8 Office Lunch Box Ideas and Recipes

In this fast-paced world, everyone is working hard to make their ends meet. Your spouse and you may be so lost in meeting deadlines that food is something that you may not even think too much about. However, that is not a good thing as your body can’t function efficiently if it lacks energy and nutrition. However, what you can do is pack something easy and yummy to eat that takes the least effort to make. So, here we have some super yummy and interesting office lunch box ideas that you can make for yourself and your spouse in no time.

8 Healthy Lunch Box Recipes You Can Take to Work

When it comes to office meals or lunch box ideas, we all wish to carry something yummy but which can also be made in a jiffy. We understand that when you have to get up in the morning to make food, you may not be in a mood to cook anything fancy! Try these lunch box recipes that you can carry to work:

1. Methi Paratha

This delicious recipe will keep you energized for the rest of your day.

Total Cook Time:

• 20 to 25 minutes

Serving:

• 2 to 3

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup chopped methi leaves
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon ajwain seeds
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped green coriander
• Salt to taste
• Ghee for frying

How to Make:

• Add chopped methi leaves, green chillies, chilli powder, ajwain seeds, chopped coriander and salt to the flour and mix well.
• Add water to make a firm dough.
• Roll the dough into any desired shape.
• Heat a flat pan and cook the paratha by applying ghee on both sides.
• Pack with mint raita, pickle and mixed vegetable salad.

2. Paneer Bhurji

This yummy office lunch recipe is loaded with the goodness of protein, and the fragrant kasuri methi lends it an aromatic flavour.

Total Cook Time:

• 15 to 20 minutes

Serving:

• 3 to 4

Ingredients:

• 200 grams paneer or cottage cheese
• 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
• 2 medium-sized tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 medium-sized green capsicum, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoon oil (any vegetable oil)
• Salt to taste

How to Make:

• Grate paneer and keep aside.
• In the pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
• Add onions and sauté them till they turn pink.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
• Add tomatoes and cook until they are tender.
• Add capsicum, green chillies, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and salt and cook for a few minutes.
• Add grated paneer and garam masala powder. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Sprinkle fresh green coriander.
• Pack with paratha or chapati.

3. Mix Vegetable Pulao

Rice with vegetables cooked in whole spices is one of the best office lunch ideas, especially to beat those Monday blues!

Total Cook Time:

• 20 to 25 minutes

Serving:

• 3 to 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• ½ cup carrots, diced
• ½ cup green peas
• ¼ cup corn kernels
• ½ cup cauliflower florets
• ½ cup beans, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ tablespoon cumin seeds
• ½ tablespoon whole black pepper
• 3 to 4 black cardamom
• 1 to 2 bay leaves
• 1 ½ cup water
• A few mint leaves
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons ghee

How to Make:

• Wash rice, drain water and keep aside.
• Heat ghee in the pressure cooker; add bay leaves, cumin seeds, whole black pepper and black cardamom and cook for a minute.
• Add onions and ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add peas, carrots, corn, beans and cauliflower and sauté on high flame for a few minutes.
• Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, and coriander powder; mix well.
• Add rice, water and mint leaves and pressure cook for up to one whistle.
• Pack with plain curd and a green salad.

4. Chicken Kathi Rolls

This is a quick lunch recipe for office that you can make on days when you are running short of time. The best part about chicken kathi rolls is that you can make the chicken filling beforehand and use it as and when required.

Total Cook Time:

• 20 to 25 minutes

Serving:

• 3 to 4

Ingredients:

• 250 grams boneless chicken, boiled
• 2 medium-sized onions, sliced
• 1 capsicum, sliced
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon chicken masala powder
• 2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons mustard sauce
• Salt to taste
• 2 cups flour
• ¾ cup of water
• 2 to 3 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make:

• Add water to the flour and make a firm dough.
• Shred the chicken, keep aside.
• Heat two tablespoons oil in a pan.
• Add sliced onions, sauté till they turn golden brown.
• Add capsicum, chilli powder, coriander powder and salt and mix well.
• Add shredded chicken and chicken masala, cook for 3-4 minutes. Keep aside to cool.
• Roll dough into very thin chapatis.
• Heat a flat pan and cook chapati from both sides, brush with some oil too.
• Place the chapati, spread mustard sauce and mayonnaise on it. Alternatively, you can use mint chutney.
• Place a layer of chicken mixture and gently roll the chapati. Secure with a toothpick.

5. Sabudana Khichadi

The combination of peanuts and potatoes gives a yummy flavour to this dry khichadi recipe.

Total Cook Time:

• 15 to 20 minutes

Serving:

• 2 to 3

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sabudana, soak overnight in 2 cups water
• 2 medium-sized potatoes, finely chopped
• 1 cup raw peanuts, coarsely crushed
• 2 tablespoons curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh green coriander, chopped
• Salt to taste
• 3 to 4 tablespoons oil

How to Make:

• Heat oil in a wok. Add cumin seeds, let them fry a little.
• Add curry leaves and green chillies.
• Add potatoes and cook until they are half-done.
• Add peanuts, let them turn crispy.
• Add salt and chilli powder. Add soaked sabudana and give a gentle mix.
• Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh coriander.

6. Dal Puri

You can use any leftover dal to make these yummy puris, but we recommend moong dhuli or moong sabut dal.

Total Cook Time:

• 10 to 15 minutes

Serving:

• 3 to 4

Ingredients:

• 1 bowl dal (preferably moong dhuli dal)
• 1 ½ cup wheat flour
• ½ cup gram flour
• 2 tablespoons kasuri methi
• 1 teaspoon ajwain seeds
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying

How to Make:

• Take flour in a big bowl; add gram flour, dal, chilli powder, kasuri methi, ajwain seeds and salt. Make a firm dough; use some water, if required.
• Heat oil in a wok.
• Roll small puris from the dough and deep fry until crispy.
• Pack the puris with mango or chilli powder.

7. Chana Dal Khichadi

Chana dal gives a crunchy texture to this recipe.

Total Cook Time:

• 15 to 20 minutes

Serving:

• 3 to 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• ½ cup chana dal
• 2 ½  cups water
• 1 teaspoon whole black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• 3 to 4 tablespoons ghee

How to Make:

• Wash rice and dal and keep aside.
• Heat ghee in a pressure cooker.
• Add cumin seeds and black pepper, cook for a minute.
• Add rice and dal and cook on high flame for a minute.
• Add garam masala powder and salt.
• Add water and cook for 6-7 minutes on medium flame.
• Pack your lunch with some fresh homemade curd or raita.

8. Potato Patty

This simple yet nutritious recipe is ideal for the days when you don’t wish to cook an elaborate meal for tiffin.

Total Cook Time:

• 10 to 15 minutes

Serving:

• 3 to 4

Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 boiled potatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 2 to 3 tablespoon cheese spread (any flavour)
• 1 teaspoon, crushed red paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
• 6 to 8 slices of bread
• Salt to taste
• Butter for grilling

How to Make:

• Take boiled potatoes, add chillies, onion, paprika, pepper and salt and mix well.
• Take two bread slices; apply cheese spread on both the slices on one side.
• Spread potato mix on the cheese layer and grill for 5-7 minutes.
• Pack the sandwiches with tomato sauce.

These lunch box ideas are sure to be a hit! Make sure you have the right kind of lunch box and packaging so that the food remains fresh and tasty till lunch-time. Use spill-proof containers for gravy and liquids. Use cling-wrap for sandwiches and patties to keep them from becoming soggy. You can also use foil to wrap rotis. We hope you will try these easy lunch box recipes and enjoy your meals in the office too!

Also Read:

Simple and Delicious Side Dish Recipes
DIY Energy Bar Recipes for Instant Energy
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