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Photo:Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower

an image of the Cauliflower Spanakopita Melt

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower

Give yourself an energy boost with these healthy high-protein lunch ideas. With at least 15 grams per serving, these recipes can help you reach yourdaily protein needs, which can help with a variety of body functions, from promoting muscle growth to supporting the immune system. Featuringwhole grains, legumes, healthy fats and produce,these lunches also align with the Mediterranean diet, one of thehealthiest eating patterns around. Recipes like our Piled-High Vegetable Pitas and Salmon Rice Bowl will help you stay full and energized.

01of 19Cauliflower Spanakopita MeltPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey LowerThis cauliflower spanakopita melt is a dream come true! It blends the flavors of the Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, into the hand-held comfort and convenience of a grilled cheese sandwich. Chopped roasted cauliflower brings a healthy, veggie-packed twist.View Recipe

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Cauliflower Spanakopita Melt

This cauliflower spanakopita melt is a dream come true! It blends the flavors of the Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, into the hand-held comfort and convenience of a grilled cheese sandwich. Chopped roasted cauliflower brings a healthy, veggie-packed twist.

View Recipe

02of 19High-Protein Veggie SandwichAli RedmondFrom beans to tofu to tempeh bacon, this high-protein veggie sandwich formula can help mitigate blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full until your next meal.View Recipe

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High-Protein Veggie Sandwich

Ali Redmond

an image of the Easy Veggie Sandwich with Avocado

From beans to tofu to tempeh bacon, this high-protein veggie sandwich formula can help mitigate blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full until your next meal.

03of 19Make-Ahead Cabbage SaladPhotographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKayThis make-ahead cabbage salad is the perfect dish that only gets better with time. As it sits, the flavors meld together, with the crisp cabbage and tender, nutty farro soaking up the tangy dressing. It’s an ideal choice for meal prep or entertaining, as it not only holds up well but also improves with time, making your life easier and delivering a delicious meal.View Recipe

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Make-Ahead Cabbage Salad

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay

a recipe photo of the Keeps-Getting-Better Salad

This make-ahead cabbage salad is the perfect dish that only gets better with time. As it sits, the flavors meld together, with the crisp cabbage and tender, nutty farro soaking up the tangy dressing. It’s an ideal choice for meal prep or entertaining, as it not only holds up well but also improves with time, making your life easier and delivering a delicious meal.

04of 19Broccoli MeltsPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia BaylessThese broccoli-cheese melts combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food—satisfying and packed with that cheesy goodness everyone loves.View Recipe

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Broccoli Melts

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

an image of the Broccoli Melt sliced on a plate

These broccoli-cheese melts combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food—satisfying and packed with that cheesy goodness everyone loves.

05of 19Gut-Friendly Veggie SandwichPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina BrockmanThis high-fiber sandwich features a tangy yogurt spread for a probiotic boost, plus shaved asparagus for a healthy dose of prebiotics to support a healthy gut.View Recipe

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Gut-Friendly Veggie Sandwich

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

image of a cut sandwich on a plate

This high-fiber sandwich features a tangy yogurt spread for a probiotic boost, plus shaved asparagus for a healthy dose of prebiotics to support a healthy gut.

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Roasted Broccoli & Kimchi Rice Bowl

a photo of the Kimchi Broccoli Bowl served in a bowl

This well-rounded kimchi rice bowl is packed with fiber and probiotic foods like kimchi and yogurt to support a healthy gut. Prebiotic foods like edamame and garlic add flavor and additional gut-healthy benefits. Gochugaru is a Korean chile powder with a smoky-sweet flavor and mild heat. You can use a combination of crushed red pepper and paprika in its place.

07of 19Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain BowlsPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina BrockmanThis sweet potato and chickpea bowl will make your gut happy! This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, which support a healthy digestive system. Sorghum, a gluten-free ancient grain, is packed with fiber and essential nutrients that aid digestion and support gut health; the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle offers a probiotic boost.View Recipe

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Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls

a photo of the Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowl served in a bowl

This sweet potato and chickpea bowl will make your gut happy! This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, which support a healthy digestive system. Sorghum, a gluten-free ancient grain, is packed with fiber and essential nutrients that aid digestion and support gut health; the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle offers a probiotic boost.

08of 19Sticky Sesame Tofu & BroccoliPhotographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah GreenwoodThis sticky sesame tofu and broccoli packs a powerful punch with 18 grams of plant-based protein. This meal features crispy tofu coated in a sticky sesame sauce, paired with tender broccoli, and is served over short-grain brown rice, although any brown rice or even a whole-grain noodle will work well too.View Recipe

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Sticky Sesame Tofu & Broccoli

Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

a recipe photo of the Sticky Sesame Tofu & Broccoli

This sticky sesame tofu and broccoli packs a powerful punch with 18 grams of plant-based protein. This meal features crispy tofu coated in a sticky sesame sauce, paired with tender broccoli, and is served over short-grain brown rice, although any brown rice or even a whole-grain noodle will work well too.

