17 Tasty Lunch Recipes for Busy Days

Lunch does not have to be a boring meal that you just try to get through quickly. These recipes are here to make your midday break something you actually get excited about. They are full of great flavor and are really simple to put together, so you will not waste your whole break on making food. You can choose from crispy tostadas to big, hearty sandwiches that are much better than a plain old sandwich or a simple salad from home.

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Table of Contents

1 Asparagus on Toast
2 Torta de Milanesa (fried chicken sandwich)
3 Tostaguac (guacamole tostada)
4 Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe
5 Chicken Torta
6 Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
7 Molletes (open-faced Mexican sandwiches)
8 The Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches
9 Breakfast Torta
10 Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)
11 Turkey Ciabatta Sandwich
12 Sincronizadas (ham and cheese quesadilla)
13 Deli Style Roast Beef
14 Atun a la Veracruzana (Veracruz-Style Tuna)
15 Turkey Sandwich
16 Creamy Vegan Mushroom Polenta
17 Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Asparagus on Toast

Two slices of toast topped with mashed avocado, asparagus, and sliced soft-boiled eggs, sprinkled with spices. The toasts are on a wooden board, with half an avocado and a bowl of more avocado in the background. — Asparagus on Toast.

Soft cooked asparagus is served on top of a piece of crunchy toast for a meal that seems fancy but is actually very quick to make. You can add a fried egg or some shredded cheese to this Asparagus on Toast if you want to make it into a more filling lunch that will keep you going all afternoon.
Get the recipe: Asparagus on Toast

Torta de Milanesa (fried chicken sandwich)

Torta de Milanesa (Mexican Fried Chicken Sandwich) on a wooden surface surrounded by its ingredients. — Torta de Milanesa. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

A piece of crispy breaded chicken is the main ingredient in this huge sandwich that is served on soft bread with lots of different toppings. The Torta de Milanesa is a messy and crunchy meal that is so much better than anything you could get from a fast-food restaurant and is totally worth the mess it creates.
Get Recipe: Torta de Milanesa

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. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

A crispy flat tortilla is used as a base for a big scoop of chunky homemade guacamole in this simple dish. You can make a Tostaguac more filling by adding some shredded chicken or beans, or you can just keep it simple and enjoy the fresh taste of the avocado and lime juice.
Get the recipe: Tostaguac

Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe

A sandwich cut in half, showing grilled chicken, pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and greens on a toasted bun. The sandwich is stacked with chips in the foreground. — Chicken Pesto Sandwich. Pam’s Daily Dish

This sandwich uses leftover chicken and mixes it with a flavorful pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted Swiss cheese on a sturdy bread. The Chicken Pesto Sandwich tastes like something you would buy at a nice café but is much cheaper and easier to make in your own kitchen for a special lunch.
Get the recipe: Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe

Chicken Torta

This is a big sandwich that piles juicy shredded chicken, creamy slices of avocado, and fresh, crisp vegetables onto a soft roll. A Chicken Torta can be messy to eat because it is so packed with good ingredients, but the amazing flavor makes it something you will not mind getting messy for.
Get Recipe: Chicken Torta

Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

A bowl of rotini pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, mushrooms, leafy greens, and grated cheese. The salad is garnished with fresh basil leaves and served on a light-colored plate with a green cloth nearby. — Easy Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo by The Forked Spoon

This is a cold pasta dish where tender noodles are mixed with crunchy vegetables and a flavorful pesto sauce that coats everything. The Easy Pesto Pasta Salad is great for making ahead of time because it keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, making lunch ready to go.
Get the recipe: Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

Molletes (open-faced Mexican sandwiches)

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

An open-faced sandwich is made by spreading creamy refried beans on crispy bread and then topping it with melted cheese and fresh salsa. Molletes are a popular Mexican lunch that is like a cross between nachos and a sandwich, and they are perfect for when you want something warm and cheesy.
Get the recipe: Molletes

The Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches

A croissant sandwich filled with a colorful mix of diced chicken, peas, carrots, chickpeas, and lettuce, placed on a piece of parchment paper. Grapes and a bowl of the filling are visible in the background. — Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

The chicken salad for these sandwiches is made with tender pieces of chicken, crunchy almonds, and a creamy dressing that is full of flavor. The Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches can be served on bread, wrapped in a tortilla, or even eaten on top of a green salad for a light lunch.
Get the recipe: The Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Breakfast Torta

This sandwich is not just for breakfast, as it fills a soft roll with scrambled eggs, creamy avocado, and spicy jalapeños for a hearty meal. A Breakfast Torta is a filling lunch that gives you lots of energy and protein to help you get through the rest of your day.
Get Recipe: Breakfast Torta

Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)

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

A crispy corn tortilla is topped with a layer of warm refried beans and then all of your favorite fresh toppings. Bean Tostadas are like a edible plate that you can customize differently each time you make them, depending on what ingredients you have available and what you are craving.
Get the recipe: Tostadas de Frijoles

Turkey Ciabatta Sandwich

A close-up of a sandwich made with ciabatta bread, filled with sliced turkey, pesto, cheese, and diced tomatoes. The sandwich is cut in half and stacked, showing the layers of ingredients. — Turkey Ciabatta Sandwich. Camp Grill Eat

This sandwich piles juicy turkey, fresh mozzarella cheese, and ripe tomato slices onto a chewy piece of ciabatta bread. The Turkey Ciabatta Sandwich is like a caprese salad that has been turned into a hearty and delicious sandwich that feels special but is very easy to make.
Get the recipe: Turkey Ciabatta Sandwich

Sincronizadas (ham and cheese quesadilla)

Sincronzidas stacked on top of each other and sitting a red clay plate. — Sincronizadas. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These are made by putting slices of ham and cheese between two flour tortillas and then cooking them until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Sincronizadas are a Mexican-style meal that is similar to a quesadilla and is great for dipping into salsa or guacamole.
Get the recipe: Sincronizadas

Deli Style Roast Beef

Slices of roast beef arranged on a wooden cutting board, showcasing the pink interior and slightly charred edges. — Deli Style Roast Beef. Valerie’s Kitchen

Thinly sliced roast beef that you cook yourself is perfect for making really high-quality sandwiches with your favorite cheeses and vegetables. This Deli Style Roast Beef is much more flavorful than store-bought lunch meat and is just as easy to use if you prepare it ahead of time.
Get the recipe: Deli Style Roast Beef

Atun a la Veracruzana (Veracruz-Style Tuna)

Tuna sitting on a white plate next to tortilla chips. — Atun a la Veracruzana. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Canned tuna is cooked with tomatoes, olives, and spices to make a much more interesting version of regular tuna salad. Atun a la Veracruzana is a protein-packed lunch that is great served on top of crackers or inside a roll for a meal that is full of flavor.
Get the recipe: Atun a la Veracruzana

Turkey Sandwich

This is not a basic turkey sandwich, as it layers smoky turkey with melted cheese, fresh tomato, and basil on a piece of crusty sourdough bread. This Turkey Sandwich tastes very fancy and restaurant-quality but is actually very simple and quick to put together for a satisfying lunch.
Get the recipe: Summertime Turkey Sandwich

Creamy Vegan Mushroom Polenta

A bowl of creamy polenta topped with sautéed mushrooms, garnished with a sprig of rosemary and sprinkled with a light dusting of grated cheese. — Creamy Vegan Mushroom Polenta. Go Eat Green

Soft and warm polenta is served underneath a savory mixture of cooked mushrooms for a comforting and warm lunch. The Creamy Vegan Mushroom Polenta is a dairy-free meal that is still very satisfying and creamy, making it a great option for a meatless lunch.
Get the recipe: Creamy Vegan Mushroom Polenta

Tuna Lettuce Wraps

A plate with two endive leaves filled with a tuna salad mixture of chopped vegetables and herbs. Beside them are a small bowl of almonds and a handful of fresh blueberries. The background is a white marble surface. — Tuna Lettuce Wraps. Wholesome Made Easy

Instead of using bread, a tasty tuna salad is spooned into fresh, crisp lettuce leaves to make a light and refreshing lunch. Tuna Lettuce Wraps are a crunchy and healthy option that is more exciting than a regular sandwich and will not make you feel tired afterwards.
Get the recipe: Tuna Lettuce Wraps