33 easy lunch ideas for teachers (with links to recipes)

Have you ever noticed that the last period of the day is the worst? As a middle school teacher, I can safely say that this is a fact. What makes it worst? When I am hangry. There is nothing that affects my patience and temper like being hungry. 

Eating a healthy lunch is so important for teachers to maintain energy and make it through the day. But as the term goes on it can be hard to find the energy to plan and make good choices. This blog post has been compiled to include nutritious, delicious and easy lunch ideas for teachers so that you can enjoy variety for your lunches at school. 

Pick and choose what you like. Make a weekly meal plan. Meal prep. Enjoy!

Easy lunch ideas for teachers

Easy lunch ideas for teachers:

Sandwiches and wraps (not the boring kind)

1. Creamy Mediterranean chicken wrap

This Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Wrap is packed with all of that amazing goodness, including deliciously seasoned chicken, hummus, cucumbers, pickles, delectably creamy tzatziki sauce, and more! Then it’s all wrapped up to take on the go!

2. Taco Quesadillas

These Taco Quesadillas are so easy to make and perfect for lunch. Kids and adults love it.

3. Cucumber and cream cheese sandwich rolls

Only three ingredients for these easy to make and eat rolled sandwiches!

4. Ham & Cheese Roll-Ups

Need a quick and delicious lunch you could also give your kids? Make easy Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups! Sometimes called ham and cheese pinwheels, these cold appetizers are made with 5 simple ingredients and are packed with flavour thanks to cream cheese spiked with ranch seasoning.

5. Buffalo tahini quinoa & rice wraps

These gluten-free and vegan wraps are full of flavour and perfect for lunch – even if you have to eat them while also on playground duty. 

6. Veggie Wrap

Veggie wraps are a quick and easy dish made with minimal ingredients and effort. It is a perfect grab-and-go lunch.

Easy lunch ideas for teachers

Easy lunch ideas for teachers:

Salads (also not the boring kind)

7. Keto Taco Salad

An easy keto taco salad with ground beef features fresh greens topped with everything you love about a taco. It’s a super tasty and satisfying low carb salad the whole family will love! Make it for dinner and extra for lunch the next day!

8. Mediterranean Chickpea & Tuna Salad

An easy, simple, nutritious and delicious Mediterranean recipe for chickpea & tuna salad that comes together in just 10 minutes! Easy enough to prep at school or the morning of work.

9. Turkish Bulgar Salad

Turkish Bulgur Salad is refreshing, spicy, tangy and loaded with herbs. Easy to make and keeps you full for a long time.

10. Mexican Tuna Salad

This Mexican Tuna Salad is perfect for easy and healthy meal prep! There’s no cooking involved, so it’s super quick and easy to make, plus it’s bursting with bright Mexican inspired flavour. And because it’s got lean protein, lots of veggies, and good fat, it’s a complete healthy meal!

11. Curried chicken and papaya salad

This looks absolutely divine and would be so good to look forward to eat for lunch! 

12. Four bean salad

This quick and easy four bean salad is simple and delicious. With a tangy vinaigrette it’s perfect to make ahead for a quick and easy lunch. Tuck in!

13. Salad in a jar

This delicious chef salad in a jar recipe is easy to make for your lunch and can be prepared a few days in advance.

14. Blueberry quinoa salad

This blueberry quinoa salad is a fun, flavourful and healthy lunch idea, and so easy to put together.

15. Taco salad with salsa ranch dressing

The perfect combination of tacos and salad loaded with ground beef, vegetables, and creamy salsa.

16. Spicy Kani Salad

Spicy Kani Salad is a rich umami flavored salad featuring imitation crab, crunchy cucumbers, crispy panko, and spicy Kewpie mayo. Enjoy this 10-minute, flavor-packed as an appetizer or side for any Japanese meal.

Easy lunch ideas for teachers

Easy lunch ideas for teachers:

Low prep lunches

17. Dill tuna salad cucumber boats

Add a little fun and dill pickle flavour to your tuna salad with these Dill Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats! This healthy gluten-free recipe is one that’s ready in just minutes and will be a new fast and easy lunch!

18. Protein snack pack

Protein Snack Packs filled with hard-boiled eggs, almonds, hummus, and crunchy veggies. An easy and delicious lunchtime meal-prep solution perfect for any protein lover, these fantastic little protein snack packs are perfect for school lunches, post-workout snacks, or picnics in the park.

19. Chickpea Quinoa Burgers

This insanely delicious Chickpea Quinoa Burgers recipe is absolutely packed with plant-based protein and is super easy to prepare.

20. Zucchini pizza boats

Who needs a pizza crust when you can whip up these delicious zucchini pizza boats instead? Add your favourite toppings for a satisfying meal that’s packed with healthy veggies!

21. Vegan Sushi Cupcakes

If you like sushi and cupcakes, these colourful sushi cupcakes should be your cup(cake) of tea. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and super cute. These could easily be prepped the night before and could even be eaten while on playground duty. 

Easy lunch ideas for teachers

Easy lunch ideas for teachers: 

Dinner leftovers

This is my favourite way to prep for lunches. If I’m already cooking a meal for dinner, I might as well cook extra for lunch the next day. 

22. Mushroom stir fry with bell pepper

Stirfrys are an easy mid-week dinner option that also reheats really well for lunch the next day. 

This vegetarian option is wholesome and nutritious to help curb those sugar cravings and get you through the day. 

23. Chicken Alfredo

So simple yet so delicious, this Chicken Alfredo is a mushroom cream sauce dish that’s excellent for preparing ahead of time. This is also easy to prep in bulk for the week.

24. Salmon Patties with Cornmeal

These Salmon Patties are so good that no one would think they took only 30 minutes to prep! A crispy, buttery side with plenty of protein to keep you satiated throughout the day. Make them for dinner the night before or prep them on the weekend.

25. Almond Flour Crusted Chicken Tenders With Creamy Onion Sauce 

Almond flour makes the best low carb crust for these chicken cutlets. They taste great as left-overs to go for lunch as well.

26. Easy crockpot pulled pork

Make this easy slow cooker pulled pork for dinner, and have sandwiches at the ready all week! The meat can also be easily repurposed into tacos and other quick meals.

27. Trader Joe’s Taco Skillet

This one-pan meal will hit all the right places. Only thing better? Reheating for lunch the next day!

28. Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

These baked sweet potatoes are made quickly in the Air fryer and are a perfect low prep meal for lunch. 

29. Spicy pesto parmesan slow cooker minestrone

A little chopping and then the slow cooker does the work. Perfect for reheated lunches, this Spicy Pesto Parmesan Minestrone is delicious.

30. Quinoa vegetable soup

This quinoa vegetable soup is light, flavourful and packed full of healthy ingredients. Easy to make, it is perfect for a warming lunch idea. Soups are also great for freezing! Make a big batch and save some in portioned containers in the freezer for when you need to grab something quickly. 

31. One-pot pesto pasta

Only 3 ingredients and 30 minutes are needed for this one-pot pesto pasta. Doubles and triples easily! Perfect for a weekday meal or quick meal prep.

32. Air fryer frozen chicken patties

These air fryer frozen chicken patties are deliciously crunchy, crispy, and super easy to make! This chicken patty recipe is a great addition to your burgers, sandwiches, to a wrap, or served on its own. Guaranteed to be the best frozen chicken patties you’ll ever have.

33. Vegan Green Lentil Burger Patties

It’s spicy, crispy and delicious, two servings of green lentil burger patties can give you up to 12g of protein.

Easy lunch ideas for teachers

Conclusion

Lunch doesn’t have to be boring! Make it exciting so you actually make time to eat it. Make it healthy so it gives you energy instead of making you feel lethargic. Think ahead so you can plan your dinners and lunches making preparation easier and quicker. 

Let me know if you try any of these easy lunch ideas for teachers!

Comment below with your own favourite lunch ideas for teachers!

Easy lunch ideas for teachers