19 Quick Lunches So Good You’ll Count Down to Noon

These quick lunch recipes are perfect for those busy afternoons when you need a meal in a hurry. They are delicious ideas that are easy to put together but still have a lot of great flavor. You can find everything from hearty soups to crunchy tostadas right here for a tasty midday meal. These dishes will keep you going strong all day long, so you can say hello to lunches that you are sure to love eating.

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Table of Contents

1 Baked Chicken Tacos
2 Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
3 Mexican Chicken Rice Bowl
4 Tostaguac (guacamole tostadas)
5 Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl
6 Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)
7 Curried Black Eyed Pea Salad Sandwiches (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
8 Ensalada de Atun (Mexican Tuna Salad)
9 Tuna Fried Rice
10 Ensalada de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)
11 Pesto Tuna Pasta
12 Corn Tuna Salad
13 Italian Grinder Sandwich
14 Salpicon de Res (Cold Mexican Beef Salad)
15 Caprese Grilled Cheese
16 Salpicon de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad Tostadas)
17 Torta de Jamon (Mexican Ham Sandwich)
18 Pasta With Coconut Milk
19 Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup

Baked Chicken Tacos

Four crispy tacos filled with shredded meat are served on a white plate with lime wedges and cilantro garnish. More tacos, cilantro, and a small bowl of salsa are visible on the side. — Baked Chicken Tacos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

These Baked Chicken Tacos are cheesy and crispy and full of amazing flavor, making a family-friendly dinner idea that is ready to eat in thirty minutes or even less for a fast and satisfying meal any day.
Get the recipe: Baked Chicken Tacos

Cottage Cheese Egg Salad

A bowl of egg salad garnished with chopped herbs is placed on a marble surface. Fresh eggs are nearby, along with a wooden spoon containing a dollop of mayonnaise and a few chopped green onions. A white cloth napkin is partially visible on the left. — Cottage Cheese Egg Salad. Photo credit: Healthy Foodie Girl.

This Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is a game-changer with its creamy texture and lighter ingredients, as this healthier alternative replaces most of the mayo with cottage cheese for a delicious new flavor that everyone will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Egg Salad

Mexican Chicken Rice Bowl

A bowl of rice topped with grilled chicken, roasted corn, sliced red onions, crumbled cheese, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. A checkered napkin and another bowl with similar food are beside it. — Mexican Chicken Rice Bowl. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

A Mexican Chicken Rice Bowl is filled with flavorful chicken, creamy street corn, and lots of fresh toppings for a simple and delicious meal that is perfect for a busy night when time is short.
Get Recipe: Mexican Chicken Rice Bowl

Tostaguac (guacamole tostadas)

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

This Tostaguac is a crunchy tostada that is topped with rich and creamy guacamole for a simple yet delicious dish that is perfect for anyone who really loves to eat authentic Mexican food.
Get the recipe: Tostaguac

Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl

A bowl filled with smoked salmon, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, capers, and cream cheese, sprinkled with sesame seeds. — Pesto Tuna Pasta. Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

This Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl is a quick and delicious meal that comes together in just a few minutes, and it is versatile enough to be enjoyed any time of day with a satisfying combination of flavors.
Get the recipe: Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl

Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)

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

Bean Tostadas are a simple yet very satisfying meal that gets ready in almost no time at all, and you can pile on all your favorite toppings to enjoy this crispy and crunchy delight.
Get the recipe: Tostadas de Frijoles

Curried Black Eyed Pea Salad Sandwiches (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

A sandwich on a white plate, cut in half to reveal a filling of chickpeas, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Beside the sandwich are a few tortilla chips. The bun is lightly toasted. — Curried Black Eyed Pea Salad Sandwiches. Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

These Curried Black Eyed Pea Salad Sandwiches are a healthy lunch option that are gluten-free and vegan, and they are easy to prepare ahead of time for meal prep and can be stored in your fridge.
Get the recipe: Curried Black Eyed Pea Salad Sandwiches

Ensalada de Atun (Mexican Tuna Salad)

A wooden bowl filled with a creamy tuna salad, garnished with a sprig of cilantro, is placed on a wooden platter alongside square and triangular crackers. The tuna salad has visible chunks of tuna, diced tomatoes, onions, and green herbs. — Ensalada de Atun. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Ensalada de Atún is a yummy and simple lunch option that will not cost you much money, as this Mexican tuna salad is made with canned tuna and gets ready in just a few minutes.
Get the recipe: Ensalada de Atun

Tuna Fried Rice

Close-up of a dish featuring fried rice mixed with chunks of cooked meat, scrambled eggs, and green onions, all served in a black bowl. — Tuna Fried Rice. Photo credit: The Rice Chick.

