33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (2024)

By: Denise Bustard39 Comments
Posted: 4/14/22Updated: 4/14/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

33 healthy make ahead lunch bowls to keep your meal prep exciting! Healthy lunch recipes to fuel you all afternoon long, including rice bowls, vegetarian, chicken and beef options.

Stuck in a lunch rut? Let's get you out of it! If you loved our healthy meal prep lunch ideas, then these make ahead lunch bowls are sure to shake up your meal prep with new flavors and inspiration!

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (1)

Jump to... show

Loaded with veggies, protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs - these make ahead lunch bowls are portable and convenient to eat at work or on the go! Best of all, they are absolutely delicious and sure to keep hunger at bay all afternoon long.

Save money, reduce stress, and stick to a healthy routine by adding these make ahead lunch bowls into your meal prep rotation!

reasons you'll love these recipes

  • there is something for everyone - from vegetarian bowls, to low carb, gluten-free, chicken, beef and more
  • they are filled with wholesome ingredients to set you up for a successful week of healthy eating
  • these make ahead lunch bowls are SO quick and easy to prepare!

Tips to keep your lunch bowls fresh

  • store your dressing or sauce separately in condiment containers until just before you serve (unless the recipe states otherwise).
  • keep leafy greens away from wet ingredients - mason jars are great for layering!
  • store in a 2 cup glass meal prep container (keeps your food from absorbing flavors)
  • store no longer than 4 days - chicken, rice, and most vegetables start to decline drastically after 4 days
  • add toppings such as avocado and cilantro when ready to enjoy, for optimal freshness

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (2)

Favorite Meal Prep Containers

Our tried and true favorite meal prep containers and jars that will keep your food fresh, help you reheat it evenly, and withstand the test of time. No more wasting your money, these are the absolute best containers out there!

Keep reading

Vegetarian bowls

These vegetarian lunch bowl recipes have a few things in common: healthy, delicious, portable, and packed with all the good stuff! Keep the dressing separate until just before serving.

Vegan Sushi Meal Prep

This vegan sushi bowl meal prep has all the flavors of sushi without the rolling! Made with cucumber, carrots, radish, edamame, rice and a sriracha mayo dressing.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (3)

Coconut Chickpea Curry

This coconut chickpea curry has a flavorful Indian-inspired curry sauce, and is delicious served over rice with a side of naan. Made with vegan ingredients, it's simple and quick to prepare.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (4)

Cold Sesame Noodles with Spiralized Vegetables

These cold sesame noodle meal prep bowls are the perfect vegan prep ahead lunch: spiralized vegetables tossed with chickpeas and whole wheat spaghetti in a spicy almond butter sauce.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (5)

Vegan Slow Cooker Tikka Masala

This vegan slow cooker tikka masala is PERFECT for meal prep! It makes an easy freezer crockpot meal, and leftovers keep (and can be frozen) for healthy plant-based lunches.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (6)

Thai Chickpea Mason Jar Salad

Thai chickpea mason jar salad has a tangy peanut dressing, quinoa, zucchini, carrots and cabbage and is topped with honey roasted peanuts! Ready in under 25 minutes.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (7)

Buddha Bowl Recipe

This Buddha bowl recipe is full of healthy plant-based ingredients and works great for meal prep! Customize it using your favorite veggies and don't forget to drizzle with the delicious tahini sauce.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (8)

Farro Arugula Salad (Meal Prep)

This farro arugula salad is a delicious vegetarian meal prep recipe! With snap peas, feta cheese, egg and a tangy vinaigrette, it is filling and delicious!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (9)

Vegan Spring Roll Bowls (Meal Prep)

This vegan spring roll bowl meal prep makes four lunch portions that you can enjoy through the week! With crumbled tofu, crunchy veggies, and a tangy peanut sauce.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (10)

Southwestern Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Salad

Wild rice and sweet potato salad is loaded with healthy veggies and tossed in a chili lime vinaigrette. Gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and perfect for lunch or a side salad!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (11)

Cauliflower Cashew Lunch Bowls

Makethese cauliflower cashew lunch bowls ahead of time and have work lunches ready for the week! Roasted cauliflower, toasted cashews, barley and chickpeas are all tossed in a delicious honey-ginger vinaigrette!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (12)

Spicy Tofu Noodles Meal Prep

These spicy tofu noodle meal prep bowls are made with a sweet, savory and spicy sauce, whole-wheat spaghetti, zucchini noodles, and tofu! Make it ahead and enjoy for lunch through the week.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (13)

Vegan Portobello Fajita Meal Prep Bowls

Portobello fajita vegan meal prep with delicious roasted portobellos, bell peppers and onions, black beans, and seasoned quinoa!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (14)

Perfect Cauliflower Fried Rice (with cashews!)

Cauliflower fried rice is flavored with ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil, and cooks up in one pan! Lighter, yet filling, it has soft scrambled eggs, chicken and cashews.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (15)

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Chicken bowls

These chicken lunch bowl recipe ideas are perfect for a balanced and filling lunch. From pasta salad to butter chicken, stir-fries and more!

Kale Chicken Pasta Salad

This kale chicken pasta salad is made with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. A healthy meal that works great for meal prep, or an easy weeknight dinner!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (16)

Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

Cashew chicken stir fry is a simple yet flavorful weeknight meal that works great for reheat meal prep lunches! Made with a hoisin sesame sauce and served with broccoli and rice.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (17)

Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Greek chicken meal prep bowls with seasoned chicken, greek salad, tzatziki and optional pita bread. A delicious lunch with low carb option.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (18)

Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls

Caprese chicken salad meal prep bowls are fresh, summery and delicious. With baked chicken, fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, quinoa and basil leaves all drizzled in a balsamic vinaigrette.

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (19)

Thai Chicken Lunch Bowls (Meal Prep)

Thai chicken lunch bowls have roasted vegetables and chicken served over rice with a tangy homemade peanut sauce. Easy to prep and keeps well for four days!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (20)

Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad (Meal Prep)

This southwestern chopped chicken salad is going to be your new favorite work lunch! Prep ahead on the weekend and when you're ready to serve, drizzle with ranch and sprinkle with tortilla strips.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (21)

Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls

These Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls have chicken breast, broccoli and asparagus tossed in a sweet and savory honey sesame stir fry sauce. Perfect for healthy meal prep lunches!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (22)

Moroccan Couscous Meal Prep Bowls

These Moroccan inspired meal prep bowls are full of warm spices and deep flavor. With spiced chicken thighs, roasted cauliflower and green beans served over lemony pearl couscous, it's an easy meal to prep on the weekend.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (23)

Healthier Firecracker Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Healthier firecracker chicken meal prep bowls are sweet and spicy! Lightened up compared to classic recipes, but still super flavorful. Gluten-free and ready in 35 minutes.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (24)

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

EASY slow cooker butter chicken is made with healthy ingredients, and can be assembled and frozen for meal prep! Made with tender chicken thighs, and a creamy coconut tomato curry sauce, it's dairy-free, gluten-free, low carb, and delicious!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (25)

Satay Chicken Lunch Bowls

These satay chicken meal prep lunch bowls can be prepped on the weekend and enjoyed throughout the week for a tasty, low carb lunch. You’re going to want to drizzle that peanut sauce on everything!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (26)

Maple Ginger Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls

Maple ginger chicken meal prep lunch bowls are made ahead on the weekend so you have four delicious lunches waiting for you!

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (27)

Low Carb Indian Chicken Skillet

This low carb Indian chicken skillet has incredible flavor with spiced cauliflower rice, chicken thighs and green beans. Easy to prep ahead for grab and go lunches.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (28)

Beef + Pork bowls

Just like chicken, beef and pork are incredibly versatile protein sources. These make ahead lunch bowls are diverse in flavor and would be incredible for lunch!

Sesame Ginger Beef + Zucchini Noodles

Sesame ginger beef and zucchini noodles is a delicious lower carb lunch option that is perfect for meal prep! Not only is it fast to make, but tastes delicious and only 4 g net carbs.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (29)

Baked Meatball Meal Prep with Spaghetti Squash

This baked meatball meal prep with spaghetti squash is a lower carb lunch option! Save time and reduce your dishes by baking the meatballs right in your meal prep containers.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (30)

Egg Roll in a Bowl (30 min, low carb)

Egg roll in a bowl tastes just like your favorite take out and comes together quickly using a single pan. With only 7 g net carbs, this recipe has slaw, ground pork, and a delicious sauce.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (31)

Healthier Mongolian Beef Meal Prep

These Mongolian beef meal prep bowls are perfect if you are craving take out, but want to keep things healthier. With tender strips of flank steak served in a deliciously sticky sauce.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (32)

BBQ Meatloaf Meal Prep Bowls

BBQ Meatloaf Meal Prep Bowls are an easy lunch idea that you are going to be so excited to eat! With cajun mashed sweet potatoes, steamed green beans and mini BBQ meatloaves.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (33)

Low Carb Meatloaf & Cauliflower Mash

Low carb meatloaf and cauliflower mash meal prep is healthy comfort food. Makes five delicious servings perfect for a low carb lunch.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (34)

Low Carb Satay Beef Meal Prep Bowls

With a creamy Thai peanut sauce that serves as both a marinade and dipping sauce, this satay beef meal prep recipe is not short on flavor! Serve it up with cauliflower rice and green beans for a delicious low carb lunch option.

Check out this recipe

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (35)

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

You May Also Like...

  • Satay Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls

  • Thai Chicken Lunch Bowls (Make Ahead)

  • Jerk Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls

  • Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories

Previous PostMocha Granola Bars
Next Post Loaded Mexican Kale Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Sue says

    Thanks for the recipes! We’ve enjoyed many of them already and are looking forward to trying more. I’d really like to make the capers chicken salad, but there doesn’t seem to be a link to a recipe. Could that be corrected please?

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      Hi Sue, thank you for pointing that out. I'm not sure what is going on but seems like a technical issue. Here is the recipe: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/caprese-chicken-salad-meal-prep-bowls/

      Reply

  2. Kathy The FUN Baker says

    Hi Denise,
    These 33 Make Ahead Lunch Bowls look AmaZing!! (Just saw them on A Cedar Spoon.) Though I am retired & don't really pack lunches anymore I can't wait to try them!! I know my hubby & I will enjoy them. Thank you for sharing your Best recipes with us!!! Happy Easter!!!

    Reply

    • Ben says

      Thank you for your comment, Kathy. I can say that these are also great as a quick stay-at-home lunch. I look forward to hearing your thoughts once you try them.

      Reply

  3. Carla says

    33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (42)
    Can’t wait to try these looks delicious

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Carla, we hope you enjoy! Be sure to come back and leave a rating and review once you try these recipes!

      Reply

Older Comments

33 Healthy Make Ahead Lunch Bowl Recipes | Sweet Peas & Saffron (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 5629

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.