35+ Delicious and Easy Things To Make For Lunch

33+ Delicious and Easy Things To Make For Lunch

With all the hectic schedules people have, it can be hard to make lunch.

Whether you’re in a rush at work or trying to save money, so you don’t spend too much on fast food, these recipes are perfect for lunchtime!

You won't believe how easy they are to make and so delicious! Read on!

Hot Lunch Ideas

1. Cream of Mashed Potato Soup

Cream of Mashed Potato Soup

If you're looking for a way to add some comfort and heartiness to your lunch, this Cream of Mashed Potato Soup recipe is an excellent option.

Packed with onions, garlic, pepper, and chicken broth flavors, this soup is terrific when served alone - or even better with a loaf of crusty bread.

2. Instant Pot Chicken Pho

Instant Pot Chicken Pho

This traditional Vietnamese soup is the perfect lunch if you're in a hurry to get things done before lunchtime.

All you need is a pack of thin rice noodles, a whole rotisserie chicken, and two cups of low-sodium chicken broth.

Prep time for this recipe is less than half an hour. Get this Instant Pot Chicken Pho recipe here.

3. Pasta Fagioli Soup

Pasta Fagioli Soup

Pasta Fagioli Soup is a traditional Italian recipe made as a lunch meal.

It uses pasta and beans as its main ingredients and makes the ultimate hot lunch.

This recipe will show you how to make a restaurant-quality soup for lunch.

Cold Lunch Ideas

4. Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burrito

Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burrito

A vegetarian bean and rice burrito is a simple but tasty lunch. The beans are flavored with spices, garlic, and hot sauce, while the rice gets lime juice and cilantro dressing.

Add additional fillings to the burrito if you like and serve with salsa. Get this Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burrito recipe here.

5. Ham and Dill Pickle Spread

Ham and Dill Pickle Spread

This ham salad with dill pickle is perfect for packed sandwiches, tea sandwiches, or as a snack spread on crackers or chips.

It is best with deli ham that is cooked rather than smoked or honey-baked. Get this Ham and Dill Pickle Spread recipe here.

6. Make-Ahead Healthy Travel Salad

Make-Ahead Healthy Travel Salad

Make-Ahead Healthy Travel Salad is one of those lunches that you will be so excited about. Not only is this salad vibrant and delicious, but it is so healthy as well.

You can feel good about what you are eating, and you won’t regret packing this for your lunch!

If you're looking for some healthy and delicious salad recipes, be sure to check out our collection of 17 Healthy Salad Recipes. With so many great options to choose from, you're sure to find a few recipes that will become your go-to salads!

7. Savory Smoked Salmon Crepes

Savory Smoked Salmon Crepes

Savory Smoked Salmon Crepes recipe is a tasty and easy-to-prepare lunch meal recipe.

This recipe is a great way to impress your guests with your French cooking skills. Just remember to get the air bubbles out from the batter to make the best crepes!

8. Ham and Swiss Quesadilla

Ham and Swiss Quesadilla

The Ham and Swiss Quesadilla is a perfect example of a simple lunch. The ham and Swiss cheese are folded inside the tortillas to make this snack.

This recipe is quick and easy to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish, making it a great option when you're in a hurry.

It is best served warm with that crisp tortilla and melted cheese that you can’t resist!

9. Tuna And Avocado Salad

Arugula, Tuna, and Avocado Salad

The taste of this lunch treat is tangy and fresh with the citrus lemon dressing.

The avocado adds creaminess, while the olives add just enough saltiness to give it an extra kick. 

The tuna is played down so you can enjoy the other flavors. Get this Tuna And Avocado Salad recipe here.

10. Summer Cucumber Jicama Salad

Summer Cucumber Jicama Salad

After a long day in the heat, this light and refreshing Summer Cucumber Jicama Salad is perfect for a light lunch or side dish.

You will find that the lemon tones down the jicamas' sweetness and balances out the flavors nicely.

Easy Lunches To Pack For Work

11. Hasselback Tomato Clubs

Hasselback Tomato Clubs

This no-fuss, no-bread riff on a classic is perfect during tomato season. Make it for lunch or pair it with a pasta salad for a light dinner.

Hasselback tomatoes are sliced horizontally and filled with bacon, lettuce, juicy red onion, and cheddar cheese. Get this Hasselback Tomato Clubs recipe here.

12. Chicken Avocado Salad With Light Vinaigrette

chicken avocado salad with light vinaigrette resting in a bowl

This fresh and healthy salad with freshly grilled chicken, avocados is the perfect lunch option for any busy day.

