Healthy Recipes Healthy Lifestyle Diets Vegetarian Recipes Healthy Vegetarian Lunch Recipes 20 Best Vegetarian Lunches in Less Than 15 Minutes 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 Updated on October 30, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Close Photo: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek A veggie-packed lunch can be quick and easy with these delicious lunch recipes! Each dish takes no more than 15 minutes to prepare and is completely vegetarian. Whether you’re looking for flavorful salads, warm soups or hearty sandwiches, there’s an option for every occasion. Plus, these lunches have made a great impression with our readers, earning four- and five-star reviews. Try options like our Goat Cheese–Tomato Toast or our Gut-Healthy Miso Cup Soup for a fast and tasty vegetarian lunch you’ll love. 01 of 20 Goat Cheese–Tomato Toast Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek Whip up this goat cheese–tomato toast to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer any time of the year. This sweet-and-savory combo makes a perfect breakfast, lunch or snack. For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle with balsamic glaze or sprinkle with crushed red pepper for a little heat. You could also drizzle with a bit of honey and sprinkle with some fresh herbs like basil or mint. View Recipe 02 of 20 Kale, Quinoa & Apple Salad Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall This kale, quinoa and apple salad is perfect for fall. Fresh apples bring crisp autumn flavor, and the kale breaks down when it's massaged with the dressing. Nuts, fennel and quinoa add more layers of texture, while blue cheese lends a savory note. View Recipe 03 of 20 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. View Recipe 04 of 20 Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Feta & Lemon Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Annie Probst This cucumber chickpea salad with feta and lemon is tangy and refreshing. You can enjoy it on its own or toss it with greens for an easy lunch or dinner. We love the grassy flavor of dill, but another fresh herb like oregano, parsley or chives will work well in its place. View Recipe 05 of 20 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 06 of 20 High-Protein Tomato, Mozzarella & Arugula Sandwich Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, prop stylist: LIndsey Lower This vegetarian sandwich is packed with protein, thanks to creamy fresh mozzarella cheese and plenty of walnuts blended into the roasted red pepper spread. The spread, reminiscent of romesco sauce, is versatile and can also be served as a dip or sauce, adding depth and complexity to dishes like grilled meats, seafood and vegetables, or as a topping for pasta. View Recipe 07 of 20 No-Cook White Bean & Spinach Caprese Salad This easy white bean and spinach caprese salad features the classic combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and tangy balsamic vinegar, but adds tender white beans and fresh baby spinach to the mix. If you can’t find mozzarella pearls, cut or tear a fresh ball of mozzarella into bite-size pieces instead. If you like your salad with a little kick, try swapping out the spinach for arugula. View Recipe 08 of 20 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. View Recipe 09 of 20 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 10 of 20 Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad This simple lunch comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a great option for busy days. View Recipe 11 of 20 Falafel Tabbouleh Bowls with Tzatziki These Greek-inspired meal-prep bowls can be prepared in just 10 minutes and only require 4 ingredients—greens, falafel, tabbouleh and tzatziki. The high-fiber falafel and tabbouleh will help to keep you feeling satisfied all afternoon. View Recipe 12 of 20 Chickpea "Chicken" Salad This chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad. It doesn't mimic the flavor of chicken; it swaps chickpeas in for the chicken. It's an ideal recipe if you're looking for simple, healthy lunch ideas. It is a delicious and fiber-packed vegetarian alternative! View Recipe 13 of 20 Avocado Toast with Burrata Burrata (cream-filled fresh mozzarella cheese) takes this avocado toast recipe to the next level for a flavorful and satisfying meal. View Recipe 14 of 20 Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that's low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving. View Recipe 15 of 20 Cucumber & Tomato Sandwich Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf This herby cucumber and tomato sandwich is crisp and refreshing, making the most out of summer’s produce bounty. Chives add a delicate onion flavor to the cream cheese, but dill or basil can be used in their place. View Recipe 16 of 20 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 17 of 20 Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwaveable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights. View Recipe 18 of 20 Roasted Veggie & Tofu Brown Rice Bowl A healthy and satisfying vegan lunch for one, featuring roasted butternut squash, broccoli, peppers and onions with simple brown rice, lime-marinated tofu and creamy cashew tahini sauce. View Recipe 19 of 20 Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato & Cucumber Sandwich Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum This protein-packed hummus sandwich features a topping of crisp veggies, feta cheese and sweet, tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes in oil have a soft texture perfect for sandwiches. You can use dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes in their place, but you may have to rehydrate them in water to soften them before using. View Recipe 20 of 20 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. View Recipe Medically reviewed by Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit