• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mamá Maggie's Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • By Category
    • Agua Frescas
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
    • Pork
    • Salsa Recipes
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Tamales
    • Vegetarian
  • Contact
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • By Category
      • Agua Frescas
      • Appetizers
      • Beef
      • Breakfast
      • Chicken
      • Dessert
      • Drinks
      • Pork
      • Salsa Recipes
      • Seafood
      • Side Dishes
      • Soup
      • Tamales
      • Vegetarian
    • Contact
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Quick Lunches for Days You’re Super Busy

    Published: Dec 16, 2025 by Maggie Unzueta

    Open-faced sandwiches on a marble surface, topped with a creamy chickpea salad and lettuce. A lemon wedge and fresh parsley are nearby.

    Are you tired of having the same lunch every single day? These tasty ideas will help you break out of that boring routine. You can choose from hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, and other simple meals. Each recipe is easy to make and full of good flavor. They are all satisfying and will keep you from getting bored. Try something new for your next lunch to make your day a little better.

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Table of Contents

    • 1 Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich
    • 2 Torta de Milanesa
    • 3 Cuban Sandwich (aka Cubano)
    • 4 Carne Picada Burritos
    • 5 Easy Delicious Kale Apple Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
    • 6 Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad)
    • 7 Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe
    • 8 Molletes (open-faced Mexican sandwiches)
    • 9 Swedish Meatball Sandwich Recipe With Beet Salad
    • 10 Tlacoyos
    • 11 Homemade Egg Salad
    • 12 Atun a la Veracruzana (Veracruz-Style Tuna)
    • 13 Easy Fried Rice with Frozen Vegetables
    • 14 Salpicon de Pollo (chicken salad tostadas)
    • 15 How To Make the Best Vegan BLT Sandwich
    • 16 Sincronizadas (ham and cheese quesadillas)

    Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich

    Close-up of a sliced sandwich with layers of ham, fresh tomatoes, greens, and spread between rustic bread. The sandwich is on crumpled parchment paper on a wooden surface.
    Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich. Photo credit: Chef’s Pencil.

    Salty mortadella and creamy cheese are piled on focaccia with pesto. This Focaccia Sandwich is an Italian-inspired and very flavorful meal.
    Get the recipe: Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich

    Torta de Milanesa

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

    A crispy breaded chicken cutlet is served on a soft roll. Torta de Milanesa is a crunchy and satisfying Mexican sandwich.
    Get Recipe: Torta de Milanesa

    Cuban Sandwich (aka Cubano)

    A close-up of a stacked Cuban sandwich. The sandwich includes shredded pork, pickles, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and is held together by a pair of pickles on top. In the background, more sandwiches and a black napkin are visible. Potato chips are on the side.
    Cuban Sandwich (Cubano). Photo credit: Will Cook for Families.

    This sandwich has slow-roasted pork, pickles, mustard, and Swiss cheese. A Cuban Sandwich, or Cubano, is a warm and tasty pressed sandwich.
    Get Recipe: Cuban Sandwich (aka Cubano)

    Carne Picada Burritos

    Two rolled burritos on a white plate with slices of avocado. A bowl of shredded meat, diced onions, and jalapeño slices surround the plate. Cilantro and half an avocado are also on the wooden table.
    Carne Picada Burritos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Soft tortillas are filled with tender, flavorful shredded beef. Carne Picada Burritos taste like they came from a taco stand.
    Get Recipe: Carne Picada Burritos

    Easy Delicious Kale Apple Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

    A bowl of fresh salad containing kale, chopped green apples, pecans, feta cheese, and cranberries. Surrounding the bowl are apples, orange halves, pecans, and a small bowl of dressing. Golden utensils are placed beside the bowl.
    Easy Delicious Kale Apple Salad with Orange Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Delectable Food Life.

    Fresh kale is mixed with sweet apples and a citrusy dressing. This Kale Apple Salad is a crunchy, sweet, and healthy lunch.
    Get the recipe: Easy Delicious Kale Apple Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

    Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad)

    Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad) in a large white serving dish.
    Ensalada de Camaron. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

    It’s a fresh salad with juicy shrimp and crisp vegetables in a creamy dressing. Ensalada de Camaron is a light and flavorful Mexican meal.
    Get the recipe: Ensalada de Camaron

    Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe

    Open-faced sandwiches on a marble surface, topped with a creamy chickpea salad and lettuce. A lemon wedge and fresh parsley are nearby.
    Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe. Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

    Mashed chickpeas are mixed with creamy avocado and crunchy vegetables. This Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich is a healthy and filling lunch.
    Get the recipe: Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe

    Molletes (open-faced Mexican sandwiches)

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

    Toasted bread is topped with refried beans and melted cheese. Molletes are a simple and delicious open-faced sandwich.
    Get the recipe: Molletes

    Swedish Meatball Sandwich Recipe With Beet Salad

    A close-up of a dish featuring meatballs on top of a pink beet salad with leafy greens. The base is a flatbread, and the background is dark, highlighting the vibrant colors of the food.
    Swedish Meatball Sandwich Recipe With Beet Salad. Photo credit: Potter In The Wild.

    Meatballs in a creamy sauce are served on bread with a beet salad. This Swedish Meatball Sandwich is a hearty and unique lunch.
    Get the recipe: Swedish Meatball Sandwich Recipe With Beet Salad

    Tlacoyos

    A decorative plate with three Mexican sopes topped with sliced jalapeños, chopped cactus, diced tomatoes, and crumbled cheese. Fresh jalapeños, lime slices, and cilantro are placed around the plate.
    Tlacoyos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

    These are thick masa cakes stuffed with beans and topped with salsa. Tlacoyos are a tasty and authentic Mexican street food snack.
    Get the recipe: Tlacoyos

    Homemade Egg Salad

    A sandwich made with whole grain bread is cut in half and stacked. It is filled with creamy egg salad, which includes chopped eggs and herbs. The filling is spilling slightly from the sides. The background is a plain, neutral surface.
    Homemade Egg Salad. Photo credit: Flavorful Eats.

    Hard-boiled eggs are mixed with mayo, celery, and mustard. Homemade Egg Salad is a creamy and classic sandwich filling.
    Get the recipe: Homemade Egg Salad

    Atun a la Veracruzana (Veracruz-Style Tuna)

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

    Canned tuna is mixed with a bright, zesty tomato and olive sauce. Atun a la Veracruzana is a simple, no-cook lunch.
    Get the recipe: Atun a la Veracruzana

    Easy Fried Rice with Frozen Vegetables

    A bowl of vegetable fried rice with green beans, carrots, corn, and chopped green onions on top. The background shows a blurred plate of similar food and two stacked white bowls. Text reads "The Rice Chick" in the bottom left corner.
    Easy Fried Rice with Frozen Vegetables. Photo credit: The Rice Chick.

    This fried rice uses frozen veggies to make it quick and easy. Easy Fried Rice with Frozen Vegetables is a fast and filling dish.
    Get the recipe: Easy Fried Rice with Frozen Vegetables

    Salpicon de Pollo (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

    Shredded chicken is mixed with a lime dressing for a refreshing salad. Salpicon de Pollo is perfect for topping crispy tostadas.
    Get the recipe: Salpicon de Pollo

    How To Make the Best Vegan BLT Sandwich

    A sandwich cut in half, placed on a white plate. It has toasted bread, green lettuce, and slices of tomato visible between the bread slices.
    How To Make the Best Vegan BLT Sandwich. Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

    Smoky roasted eggplant is used instead of bacon on this sandwich. A Vegan BLT Sandwich is a tasty plant-based version of the classic.
    Get the recipe: How To Make the Best Vegan BLT Sandwich

    Sincronizadas (ham and cheese quesadillas)

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

    These are simple quesadillas made with ham and melted cheese. Sincronizadas are a quick and cheesy lunch or snack.
    Get the recipe: Sincronizadas

    More Recipe Roundups

    • A sub sandwich on a white plate, filled with layers of ham, turkey, salami, lettuce, tomatoes, and mixed pickled vegetables on a crusty bread roll, garnished with black pepper.
      17 Lunch Ideas You’ll Actually Look Forward To
    • A chocolate tart on a white cake stand with one slice being served. The tart has a crumbly crust, and chocolate shavings on top. A small plate with a fork and another slice is partially visible beside it. The surface is a hexagonal tile pattern.
      25 Pro-Level Chocolate Desserts You Can Make
    • Sliced steak on a cutting board with butter and chopped herbs on top, accompanied by a bowl of creamy sauce. Fresh parsley and wooden salt and pepper shakers are nearby.
      19 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That Please Everyone
    • A slice of chocolate cheesecake on a white plate, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate shavings. A fork is nearby, and another dessert plate with a similar slice is blurred in the background.
      Grab a Fork—These 20 Cheesecakes Are Amazing

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A picture of Maggie Unzueta in her kitchen holding a coffee cup.

    iBienvenidos! I'm Maggie. Welcome to my blog! My passion is authentic Mexican food and traveling throughout Mexico to bring you the very BEST in culture and cuisine.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Birria de Res, or Mexican Beef Stew, in a brown bowl topped with chopped onions and cilantro.
      Slow Cooker: Birria de Res, or Mexican Beef Stew + VIDEO
    • Camarones a la Diabla served next to white rice and lime wedges.
      Camarones a la Diabla [VIDEO]
    • Menudo, or Pancita, is Mexican comfort food at its best. Served for Sunday brunch and shared with lots of love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
      Mexican Menudo Recipe + VIDEO
    • Instant Pot Pork Tamales stacked and ready to cook. Surrounded by cilantro and decorative Mexican kitchenware.
      Instant Pot Pork Tamales [VIDEO]
    • Caldo de Camarón, or Mexican Shrimp Soup in a white bowl with a rich, guajillo sauce. Spoon lifting shrimp and avocado. Cilantro and lime on a dark brown table.
      Caldo de Camarón – Mexican Shrimp Soup + VIDEO
    • Carne En Su Jugo in a white bowl topped with cilantro beans bacon
      Carne En Su Jugo + VIDEO

    FEATURED IN


    Online publications Mama Maggie's Kitchen has been feature in.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Subscribe

    • Sign Up! for emails and start cooking Mexican food today!

    Contact

    • About Maggie
    • Contact

    © 2010-2025 · Mama Maggie's Kitchen ·