09of 19Butternut Squash Mac & CheesePhotographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah GreenwoodThis rich and creamy butternut squash mac and cheese has hints of roasted squash whirled into a cheesy sauce flavored with fresh sage for a delicious plant-based meal any day of the week.View Recipe

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Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

a recipe photo of the Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese

This rich and creamy butternut squash mac and cheese has hints of roasted squash whirled into a cheesy sauce flavored with fresh sage for a delicious plant-based meal any day of the week.

10of 19Chicken Fajita SoupPhotographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla MontielThis chicken fajita soup combines the vibrant, smoky flavors of traditional fajitas with the comforting warmth of a soup. This versatile dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. To kick up the heat, add a chopped jalapeño to the veggie mixture.View Recipe

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Chicken Fajita Soup

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

a recipe photo of the Chicken Fajita Soup

This chicken fajita soup combines the vibrant, smoky flavors of traditional fajitas with the comforting warmth of a soup. This versatile dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. To kick up the heat, add a chopped jalapeño to the veggie mixture.

11of 19High-Protein Tuna & Chickpea Salad SandwichPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh HoggleThis zesty tuna sandwich gets an extra boost of protein from chickpeas. Smashing some of the chickpeas into the tuna enhances the texture and helps hold the filling together. The combo of garlic and Sriracha adds a delightful kick, but feel free to opt for an alternative hot sauce of your preference or skip it altogether for a milder flavor.View Recipe

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High-Protein Tuna & Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

a recipe photo of the High-Protein Tuna & Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This zesty tuna sandwich gets an extra boost of protein from chickpeas. Smashing some of the chickpeas into the tuna enhances the texture and helps hold the filling together. The combo of garlic and Sriracha adds a delightful kick, but feel free to opt for an alternative hot sauce of your preference or skip it altogether for a milder flavor.

12of 19Chicken & Cabbage Soup with PestoPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine KeelyThis one-pot chicken and cabbage soup is topped with flavor-boosting store-bought pesto. Big, fiber-rich butter beans add a creamy bite, but you can easily swap them out for cannellini beans or navy beans if you prefer. This soup works well with leftover chicken—simply shred or chop cooked chicken and add it to the soup to reheat once the cabbage is tender.View Recipe

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Chicken & Cabbage Soup with Pesto

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

a recipe photo of the Chicken & Cabbage Soup with Pesto

This one-pot chicken and cabbage soup is topped with flavor-boosting store-bought pesto. Big, fiber-rich butter beans add a creamy bite, but you can easily swap them out for cannellini beans or navy beans if you prefer. This soup works well with leftover chicken—simply shred or chop cooked chicken and add it to the soup to reheat once the cabbage is tender.

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Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chicken & Fresh Berries

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickeyt, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

a recipe photo of the Spinach-Quinoa Bowls w Chicken and Berries

14of 19Piled-High Vegetable PitasFresh, bright flavors come alive in these easy vegetarian pitas. Give yourself enough time to make the roasted vegetables called for in the recipe—or make them a day or two in advance for a healthy meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. These pitas would also work well with whatever leftover cooked veggies you have on hand. No need to warm the roasted veggies up; this recipe tastes great chilled or at room temperature.View Recipe

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Piled-High Vegetable Pitas

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Fresh, bright flavors come alive in these easy vegetarian pitas. Give yourself enough time to make the roasted vegetables called for in the recipe—or make them a day or two in advance for a healthy meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. These pitas would also work well with whatever leftover cooked veggies you have on hand. No need to warm the roasted veggies up; this recipe tastes great chilled or at room temperature.

15of 19Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato SaladThis easy salad recipe allows for a wonderful use of leftover cooked chicken. Look for escarole in the produce section near the leafy greens; if you can’t find it, you can use romaine instead.View Recipe

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Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad

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This easy salad recipe allows for a wonderful use of leftover cooked chicken. Look for escarole in the produce section near the leafy greens; if you can’t find it, you can use romaine instead.

16of 19Avocado Toast with BurrataBurrata (cream-filled fresh mozzarella cheese) takes this avocado toast recipe to the next level for a flavorful and satisfying lunch.View Recipe

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Avocado Toast with Burrata

avocado toast

Burrata (cream-filled fresh mozzarella cheese) takes this avocado toast recipe to the next level for a flavorful and satisfying lunch.

17of 19Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu & Peanut DressingPrep four days’ worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four easy ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, including a veggie-heavy salad mix as a base. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry. If you can’t find a hearty mix, go with broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts.View Recipe

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Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu & Peanut Dressing

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Prep four days’ worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four easy ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, including a veggie-heavy salad mix as a base. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry. If you can’t find a hearty mix, go with broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts.

18of 19Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus DressingAli RedmondHearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!View Recipe

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Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing

Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing, low angle on a plate

Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!

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Turmeric Rice Bowl with Garam Masala Root Vegetables & Chickpeas

Turmeric Rice Bowl with Garam Masala Root Vegetables & Chickpeas

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