This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.
These lunch ideas will help you beat the afternoon slump without much effort! Choose from light salads, hearty mains, freezer meals, and portable bites that will fit in your lunchbox.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Midday meals matter! Whether you prefer having a light lunch or fueling up with a hearty lunch to tackle the rest of the day, this roundup has it all.
They’re also simple enough for busy schedules; some are even lunchbox-ready!
So before you dine out, consider a homemade lunch.
Best Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi
Craving a pasta dish that goes beyond the usual red sauce? You can’t go wrong with shrimp scampi! This version has all the rich, buttery goodness of the classic comfort food, but surprise—it’s dairy-free!
Get The Recipe: Best Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi
Nigerian Jollof Rice
Why wait for dinner to enjoy a festive, flavor-packed meal? Find out why Nigerians take pride in their Jollof rice. It’s surprisingly simple and perfect for feeding a crowd!
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Jollof Rice
The Best Vegan Cobb Salad
Tired of bland salads for lunch? This vegan Cobb salad only takes 10 minutes to make, and it’s so delicious, eating your veggies has never been easier!
Get The Recipe: The Best Vegan Cobb Salad
Chicken Laksa Curry
Looking for a quick and easy dish to add to your lunch menu?
This chicken Laksa curry is a Malaysian dish with bold and unique flavors that’ll surely be a hit! In 30 minutes, you can prepare this coconut milk-based curry with homemade laksa paste, juicy chicken thighs, soft tofu, and chewy rice noodles.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Laksa Curry
Sushi Bake Cups
Love sushi but don’t have time to sit down and enjoy it? Take your lunch to the next level with sushi bake cups. They’re easy to make at home and even easier to take on the go! You can also Customize them with your favorite sushi fillings and toppings.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake Cups
Red Velvet Waffles and Chicken
With prep time under 30 minutes, this easy recipe delivers a hearty, soul-warming meal perfect for a lazy weekend brunch. The red velvet waffles are pillowy, soft, and hint at chocolate. Paired with crunchy, garlic-infused chicken wings, every bite bursts with sweet and salty flavors.
This unique twist on chicken and waffles brings fun to the table!
Get The Recipe: Red Velvet Waffles and Chicken
Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Your sushi cravings can now be satisfied with this deconstructed crunchy shrimp roll in a bowl – no rolling mat required! Each spoonful delivers tender rice, crispy shrimp, creamy avocado, crunchy vegetables, and umami-rich nori – topped with a crave-worthy spicy mayo.
This recipe also works for special diets like gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-carb.
Get The Recipe: Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice
This Nigerian-style fried rice is far from your average takeout fried rice. The hearty rice and vegetables make it very family-friendly! Mixed vegetables add pops of color, crunch, and nutrients, while pan-fried beef liver provides a subtle richness.
Get The Recipe: Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice
Stove Top Lasagna Soup
This stovetop lasagna soup is perfect for anyone craving comfort food on a chilly night. Lasagna lovers will be thrilled with how it captures the flavors of their favorite pasta dish in easy, spoonable form.
But the best part is the melted cheese—a triple threat of parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta—that takes this soup to the next level!
Get The Recipe: Stove Top Lasagna Soup
Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese
This crockpot tortellini soup comes together in just minutes but tastes like you bought it from a five-star restaurant! Loaded with cheese-filled tortellini, savory sausage, tomatoes, and spinach, it’s a hearty meal everyone will love.
It’s the coziest, creamiest comfort food that everyone will love!
Get The Recipe: Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
These mini sliders are easy to pick up and eat on the go, and you can customize them endlessly to suit your tastes. They’re an instant hit at parties, family lunches, and game days!
Add sliced onions, tomatoes, or lettuce for crunch. Swap out the cheese for pepper jack or provolone. Kick up the spice with a drizzle of hot sauce or salsa. The possibilities are endless!
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
These mouthwatering sausage balls with cream cheese are the ultimate party appetizer, guaranteed to disappear fast! The cream cheese is the MVP that makes these sausage balls irresistibly moist and tender—no more dry, crumbly sausage balls!
Make a batch to stock up your freezer, and you’ll always have a tasty, protein-packed snack ready to enjoy!
Get The Recipe: Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can have a platter of these crowd-pleasing bacon-wrapped smokies ready for your next game day or party. These delicious bacon wraps come together in four ingredients – smoked sausages, bacon, brown sugar, and butter.
Get The Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
Unlike traditional enchiladas, which require tedious assembly, this casserole version allows you to simply layer the ingredients and pop them in the oven. But the best part is it’s loaded with veggies, protein, and fiber. It’s an easy meal to prep for the whole family!
Get The Recipe: Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
Vegan Meatloaf
This satisfying vegan meatloaf is a new staple that vegans and meat-eaters alike will love. The texture is spot-on, and the blend of spices gives it a craveable depth of flavor. It’s easy enough to throw together any day of the week but special enough to serve at holidays or family gatherings.
Give your family the comfort food they crave without the meat. This hearty loaf will have them going back for seconds!
Get The Recipe: Vegan Meatloaf
Vegan Tacos
Craving a tasty taco night but want a meat-free option the whole family will love? With its savory homemade lentil taco meat, this easy lunch idea will be your new go-to for Taco Tuesdays. It’s also a budget-friendly dish that will keep your family full!
Make the filling ahead of time so tacos can be assembled quickly. Just warm it up for a delicious taco salad.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Tacos
Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Packed with protein-rich lentils, fiber-filled veggies, and topped with creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes, this hearty casserole is perfect for cold and rainy days. The kids will love the irresistible flavors and hearty portions. Make this crowd-pleasing casserole your new family favorite!
Get The Recipe: Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Vegan Buffalo Chicken Wings
These vegan buffalo chicken wings are perfect for snacking that will leave your guests impressed. Even though it’s 100% plant-based, it still has the same crispuy and juicy as traditional chicken wings!
Get The Recipe: Vegan Buffalo Chicken Wings
Vegan Fried Chicken
You won’t believe these crisp, golden pieces of “chicken” contain no actual meat! The seitan provides a tender, juicy texture nearly indistinguishable from real chicken. But it gets even better with the crispy, herb-infused flour coating that provides irresistible crunch with every bite.
Even meat-lovers won’t notice the difference. This easy recipe will become a staple in your home for healthy weekend meals!
Get The Recipe: Vegan Fried Chicken
Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
Can’t get enough of the crispy, cheesy goodness of eggplant parmesan? This vegan version will satisfy all your cravings without the dairy. It’s the perfect meatless main for Italian night that both kids and adults will devour.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
BBQ Jackfruit Taquitos
Get ready to fall in love with this BBQ jackfruit taquitos – a plant-based sensation that will surprise your friends and family. Dip them in the cool cucumber ranch dressing for a perfect balance to the spicy taquitos!
Get The Recipe: BBQ Jackfruit Taquitos
Instant Pot Banh Mi
Banh Mi is a delicious Vietnamese pork sandwich exploding with sweet, sour, spicy and savory flavors. This Instant Pot recipe brings you incredibly tender and flavorful pork shoulder with just the press of a button!
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Banh Mi
Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Bored of the same old salad for lunch? This sweet potato quinoa salad is here to bring some much-needed flavor into your lunch bowl! Roasted sweet potato brings creaminess while quinoa adds hearty protein and fluffiness.
Creative, delicious, and good for you – what more could you ask for? Ditch the boring salads!
Get The Recipe: Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Honey Teriyaki Chicken
Take the stress out of meal prepping with this easy honey teriyaki chicken recipe! Slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, this protein-packed chicken is bathed in a honey teriyaki sauce that delivers the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Get The Recipe: Honey Teriyaki Chicken
Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This is not your average grilled cheese. This tomato bacon grilled cheese sandwich is about to be your new obsession. Oozing with melted cheese, loaded with crispy bacon, and topped with fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, and a spicy mayo, this sandwich delivers on every level.
Ready in under 30 minutes, even picky eaters will be begging for seconds!
Get The Recipe: Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Chicken Pesto Flatbread
This pesto flatbread is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep lunch. The homemade pesto adds so much flavor and pairs deliciously with the chicken and mozzarella. Customize it to your tastes with different cheeses, veggies, or bread.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Pesto Flatbread
Tuna Carbonara
This tuna carbonara pasta dish proves that sometimes the simplest recipes deliver the biggest satisfaction. Made with just a handful of ingredients you likely have on hand, it comes together in under 30 minutes for a meal that feels indulgent but won’t disappoint!
Get The Recipe: Tuna Carbonara
Homemade Egg Salad
What really makes this homemade egg salad unique is the double hit of mustard from both yellow and Dijon that gives it a tangy flavor. Spread it on your favorite bread or bun to create the perfect sandwich. The egg salad also pairs well with fresh greens like arugula or spinach.
Get The Recipe: Homemade Egg Salad
So there you have it! Lunchtime for a crowd no longer needs to be stressful. This collection of 25 quick and easy lunch ideas provides a variety of options to keep everyone happy, from classic wraps to healthy salads.
With minimal prep time and delicious flavors, these ideas are sure to become your new lunchtime favorites!
25 Easy 30 Minutes or Less Recipes for Stress-Free Evenings
Craving homemade but pressed for time? These 30 minutes or less recipes are fast and flavorful. They include salads, pasta, rice bowls, soups, and more.
Read it here: 25 Easy 30 Minutes or Less Recipes for Stress-Free Evenings
25+ Family Reunion Food Ideas That Unite Everyone Over Tasty Plates!
These family reunion food ideas turn bonding with loved ones into a delicious affair. This roundup has everything from starters to desserts, all perfect for sharing.
Read it here: 25+ Family Reunion Food Ideas That Unite Everyone Over Tasty Plates!
25 Healthy 30 Minute Meals to Up Your Kitchen Game
This list of healthy 30 minute meals includes salads, rice bowls, pasta, and soups. You’re sure to find recipes that fit your busy lifestyle and diet.
Read it here: 25 Healthy 30 Minute Meals to Up Your Kitchen Game
Interested in more recipe ideas? You’ll love these related recipes: