The best recipes to take in a Tupperware container

"What should I bring for lunch? What can I make that won't spoil? What can I cook that won't leave a smell in the office? Will I even have the ingredients for this recipe?" Calm down, calm down, we have a solution!

If you're one of those people who take packed lunches everywhere, whether you eat at work or between classes, we're sharing a series of recipe ideas that will help you get organized without complications, especially with the return to routine and the start of the school year.

Who hasn't ever resorted to a Tupperware container of pasta salad, omelet, or leftovers?

What to pack in your lunchbox

The keys to preparing a successful lunchbox are these:

• Let it be a complete, unique, and substantial dish.
• If it's for heating or reheating, it shouldn't dry out or spoil easily. Basically, it should hold up well.
• That it satisfies your hunger and is a sufficient quantity to give you the energy you need.
• It has to be delicious. Very important.
• Tip: If you're reheating a fried or poached egg, keep in mind that it will cook more and the yolk will be hard. If you like it runny, it's best to keep it separate and add it at the end.

Sweet potato stuffed with vegetables, ham and cheese

Hearty and flavorful, the sweet potato has long been a staple, making it a great option for a packed lunch. Karlos Arguiñano prepares a sweet potato stuffed with vegetables, ham, and cheese, so your lunch break can be a moment just for you.

Chicken with mushrooms

Chicken is a great option for packed lunches: it's easy to cook, versatile, and everyone loves it. For something a little different, we suggest chicken with shiitake mushrooms, a dish that will take you back to your childhood.

Salmon salad

When you're craving something cold, a potato salad is always a safe bet. Swap the traditional Russian salad for Joseba Arguiñano's salmon potato salad, a protein-rich alternative packed with omega-3 fatty acids. You can also opt for a zucchini or chicken potato salad. Choose the one you like best.

Noodles with vegetables and poached egg

A complete meal idea, with carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables, that fits perfectly into your routine. Noodles with vegetables and a poached egg travel wonderfully in a lunchbox, and you can change the vegetables to suit your taste.

Tableau

Fresh, aromatic, and incredibly easy to pack, tabbouleh is that Arabic salad made with bulgur or couscous that adds a twist to your lunchbox. Mint, tomato, parsley, and lemon are the base, and you add the rest.

Country salad

Salads are another great cold option. To make it a proper meal, we recommend the country-style salad, with boiled potatoes, hard-boiled egg, tomato, olives, and tuna. Voilà, lunch is served! And if you're looking for another idea, try the chickpea salad with tuna and avocado, perfect for starting the day.

Vegetable stew

Classic, healthy, and easy: vegetable stew is always a winner. To make it more filling, add a boiled or poached egg, or some chicken.

Pasta salad

Who hasn't taken a pasta salad to work at least once? It's a classic dish that can be made in many different ways. Here we recommend a pasta salad with chicken and avocado, and if you prefer something crunchy, try Joseba Arguiñano's crispy pasta salad. You're going to love it!

Green bean and potato salad

Fancy a change from your usual salad? Try this green bean salad with cured ham and potato. Besides being delicious, it's filling and perfect for packing in a lunchbox.

Zucchini, ham and cheese omelet

You can make countless versions, but the tortilla with zucchini, ham, and cheese is more substantial and breaks the mold. Plus, it can be eaten hot or cold.

Quinoa salad with prawns

Quinoa is rich in protein, suitable for celiacs, and goes well with all sorts of accompaniments, just like tabbouleh. It's fantastic with avocado, tuna, and cucumber, and if you'd like something more substantial, Karlos Arguiñano suggests his quinoa salad with prawns.

Lentil salad

A different way to eat lentils, which also prevents you from overdoing it in the microwave and eating them without any enthusiasm, is in a lentil salad. Think of a classic salad and add legumes, such as lentils or chickpeas. It's delicious and couldn't be easier.

Lentils with vegetables

Whether cooked in a pressure cooker or a regular pot, lentils with vegetables are always a winning combination. They're nutritious and perfect for everyday meals. You can add rice to make them even more substantial, and for dessert, enjoy an orange or another citrus fruit, which helps with iron absorption.

Tip: Store several portions in the freezer, so you have food prepared for several days.

Breaded chicken breasts with spicy tomato sauce

One of the tastiest recipes in the world, perfect for any occasion: a container of breaded chicken breasts with tomato sauce. If you like a touch of the exotic, chicken curry with white rice is also a good idea, although it's not the best option if you want to avoid smells in the office.

Salmon burger

Since fish can be difficult to pack in a lunchbox, a very convenient option is to have it in burger form. With these salmon burgers with green sauce from Karlos Arguiñano, you'll have a juicy, flavorful dish that's easy to reheat.

Another option is Joseba's homemade salmon burger recipe, a classic burger that you can take disassembled.

Rice with green beans and meat

Rice is the king of lunchboxes and never disappoints. But don't just stick to plain white rice: your body needs something more. Rice with green beans and meat is ideal for cooking all at once and storing in containers for the whole week. Another equally easy option is rice with chicken and vegetables.

Chicken soup with ham

For those days when the heating is your best friend, a chicken soup with ham and hard-boiled egg is perfect. Simple yet powerful, it'll brighten any day.

Baked zucchini pie

Zucchini provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so it's a good idea to include it in your daily diet. A delicious way to take it to work is in a baked zucchini casserole.

Meatballs in sauce

The closest thing to a comforting hug. If you want a simple recipe, try homemade meatballs in sauce, just like Grandma used to make, or try something different with meatballs in tomato sauce or cheese sauce. And if you prefer fish, try making hake meatballs.

Tuna empanadas with tomato and hard-boiled egg

This recipe is a guaranteed success. Empanadas are quick and easy to make and can be filled with a wide variety of ingredients. Classic tuna empanadas with tomato and egg are a great way to pack a lunch and provide energy and protein. You can even make them in the air fryer and use the oven for other recipes to save time. You're welcome!

You have no excuse now: open the fridge, choose a recipe, and fill your Tupperware container. Your future self will thank you when you go to open it.