Food & Nutrition Meal Ideas 12 Brilliant Bento Box Ideas for Lunch By Shannon Bauer Shannon Bauer Instagram Website Shannon M. Bauer is the Senior Editor of commerce content for Shape where she works with a team of talented freelance writers to create expert- and research-driven product round-ups. She also works closely with the in-house lab to organize tests and use the insights to top edit tested product recommendations and reviews. She has seven years of experience writing, editing, and producing beauty and wellness content for top print and digital publications. Before joining Shape, Shannon was the Senior Beauty Editor at InStyle for the evergreen commerce team. She previously was a Beauty Editor at Parents, Parents Latina, and Shape print magazines where she wrote and edited beauty stories across the brands and oversaw the testing for the beauty awards programs. Shannon seeks out opportunities to be more informed about product science and formulation by interviewing experts, reading studies, and diligently testing any and all products she can get in her hands. She has a special interest in beauty, where she spent the first six years of her career, and also received her Professional Makeup Artist Certification from Chic Studios in 2019. Shape's editorial guidelines and Marnie Soman Schwartz Published on May 13, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Getty Images Switch up your protein, grains, or produce for new combinations so you'll never resort to a #saddesksalad again. 01 of 12 Burrito Bowl Bento Beneficial Bento The burrito bowl bento box idea is packed with protein from the black beans and pulled pork, which will help keep you full until dinner. Bonus: It's a great way to use leftover veggies you have already chopped up. Get the recipe: Burrito Bowl Bento 02 of 12 Greek Quinoa Salad Bento Wholefully This Greek quinoa salad is chock-full of fresh vegetables, making it a feast for the eyes and your taste buds. Try the fun variations for the bento box idea sides to make lunch a new adventure every day. Get the recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad Bento 03 of 12 Chicken Pesto Zucchini Noodles Bento Snixy Kitchen Break out the spiralizer and make some zoodles for your bento box lunch. Take your meal to next-level tasty with homemade basil pesto. Cookie cutter fruit: optional, but cute, right?! Get the recipe: Chicken Pesto Zucchini Noodles Bento 04 of 12 Salami and Cheese Bento Box Marla Meridith Your go-to lunch from elementary school just got an adult makeover. Between the salami, cheeses, and crunchy veggies, we guarantee you'll be the envy of the office. Get the recipe: Salami and Cheese Bento Box 05 of 12 Vegetarian Taco Wraps Living Lou When cut into spirals, these black bean taco wraps fit perfectly into any bento box lunch. Switch up your sides with whatever fruit and veggies are in season, and you have a complete, well-rounded meal that will power you up for any afternoon workout. ( Exactly What to Eat Before and After Exercise Get the recipe: Vegetarian Taco Wraps 06 of 12 Paleo Breakfast Box Foodilicious Love Bento boxes are the perfect vehicle to tote breakfast to the office, too—especially on days when you're running a little late. Bypass the carbs via this Paleo bento box idea with fresh fruit, jerky, a hard-boiled egg, and almonds. Get the recipe: Paleo Breakfast Box 07 of 12 Ham Sammie Bento Adventures in Bentomaking A simple ham sandwich transforms into a café-quality meal thanks to a box. Your mother was right when she said presentation makes food taste better! Or maybe that was Martha Stewart... Either way, this sandwich tastes incredible. Get the recipe: Ham Sammie Bento 08 of 12 Asparagus Pork Rolls Bento Box Basic Tokyo The asparagus pork rolls are quick to make and taste just as good as takeout—for far fewer calories. The video tutorial makes assembling this bento box idea simple enough that even a kitchen-newbie can handle it. Get the recipe: Asparagus Pork Rolls Bento Box 09 of 12 Baked Tofu and Potato Salad Bento Veggie Bento Love Barbecue sauce will aid even the tofu-phobic into loving the plant-based protein. Round out this bento box idea with potato salad, raw veggies, and small square of dark chocolate. Get the recipe: Baked Tofu and Potato Salad Bento 10 of 12 Salmon and Marinated Shrimp Salad Bento Box Cooking in Sens Salmon and shrimp provide the healthy omega-3 fats and protein, but the real MVP of this Asian-inspired bento box idea is the homemade Thousand Island dressing. Get the recipe: Salmon and Marinated Shrimp Salad Bento 11 of 12 Taco Tuesday Lunch Bento Box The Organic Kitchen Enjoy tacos any day of the week with this Mexican-themed bento box idea. On weekends, we might be tempted to pair this one with a kombucha marg... Get the recipe: Taco Tuesday Lunch 12 of 12 Baby Peas and Cheese Frittata Bento Marla Meridith Put an egg on it. Or, you know, in it. Pack a healthy, protein-rich frittata, then hit a few more food groups with some berries, fresh leafy greens, and a side of nuts or whole grain pretzels for crunch. Get the recipe: Baby Peas and Cheese Frittata Bento Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit