I remember the excitement of having a Lunchable packed in my school lunch, and now I’ve found a way to make that fun work for adults. These ten healthy lunchables are packed with nutrients and super easy to prepare in advance. They’re perfect for busy weekdays when you need something quick but still satisfying. Trust me, these will make your lunch hour feel a lot more exciting!
Contents
- 1. Mediterranean Bento Box
- 2. DIY Protein Box
- 3. Caprese Skewers with Pesto Dip
- 4. Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
- 5. Mini Turkey & Cheese Roll-Ups
- 6. Apple & Peanut Butter “Sandwiches”
- 7. Lunchable Tacos
- 8. DIY Pizza Lunchable
- 9. Charcuterie Lunchables
- 10. Crockpot Mexican Meatball Lunchable With Tortilla
- Final Thoughts
1. Mediterranean Bento Box
This vibrant bento box is a flavor explosion, featuring Mediterranean staples that are as healthy as they are tasty.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons hummus
- Whole wheat pita bread, cut into triangles
Instructions
- Divide the quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives among your meal prep containers.
- Add a dollop of hummus to each container.
- Include the pita triangles for dipping.
Meal Prep Tip: Cook a large batch of quinoa at the beginning of the week to use in multiple lunches. You can also swap the pita for whole-grain crackers or veggie sticks for variety. All the components can be prepped in advance and stored separately, making assembly a breeze on busy mornings.
2. DIY Protein Box
This customizable option is perfect for those watching their macros.
Ingredients
- 3-4 ounces cooked chicken breast, sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup baby carrots
- 1/4 cup grapes
- 1 hard-boiled egg, halved
- 1 tablespoon almonds
Instructions
- Cook the chicken breast in the oven for 1 hour at 400 degrees.
- Slice the slicken, bell peppers, and cut the hard boiled egg in half
- Arrange the chicken, bell peppers, carrots, grapes, egg halves, and almonds in your meal prep containers.
Meal Prep Tip: Grill or bake a batch of chicken breasts on the weekend to use throughout the week. Change up the veggies and fruits based on your preferences or what’s in season.
3. Caprese Skewers with Pesto Dip
These colorful skewers offer a light and refreshing lunch option.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
- Fresh basil leaves
- Wooden skewers
- 1/4 cup pesto
Instructions
- Thread the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto the skewers, alternating between each ingredient.
- Place the skewers in your meal prep containers and include a small container of pesto for dipping.
Meal Prep Tip: Assemble the skewers the night before or morning of to keep the ingredients fresh.
4. Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
These wraps are a low-carb, protein-packed alternative to sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 1 (5-ounce) can tuna in water, drained
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Large lettuce leaves, washed and dried
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the tuna, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon the tuna salad into lettuce leaves and wrap tightly.
- Place the wraps in your meal prep containers.
Meal Prep Tip: Make a large batch of the tuna salad at the beginning of the week and store it separately. Assemble the wraps just before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.
5. Mini Turkey & Cheese Roll-Ups
These bite-sized roll-ups are a fun and satisfying snack or light lunch.
Ingredients
- 4 slices whole-wheat bread, crusts removed and flattened with a rolling pin
- 4 slices deli turkey breast
- 4 slices low-fat cheese
- 1/4 cup spinach leaves
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- Mustard or hummus (optional)
Instructions
- Spread a thin layer of mustard or hummus on each bread slice (optional).
- Layer the turkey, cheese, spinach leaves, and shredded carrots on top.
- Roll each bread slice tightly and cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Secure with toothpicks if desired.
- Place the roll-ups in your meal prep containers.
Meal Prep Tip: Assemble the roll-ups the night before or morning of to keep the bread fresh.
6. Apple & Peanut Butter “Sandwiches”
These fun and easy “sandwiches” are a perfect healthy snack or light lunch.
Ingredients
- 1 apple, cored and sliced into rounds
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- Granola
Instructions
- Spread peanut butter on half of the apple slices.
- Sprinkle granola on top of the peanut butter.
- Top with the remaining apple slices to create “sandwiches”.
- Place the sandwiches in your meal prep containers.
Meal Prep Tip: Assemble the sandwiches just before eating to keep the apples fresh.
7. Lunchable Tacos
Great for picky eaters, this is a fun, customizable mini-taco experience with savory seasoned ground meat and fresh toppings. This provides protein and some fiber and can be a good source of iron.
Ingredients
- 2-3 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- 2-3 ounces of cooked ground beef (seasoned with taco seasoning)
- 1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp shredded lettuce
- 1 tbsp diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp salsa (optional)
Instructions
- Cook ground beef with taco seasoning per package instructions.
- Warm tortillas (microwave or stovetop).
- Assemble tacos with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa.
Meal Prep Tip: Cook the ground beef ahead of time and pre-chop the vegetables. This meal is excellent for meal prepping because the components can be stored individually and assembled quickly.
8. DIY Pizza Lunchable
This playful, customizable pizza snack is a perfect lunch for children or anyone who loves a simple pizza treat. This lunchable is packed with carbohydrates, calcium, and lycopene.
Ingredients
- 2-3 mini pizza crusts or crackers
- 2 tbsp pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp pepperoni or other toppings (optional)
Instructions
- Place pizza crusts in a container.
- Add pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings.
- (Optional) Microwave for 30 seconds for a warm pizza.
Meal Prep Tip: Pre-portion the sauce, cheese, and toppings into small containers. This is a very easy meal to prep, and the individual components last several days.
9. Charcuterie Lunchables
As a low-carb option, this is a sophisticated snack box with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts. This lunchable provides a balance of protein, fats, and some vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of sliced salami or prosciutto
- 2 ounces of sliced cheese (cheddar, brie, or other preferred cheese)
- 1/4 cup grapes or berries
- 1/4 cup crackers or breadsticks
- 1 tbsp nuts (almonds, walnuts, and other preferred nuts)
Instructions
- Cut the salami or prosciutto and cheese into preferred thickness.
- Arrange meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers, and nuts in a container.
Meal Prep Tip: Pre-slice the meats and cheeses and portion out the fruits and nuts. This is a flexible meal prep option, and the components can be swapped out based on preferences.
10. Crockpot Mexican Meatball Lunchable With Tortilla
Craving a warm, hearty meal with Mexican flavors? This lunchable provides protein, complex carbohydrates, and lycopene from tomato-based sauces.
Ingredients
- 3-4 Mexican meatballs
- 1-2 small tortillas
- 1 tbsp shredded cheese
- 1 tbsp salsa
- Optional: diced onions or cilantro
Instructions
- Cook Mexican meatballs in a Crockpot with sauce for several hours.
- Warm tortillas.
- Assemble a mini taco with meatballs, cheese, salsa, and other toppings.
Meal Prep Tip: Cook a large batch of meatballs in the Crockpot and store them in individual containers, then pre-portion the cheese and salsa. This meal is excellent for meal prepping, as the meatballs freeze well and can be reheated easily.
Final Thoughts
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. With a little creativity, you can create healthy and delicious Adult Lunchables that will make you look forward to lunch every day! Remember, planning ahead is key to successful meal prep. So take some time on the weekend to cook and portion your ingredients, and you’ll be set for the week.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.