Tuna Fried Rice is a simple recipe that is great for lunch or even for dinner, and it brings together pantry staples for a quick and tasty meal that the whole family will like.
Get the recipe: Tuna Fried Rice

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.

Ensalada de Pollo is also known as Mexican chicken salad and is a popular party dish that is a mix of chicken and veggies in a creamy mayo dressing for a real treat.
Get Recipe: Ensalada de Pollo

Pesto Tuna Pasta

A white plate filled with rigatoni pasta coated in green pesto sauce, topped with chunks of cooked chicken. The plate is set on a red and white checkered tablecloth. — Pesto Tuna Pasta. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Pesto Tuna Pasta is a quick and easy meal that combines hearty pasta with the flavors of pesto and tuna, and with just six ingredients and twenty minutes it is a fast and delicious recipe.
Get the recipe: Pesto Tuna Pasta

Corn Tuna Salad

Corn Tuna Salad is a delightful and easy meal to make for lunch, and with its fresh ingredients it is perfect for any day, and your whole family will love this light and tasty dish.
Get the recipe: Corn Tuna Salad

Italian Grinder Sandwich

Close-up of a sandwich with sliced ham, cheese, lettuce, and salami between crusty bread halves, placed on a wooden surface. The sandwich is cut in half, showing the layered ingredients. — Italian Grinder Sandwich. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This Italian Grinder Sandwich combines mortadella, burrata cheese, and pesto with arugula on a crusty focaccia roll for the perfect blend of Italian flavors that is ideal for a family meal or for gatherings.
Get the recipe: Italian Grinder Sandwich

Salpicon de Res (Cold Mexican Beef Salad)

Salpicon de res served on a tostada and topped with avocado slices. — Salpicon de Res. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Salpicón de Res is a refreshing Mexican beef salad that is tossed in a tangy lime-vinegar dressing, and you can serve it on a tostada for a tasty party dish or to use leftovers.
Get the recipe: Salpicon de Res

Caprese Grilled Cheese

A close-up of a grilled sandwich cut in half on a wooden board. The sandwich is filled with melted cheese, tomato slices, green pesto, and a cooked egg. The golden-brown bread appears crispy and lightly toasted. — Caprese Grilled Cheese. Photo credit: Swirls Of Flavor.

A Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich brings together fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and pesto, so all the flavors of a Caprese salad are melted into one warm and toasty sandwich for a delicious lunch.
Get the recipe: Caprese Grilled Cheese

Salpicon de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad Tostadas)

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

Salpicon de Pollo is a flavorful and versatile dish that is perfect for casual gatherings, and it is served with a lime vinaigrette that pairs beautifully with chips or with tostadas.
Get the recipe: Salpicon de Pollo

Torta de Jamon (Mexican Ham Sandwich)

A close-up of a torta de jamón showcases layers of lettuce, tomato, and slices of deli meat, all nestled in a fresh, soft bread roll. — Torta de Jamon. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Torta de Jamon is a quick and delicious Mexican ham sandwich that is perfect for a simple lunch, and it is made with a soft telera or bolillo roll that is packed with flavor.
Get recipe: Torta de Jamon

Pasta With Coconut Milk

A white bowl filled with creamy pasta mixed with mushrooms and chickpeas, garnished with parsley. The bowl is placed on a gray cloth, with a blurred background featuring cutlery. "Thyme for Flavor" text is visible at the bottom right. — Pasta With Coconut Milk. Photo credit: Thyme For Flavor.

Pasta with Coconut Milk is a dairy-free recipe that is both quick to make and full of flavor, making it a great option if you are looking for a simple and tasty pasta dish.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Coconut Milk

Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup

A white bowl filled with creamy orange-colored carrot soup, garnished with a dollop of cream, a sprinkle of red chili flakes, and a fresh cilantro leaf on top. The bowl is placed on a light wooden surface with a green and beige napkin in the background. — Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup. Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup is a flavorful and meatless soup where red lentils, carrots, and warming spices create a comforting meal that freezes very well for easy meal prep throughout your busy week.
Get the recipe: Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup