11 Recipes That Are Perfect For An Adult Lunchbox

It's hard to decide what to have for lunch. Do I bring something into work or do I go out and spend money at a food truck or in a restaurant? If I decide to bring my own, what's a work-friendly meal that won't perfume the whole office? If you're having trouble figuring out recipes for work lunches, we've got you covered.

Salsa recipes don't have to be tomato-based. Try Alison Sweeney's blueberry pineapple iteration for a refreshing and simple take on fruit salsa. This fresh fruit salsa uses a lot of the same ingredients as tomato-based salsas, with jalapeños, lime juice, cilantro, and onions — just swap out the tomatoes for fresh fruit. Take a small container of it with you to work along with some chips and enjoy a midday snack. For the Alison Sweeney's Blueberry Pineapple Salsa recipe, click here.

With the traditional flavors of hummus — tahini, garlic, and lemon juice — this butternut squash hummus is familiar in flavor, but surprisingly sweet and creamy. Enjoy with a few veggie snacks for lunch. For the Butternut Hummus recipe, click here.

Delicious and easy is what you need in the middle of a long day at work. Make a Caesar salad before you head into work and leave the dressing on the side. When you're ready to eat you can mix everything together. For the Caesar Salad recipe, click here.

Born from an elusive past, the club sandwich (like all great things in history) was supposedly created accidentally by a ravenous man in the late 1800s. Sure, the first sandwich may have been a crude amalgamation of bread and cold meats. But today, the club has evolved into a staple. This multi-layered, flavor-packed luncheon special is easy to make and even easier to customize. A recipe that will fill you up, but won't take too much effort is what you need for lunch during the week — this recipe is just that. For the Club Sandwich recipe, click here.

This pasta salad recipe features sweet pineapple, crunchy vegetables, and refreshing cilantro in a tangy dressing. Make some for dinner and take the leftovers with you to work — your coworkers are going to be so jealous. For the Colorful Pasta Salad recipe, click here.

For Anna Watson, author of The Yellow Table, this is the go-to lunch. I call it a detox salad, because it's packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and has protein from the quinoa. To save time, I stop by the Whole Foods salad bar and stock up on shredded carrots, red cabbage, and cooked quinoa. Feel free to toss in some roast chicken if you want a heartier meal. For the Detox Kale Salad recipe, click here.

You don't have to overload your taco dip with heavy cream cheese and sugary, premade salsa. Instead, make a zesty and creamy dip with yogurt as your base and add seasonings to your taste. Pair it with wheat tortilla chips for a healthier snack for work. For the Easy Southwest Taco Dip recipe, click here.

Marshmallows bars? Yes, please. And we don't mean the kind with Rice Krispies — you have to make this sweet treat with Honey Bunches of Oats. Pack this in your adult lunchbox for breakfast or eat it as a sweet snack after lunch. For the Rainforest Chewy Bars recipe, click here.

Make these raspberry crumble bars over the weekend while you're relaxing at home. You and your family can enjoy a few on Sunday, and you'll have a snack to take to work with you all week long. What keeps this recipe simple is the shortbread dough that's used for the base — it doubles as a crunchy topping. For the Raspberry Crumble Bars recipe, click here.

These salty, spicy, rosemary-infused roasted nuts are so simple to make and will fill your kitchen with the wonderful earthy and woodsy aroma of rosemary as they come out of the oven. It is a great midday snack to have instead of a sugary doughnut or brownie. For the Spicy Rosemary-Roasted Nut Recipe, click here.

Part turkey club and part warm, gooey panini, this sandwich hits the spot every time — and takes almost no effort at all to make. For the Super Club Panini with Grain Mustard, click here.