With a lemon vinaigrette dressing it will keep your taste buds on trend while also providing you energy to last all afternoon!

Get this Chicken Avocado Salad With Light Vinaigrette recipe here.

13. Chicken Salad Pita

Chicken Salad Pita

In this lunch meal, you'll have a flavored and lively chicken salad that will give your taste buds a piquant delight.

With a few ingredients, you're close to a delicious lunchbox that will be loved by whoever gets it.

If you're not sure about the best way to enjoy it, just eat it over a bed of lettuce, over whole grain bread, or just off the spoon! Get this Chicken Salad Pita recipe here.

14. Greek Chicken Grain Bowl

Greek Chicken Grain Bowl

This meal makes for a great lunch to take along with you on the go. It will give you energy and ensure that you stay full, no matter what your day may look like.

This Greek Chicken Grain Bowl is a simple and nutritious dish incorporating grains, protein, and vegetables.

If you're looking to cook the perfect steak, you'll want to check out our review of the best pans for steak. With the right equipment, you'll be able to cook delicious steaks that are perfectly cooked every time.

15. Farro Salad With Apple

Farro Salad

Farro is a type of wheat that has been around for centuries, but it's finally becoming a modern-day favorite.

It's a hearty and wholesome pasta alternative, but there are so many things you can do to make it your own.

You can substitute the ingredients or use this as a guide to assemble into your recipe variation! Get this Farro Salad With Apple recipe here.

16. Sheet Pan Turkey Melts

Sheet-Pan-Turkey-Melts

The white cheddar, Swiss cheese, and turkey combination are perfect. There is just something about the melty cheese that pairs well with all the other flavors in the dish. Get this Sheet Pan Turkey Melts recipe here.

17. Mediterranean Avocado Salmon Salad

a delicous Mediterranean salon avocado salad

The Mediterranean Avocado Salmon Salad is a mind-blowing flavor combination of salty and smoky salmon, creamy avocado with sweet red onion. This salad tastes so good that you would never know it's healthy for your heart!

18. Vegan Hummus Avocado Wrap

Vegan Hummus Avocado Wrap

Vegan Hummus Avocado Wrap recipe is a tasty meal that is perfect for everyone. If you are not vegan, you will top off this dish with feta cheese or sliced turkey.

You can make the wrap with any extra tortillas. It's the perfect meal to make with family and friends, no matter what your dietary restrictions are.

19. No-Cook Mason Jar Chicken Taco Salad

No-Cook Mason Jar Chicken Taco Salad

This delicious and easy Chicken Taco Salad In A Jar is perfect for adults and kids.

It's quick to put together and uses canned chicken breast, so it doesn't require cooking.

This healthy and nutritious meal in a jar is the perfect, on-the-go ready to eat lunchbox meal!

20. Quinoa Salad

Vegan and Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad is one of the easiest, vegan, and gluten-free healthy options. You can change it up with different vegetables, so it doesn't get boring.

Add some beans to boost your protein intake, too! Quinoa salad can last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, so it's perfect for lunch on the go.

21. Basil Chicken Sandwiches

Basil Chicken Sandwiches

The Basil Chicken Sandwiches is made with fresh basil, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried parsley. The sandwich tastes best with a whole wheat bun and butter on top.

22. Turkey and Hummus Sandwich

Turkey and Hummus Sandwich

This sandwich is healthy and nutritious, fixes your hunger, and helps you feel fit.

It is a great way to supplement your unhealthy diet because it lets you satisfy your craving without the guilt.

This Turkey and Hummus Sandwich recipe is best served with a side of fresh fruit or veggie sticks.

23. Spice-Grilled Steak Salad

Spice-Grilled Steak Salad

Planning to make lunch for the family? This Spice-Grilled Steak Salad is a tasty option for an easy, healthy meal any day of the week.

Rub skirt steak with hot paprika before grilling to add some heat to this healthy lunch.

Add mixed greens, tomatoes, and onions, or whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand.

Serve topped with feta cheese crumbles, mustard dressing, and reduced-fat sour cream.

What To Eat For Lunch At Home

24. Creamy Spaghetti

Creamy Spaghetti

Creamy Spaghetti is a tasty dish that you can make in just 20 minutes.

The ingredients are simple and easy to find, but the result will be decadent and rich. Find the recipe for creamy spaghetti here.

