10+ Lunch Recipes You’ll Love for Quick and Easy Meals

Lunch gives you energy and keeps you focused throughout the day. It doesn’t have to be complicated or take a lot of time to prepare.

You can make tasty and satisfying lunch recipes with simple ingredients and easy steps.

Whether you want something quick or a little more filling, there are many ideas to fit your needs and taste. The right lunch recipes help you enjoy your midday meal and feel good about what you eat.

1) Classic tuna salad sandwich

A classic tuna salad sandwich is quick and easy to make. Start with canned tuna mixed with mayo for creaminess.

Chopped celery adds a nice crunch. Mix in lemon juice and red onion for extra flavor.

Some people add dill or parsley to freshen it up. Serve it on your favorite bread or toast.

Add lettuce or tomato if you like. Making this sandwich takes just a few minutes and uses simple ingredients you probably have at home.

Ingredients

• 1 can of tuna, drained
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bread or sandwich rolls

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix tuna, mayonnaise, celery, lemon juice, and red onion.
2. Stir until well combined.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spread the mixture onto bread slices.
5. Add lettuce or tomato if desired.
6. Close the sandwich and serve.

Learn more about this classic tuna salad sandwich recipe.

2) Grilled cheese with tomato soup

Grilled cheese and tomato soup make a great lunchtime combo. The warm, creamy soup pairs perfectly with a crispy, cheesy sandwich.

Use different types of cheese, like cheddar or Gruyere, for varied flavors. Add prosciutto or smoked cheese for extra taste.

The tomato soup is smooth and creamy. Roasting the tomatoes before blending gives a rich, deep flavor.

A little cream and fresh basil on top make it even better.

Ingredients

• Bread slices (2 per sandwich)
• Cheese (cheddar, Gruyere, or your favorite)
• Butter (for grilling)
• Tomatoes (fresh or canned, about 4 cups)
• Onion (1 small)
• Garlic (2 cloves)
• Chicken or vegetable broth (2 cups)
• Heavy cream (1/4 cup)
• Fresh basil (a few leaves)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Roast tomatoes, onion, and garlic in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
2. Blend roasted veggies with broth until smooth.
3. Pour soup into a pot, add cream, salt, and pepper. Heat gently.
4. Butter bread slices, add cheese, and grill on medium heat until golden and cheese melts.
5. Serve grilled cheese with hot tomato soup, garnish with basil.

3) Buffalo chicken wrap

A buffalo chicken wrap is a quick and tasty lunch. Use cooked chicken tossed in spicy buffalo sauce for a flavorful bite.

Add fresh veggies like lettuce and carrots for crunch. Spread creamy dressing like ranch or blue cheese to balance the spice.

Wrap everything in a soft tortilla for an easy meal you can eat on the go. Using leftover chicken makes it even faster to prepare.

Try adding avocado slices for a richer taste.

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)
• Buffalo sauce
• Tortilla wraps
• Lettuce
• Carrots (shredded)
• Ranch or blue cheese dressing
• Optional: avocado slices

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss the cooked chicken in buffalo sauce until coated.
2. Lay the tortilla flat and spread a thin layer of dressing.
3. Add the buffalo chicken, lettuce, carrots, and avocado if using.
4. Roll the tortilla tightly to form a wrap.
5. Slice in half and serve.

For more ideas, see buffalo chicken wrap recipes from Tastes Better From Scratch.

4) Vegetable stir-fry with tofu

A vegetable stir-fry with tofu is a quick and healthy lunch. You get a good mix of colorful veggies with protein from the tofu.

Customize it with any vegetables you like. Tofu becomes crispy when cooked right and adds a nice texture.

Use a simple soy and sesame sauce to bring the flavors together. Serve it over rice or noodles for a filling meal.

Stir-frying keeps the vegetables fresh and crunchy.

Ingredients

• 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add tofu cubes and cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove tofu.
3. Add sesame oil, garlic, and ginger to the pan. Stir for 1 minute.
4. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until just tender.
5. Return tofu to the pan, pour soy sauce over, and mix well.
6. Cook together for another 2 minutes. Sprinkle sesame seeds if using. Serve hot.

Find more details on making tofu stir fry with easy techniques here.

5) Spinach, broccoli & mushroom quiche

This quiche is a tasty way to enjoy your greens. You get fresh spinach, broccoli, and mushrooms baked in a creamy egg mixture.

