17 Lunch Recipes You’ll Crave Morning, Noon, and Night

If you are getting a little tired of your usual lunch, these tasty ideas can help make your midday meal something to look forward to again. There is a great variety of dishes here, from hearty sandwiches to filling pasta salads that will keep you going all afternoon. You will find lots of simple and delicious recipes that are perfect for any day of the week and are sure to become new favorites you make all the time.

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Table of Contents

1 Salpicon de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)
2 Fresh Tuna Cucumber And Ricotta Cheese Salad
3 Tostaguac (guacamole tostada)
4 Pittsburgh Chicken Salad
5 Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)
6 The Almost-Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
7 Ensalada de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)
8 Baked Ravioli with Spinach
9 Chicken Torta
10 Steak Fried Rice
11 Carne Asada Torta
12 Chicken Pesto Sandwich
13 Molletes (Mexican open-faced sandwiches)
14 Salmon Sushi Cups
15 Pumpkin Vegan Chili
16 Chinese Pasta With Beef And Pepper
17 Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Salpicon de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)

Two tostadas of Salpicon de Pollo topped with avocado slices and surrounded by cilantro leaves and jalapenos. — Salpicon de Pollo. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

For a light and refreshing meal, you can try Salpicon de Pollo, which is a flavorful chicken salad dressed in a lime vinaigrette and often served with tostadas or chips for an easy and tasty dish.
Get the recipe: Salpicon de Pollo

Fresh Tuna Cucumber And Ricotta Cheese Salad

A colorful salad on a white plate, featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and dollops of ricotta. It's garnished with a sprinkle of black pepper and thinly sliced rings of red onion. — Fresh Tuna Cucumber And Ricotta Cheese Salad. Photo credit: My Chef’s Apron.

This easy and healthy salad with fresh tuna, cucumber, and ricotta cheese adds delicious flavors and good nutrition to your meals and can be ready to eat in just about fifteen minutes for a quick lunch.
Get the recipe: Fresh Tuna Cucumber And Ricotta Cheese Salad

Tostaguac (guacamole tostada)

A colorful plate holds a crispy tostada topped with layers of guacamole, black beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, fresh cilantro, and dollops of sour cream. The vibrant ingredients create a visually appealing and appetizing dish. — Tostaguac. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

You can make a Tostaguac for a delicious treat by using a flat, crisp corn tortilla as a base and topping it with a big scoop of chunky guacamole that is perfect for anyone who loves Mexican food.
Get the recipe: Tostaguac

Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

Two bowls of salad with grilled chicken slices, cherry tomatoes, fries, and cucumber slices, topped with creamy dressing. The salads are served on a white surface with additional cucumber slices nearby. — Pittsburgh Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Dizzy, Busy and Hungry.

The Pittsburgh Chicken Salad is a fun and delicious take on a regional classic that combines chili-rubbed chicken, crispy fries, and creamy ranch dressing for a party in your mouth with a slightly healthier twist.
Get the recipe: Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)

A bean tostada served on a decorative blue plate. — Bean Tostadas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

If you have some extra refried beans, you should definitely make these Bean Tostadas by putting them on a crispy tortilla and adding your favorite toppings for a yummy lunch or an afternoon snack.
Get the recipe: Tostadas de Frijoles

The Almost-Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A grilled cheese sandwich cut into triangles sits on parchment paper, with melted cheese stretching between the halves. Next to it, a small wooden bowl filled with a swirled tomato soup garnished with basil is placed, creating a warm and inviting meal presentation. — The Almost-Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Photo credit: Chocolates & Chai.

This grilled cheese sandwich is an all-time favorite for both kids and adults, and it is especially good when you serve it with a warm bowl of tomato soup on the side for dipping.
Get Recipe: The Almost-Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ensalada de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)

A plate of shredded chicken in creamy sauce, inspired by Mexican chicken recipes, surrounded by tortilla chips. Garnished with a pickle and a slice of carrot on the side, all served on a rustic wooden surface. — Ensalada de Pollo. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

The Ensalada de Pollo is a delicious party dish that is made with chicken and fresh veggies, all coated in a rich mayo dressing that adds a lot of flavor to this Mexican chicken salad.
Get Recipe: Ensalada de Pollo

Baked Ravioli with Spinach

A green plate with cheese ravioli topped with spinach and tomato sauce sits next to a fork. Nearby, a casserole dish filled with ravioli, vegetables, and cheese, a bowl of grated cheese, and an empty glass are placed on a textured surface. — Baked Ravioli with Spinach. Photo credit: Chef’s Pencil.

Baked Ravioli with Spinach is a vegetarian-friendly dish that is very simple to prepare with just a few ingredients, making it a hearty meal that is ideal for a quick and comforting lunch or dinner.
Get the recipe: Baked Ravioli with Spinach

Chicken Torta

A Chicken Torta is a flavorful Mexican sandwich that is packed with juicy chicken, creamy avocado, crunchy lettuce, and tasty seasonings, making it a very satisfying and delicious meal for any day.
Get Recipe: Chicken Torta

Steak Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with peas, eggs, and green onions, served with a spoon. There's a small dish of sliced green onions on the side and a colorful napkin nearby. Salt and pepper shakers are visible in the corner. — Steak Fried Rice. Photo credit: Carmy.

You are going to love how easy and delicious this Steak Fried Rice is to put together, as it is full of great flavors and is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it for lunch.
Get the recipe: Steak Fried Rice

Carne Asada Torta

A Carne Asada Torta is a mouthwatering Mexican sandwich that is loaded with tender, marinated beef for a real flavor explosion that you will not want to miss when you are looking for a hearty meal.
Get Recipe: Carne Asada Torta

Chicken Pesto Sandwich

A close-up of a grilled sandwich on a grey plate. The sandwich is sliced diagonally, revealing layers of melted cheese, fresh greens, and grilled chicken. The bread is golden brown with grill marks, indicating it has been toasted. — Heirloom Tomato Sandwich with Pesto Aioli. Photo credit: Brunch and batter.

This Chicken Pesto Sandwich is a super easy and super tasty sandwich that is perfect for entertaining or for any midday meal and will likely have you wanting seconds.
Get the recipe: Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Molletes (Mexican open-faced sandwiches)

A plate with three molletes surrounded by cilantro and a decorative Mexican napkin. — Molletes. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Molletes are a well-loved Mexican food that works for breakfast, lunch, or a speedy snack, made as an open-faced sandwich with toasted bread, refried beans, melted cheese, and pico de gallo.
Get the recipe: Molletes

Salmon Sushi Cups

A bite-sized sushi cup with a nori (seaweed) wrap, filled with rice, chunks of salmon, avocado slices, and drizzled with a spicy orange sauce. The sushi cup is placed on a light gray surface. — Salmon Sushi Cups. Photo credit: Oh my food recipes.

You can show off your cooking skills with these Salmon Sushi Cups, which are an Asian fusion recipe that works perfectly as a fun appetizer or a light and interesting lunch meal for everyone to enjoy.
Get the recipe: Salmon Sushi Cups

Pumpkin Vegan Chili

A bowl of spicy pumpkin soup garnished with chopped onions and green jalapeño slices. The soup is placed on a rustic wooden table adorned with small pumpkins, autumn leaves, and sprigs of fresh cilantro, evoking a warm fall ambiance. — Pumpkin Vegan Chili. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This Pumpkin Vegan Chili is a satisfying and cozy meal that is packed with great flavor, making it the ultimate comfort food for a filling lunch that will keep you going all afternoon long.
Get Recipe: Pumpkin Vegan Chili

Chinese Pasta With Beef And Pepper

A plate of spaghetti with minced meat, red and green peppers, and zucchini, served with a side of extra toppings and a bowl of red sauce. A fork and a small plant decorate the setting on a two-tone table. — Chinese Pasta With Beef And Pepper. Photo credit: Cooking With Lei.

You can wow your family with the flavors of this Chinese Pasta With Beef And Pepper, which is easy to make and simply delicious for a lunch that feels a little bit special and different.
Get the recipe: Chinese Pasta With Beef And Pepper

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

A bowl of creamy pasta with chopped green onions and cheese crumbles, set on a marble countertop. A second bowl and wooden salt and pepper shakers are blurred in the background. A striped kitchen towel is to the side. — Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe. Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a delicious mix of chicken, carrots, and celery all combined with pasta in a creamy and tangy sauce that is great for a party or a filling lunch all by itself.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe