"My work day mornings usually go something like this: alarm goes off. Hit snooze no less than eight times. Finally roll out of bed. Slippers, robe. Brush teeth, light skincare, makeup, hair (maybe), outfit. Realize I have to leave RIGHT NOW to make my bus. Throw an oatmeal packet, yogurt, string cheese, and clementine in my bag. Run out the door.
+ how I did Scotland in a week without losing my mind in the planning process
Then, at lunchtime, I’m faced with the ultimate disappointment. I already ate my oatmeal for breakfast at my desk, and did I really only bring myself the contents of a kindergartener’s lunch box to eat? I look at Beth, who sits across from me, and say something like “I don’t even want to eat the lunch I brought for myself. Maybe they have pierogies [at the cafe] across the street today! ”
So, in an effort to stop hurting my future lunch-eating self—and my wallet—I set out to find some delightful and easy (as in under 20-minute prep time) vegetarian recipes that I could start making myself for lunch.
Scroll on for 15 seriously delicious-looking vegetarian lunches to try out (and know that I really did this for me):
1. Cauliflower Fried Rice with Crispy Tofu
Source: Pinch of Yum
2. Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad
Source: Ambitious Kitchen
3. Black Bean and Avocado Wraps
Source: Gimme Delicious
4. Thai Peanut Noodle Bowls
Source: She Likes Food
5. Falafel Bowls
Source: Eating Bird Food
6. Chickpea Gyro Lunch Meal Prep
Source: Live Eat Learn
7. Farmer’s Market Veggie Sandwich
Source: Cotter Crunch
8. Buffalo Chickpea Wraps
Source: Well and Full
9. Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Source: Ambitious Kitchen
10. Packable Crunchy Detox Salad
Source: Eating Bird Food
11. Butternut Squash Tahini Buddha Bowl
Source: Delish Knowledge
12. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Source: Foolproof Living
13. Crockpot Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
Source: Half Baked Harvest
14. Easy Vegan Potato Wraps
Source: Well and Full
15. Stuffed Pepper Meal Prep
Source: Live Eat Learn
This article was originally published on February 12, 2020.