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  1. Midwest Living
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  4. Easy Work-from-Home Lunches You'll Make on Repeat

Easy Work-from-Home Lunches You'll Make on Repeat

Allison Vancura Author Page Head Shot
By Allison Vancura January 27, 2022
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Smoked Salmon Salad with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Credit: Brie Passano

Microwave meals, move aside. If you have access to a kitchen, these nutritious and delicious work-from-home lunch ideas assemble in 30 minutes or less. Time to unplug and enjoy!

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Smoked Salmon Salad with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Smoked Salmon Salad with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Credit: Brie Passano
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Translate your favorite bagel shop flavors—jammy eggs, avocado, smoked salmon and bagel chip "croutons"—into a delicious midday dish. Everything seasoning gives our creamy homemade salad dressing a true bagel-inspired boost. 

Related: How to Make the Ultimate Bagel Board

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Turkey Cubano

Turkey Cubano
Credit: Blaine Moats
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When you sub in roast turkey for traditional roast pork, this sandwich's assembly becomes extra simple: Layer ingredients, grill and savor the signature Cuban flavors (mustard, onion and pickles) you love. 

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Green Salad with Chicken and Marinated Peas

two plates of Green Salad with Chicken and Marinated Peas
Credit: Brie Passano
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This green salad from Abra's Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables is light and refreshing, and packed with protein from a roasted chicken. A supermarket rotisserie bird simplifies assembly. 

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Basil Fruit Salad with Cottage Cheese

Basil Fruit Salad with Cottage Cheese
Credit: Brie Passano
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We all know cottage cheese as a calcium- and protein-rich side dish, but pairing it with a basil-infused fruit salad elevates it to a super-satisfying main that'll help you power through that afternoon presentation. 

Related: The Top 20 Recipes We Made in 2021

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Tuna and White Bean Salad with Lemon

plate of Tuna and White Bean Salad with Lemon
Credit: Blaine Moats
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This light tuna and bean salad captures the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean. We recommend using high-quality tuna packed in olive oil. You'll taste the difference!

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Spring Egg Scramble

Spring Egg Scramble
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Loaded with good-for-you seasonal veggies like radish, peas and fennel, this mouthwatering egg-based recipe from The Birchwood Cafe Cookbook is more lunch-like than breakasty. Plate it up with a simple side salad or buttered toast.

 

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Shaved Cabbage Salad with Apples, Ham and Mustard

bowl of Shaved Cabbage Salad with Apples, Ham and Mustard
Credit: Brie Passano
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Smoky, rich deli ham elevates chef Abra Berens'  vibrant slaw-style salad from side dish to main. 

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Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
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If it's a clean-out-the-fridge type of day, this recipe's ingredient list is probably already on hand. Purchased black bean and corn salsa, pre-shredded cheese and fresh avocado slices fill this vegetarian quesadilla recipe. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.

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Peach and Bacon Avocado Toast

Peach and Bacon Avocado Toast
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Why choose between sweet and savory when you can have both? Summer's greatest hits—plump peaches and avocado—team up in our fab BLT-avocado toast fusion. 

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Pan Bagnat

Pan Bagnat
Credit: Carson Downing
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The hands-on time for this loaded French tuna sandwich is just 15 minutes, but you'll want to let it marinate in the fridge for four hours so the ingredients can mingle. We recommend prepping your pan bagnat before logging in for the day. Waking up a little earlier is totally worth it when this sandwich is your midday reward.

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Dilly Chickpea and Radish Salad

Dilly Chickpea and Radish Salad
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In this update to the three-bean salad you know from potlucks and picnics, radishes and celery supply color and crunch to hearty garbanzo beans. 

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Garlicky Zucchini Noodles

Garlicky Zucchini Noodles
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No boiling here! This garlicky zoodle recipe starring walnuts, pancetta, green apple and goat cheese is a light alternative to traditional pasta and cooks up in one large skillet. 

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Beef and Blue Pizza

beef and blue cheese pizza
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Piled with blue cheese, red onion, chopped sweet pepper and thinly sliced beef, this flavorful pie recipe comes together in just 18 minutes thanks to premade crust. 

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Sugar and Spice Egg Sandwich

Egg sandwich with pepper jelly

For a delicious, open-face take on an egg sandwich, slather cream cheese and pepper jelly onto toast, then top with an egg and a sprinkle of arugula.

Related: How to Kick Up Your Meals with Pepper Jelly

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Mango Toast with Prosciutto

Mango Toast with Prosciutto
Credit: Brie Passano
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This unique combination of cream cheese, prosciutto, fresh mango and a drizzle of honey creates layers of irresistible flavors. 

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Chickpea Sandwich

Chickpea Sandwich Filling
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Our simple and healthy chickpea sandwich filling is a pleasant change-up from egg, tuna or chicken salad. Mix a can of wallet-friendly chickpeas with mayo, celery, radishes, green onion, yellow mustard and dill weed, then serve on your choice of bread or wrap. Don't forget the lettuce and tomato!

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 16 Smoked Salmon Salad with Everything Bagel Seasoning
    2 of 16 Turkey Cubano
    3 of 16 Green Salad with Chicken and Marinated Peas
    4 of 16 Basil Fruit Salad with Cottage Cheese
    5 of 16 Tuna and White Bean Salad with Lemon
    6 of 16 Spring Egg Scramble
    7 of 16 Shaved Cabbage Salad with Apples, Ham and Mustard
    8 of 16 Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
    9 of 16 Peach and Bacon Avocado Toast
    10 of 16 Pan Bagnat
    11 of 16 Dilly Chickpea and Radish Salad
    12 of 16 Garlicky Zucchini Noodles
    13 of 16 Beef and Blue Pizza
    14 of 16 Sugar and Spice Egg Sandwich
    15 of 16 Mango Toast with Prosciutto
    16 of 16 Chickpea Sandwich

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