These Lunch Ideas Will Get You Excited for That Much-Needed Work Break
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Skipping lunch is never the answer, even if you're in a rush. Just think about it: A good lunch will keep you feeling satisfied and energized for whatever the day has in store. Got a calendar full of meetings? We have a hearty sandwich recipe for that. Taking your kids to after-school practice? Whip up a healthy lunch bowl before you hit the road! Yes, however busy your afternoon gets, these easy lunch recipes will come in handy.
Here, you'll find hearty soup recipes, creative grain bowls, Instant pot recipes, and sandwiches for everyone in the family. There are even some lunch ideas inspired by Ree Drummond's menu at The Merc. Whether you're looking for an effortless lunch to enjoy in the comfort of your home or a portable lunch to bring to the office, these lunch ideas are sure to be the most exciting part of your day.
Plus, why spend money on lunch when you can make a packed lunch just as easily with a little planning? Many of them can even be meal prepped the night before or over the weekend, like the many cold lunch recipes or the crustless quiche, to make your morning routine easier. Try one of the make-ahead pasta salads, along with healthy chicken recipes and fun ways to use leftover steak (the grilled steak wraps with peanut sauce are sure to be a favorite). Once you have your lunch prepped and packed, you can move on to tackling your weeknight family dinner!
Spring Rolls
While this refreshing recipe adds cooked shrimp to a medley of fresh herbs and colorful veggies, you can swap the shrimp for roast chicken, turkey, or skip the meat all together. Grab some pre-cut vegetables to make things even easier!
Get the Spring Rolls recipe.
Monte Cristo
Can't decide between breakfast and lunch? This delectable brunch sandwich is the best of both worlds! It's made by placing ham and gooey swiss cheese between two slices of French toast. Top it off with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Get the Monte Cristo recipe.
Shrimp Scampi
A light and tasty pasta that's ready in just 15 minutes? It hardly gets better than that! These noodles are loaded up with garlic, butter, lemon, parsley, and of course, seasoned shrimp.
Get Ree's Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Instant Pot Sticky Pork Lettuce Wraps
Sticky, sweet, sour, spicy, and so scrumptious, these lettuce wraps are made in an Instant pot and get their flavor from brown sugar, ginger, mustard, and rice vinegar. They're topped with pickled onion, sesame seeds and scallions.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Sticky Pork Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Put a spin on your everyday ham and cheese sandwich with this easy peasy recipe! It's made even simpler with store-bought crescent roll dough. Just roll them up with fresh ham and melty cheese inside.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Look at all that color! This pasta salad is packed to the brim with crunchy veggies and hearty ham and cheese. If that weren't enough, the dressing is lemony, mustardy, and perfectly creamy.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Italian Sandwich
This over-the-top sandwich is big enough for the whole family! You'll pile on layers of salami, pepperoni, ham, and mortadella, along with cheese, veggies, olives, and banana peppers. It's sure to rival any deli.
Get the Italian Sandwich recipe.
Crustless Quiche
You don't need to spend time making homemade crust for this variation on a sausage quiche. Instead, the edges get nice and golden after a quick bake in the oven. Best of all, you can prep this ahead of time and serve at room temperature!
Get the Crustless Quiche recipe.
Southwestern Salad
This fun weekday salad is so easy to toss together, but if you want to get a head start on chopping, you can prep all the vegetables (except the avocado) and store them in air-tight containers. Then, shake up the zesty jalapeño dressing in a jar on the side.
Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.
Shrimp and Grits
Not only are shrimp and grits cozy and comforting, but they only take 20 minutes to make! Just be sure to use quick cook grits that are faster to make than the stone-ground variety.
Get Ree's Shrimp and Grits recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
Sometimes, simple is best—as is the case with this tomato sandwich. The thick slices of heirloom tomatoes are perfectly paired with garlic aioli and basil for a delightfully easy sandwich.
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This deli salad mash-up combines fan favorite chicken salad and pasta salad into one crowd-pleasing dish! You can pack it in a lunchbox or bring it to a picnic in the park.
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Empanadas
Making empanadas at home might sound intimidating, but you can use rotisserie chicken and store-bought empanada wrappers to keep things easy. Plus, they're great for grabbing on the go!
Get the Chicken Empanadas recipe.
Waldorf Salad
This crisp, refreshing apple-based salad will make you feel like you're at an elegant afternoon lunch. Luckily, it's much more affordable to make at home and it only takes 15 minutes to whip up!
Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Prep a big batch of this succulent pulled pork over the weekend and you'll be blessed with tasty lunches throughout the week! Try piling some onto pretzel buns for a hearty, unique sandwich.
Get the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe.
Creamy Tortellini Soup
Use any mix of frozen veggies and your favorite flavor or tortellini to make this 15-minute soup customized to your liking. It also makes it easy to switch up from week to week.
Get the Creamy Tortellini Soup recipe.
Avocado Toast
You've likely seen avocado toast on the menu of many lunch joints these days. But making it at home is surprisingly easy. You can even get creative with the toppings like eggs and bacon or pico de gallo.
Get the Avocado Toast recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
This recipe is everything you love about spicy, saucy buffalo chicken (including the ranch dressing) all wrapped up into a tasty flour tortilla! It uses rotisserie chicken to make it even easier!
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Wraps recipe.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Hearty lentils make this vegetarian soup so satisfying. It's delicious on its own but could also be paired with a crusty bread or half sandwich to make it even more filling.
Get the Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe.
Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo
Swap out your typical sandwich bread in favor of something a little more exciting—like focaccia bread! It's perfect for this Italian-inspired ham sandwich.
Get Ree's Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo recipe.
Tex-Mex Grain Bowls
Grain bowls are the ultimate lunch food—they're easy to prep ahead, they never get soggy, and they're totally customizable! Try this one made with Tex-Mex beans, veggies, and plenty of fun toppings.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Grain Bowls recipe.
Greek Salad with Chicken
Keep the dressing and pita chips on the side to ensure this salad stays crisp until lunch. Then, just before eating, toss it altogether—and lunch is served!
Get Ree's Greek Salad with Chicken recipe.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Throw all the ingredients for this smoky split pea soup in the slow cooker the night before and you’ll have a tasty soup that's ready to eat the next day. It's so easy!
Get the Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup recipe.
Lime Chicken Quesadillas
The flavorful lime-cilantro sauce in these chicken quesadillas gives the classic dish a new twist. Serve any extra sauce on the side with the cheesy triangles for dipping.
Get Ree's Lime Chicken Quesadillas recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls
Both the quinoa and BBQ chicken can be prepped at the beginning of the week. Keep them in separate food storage containers until you're ready to build your bowls.
Get Ree's Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls recipe.
Sesame Pork Noodle Salad
This is not your average sad lunch salad. Instead, your bowl will be filled with flavorful sesame pork, ramen noodles, and crunchy veggies.
Get Ree's Sesame Pork Noodle Salad recipe.
Veggie Burritos with Black Eyed Peas
There are a ton of varieties when it comes to burritos but this veggie and bean version is so good. It's perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Get Ree's Veggie Burritos with Black Eyed Peas recipe.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
This cozy chili is made with ground turkey so it's healthy and satisfying at the same time. Best of all—you won’t have to venture out in the cold for lunch!
Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Grilled Pork Salad with Strawberries
To take your lunch salad to the next level, try adding slices of seasoned pork chops, fresh strawberries, and your favorite cheese—either goat cheese or blue cheese would work great!
Get Ree's Grilled Pork Salad with Strawberries recipe.
Fried Green Tomato BLT
Upgrade your BLT by making fried green tomatoes for added crunch. It's a fun twist on a classic sandwich.
Get Ree's Fried Green Tomato BLT recipe.
Grilled Steak Wraps with Peanut Sauce
You can use leftover grilled skirt steak for these easy wraps. The sliced steak, crunchy salad, and peanut sauce is a magical combination.
Get Ree's Grilled Steak Wraps with Peanut Sauce recipe.
Easy Taco Salad
This bright, flavorful taco salad comes together in about 15 minutes. Make it for dinner then bring the leftovers for lunch!
Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Greek Pesto Pasta Salad
Whip up a big batch of pasta salad over the weekend (we love this one that's packed with artichokes, feta and tomatoes!) and bring it for lunch all week.
Get Ree's Greek Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
There's nothing more classic than a chicken salad sandwich. Make the salad ahead of time and just toast a couple slices of bread for a quick lunch.
Get Ree's Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe.
Chicken Fajita Salad Bowls
These easy bowls can be personalized based on your preferences—serve it with lettuce for a grain-free lunch, over rice for something heartier, or wrapped up in a tortilla for easy portability.
Get the Chicken Fajita Salad Bowls recipe.
Chicken and Noodles
Nothing says comfort like a big bowl of chicken soup! Pack this easy soup for lunch and you'll be satisfied until dinner.
Get Ree's Chicken and Noodles recipe.
Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl
This healthy grain bowl is a cinch to prep and is the perfect hearty lunch. You can replace the salmon with leftover sliced chicken or steak, too!
Get Ree's Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl recipe.
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
Ree says: "Broccoli-cheese soup is my life." Make it yours too by enjoying a cheesy, creamy bowl for lunch today!
Get Ree's Broccoli-Cheese Soup recipe.
Heavenly Hummus Wrap
Vegetarians, rejoice! This easy hummus wrap is anything but boring, and travels well if you're taking it on the go.
Get Ree's Heavenly Hummus Wrap recipe.
Curried Chicken Salad Croissants
This chicken salad is seasoned with warm, fragrant curry powder and is as delicious on a bed of lettuce as it is on this buttery croissant!
Get Ree's Curried Chicken Salad Croissants recipe.
Pesto Caprese Panini
Ree's wild for pesto, and for good reason: It adds so much flavor to any dish! This easy pesto panini is made from only four ingredients that you probably already have at home.
Get Ree's Pesto Caprese Panini recipe.
Antipasti Chopped Salad
Enjoy all the best parts of an Italian sandwich— in a salad! Bonus: The flavors only get better as the vegetables marinate in the dressing (just be sure to add the lettuce last).
Get Ree's Antipasti Chopped Salad recipe.
Caprese French Bread Pizzas
Working from home? Then this quick Caprese pizza loaded with mozzarella and tomatoes is perfect for you! (Here's a tip: Use store-bought pesto to cut down on the prep time.)
Get Ree's Caprese French Bread Pizzas recipe.
Ham Sandwiches with Quick Pickles
Ree uses country ham (a dry-cured ham that is often smoked and sliced thick) in this hearty sandwich. It's topped with sweet and spicy homemade quick pickles.
Get Ree's Ham Sandwiches with Quick Pickles recipe.
Cobb Chicken Salad
It's everything you love about Cobb salad in a sandwich—packed with all the usual ingredients like blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and avocado.
Get Ree's Cobb Chicken Salad recipe.
Ranch Chopped Salad
We can't stop drooling over this classic salad! It's tossed in a creamy homemade ranch dressing and topped with bacon and cheese.
Get Ree's Ranch Chopped Salad recipe.
Make-Ahead Sandwich Rolls
These sandwich rolls are the perfect take-to-work lunch because they're meant to be made ahead of time. They look fun, too!
Get Ree's Make-Ahead Sandwich Rolls recipe.
Sausage and Kale Quiche
Quiche is not just for brunch! It makes a great weekday lunch, too—and it's just as good served hot, cold, or at room temp.
Get Ree's Sausage and Kale Quiche recipe.
Steak Sandwiches with Wasabi Cream Sauce
Have any leftover steak from last night's dinner? Throw it in this hearty sandwich! It's spiked with wasabi for an extra kick.
Get Ree's Steak Sandwiches with Wasabi Cream Sauce recipe.
BLT Pasta Salad
Make a batch of this sandwich-turned-pasta salad and bring it for lunch all week. The flavors only get better as it sits in the fridge—just be sure to hold off on adding the bacon until you're just about to eat it.
Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.
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