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Since work is already stressful enough, the last thing that you need to worry about is what to pack for lunch.
This easy pesto salad recipe is the PERFECT simple and delicious dish that’ll have you counting down the minutes at work until you get to eat it!
Give yourself a yummy, easy lunch and pack this salad recipe. It’s stress-free, it’s filling, and it’s a great way to fuel your brain and body to get through the rest of the work day.
Healthy Pesto Salad with No Pasta
Search the internet for a healthy pesto salad and everything seems to be paired with pasta. Don’t want to eat pasta? You’re out of luck!
Whether you’re trying to cut carbs or just want a lighter meal, this is one recipe with no pasta you’ll be able to put your pesto to use and will be making again and again!
I don’t know about you, but I want my healthy and easy work lunch to also have lots of FLAVOR.
Ever since I created this simple salad recipe, I’ve stopped stressing over what to make and pack for lunch. It’s been glorious.
All you need is just a few minutes of time in the morning to make it, pack it, and head out the door. OR, you can meal prep ahead the night before so that it’s ready and waiting in the fridge.
It’s TOTALLY possible to have a fast and easy lunch option for work – and this easy recipe is the proof!
Pesto Salad Ingredients
Your work day will flow by so smoothly once you gather all the ingredients listed below. Making lunch for work has never been easier. Grab these to get started:
- Shredded lettuce: save yourself time and buy the pre-shredded lettuce at the store.
- Avocado: dice up into bite-sized pieces.
- Cherry tomatoes: clean and cut them in half.
- Mozzarella cheese: you can use chopped or shredded.
- Black olives: add whole or slice.
- Deli turkey: roll it up and add it.
- Pesto: used as a dressing for flavor. You can use storebought or homemade pesto.
- Water: the water is used to help thin out the pesto.
How to Make Healthy Pesto Salad
The simplicity of this pesto salad will have you loving life. Having lunch prepped and ready means that you’ll get to enjoy more of your lunch break to relax and recharge. Grab the ingredients and make it by:
- Build a base
Place the shredded lettuce directly in your lunch container or bowl. - Load up with toppings
Top the lettuce with avocado pieces, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, black olives, and deli turkey. - Pour or pack the pesto dressing
In a small dish, combine pesto with a little water to thin it out into a dressing-like consistency. Pour it over the salad or pack in a separate small lidded container if not using it right away.
How to Pack It for Work
Packing a pesto salad for work is as easy as packing a lunch the night before or up to two days before. The biggest tip is to not pour the pesto dressing over the salad until you’re ready to eat it, in which case I recommend you pack it in a separate small lidded container.
You can pack the salad and the ingredients into a box with a lid or even a large mason jar and stack it up! Yes, mason jar salads are totally a thing, and they’re really fun and unique to eat!
Healthy Pesto Salad Work Lunch
Ingredients
- 1 cup lettuce, shredded
- ½ avocado, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ounce mozzarella cheese, chopped
- 2 tablespoons black olives
- 3 ounces deli turkey, rolled up or chopped
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Place the shredded lettuce directly in your lunch container.
- Top the lettuce with avocado pieces, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, black olives, and deli turkey.
- In a small dish, combine pesto with a little water to thin it out into a dressing-like consistency. Pour it over the salad or pack in a separate small lidded container.
Kathleen says
What marvelous flavors and textures in this carb-smart pesto salad. It’s the perfect lunch for me and my family.
Mahy says
I’d love to add it to my lunch routine. Great choice of ingredients and very easy to make during a busy week!
Tayler says
I made this salad for lunch today and it was delicious! Definitely a new favorite!
Charah says
Adding this to my diet, I love salads.
Angela says
I’m always looking for new lunch ideas and this recipe ticks all the boxes! Easy to make with simple ingredients that I always have on hand. I love the homemade pesto as well.