Use fresh or frozen spinach. The broccoli adds a nice crunch, and mushrooms bring earthiness to the dish.

This recipe is simple but tastes like you spent hours cooking. Make it ahead and reheat it for lunch.

Pair it with a side salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2½ cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1½ cups broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk or cream
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions, mushrooms, and broccoli until soft. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
3. Place pie crust in a quiche or pie pan.
4. Spread cooked veggies evenly over the crust.
5. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper. Pour over vegetables.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the quiche is set and lightly browned.
7. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

For an easy spin on this recipe, see Spinach, Broccoli & Mushroom Quiche.

6) High-protein pasta salad

This pasta salad is perfect when you want a filling lunch that boosts your protein. Use chickpea pasta or regular pasta with cooked chicken or chickpeas for a plant-based option.

Add fresh veggies like cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper for color and crunch. The mix of flavors from cheddar or a simple dressing makes it tasty.

Prepare it ahead for meal prep. Each serving can pack around 16 to 30 grams of protein depending on your ingredients.

Try adding shredded carrots or sweet onion for extra crunch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked pasta (chickpea or regular)
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast or 1 cup chickpeas
• 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken or chickpeas, and veggies.
3. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

7) Mediterranean quinoa salad

This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a fresh and healthy lunch. Enjoy crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and salty feta cheese.

Kalamata olives add a briny kick. Quinoa makes the salad filling and gives a nice texture.

Lemon and fresh herbs brighten the dish. It’s easy to make ahead and pack for lunch.

Adjust the ingredients based on what you like or have on hand. This salad stays well in the fridge for a few days.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse quinoa well under cold water.
2. Cook quinoa in water according to package instructions, usually about 15 minutes.
3. Let quinoa cool to room temperature.
4. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, feta, olives, and onion.
5. Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
6. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
7. Stir in chopped parsley before serving.

8) BLT sandwich

A BLT sandwich is a simple and tasty lunch choice. You start with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomato.

Toasted bread and a little mayonnaise bring everything together. You can make this sandwich in just a few minutes.

Cook the bacon until it’s crunchy but not burnt. Use good quality bread and fresh veggies for the best taste.

Some people add avocado or a special sauce for extra flavor. The classic BLT also tastes great on its own.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bacon
• 2 slices of bread
• 2 leaves of lettuce
• 2 slices of tomato
• 1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a pan over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
2. Toast the bread to your liking.
3. Spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of toast.
4. Layer bacon, lettuce, and tomato on one slice.
5. Top with the other slice of toast.
6. Cut sandwich in half and enjoy.

For more tips, check this BLT Recipe – Allrecipes.

9) Pizza muffins

Pizza muffins are a fun and simple way to enjoy your favorite pizza flavors in a portable snack. You can fill them with cheese, pepperoni, and even vegetables.

They work great for school lunches or quick bites when you are on the go. These muffins bake with a golden crust that holds a cheesy, saucy filling inside.

You can use store-bought biscuit dough to save time. Make your own dough if you prefer.

Customize them with your favorite toppings. Pizza muffins are ready in under 30 minutes.

They also make a tasty treat for parties or group gatherings.

Ingredients

• 16 oz jumbo biscuit dough (regular, not flaky)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Flatten each biscuit dough piece and spread a spoonful of pizza sauce inside.
3. Add mozzarella and pepperoni on top of the sauce.
4. Fold dough around the filling to form a muffin shape.
5. Place muffins in a greased muffin tin.
6. Brush melted butter on each muffin.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
8. Let cool a few minutes before serving.

You can find more ideas for these pizza muffins here.

10) No-chicken salad sandwich

You can enjoy a tasty sandwich without using chicken. This no-chicken salad uses chickpeas mashed with vegan mayo to create a creamy, protein-rich filling.

Add crunchy nuts and fresh veggies like celery or onions for texture and flavor. Mix in some fruit like apples or grapes for a little sweetness.

This recipe is quick to make and perfect for lunch. It works great in sandwiches, wraps, or on top of salad greens.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and mashed
• 1/4 cup vegan mayo
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup almonds or pecans, chopped
• 1/4 cup diced apple or grapes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mash the chickpeas in a bowl until mostly smooth.

2. Stir in vegan mayo.

3. Add celery, nuts, and fruit. Mix well.

4. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Serve on bread, wrap, or salad.