16 15-Minute Lunches for Winter By Camryn Alexa Wimberly Camryn Alexa Wimberly Camryn Wimberly is EatingWell's Editorial Fellow. As a food and mental health blogger, Camryn explores how food and cooking can help improve mental health and also be an avenue to connect with one's culture and heritage. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 5, 2025 Close Credit: Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley Upgrade your menu this winter with these quick and easy lunch recipes! In just under 15 minutes, you’ll be able to whip up a tasty and satisfying meal that will keep you fueled until dinnertime. Featuring tasty seasonal produce like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and winter squash, dishes like our Cacio e Pepe-Inspired Kale Salad and our Gut-Healthy Miso Cup Soup will become your new favorite midday meal. Love any of these recipes? Tap "Save" to add them to MyRecipes, your new, free recipe box for EatingWell. 01 of 16 High-Protein Veggie Sandwich Ali Redmond 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. Customize it with your favorite seasonal produce to make it the perfect lunch for winter. View Recipe Save 02 of 16 Cacio e Pepe-Inspired Kale Salad Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley This easy kale salad draws flavor inspiration from the classic Italian pasta dish cacio e pepe, which translates to “cheese and pepper.” The signature flavors of sharp Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper transform kale into a delicious, anti-inflammatory side salad. View Recipe Save 03 of 16 Gut-Healthy Miso Cup Soup Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless This miso soup is packed with gut-healthy ingredients like miso, a fermented paste that may improve digestion plus reduce gas and bloating. The base of the soup is prepared in advance and stored in separate containers. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply add the broth and heat it in the microwave. View Recipe Save 04 of 16 Veggie Wraps Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek These wraps are packed with veggies, including zucchini, bell pepper and spinach. The vegetables cook quickly in a skillet, so you can pull together this easy lunch in no time. Hummus adds plant-based protein and keeps the wrap from getting dry. View Recipe Save 05 of 16 High-Protein Mason Jar Salad Ali Redmond Mason jar salads make for a convenient lunch that can easily be taken on the go or enjoyed at home. With just a few ingredients, you have a well-rounded lunch packed with fiber, protein and micronutrients that won’t spike your blood sugars. This nutritious Mason jar salad allows plenty of room for customization based on your taste preferences and seasonal produce. View Recipe Save 06 of 16 Buffalo Chickpea Salad Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly We took all the flavors you know and love from Buffalo wings and used them in this plant-based chickpea salad. Celery adds a satisfying crunch, while blue cheese provides a cooling element to balance the spicy sauce. Serve on top of leafy greens or use as a sandwich filling. View Recipe Save 07 of 16 Spinach-Tortellini Soup Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop stylist: Claire Spollen When you need a quick and flavorful meal, turn to this easy tortellini soup with spinach. Refrigerated cheese tortellini bulk up the soup and cook in just minutes. The tortellini can be delicate, so be careful when stirring the soup to avoid them falling apart. View Recipe Save 08 of 16 Romaine Salad with Orange & Radish Andrea Mathis Inspired by a traditional Moroccan salad, which consists of oranges and radishes, this version adds romaine lettuce and a classic vinaigrette. Fresh orange juice adds acidity and brightness to the vinaigrette. Pomegranate seeds bring color and crunch. This recipe is perfect for a Kwanzaa celebration; read more in "Why the Karamu Feast Is My Favorite Part of Kwanzaa—and a Simple Menu to Celebrate". View Recipe Save 09 of 16 Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas This healthy high-fiber salad comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve it right away or pack it in individual servings for four super-satisfying high-fiber lunches for the week ahead. To cut down on prep time, we're using preshredded Brussels sprouts from the produce department and store-bought roasted chickpeas. View Recipe Save 10 of 16 Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Halloumi Take advantage of healthy convenience foods, such as pureed vegetable soups, to make a healthy meal in minutes. We enhance the flavor of boxed butternut squash soup with curry powder, then top it with irresistible halloumi cheese. Serve with warm whole-grain pita bread. View Recipe Save 11 of 16 Arugula, Beet & Feta Salad Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke Peppery arugula and tender, sweet beets are balanced by a simple vinaigrette and briny bits of feta cheese in this arugula, beet and feta salad. Using cooked, peeled beets helps make prep a breeze. View Recipe Save 12 of 16 5-Ingredient Brie and Blackberry Jam Grilled Cheese Photography: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco This irresistible sandwich pairs creamy Brie cheese with a sweet-and-savory blackberry jam spread for the perfect ultra-quick lunch or dinner option. You can easily double the recipe using a medium pan, or use a sandwich press if you have one on hand. View Recipe Save 13 of 16 Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette Ali Redmond Inspired by the classic warm party dip, this simple salad can be served up right away or divided into small lidded containers for a week of delicious lunches. To keep the hard-boiled eggs tasting fresh, we suggest adding them to your salad just before serving or in the morning before packing your lunch to go. View Recipe Save 14 of 16 Mashed Chickpea Salad with Dill & Capers This creamy yet light vegan salad is full of bright, herby goodness. On its own, it’s great to serve alongside a sandwich or veggie burger in place of potato salad or coleslaw. You can also make it into a light lunch by adding a handful of arugula to enjoy it as a green salad. Double the recipe and refrigerate to have on hand throughout the week. View Recipe Save 15 of 16 Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chicken & Fresh Berries Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickeyt, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless If you’re packing this grain bowl for work, combine the dressing ingredients in a small container. When you’re ready to eat, shake the dressing well, add it to the salad and toss. If you don’t have time to make a homemade dressing, use 3 tablespoons of store-bought olive oil vinaigrette. Keep prep time short by using rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken) and a pouch of microwaveable quinoa. View Recipe Save 16 of 16 High-Protein Tuna & Chickpea Salad Sandwich Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle 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. View Recipe Save Explore more: Healthy Recipes Cooking Methods Quick & Easy Quick Lunch Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit