23 Crock-Pot Lunch Recipes That Will Make You Actually Excited To Pack Food For Work

I get it: Packing lunch always feels like a drag. You try to do it consistently at the start of every week — packing a salad, sandwich, or some other easy and healthy lunch item. By the second day of your work week, you're absolutely bored, and decide to just go for that usual takeout lunch place you love around the corner. But, what if I told you that packing a delicious lunch, potentially better than your takeout, is actually possible? With these easy crockpot lunch recipes, having a satisfying lunch has never been easier.

For me, I pack lunches to save money. Buying lunch in New York City could cost upwards of $15 to even $20 a day, and by the end of my week I bought five meals that could have easily bought me groceries for two weeks. But packing lunches every week seems tiring, and my go-to packed lunches are just so boring... usually because I just don't want to spend all of this time on the weekend trying to make a better lunch that isn't a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Today, we're going to stop settling for the PB&J. Because to be honest, making a meal in a slow cooker is actually way easier than even putting together a sandwich or salad every day. All you have to do is place these recipes into the slow cooker, wait a few hours (which can be spent marathoning your favorite new show), then pack up your lunches into small containers and shove them in the fridge. Then as Monday rolls around, your lunch prep just requires a grab-and-go, saving you way more time to actually try that new makeup trend, pick out a cute outfit, and maybe even do a quick five-minute stretch all before you leave home.

If all of this sounds like absolute bliss, then set yourself up for success with these crockpot lunch recipes.

Honey Sesame Chicken

Served on a beautiful bed of white or brown rice, this chicken by Damn Delicious is the perfect alternative to your Chinese food craving!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Who could deny a warm bowl of soup, like this one by The Kitchn, on a cold wintery afternoon?

Carne Asada Nachos

Pack up a container of this nacho dish by How Sweet Eats and bring a side of tortilla chips for dipping!

Italian Chicken And Broccoli Rabe Chili

A totally different spin to the usual beef chili — this chicken chili by Half Baked Harvest has spices and broccoli rabe for an Italian spin!

Cauliflower And Potato Soup

Substitute the usual bacon potato soup for a healthier alternative by using Cauliflower with Baked by Rachel.

Korean Tacos

Pack up a few tortillas on the side to wrap up this Korean taco meat by Table for Two during lunch time!

Butter Chicken

Definitely a different spin on a chicken lunch dish — this butter chicken by Damn Delicious is also great on a simple bed of white rice.

Pasta Fagioli

Skip picking up your favorite dish from Olive Garden during your lunch break and bring your own Pasta Fagioli by Table for Two!

Macaroni & Cheese

Screw the Easy Mac! This recipe by The Kitchn is super simple and will make all your cheesy dreams come true.

Cheesy Tortellini

Who could deny such cheesy goodness at lunch time? This tortellini by Damn Delicious is certainly an upgrade to your usual go-to sandwich for lunch.

Beef & Broccoli

The lunch combo at your local Chinese place around the corner from work is super enticing – but saving money and having this delicious alternative by Table for Two will certainly satisfy the craving (and will leave your wallet happy).

Chicken Fajita Chili

Fajitas are hard to put together during lunch, so throw it all together in this chili by Foodie Crush for an easy lunch.

Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili With Avocado

Another great chili combination by Cookie and Kate, perfect for vegetarians!

Enchilada Orzo

Instead of taking all that time carefully rolling up enchiladas and baking them (only to taste not as good heated up later) just seems like a lot for a simple lunch. Get the enchilada taste with a great heat up lunch dish with this Enchilada Orzo by Damn Delicious!

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken With Pineapple

This particularly dish by Averie Cooks will create multiple batches for your entire week – and will taste great on a simple bed of white rice!

Gnocchi Pork Cream Sauce

Brown Eyed Baker is certainly giving you a different spin on the Gnocchi dish – and will be an extremely filling lunch option!

Coconut Curry Beef

For all of you in love with Indian food — this curry beef by A Farm Girl’s Dabbles is for you!

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Cook some pasta on the side to have with these delicious meatballs by Apron and Sneakers!

Chicken and Rice Adobo

You could go to Chipotle for lunch…or you could have this awesome chicken and rice adobo by Apron and Sneakers that is packed with flavor, saving you a lot of money by the end of the week!

Bolognese Pappardelle

You really can’t go wrong with pasta and meat sauce, especially if you’re looking for some serious comfort food during a cold day. Get the recipe from Cooking for Keeps.

Chicken Ranch Sloppy Joes

Although this recipes is meant to eat right away, you could always pack your hoagie and cheese on the side to heat up later with these chicken ranch sloppy joe fillings by Cooking for Keeps.

Chicken Flautas with Avocado Garlic Sour Cream

Just like the sloppy joes, these flautas by Cooking for Keeps can be packed separately and put together during lunch time!

Slow Cooker Pork Ramen

Last, but certainly not least, if you are a lover of everything Ramen — then just make it yourself with this recipe by Jelly Toast!

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