24 20-Minute Lunches for Fall
24 20-Minute Lunches for Fall
Fall Flavors, Quick and Easy
As the weather cools down, it’s time to refresh your lunch routine with delicious and easy-to-make dishes that highlight the flavors of fall. In this article, we’ll explore 24 quick and tasty lunch ideas that feature seasonal ingredients like sweet potatoes, cabbage, and butternut squash.
Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale, and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one. Simply bake the sweet potato, top it with black beans, kale, and a drizzle of hummus dressing, and you’re ready to go.
BBQ Chicken Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
This zippy, creamy slaw is so good you might find yourself making it for other sandwiches. Still, it pairs beautifully with the tangy pulled chicken for an incredibly quick meal. To save even more time, use a preshredded coleslaw blend.
Farro Salad with Arugula, Artichokes & Pistachios
Precooked farro makes this dish come together in no time. And you can make it in the same bowl you serve it in, minimizing cleanup!
Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
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.
Mixed Greens with Lentils & Sliced Apple
This salad with lentils, feta, and apple is a satisfying vegetarian entree to whip together for lunch. To save time, swap in drained canned lentils—just make sure to look for low-sodium and give them a rinse before adding them to the salad.
Butternut Squash Soup with Avocado & Chickpeas
Jazz up a can of soup by adding protein with chickpeas and flavor with curry powder. Stir in a little Greek yogurt to make it creamy.
Greek Salad Nachos
This vegetarian nacho recipe is a fun combination of two favorites—nachos and Greek salad. It uses whole-grain pita chips instead of the tortilla chips used in traditional nacho recipes, and it’s loaded with the classic fresh vegetables in Greek salad as well as creamy hummus and salty feta cheese. And it doesn’t even need the oven! Easily doubled, this makes a great appetizer or light dinner.
Cabbage, Tofu & Edamame Salad
Craving crunch? Bite into this salad loaded with crisp red cabbage, edamame, bamboo shoots, and chow mein noodles. This salad is slightly sweetened with baked tofu, mandarin oranges, and sesame vinaigrette.
Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens
Quick, simple, and packed with satisfying protein and fiber, this salad makes a perfect lunch or easy one-dish dinner.
Rainbow Grain Bowl with Cashew Sauce
This vibrant bowl is packed with nutrients to keep you full for hours. Look for precooked lentils in the refrigerated section of the produce department.
Roasted Veggie & Quinoa Salad
Turn simple precooked ingredients into a delicious one-dish meal, high in fiber and with plenty of protein to keep you feeling satisfied.
Loaded Chicken-Quinoa Salad
Make a bun out of a tomato in this healthy low-carb tuna melt recipe that swaps bread for veggies. You save 23 grams of carbohydrate and get 1 veggie serving while you’re at it!
Tomato Bun Tuna Melt
This satisfying and tasty pita-pocket sandwich is packed with roasted veggies and greens. A spread of hummus adds creaminess and keeps everything from falling out.
Conclusion
These 24 20-minute lunches for fall are the perfect way to refresh your lunch routine with delicious and easy-to-make dishes that highlight the flavors of the season. From hearty soups to flavorful salads, and from simple sandwiches to satisfying bowls, there’s something for everyone in this collection.
FAQs
Q: What are some common ingredients used in these 20-minute lunches for fall?
A: Many of the recipes feature common fall ingredients like sweet potatoes, cabbage, butternut squash, and apples.
Q: Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
A: Yes, many of the recipes can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
Q: Are these recipes healthy?
A: Yes, many of the recipes are high in fiber and protein and feature healthy ingredients like whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Q: Can I customize these recipes to suit my dietary needs?
A: Yes, many of the recipes can be modified to suit your dietary needs, whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or following a specific diet.