Brown Bag Lunch Ideas and Recipes
Ditch the boring lunch for ingredient-packed salads, fresh pastas and healthy sandwiches that won't get soggy.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Kelsey Nixon ©2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Tara Donne
Photo By: Armando Rafael Moutela ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Emile Wamsteker ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Tara Donne
Photo By: Armando Rafael Moutela ©2009, Jeremiah Alley
Photo By: Adrian Mueller ©2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne
Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Emmer Schmidt, Armando Rafael Moutela
Caprese Di Farro
Combine nutty, earthy farro with Kalamata olives and the classic Italian combo of tomato, basil and mozzarella. Cook the farro al dente so it doesn't become mushy and it will keep nicely for the next day's lunch.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Di Farro
Mini Italian Club Sandwiches
Pack brunch for lunch with egg, turkey, provolone cheese and pesto sandwiches. Giada uses hearty foccacia bread, which is delicious and will stand up to a few hours in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Mini Italian Club Sandwiches
Roasted Beet Salad
Roasted beets are the "meat" of this meal, and they're complemented perfectly by goat cheese and pears. Think of this as the opposite of a sad desk salad.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad
North Carolina Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich
After you make this slow-roasted, Carolina-style pulled pork for dinner, bring leftovers for lunch with your bun stowed separately so it doesn't get soggy while traveling.
Get the Recipe: North Carolina Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich
Artichoke Pasta Salad
Don't think of pasta salad as just a side dish. Alton's version includes roasted chicken, tomatoes and artichokes to make a meal of it, and it's all flavored with a homemade, slightly spicy herb oil.
Get the Recipe: Artichoke Pasta Salad
Fried Chicken
Cold fried chicken is a picnic staple, so why not bring it for lunch? If you have a toaster oven at work you can heat it up, but it's just as delicious — or arguably more so — after an overnight chill in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken
Pasta Primavera
In less time than it takes to boil water, you can make a fresh tomato sauce that will last for lunches all week. With pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, it tastes almost like a tomato pesto.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera
Chicken Masala
The next time you reach for a delivery menu, stop yourself and make this easy homemade Chicken Masala instead.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Masala
Egg White, Caramelized Onion and Fig Jam Sandwich
Breakfast meets lunch in this sweet and savory stack of egg whites and caramelized onions between two slices of whole-grain bread. Pack your homemade fig jam separately and spread just before eating.
Get the Recipe: Egg White with Caramelized Onions and Homemade Fig Jam Sandwich with Salad and Maple Balsamic Dressing
Penne with Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic and White Beans
Use whole-wheat penne in this light and simple pasta. The juices from the roasted tomatoes, fragrant garlic and sprinkling of Parmesan cheese add so much flavor that you don't even need sauce.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic, and White Beans
Broiled Salmon with Herb Mustard Glaze
Get the Recipe: Broiled Salmon with Herb Mustard Glaze
Red Pepper Soup with Toasted Cumin Seeds
Get the Recipe: Red Pepper Soup with Toasted Cumin Seeds
Tri-Colore Orzo
Get the Recipe: Tri-Colore Orzo
Waldorf Salad
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad
Low-Fat Creamy Mushroom Cavatappi
Get the Recipe: Low-Fat Creamy Mushroom Cavatappi
Caribbean Wrap
Get the Recipe: Caribbean Wrap
Tuna and Bean Salad
Get the Recipe: Insalata di Fagioli e Tonno: Tuna and Bean Salad
Zucchine Trifolati
Enhance your zucchini's flavor in the most simple way: with some olive oil, salt and pepper. This green squash dish is delicious on its own, or can be served with pasta, grains or a toasted baguette.
Get the Recipe: Zucchine Trifolati
Coconut Bean Salad
Get the Recipe: Coconut Bean Salad
Sausage and Radicchio Orecchiette
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Radicchio Orecchiette
White Beans and Rosemary Crostini
Get the Recipe: White Beans and Rosemary Crostini
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Get the Recipe: Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Vegetable Chow Mein
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Chow Mein
Pasta Salad With Tuna
Get the Recipe: Insalata di Pasta con Tonno: Pasta Salad with Tuna
Lemon Basil Orzotto
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Basil Orzotto
Vietnamese Shrimp and Glass Noodle Salad
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Shrimp and Glass Noodle Salad
Too-EZ Mac 'n Cheese
Get the Recipe: Too-EZ Mac 'n Cheese
Spiced Okra
Get the Recipe: Spiced Okra
Cod Salad
Get the Recipe: Insalata di Baccala: Cod Salad
Hot and Sour Fresh Noodles with Zucchini
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Fresh Noodles with Zucchini