Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 46 Recipes for 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 May 19, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: GREG DUPREE Move over sad desk salads and hastily made sandwiches. Here come hearty, satisfying lunches that keep you full (and away from the office vending machine) all afternoon. Each easy recipe in this gallery of salads, sandwiches, soups, wraps, bowls, and more is guaranteed to elevate your lunch game. You'll find recipes from a Niçoise-inspired summer salad to a sheet pan cheesesteak and everything in between, and almost all are ready in 30 minutes or less. Trust us: These dishes will put your previous lunches to shame. 01 of 46 Monte Cristo Caitlin Bensel Crispy, gooey, creamy, and salty: This ham-and-Swiss sandwich is fried in butter, dusted in powdered sugar, and dipped in jam. Is there a more gratifying (and, yes, decadent) sandwich than a Monte Cristo? Try It: Monte Cristo 02 of 46 Niçoise-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 with crusty bread to sop up the savory garlic-and-anchovy dressing. Try It: Niçoise-Inspired Summer Salad 03 of 46 Fancy Tomato Sandwich Greg DuPree A tomato sandwich isn't the heartiest meal in the world, but we promise this one delivers. Start by spreading salted chive butter on a freshly cut baguette, add thick slices of cheese—Gruyère, Comté, or sharp Cheddar—and then juicy tomato rounds. A tangle of baby arugula and sprinkle of fried onions round out this easy-to-make lunch option. Try It: Fancy Tomato Sandwiches 04 of 46 Chicken-Pesto Flatbread Sandwiches Caitlin Bensel Pesto adds richness to any dish, and this 30-minute meal is no exception. It uses store-bought pizza dough to make a savory sandwich that's filled with fresh mozzarella, baby arugula, and pesto-tossed rotisserie chicken. Kiss your mid-afternoon hunger pangs goodbye. Try It: Chicken-Pesto Flatbread Sandwiches 05 of 46 Sheet Pan Cheesesteak Sandwiches Victor Protasio If you're looking for a meal that's sure to keep you full, these cheesesteak sandwiches will get the job done. Each is served on a baguette and packed with plenty of marinated steak, bell pepper and onion slices, and provolone. Try It: Sheet Pan Cheesesteak Sandwiches 06 of 46 Spring Greens Tartine With Prosciutto, Fontina, and a Fried Egg Greg DuPree This dish, which is also 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 more filling protein. Try It: Spring Greens Tartine With Prosciutto, Fontina, and a Fried Egg 07 of 46 Zesty Chicken Salad Greg DuPree In this recipe, cooked chicken combines with just enough mayonnaise to bind, dill pickles for a briny punch, a shallot for kick, lemon juice for fresh zing, and fresh tarragon for subtle herbaceousness. Serve with crusty bread, homemade potato chips, or a side salad. Try It: Zesty Chicken Salad 08 of 46 Tortilla Soup Anna Williams This recipe gives canned chicken noodle soup a piquant upgrade with a dash of hot sauce. Add frozen corn kernels, top with crunchy tortilla chips and creamy avocado slices, and you have a 10-minute lunch that looks and tastes homemade. Try It: Tortilla Soup 09 of 46 French Ham and Cheese Sandwich Danny Kim For an easy lunch with a European twist, give this sandwich a go. A mixture of chopped cornichons (pickles, AKA gherkins), 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 type of cheese, like Comté or Gruyère, makes all the difference. Try It: French Ham and Cheese Sandwich 10 of 46 Crab Roll Nogc Minh Ngo Take a quick trip to the rocky coast with this New England favorite. The crab meat-and-mayo salad is accented with crisp radishes, celery, and apples for extra sweetness and crunch. Serve on a hot dog roll, sit back, and listen for seagulls and crashing waves. Try It: Crab Rolls 11 of 46 Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives Jennifer Causey Despite just five ingredients, this meatless salad manages to leave you feeling full. It features crunchy cucumbers, chopped olives, and tangy feta 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. Try It: Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives 12 of 46 Open-Faced Croque Monsieur Marcus Nilsson This popular French sandwich made with ham and Gruyère features a pinch of nutmeg and grated Parmesan. What really sets this sandwich apart is that it's cooked in the broiler—which allows the ham and cheese sauce to meld together—and served warm. Try It: Open-Faced Croque Monsieur 13 of 46 Crispy Chickpea Pita Quentin Bacon This meatless lunch option loads a pita crisped in a pan with flavors of the Middle East—chickpeas, hummus, and olive oil. Make it vegan by swapping the yogurt garnish with a dairy-free brand. Try It: Crispy Chickpea Pita 14 of 46 Butternut Squash Soup With Sage and Parmesan Croutons Jim Franco To trim down the 2 hours it takes to make this recipe, start with store-bought squash cubes (fresh or frozen) and/or cook them in the microwave instead of roasting them in the oven. Don't skimp on the croutons, though! They make the soup more filling and add a satisfying crunch. Try It: Butternut Squash Soup With Sage and Parmesan Croutons 15 of 46 Parm-Crusted Grilled Cheese Jennifer Causey A crispy exterior layer of Parmigiano-Reggiano sets this apart from other grilled cheese sandwiches. Tucked inside are Gruyère cheese for a nutty flavor and superior melting, thin slices of Gala apple for a note of sweetness, and a slather of sharp Dijon mustard to balance the two. Try It: Parm-Crusted Grilled Cheese 16 of 46 Quick Nutty Noodles Greg DuPree These nutty noodles come together in just 20 minutes courtesy of a handful of pantry staples. It features soba noodles slicked with a decadent almond butter dressing, joined by crunchy salt-marinated cucumber, peppery watercress, and quick-pickled radishes. To make this easy meal more filling, add sliced avocado or pan-seared tofu. Try It: Quick Nutty Noodles 17 of 46 Heirloom Tomato & Herb BLTs Heami Lee Juicy heirloom tomatoes shine in this irresistible sandwich, which is satisfying enough for dinner. Thick tomato slices are joined by a homemade herby mayo, bacon, mixed greens, basil leaves, and dill. After sampling this sandwich, you'll never need another BLT recipe. Try It: Heirloom Tomato & Herb BLTs 18 of 46 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. Try It: Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad 19 of 46 Ham and Egg Croissant Sandwiches Victor Protasio It sounds like a breakfast sandwich—and there's nothing wrong with enjoying it in the morning—but we're here to tell you: It's just as enjoyable as a mid-day treat. Serve with a side salad or French fries to solidify its lunchtime status. Try It: Ham and Egg Croissant Sandwiches 20 of 46 Turkey Taco Salad Alexandra Grablewski With ground turkey, pinto beans, and avocado, this salad is packed with protein and fiber. Half of the store-bought (or your homemade) salsa blends in with the turkey, and the other half with sour cream for a creamy, spicy dressing. Try It: Turkey Taco Salad 21 of 46 Summery Corn Soup Tara Donne In addition to corn, this savory soup boasts leeks and scallions, aromatic thyme, and enough white wine to add a balancing tang to each bite. Gut-friendly miso acts as a thickener and provides a boost of umami while the corn pulls double duty: Cobs infuse the broth with their sweet flavor and kernels add body. Try It: Summery Corn Soup 22 of 46 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. Even if you are a fan, you won't miss the mayo one bit. Try It: Chickpea-Tuna Salad 23 of 46 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. This recipe layers crispy, breaded chicken cutlets with grated Cheddar, romaine lettuce, and a tangy, pickle relish-based spread. Served on a hoagie roll, it ensures you'll stay full until dinner. Try It: Crispy Chicken-And-Cheddar Sandwich With Pickle Dijon 24 of 46 Broccoli-Cheddar Grilled Cheese Caitlin Bensel Amp up the nutrition in a standard grilled cheese by adding broccoli to the mix. In