25. Egg Roll In A Bowl

Egg Roll Bowls

Egg Roll In A Bowl is a lighter lunch, and they provide all of the significant components of a sweet and savory take-out dish.

They're packed with crispy vegetables, tender mushrooms, and tons of flavorful sauce.

It will save you money and calories, not to mention they can be made in about 10 minutes!

26. Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups

Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups

It's no surprise that Mexican food is always a hit.

These Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups lunch meal came together with the chicken, cilantro, chili powder, and lime to make it so delicious.

Be sure to keep your chicken moist, so it doesn't dry out, and add seasonings like onions to meet your taste buds’ needs!

27. Microwave Loaded Baked Potato

Microwave Loaded Baked Potato

Microwave Loaded Baked Potato is one of the tastiest lunch dishes you can make, especially if you spice them up with bacon.

The taste of these potatoes is delicious, creamy, gooey, and cheesy, all at the same time. It is challenging for anyone to resist this dish or feel hungry after eating it.

28. Chorizo Street Tacos

Easy Chorizo Street Tacos

Who doesn't love tacos? Mexican food brings the heat in this recipe for a perfect lunch or quick dinner to make for the family.

Chorizo, taco seasoning, and tomatoes combine for a flavorful and easy dish that you can whip up in minutes.

There's no need to go out - it's all right here! Get this Chorizo Street Tacos recipe here.

29. Southwest Chicken Wrap

Southwest Chicken Wrap

Southwest Chicken Wrap is a quick and easy meal. A tasty recipe you can whip up fast for your crew’s next lunch.

Even better, these wraps are perfect for making ahead, so a delicious and filling meal is ready and waiting in your refrigerator for tomorrow too.

30. Tuna Pinwheels

Tuna Pinwheels

This meal has only a few ingredients to make it in a short time.

These ingredients are all rolled up in a tasty tortilla wrap then cut into bite-size slices. Get this Tuna Pinwheels recipe here.

31. Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad

Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad

Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad is made of freshly peeled and shredded carrot, sliced radishes, and an orange juice dressing.

The dressing also contains fresh mint and honey, and it finishes with a dash of salt and pepper.

32. Spinach and Gruyere Potato Casserole

Spinach and Gruyere Potato Casserole

This Spinach and Gruyere Potato Casserole is the perfect make-ahead meal. Instead of saving it for your next dinner party, enjoy it for lunch over a week!

The cheese sauce includes basic ingredients like milk, butter, flour, and salt.

You can easily cut the recipe in half to suit any size family. Combine this dish with a green salad, and you're set.

33. Caramelized Onion Mushroom Pizza

Caramelized Onion Mushroom Pizza

This Caramelized Onion Mushroom Pizza recipe is easy to make and has delicious flavors! It's the perfect dish for lunch.

All you have to do is spread the dough onto a baking sheet, top it with cheese, spinach, and thyme, then bake it in the oven until the cheese bubbles over the sides of the crust.

Next time you're craving pizza for lunch, give this recipe a try!

34. Tuna Melt on Cornbread

tuna melt on cornbread

This Tuna Melt on Cornbread is an open-faced sandwich that is served for lunch or dinner.

You can make the tuna salad with canned tuna, mayonnaise, relish, lemon juice, onion powder, pepper, and celery salt.

Slice the bread and toast them under the broiler for a few minutes.

Place the bread slices on a plate and top with a scoop of tuna salad. Serve with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.

35. Open-Faced Pizza Burgers

Open-Faced Pizza Burgers

The Open-Faced Pizza Burgers recipe is a fantastic collection of things that will leave you feeling satisfied. A dash of oregano livens up canned pizza sauce.

Add garlic powder, a splash of milk, a little bit of olive oil, and pepper. Mix the mixture in a small bowl and then dip each side of the burger in the sauce to coat it.

36. Sausage and Pepper Sheet-Pan Sandwiches

Sausage and Pepper Sheet-Pan Sandwiches

Sausage and Pepper Sheet-Pan Sandwiches recipe is an easy way for you to create a satisfying meal that's great for lunch.

All you have to do is grab the ingredients, place them on the sheet pan, and let the oven do all of the work.

Conclusion

All of these recipes are easy to make and delicious. Whether you're looking for a vegetarian dish or an all-American meal that's packed with protein, there is something on this list that will leave your stomach satisfied.

The next time lunchtime rolls around, whether it be midday or the evening hours after work - know that you have plenty of options available!

Which one would you like to try? Let us know in the comments below what recipe sounds best to you!

Tammy Kennedy
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