more healthy recipe options, take a look at our best healthy recipes, including some decadent desserts lower in calories for guilt-free enjoyment.


Chunky pea and tortellini soup

This vibrant and hearty pea and tortellini soup is ready in only 20 minutes and you can add your favourite filled pasta so customise as you please!

Recipe: Chunky pea and tortellini soup

pea and tortellini soup
Hearst Owned


Smoked Salmon Poke Bowl

This speedy poke bowl only takes 35mins in total. Feel free to use any smoked fish you like (we also love smoked mackerel or cod in its place).

Recipe: Smoked Salmon Poke Bowl

best healthy lunches
Alex Luck - Hearst Owned


Grated Tofu 'Chorizo' Tacos

Use shop-bought guac and salsa to save even more time on these delicious tofu tacos.

Recipe: Grated Tofu 'Chorizo' Tacos

best healthy lunches
Alex Luck - Hearst Owned


Smoked mackerel couscous salad

We love couscous here at GH and this giant version is ready in 6-8 minutes, served with smoked mackerel fillets and tenderstem broccoli it's a very hearty and healthy option for lunch.

Recipe: Smoked mackerel couscous salad

smoked mackerel salad
Hearst Owned


Halloumi salad

Creamy hummus and mouthwatering halloumi make this salad feel indulgent, but it comes in at just 402 calories per serving.

Recipe: Halloumi salad

Food, Cuisine, Dishware, Fluid, Tableware, Drinkware, Liquid, Salad, Glass, Serveware,
Food, Cuisine, Dishware, Fluid, Tableware, Drinkware, Liquid, Salad, Glass, Serveware,


Pork & Mushroom Yaki Udon

We love this speedy pork and mushroom noodle dish, ready in 35mins.

Recipe: Pork & Mushroom Yaki Udon

best healthy lunches
gh - Hearst Owned


Courgette and goat's cheese tortilla

Ditch your shop-bought baguette in favour of a hearty slice of this tasty tortilla.

Recipe: Courgette and goat's cheese tortilla

Food, Ingredient, Dish, Meal, Dishware, Tableware, Serveware, Recipe, Breakfast, Produce,
Food, Ingredient, Dish, Meal, Dishware, Tableware, Serveware, Recipe, Breakfast, Produce,


Bean and bacon stew

If the cold weather leaves you craving comfort food, then look no further than this lovely smoky bean and bacon stew.

Recipe: Bean and bacon stew

Food, Cuisine, Dish, Ingredient, Dishware, Tableware, Recipe, Kitchen utensil, Bowl, Produce,
Food, Cuisine, Dish, Ingredient, Dishware, Tableware, Recipe, Kitchen utensil, Bowl, Produce,


Chicken and bean soup

Try this chunky, main course soup to fill you up with goodness for the afternoon.

Recipe: Chicken and bean soup

Food, Cuisine, Bread, Dish, Ingredient, Meal, Brown bread, Tableware, Serveware, Soup,
Food, Cuisine, Bread, Dish, Ingredient, Meal, Brown bread, Tableware, Serveware, Soup,


Chicken and chickpea salad

A salad that’s super versatile – change it up by adding any leftover meat or veg from last night’s dinner.

Recipe: Chicken and chickpea salad

Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Citrus, Produce, Tableware, Dishware, Dish, Tangelo, Fruit,
Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Citrus, Produce, Tableware, Dishware, Dish, Tangelo, Fruit,


Mexican quinoa wrap

With a Mexican-style flavour and filling wholesome quinoa, we seriously doubt you’ll find a shop-bought wrap as tasty or nutritious as this!

Recipe: Mexican quinoa wrap

Food, Cuisine, Dish, Tableware, Meal, Serveware, Dishware, Korean taco, Ingredient, Recipe,
Food, Cuisine, Dish, Tableware, Meal, Serveware, Dishware, Korean taco, Ingredient, Recipe,


Prawn noodle salad

For a fishy feast that doesn’t require any cooking, whip up this colourful Thai-style salad.

Recipe: Prawn noodle salad

Dishware, Food, Salad, Tableware, Serveware, Produce, Ingredient, Cuisine, Drinkware, Vegetable,
Dishware, Food, Salad, Tableware, Serveware, Produce, Ingredient, Cuisine, Drinkware, Vegetable,


Green goat's cheese gnocchi

Pre-made gnocchi is a staple in our kitchen and always makes the speediest lunches. This one is mixed with a vibrant spinach and pea sauce and topped with crumbled goat's cheese. The perfect lunchtime option.

Recipe: Green goat's cheese gnocchi

green goat's cheese gnocchi
Hearst Owned


Fruit and nut lentil stew

Packed with flavour, this wholesome veggie stew is nourishing and amazingly simple to make.

Recipe: Fruit and nut lentil stew

Food, Ingredient, Tableware, Kitchen utensil, Cuisine, Meal, Cutlery, Bowl, Produce, Spoon,
Food, Ingredient, Tableware, Kitchen utensil, Cuisine, Meal, Cutlery, Bowl, Produce, Spoon,


Speedy chicken risotto

Needing only 20 minutes in total, this speedy chicken, pea and garlic 'risotto' is perfect for time-poor people. It makes great leftovers the next day, too.

Recipe: Speedy chicken risotto

speedy chicken risotto
Alex Luck - Hearst Owned


Feta and mint couscous salad

With protein, carbs and plenty of veggies, this nourishing dish takes just 15 minutes to prepare.

Recipe: Feta and mint couscous salad

Food, Dishware, Tableware, Cuisine, Dish, Plate, Meal, Ingredient, Recipe, Serveware,
Food, Dishware, Tableware, Cuisine, Dish, Plate, Meal, Ingredient, Recipe, Serveware,

You Might Also Like

Latest stories