this case, broccoli is sautéed with lemon zest and garlic powder, making it a perfect match for the two-cheese combo—creamy fontina and sharp Cheddar—sandwiched between slices of rustic bread. Try It: Broccoli-Cheddar Grilled Cheese 25 of 46 Tuna Provençal Anna Williams Provençal is the French take on Mediterranean cuisine. This classic sandwich features an olive oil- (not mayo-) based tuna salad on a sliced baguette spread with a store-bought tapenade—a Provençal condiment of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers or anchovies, and olive oil. Try It: Tuna Provençal 26 of 46 Cool and Crunchy Chicken Lettuce Wraps Greg DuPree For a bread-free-yet-filling lunch, give these hearty lettuce wraps a try. Nestled in each are vermicelli rice noodles, grilled chicken marinated in a spicy nuoc cham sauce (Vietnamese fish sauce), shaved rainbow carrots, and cucumber matchsticks. Try It: Cool and Crunchy Chicken Lettuce Wraps 27 of 46 Chicken Tortilla Crunch Salad Victor Protasio Cut prep time to almost nothing by starting with rotisserie or other cooked chicken and, instead of shredding cabbage, buy a bag of coleslaw mix. All that's left is to mix a mayo-sour cream-salsa dressing. And don't forget crushed tortilla chips on top—they're the best part! Try It: Chicken Tortilla Crunch Salad 28 of 46 Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata Marcus Nilsson Healthy spinach, protein-rich eggs, and tangy goat cheese star in this dish that's ready in just 20 minutes. Add a tossed green salad and a loaf of country bread to make it a meal. Try It: Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata 29 of 46 Spicy Crab Tostadas Jennifer Causey This recipe puts a seafood spin on a Mexican favorite. A pile of luscious crabmeat mixed with celery, shallots, and lime juice sits atop a layer of jalapeno mayo. Spicy, fresh, and substantial, it's topped with celery leaves and thin radish slices. Try It: Spicy Crab Tostadas 30 of 46 Pork and Peanut Lettuce Wraps Antonis Achilleos Can a lunch option be light and refreshing yet hearty and satisfying? Yes! This one wraps an Asian-inspired ground pork mixture with Boston, Bibb, or butter lettuce, and comes together in just 20 minutes. Try It: Pork and Peanut Lettuce Wraps 31 of 46 Salmorejo with Prosciutto and Hard-Boiled Egg Jen Causey To answer your question, salmorejo is a cold tomato dish famous in southern Spain. This no-cook soup is like gazpacho but thicker, creamier, and heartier, thanks to torn pieces of sourdough bread that are whirled into the fresh tomato base. It's especially refreshing on a hot summer day. Try It: Salmorejo with Prosciutto and Hard-Boiled Egg 32 of 46 Tofu Scramble Wraps With Spinach and Spiced Sunflower Seeds Erin Scott If you're looking for a lunch with high protein and a low carbon footprint, you've found it. This egg-free scramble features sustainable tofu, chickpea flour, and turmeric to give it an eggy texture and color. Wrap in a flour tortilla with fresh spinach and sunflower seeds, and you can enjoy a nutritious vegan lunch and save the planet. Try It: Tofu Scramble Wraps With Spinach and Spiced Sunflower Seeds 33 of 46 Black Bean and Avocado Bowl Emma Darvick Four ingredients, 10 minutes, nutritious, and delicious: Are you sold? Warm up some cooked black beans and top them with cubed avocado cubes, crumbled goat cheese, and your favorite salsa (store-bought or homemade) for this easy, hearty lunch. Try It: Black Bean and Avocado Bowl 34 of 46 Pork Ramen Soup José Picayo This 30-minute recipe starts with boneless pork and a package of ramen noodles, and ends as a meaty soup with an Asian accent. Carrots, radishes, and fresh cilantro leaves add color and crunch for a balanced filling lunch. Try It: Pork Ramen Soup 35 of 46 Muffuletta-Style Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Fred Hardy What transforms a standard grilled cheese sandwich into a New Orleans-style muffuletta? Just about everything except the "grilled" part. This one uses buttered Italian bread slices smeared with jarred olive salad and stuffed with provolone, salami, and ham. Try It: Muffuletta-Style Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 36 of 46 Rice Bowl with Chipotle Black Beans Gentl & Hyers This lunch is perfect for prepping on Sunday and enjoying through the week. Start with cooked white rice, and then load up with black beans, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and canned chipotle peppers. Finish with a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt. Try It: Rice Bowl with Chipotle Black Beans 37 of 46 Chicken and Avocado Rice Bowl Greg DuPree This recipe takes your standard bowl formula—a grain, colorful veggies, and protein—and gives it a fresh, interesting twist with radishes and lemon juice. Top with hot sauce for a little kick. Try It: Chicken and Avocado Rice Bowl 38 of 46 Brussels Sprouts Salad Heami Lee This make-ahead meatless salad is perfect for a busy weekday lunch. Thinly sliced Brussels team with radicchio while pecans, dried cranberries, and cheese add heft. Try It: Brussels Sprouts Salad 39 of 46 Thai Peanut Butter Ramen Antonis Achilleos You have to try this 10-minute recipe that turns peanut butter and a package of ramen noodles into a warm, satisfying lunch. Gochujang or Sriracha sauce adds a Thai kick to this hearty option. Try It: Thai Peanut Butter Ramen 40 of 46 Tomato, Bacon, and Garlic Mayo Sandwich Danny Kim Well, we lied a little bit in that title, because this BLT is mayo-free. Instead, it boasts an oregano-garlic-yogurt dressing (which we call "mayo") that you'll want to make a jar of to use in all your sandwiches. Another upgrade is avocado slices, which technically makes this a BLTA. Try It: Tomato, Bacon, and Garlic Mayo Sandwich 41 of 46 Cheesy Chive Waffles With Fried Eggs Greg DuPree Don't think your waffle iron can't come out after 11 AM. With a batter fortified with nutty gruyere cheese or cheddar, this savory waffle-and-eggs recipe makes the perfect lunchtime respite. Add peppery watercress or arugula and, instead of sugary syrup, top with a lemony mayo that brings a bright richness to every bite. Try It: Cheesy Chive Waffles With Fried Eggs 42 of 46 Chickpea Salad Sandwich Alison Miksch Move over tuna, chicken, and shrimp salad. Chickpeas are a versatile, high-protein vegan alternative that are making their way to superfood status. This mayo-based salad also has celery, parsley, shallots, lemon juice, and Dijon for a bright, herbaceous bite. Try It: Chickpea Salad Sandwich 43 of 46 Chicken, Sprouts, and Provolone Sandwich Danny Kim Bagels are great for lunch, too! This recipe features a toasted one, the bottom half shmeared with Dijon and then layered with a cooked chicken breast and slice of provolone. After a 5-minute stint in the oven, it gets topped with any kind of sprouts and the bagel's other half for a quick, warm, satisfying sandwich. Try It: Chicken, Sprouts, and Provolone Sandwich 44 of 46 Chicken Paprikash Soup Antonis Achilleos This recipe transforms Hungary's national dish into a quick-and-easy soup that warms your soul. Cooked chicken, egg noodles, and its namesake paprika star in this dish, with red bell pepper, onion, and tomatoes playing supporting roles in a nourishing broth. Try It: Chicken Paprikash Soup 45 of 46 Matt Romero’s Eggplant “Sandwiches” Katherine Wolkoff If there's no bread, is it still a sandwich? We say, "Yes," and here's Exhibit A. We replaced bread with fried eggplant slices and then filled our "sandwich" with lettuce, tomato, basil leaves, and crumbled goat cheese. Try It: Matt Romero’s Eggplant “Sandwiches” 46 of 46 Southwestern Chicken Soup Alexandra Rowley You'd never expect this flavorful soup could be ready in 15 minutes. It takes cooked chicken and a can of cannellini beans to the Southwest with a dose of cumin, sour cream, tortilla chips, and your favorite salsa. Try It: Southwestern Chicken Soup How to Pack a Healthy Lunch: 5 Tips for Stress-Free Lunches Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit