Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 4 Mason Jar Meals That Make Lunchtime So Much Easier Your lunch is about to be the envy of the office. By Betty Gold Betty Gold With more than a decade of experience writing and editing food and nutritional content, Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple and acting senior food editor at Well+Good. Betty has also spent time working in product analysis at Good Housekeeping and in food production on The Martha Stewart Show. Highlights: * Bachelor of Science in Food Studies & Nutrition from New York University * Industry professional for 11 years * Served on mastheads at Food Network, Bon Appetit, and Good Housekeeping Magazines * Worked in publications department at James Beard Foundation Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Grace Elkus Grace Elkus Grace Elkus is a food writer and editor with over a decade of experience in culinary media. Highlights: * Associate food editor at Real Simple, where she developed recipes, wrote food stories, and assisted with styling * Deputy food director at Kitchn, where she and her team were responsible for 100 recipes a month * Currently the content lead for JOKR Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 22, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Mason jars are great for canning, crafting, and gifting, but if you ask me, they're even better for meal prep. Seriously—if you're sick of your usual lunch routine, why not switch it up with these mason jar creations? We've included a spin on ramen noodles (they cook right in the jar!), a healthy, homemade burrito bowl, cheesy eggs perfect for dunking toast into, and more. The wide-mouth mason jars make for easy transportation and ensure all of the ingredients stay fresh. This Is the Easiest-Ever Way to Make a Mason Jar Salad Getty Images 01 of 04 Grilled Cheese Mason Jar Eggs This fun recipe is great for kids and adults alike. Think of it as a new twist on soft-boiled eggs and soldiers—except this time, you get to dip your toasty bread strips into a mason jar. When the mason jars are heated, the butter melts, the eggs cook, and the cheese melts resulting in a little jar of heaven. Get the recipe:Grilled Cheese Mason Jar Eggs. Caitlin Bensel Get the recipe Yes, you can cook eggs in a mason jar—and they're delicious. We call these grilled cheese eggs because you can dip toasted bread into the jars to enjoy the rich, buttery eggs and cheese inside. We recommend pairing with challah or brioche, but any toasted bread will work in a pinch. Get creative with other variations—toss in crumbled turkey bacon, stir in hummus, or finish with more fresh herbs. 02 of 04 Mason Jar Miso Ramen Soup RealSimple.com Get the recipe This may be the ultimate lunchtime hack: A just-add-water homemade soup packed with veggies, tofu, and quick-cooking noodles. In the cold winter months, we suggest prepping three or four jars on Sunday (feel free to switch up the veggies), so lunch is packed for the whole week. 03 of 04 Mason Jar Chicken Burrito Bowl RealSimple.com Get the recipe Thanks to a rainbow of colorful veggies and a layer of cheese, this stacked salad looks (almost) too pretty to eat. It's packed with lean protein, whole grains, and vitamin C, but it tastes as good as your favorite store-bought burrito. Add the diced avocado on the day of to prevent it from browning. 04 of 04 Mason Jar Greek Tabbouleh Salad RealSimple.com Get the recipe Hummus lovers, this one's for you. This jar incorporates the tahini-laced puree into the salad, so you can enjoy the creamy dip in each and every bite. The herb-packed tabbouleh adds fresh lemony flavor to the arugula and chickpeas. Don't forget the pita chips for a satisfying crunch. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit