Our best ever lockdown lunch ideas

Find even more quick and easy lunch recipes to perk up your lunchtime lull and get stuck into our best sandwich recipes.

Our best ever lockdown lunch recipes

Halloumi and greek salad wraps

Golden-brown chunks of salty halloumi with fresh salad and a dollop of Greek yogurt makes for a satisfying veggie lunch in our book. It takes just 20 minutes to make, perfect for a speedy midweek meal solution.

Liven up your plate with our best wrap fillings for more mouthwatering mixes.

Coronation chickpea and apple salad

Use up a tin of chickpeas with this genius 20-minute salad for four. There's no cooking involved, just grab a bowl, prep and serve this twist on a classic coronation chicken. The dressing uses mango chutney and curry paste for an irresistible sweet and spicy combination.

Check out our best healthy salad recipes for more hearty and healthy inspiration.

Spicy tomato soup

Upgrade your standard bowl of soup with a dash of chipotle paste for a smoky heat. This filling soup packs a punch, with plenty of warming ginger and green chilli, and is ready in just 25 minutes. Use up a tin of chopped tomatoes and add some basmati rice for texture. Serve with a spoonful of yogurt and a generous grinding of black pepper.

Peruse our most deliciously warming easy soup recipes for more hugs in a bowl.

Sriracha peanut ramen noodles

We love a quick cooking hack. Upgrade a standard packet of ramen noodles with spicy storecupboard sauces, nuts and veggies. Spicy not your style? Try the other ramen noodle recipes, from an aromatic Thai coconut mix to breakfast noodles complete with runny boiled egg.

From chicken chow mein to sticky satays, treat yourself to our favourite easy noodle recipes.

Falafel, beetroot and hummus grain bowl

Get a variety of flavours and textures in your bowl with this fragrant falafel recipe. Add in crunchy beets, warm grains and a healthy dollop of creamy hummus for a filling lunch in just 25 minutes. It's just a case of heating, assembling and eating. If you're feeling up to the challenge of adding an extra step, crack out the chickpeas and read our guide on how to make falafel.

Check out our 4 quick and easy grain bowls for more speedy midweek meal ideas.

Spinach and feta quesadillas with tomato salsa

Comforting, cheesy quesadillas are the perfect light lunch to keep you going. They're versatile, quick and easy to make and will satisfying your cravings for something more indulgent.

Looking for more exciting ideas? Try our 4 quick and easy quesadilla recipes for finger-licking combinations.

Thai chicken salad

Shun boring, bland plates and put together something that'll tantalise your tastebuds in just 15 minutes. Use up any leftover cooked chicken and combine with shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumber and a sprinkling of chilli. No need to sweat it out in the kitchen with this nourishing no-cook recipe.

The deliciousness doesn't stop there, fill your plate with even more easy chicken salad recipes for wholesome lunches aplenty.

Chickpea fritters

Can we tempt you to a plate of warm, golden-brown fritters topped with cool yogurt, punchy green chilli and a fresh cucumber salad? Turn your tin of chickpeas into a filling, low-calorie lunch that's piled high with flavour.

These lovely legumes can go a long way, try soups, salads and crowd-pleasing traybakes from our best chickpea recipes.

Storecupboard fried rice

Fried rice is a fabulous fridge clearing dish that's perfect for busy days when you don't have a specific recipe in mind. Throw together spring onions, ham or bacon, frozen peas and a beaten egg for a bowlful of goodness in just 20 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of chilli sauce or soy sauce on the side.

This dish is so versatile, you'll never be bored with our best fried rice recipes.

California scramble

Think scrambled eggs are just for breakfast? Think again. Our colourful scramble packs in sweet baby tomatoes, warming red chilli and chunky slices of avocado. This easy meal for one has an indulgent feel and needs just a handful of ingredients to make.

Eggs make the ideal go-to midweek lunch; they're budget-friendly, tasty and can be made into a variety of dishes. Check out our 4 quick and easy one-pan egg recipes and our easy omelette fillings to take your egg game to the next level.

Chicken Caesar salad

Keep it classic with a chicken Caesar salad, complete with crispy bacon and golden croutons. It's perfect for a posh lunch. Make your own dressing, use leftover roast chicken and slices of sourdough for crunchy croutons to scatter over your plate. A grating of parmesan adds an extra hit of umami cheesy flavour.

Cottage cheese pasta

A bowl of this ultra-creamy cottage cheese alfredo will cure what ails you in just 15 minutes. Mix together cottage cheese, milk and garlic granules for an irresistibly smooth sauce. The key to the texture is mixing in a little of your pasta water if it starts getting claggy.

Fancy a creamy carbonara, a twist on the classic spag bol or a meatball supper? Check out our best ever spaghetti recipes for pasta perfection.

Quick Japanese-style rice salad

Take just 15 minutes out of your day to plate up this super-fast, low-calorie lunch. Use a pack of ready-cooked or leftover rice for a clever time-saving hack, then mix with fresh king prawns, crunchy cucumber, avocado and edamame beans. Top with a sesame and rice vinegar dressing to bring everything together.