Office Lunch Prep
Cold-friendly lunches that transport well in containers. Pasta salad and wraps hold up until noon without reheating.
Serves 2
4 recipes
75 min total cook/prep
Priced at Food 4 Less - Hammond Shopping Center
$82.58 combined ingredient estimate
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Lunch · Day 1
Tuna Pasta Salad$24.54
Chilled pasta tossed with tuna, mayo, and crunchy celery.
Serves 4 · easy · 25 min
Ingredients & prices
- pasta $1.99
- tuna $1.99
- mayo $5.99
- celery $3.29
- salt $6.99
- pepper (optional) $4.29
How to prepare
About this recipe
Tuna Pasta Salad is a chilled picnic-style lunch: al dente pasta tossed with flaky tuna, crunchy celery, and creamy mayo. This american recipe serves 4 and is rated easy difficulty. Plan about 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking.
What you will need ready
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 can tuna
- 0.5 cup mayo
- 2 stalk celery
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp pepper (optional)
Step-by-step
1. Boil salted water. Cook 8 oz pasta al dente; drain and rinse briefly under cold water.
2. Spread pasta on a tray to cool completely.
3. Drain 2 can tuna and flake into a large bowl.
4. Dice 2 stalk celery small.
5. Add pasta, celery, 0.5 cup mayo, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp pepper; toss well.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning—cold dishes need a bit more salt.
7. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.
8. Toss again before serving; add mayo if dry.
9. Serve chilled.
10. Pack in airtight containers for lunches.
Serving
Serve with fruit. Keeps refrigerated up to 3 days.
Cook tips
- Cool pasta completely before mixing.
- Dry celery well.
- Al dente pasta holds up after chilling.
- Lemon brightens flavor if added.
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Lunch · Day 3
Chicken Caesar Wrap$14.44
Grilled chicken strips wrapped with lettuce and creamy dressing.
Serves 3 · easy · 27 min
Ingredients & prices
- chicken $2.49
- tortillas $2.59
- lettuce $1.29
- dressing $2.39
- oil $1.39
- pepper (optional) $4.29
How to prepare
About this recipe
Chicken Caesar Wrap packs seasoned grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, and creamy dressing in a warm tortilla—ideal for lunch boxes and quick dinners. This american recipe serves 3 and is rated easy difficulty. Plan about 12 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking.
What you will need ready
- 1 lb chicken
- 3 tortillas
- 2 cup lettuce
- 0.5 cup dressing
- 1 tbsp oil
- 0.5 tsp pepper (optional)
Step-by-step
1. Pat 1 lb chicken dry; season with salt and 0.5 tsp pepper.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side until 165°F internal.
3. Rest chicken 3 minutes; slice into thin strips.
4. Warm 3 tortillas 15 seconds per side in a dry pan until pliable.
5. Lay 2 cup lettuce down the center of each tortilla.
6. Add chicken and drizzle 0.5 cup dressing—do not over-sauce.
7. Fold sides in, roll tightly from bottom to top.
8. Slice diagonally and serve seam-side down.
9. Wrap in foil for packing; keep chilled if not eating within 2 hours.
10. Serve extra dressing on the side.
Serving
Serve halved on a plate. Refrigerate wrapped wraps up to 24 hours.
Cook tips
- Rest chicken before slicing.
- Warm tortillas resist tearing.
- Do not overfill rolls.
- Diagonal slices show layers nicely.
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Lunch · Day 5
Bean and Cheese Burrito$20.35
Hearty flour tortilla filled with seasoned beans and melted cheese.
Serves 4 · easy · 18 min
Ingredients & prices
- beans $1.00
- tortillas $2.59
- cheese $3.99
- salsa $4.99
- cumin $3.99
- chili powder (optional) $3.79
How to prepare
About this recipe
Bean and Cheese Burrito is a hearty handheld lunch: seasoned warm beans and melted cheese rolled in a soft flour tortilla with salsa. This mexican recipe serves 4 and is rated easy difficulty. Plan about 8 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking.
What you will need ready
- 2 can beans
- 4 tortillas
- 1 cup cheese
- 0.5 cup salsa
- 1 tsp cumin
- 0.5 tsp chili powder (optional)
Step-by-step
1. Warm 2 can beans in a pan over medium with 1 tsp cumin and 0.5 tsp chili powder, stirring 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
2. Mash some beans against the pan for thicker filling; leave some whole.
3. Warm 4 tortillas 15–20 seconds per side until pliable.
4. Spoon beans down the center of each tortilla.
5. Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over hot beans so it begins to melt.
6. Add a spoonful of 0.5 cup salsa on top.
7. Fold sides in, roll tightly from bottom to top.
8. Optional: toast seam-side down in dry pan 1 minute per side.
9. Serve warm while cheese is melty.
10. Wrap extras in foil for lunch.
Serving
Serve with extra salsa. Refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat until hot throughout.
Cook tips
- Warm tortillas roll without cracking.
- Season beans while heating.
- Do not overfill.
- Adjust spices to taste.
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Lunch · Day 7
Ham and Cheese Sandwich$23.25
Classic deli-style sandwich with mustard on soft bread.
Serves 2 · easy · 5 min
Ingredients & prices
- bread $7.49
- ham $3.99
- cheese $3.99
- mustard $6.49
- lettuce (optional) $1.29
How to prepare
About this recipe
Ham and Cheese Sandwich is a classic deli-style cold lunch: mustard, layered ham and cheese on soft bread, ready in minutes without cooking. This american recipe serves 2 and is rated easy difficulty. Plan about 5 minutes of prep and 0 minutes of cooking.
What you will need ready
- 4 slice bread
- 6 slice ham
- 4 slice cheese
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1 cup lettuce (optional)
Step-by-step
1. Lay out 4 slice bread slices on a cutting board.
2. Spread 2 tbsp mustard on one side of each slice.
3. Layer 6 slice ham evenly on two slices.
4. Top with 4 slice cheese, breaking slices to fit.
5. Close sandwiches mustard-side down.
6. Press gently and cut diagonally.
7. Serve with 1 cup lettuce on the side or tucked inside.
8. Wrap tightly for lunch boxes; keep chilled.
9. For a warm version, griddle like grilled cheese 2–3 minutes per side.
10. Serve immediately for softest bread.
Serving
Pack with fruit or chips. Refrigerate up to 24 hours wrapped.
Cook tips
- Mustard on both inner slices gives even flavor.
- Fold ham for easier biting.
- Room-temp bread slices cleaner.
- Sharp mustard cuts salty ham.