Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 26 Hearty, Satisfying Lunches Spring Greens Tartine With Prosciutto, Fontina, and a Fried Egg? Yes, that's on the menu. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Instagram Website Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 13, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: GREG DUPREE Gone are the days of sad desk salads and hastily made sandwiches that leave you ravenous by dinner time. While this gallery includes both of those popular lunch foods, along with soups, wraps, and more, each easy recipe will absolutely elevate your lunch game and manage to keep you full until your next meal. Instead of a lame mixed greens salad or an overdone turkey sandwich you'll find recipes for dishes like a Nicoise-Inspired Summer Salad, Sheet Pan Cheesesteak Sandwiches, and more. Trust us when we tell you that these dishes will undoubtedly put your previous lunches to shame. 26 of the Easiest-Ever Eggplant Recipes 01 of 26 Monte Cristo Caitlin Bensel Crispy, gooey, creamy, and salty: Is there a more gratifying (and, yes, decadent) sandwich than a Monte Cristo? get the recipe 02 of 26 Nicoise-Inspired Summer Salad Caitlin Bensel This colorful dish takes its cues from the classic Niçoise salad, which means it's full of satiating protein. In addition to smoked trout and hard-boiled eggs, you'll find chickpeas, sweet cherry tomatoes, and blanched sugar snaps. Serve this salad with some crusty bread so you can sop up the savory garlic and anchovy dressing, and you definitely won't be hungry until dinner. get the recipe 03 of 26 Fancy Tomato Sandwich Greg DuPree While a tomato sandwich might not sound like the heartiest meal in the world, we promise this one delivers. You'll start by spreading salted chive butter on both sides of a freshly cut baguette, and then you'll add some thick slices of cheese to the mix—we like Gruyère, Comté, or sharp Cheddar—before bringing in the juicy tomato rounds. A tangle of baby arugula and a sprinkle of fried onions round out this easy-to-make lunch option. get the recipe 04 of 26 Chicken-Pesto Flatbread Sandwiches Caitlin Bensel Pesto adds richness to any dish, and this 30-minute meal is no exception. Here, store-bought pizza dough is used to make a savory sandwich that's filled with fresh mozzarella, baby arugula, and pesto-tossed rotisserie chicken. Serve this sandwich alongside some veggies if you're worried about those mid-afternoon hunger pangs. get the recipe 05 of 26 Sheet Pan Cheesesteak Sandwiches Victor Protasio If you're looking for a meal that's sure to keep you full, these cheesesteak sandwiches will undoubtedly get the job done. Each one is served on a baguette and packed with plenty of marinated steak, bell pepper and onion slices, and Provolone cheese. get the recipe 06 of 26 Spring Greens Tartine With Prosciutto, Fontina, and a Fried Egg Greg DuPree This dish, which would also be great for brunch, is an open-faced sandwich topped with crispy prosciutto, melty fontina cheese, and wilted greens cooked with sliced spring onions and garlic. The final topping—a picture-perfect fried egg—adds even more filling protein to the meal. get the recipe 07 of 26 Zesty Chicken Salad Greg DuPree In this recipe, which can also be made with leftover rotisserie chicken to save time, cubed chicken is combined with just enough mayonnaise to bind, dill pickles for a briny punch, a shallot for kick, lemon juice for a fresh zing, and fresh tarragon for some subtle herbaceousness. Serve it with some crusty bread, homemade potato chips, or a side salad. get the recipe 08 of 26 Tortilla Soup Anna Williams Give basic chicken noodle soup a piquant upgrade with a dash of hot sauce. get the recipe 09 of 26 French Ham and Cheese Sandwich Danny Kim For an easy lunch with a European twist, give this sandwich a go. Here, you'll find that a mixture of chopped cornichons, butter, Dijon mustard, and fresh tarragon elevates the classic ham and cheese combo in a way you didn't know was possible. Using a rich and nutty cheese, like Comté or Gruyère, makes all the difference. get the recipe 10 of 26 Open-Faced Croque Monsieur Marcus Nilsson The French have done it again! This popular sandwich, which is also made with ham and Gruyère, features a pinch of nutmeg and some grated Parmesan as well. However, what really sets this sandwich apart from the previous one is the fact that it's served warm and cooked in the broiler so the ham and cheese sauce really have the opportunity to meld together. get the recipe 11 of 26 Crab Roll Nogc Minh Ngo Take a quick trip to the rocky coast with a Maine favorite: a crab roll. get the recipe 12 of 26 Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives Jennifer Causey Though this salad contains just five ingredients, it will absolutely leave you feeling full. Here, you'll find crunchy cucumbers, chopped olives, and tangy feta that has been marinated in olive oil and spicy red pepper flakes. Grab some toasted pita to help ensure none of the savory feta crumbles go to waste. 12 Easy Summer Salad Recipes That Use The Season's Best Ingredients get the recipe 13 of 26 Crispy Chickpea Pita Quentin Bacon Another option: Load a pita crisped in a pan with the tastes of the Middle East. get the recipe 14 of 26 Butternut Squash Soup With Sage and Parmesan Croutons Jim Franco Sprinkle rosemary and toasted pumpkin seeds over butternut squash soup for a savory meal. Here, the croutons make the soup a bit more filling and add a satisfying crunch. get the recipe 15 of 26 Parm-Crusted Grilled Cheese Jennifer Causey This dish has a crispy exterior layer of Parmigiano-Reggiano that sets it apart from other grilled cheese sandwiches. Tucked inside you'll find Gruyère cheese, which offers nutty flavors and superior melting, thin slices of Gala apple that add a note of sweetness, and a slather of sharp Dijon mustard to balance the two. get the recipe 16 of 26 Quick Nutty Noodles Greg DuPree These nutty noodles come together in just 20 minutes courtesy of a handful of pantry staples. First, the soba noodles are slicked with a decadent almond butter dressing and then joined by crunchy salt-marinated cucumber, peppery watercress, and quick-pickled radishes. To make this easy meal even more filling, feel free to add sliced avocado or pan-seared tofu to the mix. get the recipe 17 of 26 Heirloom Tomato & Herb BLTs Heami Lee Juicy heirloom tomatoes shine in this irresistible sandwich, which is satisfying enough for lunch or dinner. Here, thick tomato slices are joined by a homemade herby mayo, bacon, mixed greens, basil, and dill. After sampling this sandwich, you'll never need another BLT recipe. get the recipe 18 of 26 Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad Greg DuPree This salad is perfect for hot days, and is packed with plenty of healthy ingredients such as romaine lettuce hearts, avocado chunks, and Persian cucumber slices. Use pre-cooked shrimp to cut down on prep time. get the recipe 19 of 26 Ham-and-Egg Croissant Sandwiches Victor Protasio Sure, this might sound like a breakfast sandwich, and there's certainly nothing wrong with enjoying this meal in the morning. Still, we're here to tell you that this dish, which contains ham, arugula, and baked eggs, is just as enjoyable as a mid-day treat. Serve it with a side salad or French fries to really solidify its lunchtime status. get the recipe 20 of 26 Turkey Taco Salad Alexandra Grablewski With ground turkey, pinto beans, and avocado, this salad is packed with protein and fiber. get the recipe 21 of 26 Summery Corn Soup Tara Donne In addition to corn, this savory soup has a two-allium base of leeks and scallions, aromatic thyme, and enough white wine to add balancing tang to each bite. Plus, gut-friendly miso acts as a thickener for this flavorful meal, and provides a boost of umami. The corn pulls double duty, as the cobs are used to infuse the broth with their sweet flavor, while the kernels add body. get the recipe 22 of 26 Chickpea-Tuna Salad Photo by: Victor Protasio Not a mayonnaise fan? We got you. This vinegar-based tuna salad is made with marinated chickpeas, oil-packed tuna, radicchio, and red onion, as well as briny kalamata olives and capers. We promise you won't miss the mayo one bit. get the recipe 23 of 26 Crispy Chicken-And-Cheddar Sandwich With Pickle Dijon Jennifer Causey While there are plenty of fast-food chicken sandwiches to choose from, this homemade version takes the cake. In this recipe, crispy, breaded chicken cutlets are joined by grated Cheddar, romaine lettuce leaves, and a tangy pickle relish-based spread. The whole thing is served on a hoagie roll, which helps ensure that you'll stay full until it's time for dinner. get the recipe 24 of 26 Broccoli-Cheddar Grilled Cheese Caitlin Bensel Amp up the protein in a standard grilled cheese sandwich by adding broccoli to the mix. In this case, the protein-rich veggie is cooked with lemon zest and garlic powder, which makes it even more flavorful than usual. Plus, the sautéed broccoli is a perfect match for a combination of two cheeses—creamy fontina and sharp Cheddar. 15 High-Protein Vegetables and How to Incorporate Them Into Your Diet get the recipe 25 of 26 Tuna Provencal Anna Williams A minimalist meal that calls for common ingredients you likely have in your pantry. get the recipe 26 of 26 Cool and Crunchy Chicken Lettuce Wraps Greg DuPree For a bread-free-yet-filling lunch, give these hearty lettuce wraps a try. Nestled inside each leaf you'll find vermicelli rice noodles, grilled chicken that's been marinated in a spicy nuoc cham sauce, shaved rainbow carrots, and cucumber matchsticks. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit