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Skipping lunch is never the answer, even if you're in a rush. Just think about it: A good lunch will keep you feeling satisfied and energized for whatever the day has in store. Got a calendar full of meetings? We have a hearty sandwich recipe for that. Taking your kids to after-school practice? Whip up a healthy lunch bowl before you hit the road! Yes, however busy your afternoon gets, these easy lunch recipes will come in handy.
Here, you'll find hearty soup recipes, creative grain bowls, Instant pot recipes, and sandwiches for everyone in the family. There are even some lunch ideas inspired by Ree Drummond's menu at The Merc. Whether you're looking for an effortless lunch to enjoy in the comfort of your home or a portable lunch to bring to the office, these lunch ideas are sure to be the most exciting part of your day.
Plus, why spend money on lunch when you can make a packed lunch just as easily with a little planning? Many of them can even be meal prepped the night before or over the weekend, like the many cold lunch recipes or the crustless quiche, to make your morning routine easier. Try one of the make-ahead pasta salads, along with healthy chicken recipes and fun ways to use leftover steak (the grilled steak wraps with peanut sauce are sure to be a favorite). Once you have your lunch prepped and packed, you can move on to tackling your weeknight family dinner!
Spring Rolls
While this refreshing recipe adds cooked shrimp to a medley of fresh herbs and colorful veggies, you can swap the shrimp for roast chicken, turkey, or skip the meat all together. Grab some pre-cut vegetables to make things even easier!
Get the Spring Rolls recipe.
Monte Cristo
Can't decide between breakfast and lunch? This delectable brunch sandwich is the best of both worlds! It's made by placing ham and gooey swiss cheese between two slices of French toast. Top it off with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Get the Monte Cristo recipe.
Shrimp Scampi
A light and tasty pasta that's ready in just 15 minutes? It hardly gets better than that! These noodles are loaded up with garlic, butter, lemon, parsley, and of course, seasoned shrimp.
Get Ree's Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Instant Pot Sticky Pork Lettuce Wraps
Sticky, sweet, sour, spicy, and so scrumptious, these lettuce wraps are made in an Instant pot and get their flavor from brown sugar, ginger, mustard, and rice vinegar. They're topped with pickled onion, sesame seeds and scallions.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Sticky Pork Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Put a spin on your everyday ham and cheese sandwich with this easy peasy recipe! It's made even simpler with store-bought crescent roll dough. Just roll them up with fresh ham and melty cheese inside.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Look at all that color! This pasta salad is packed to the brim with crunchy veggies and hearty ham and cheese. If that weren't enough, the dressing is lemony, mustardy, and perfectly creamy.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Italian Sandwich
This over-the-top sandwich is big enough for the whole family! You'll pile on layers of salami, pepperoni, ham, and mortadella, along with cheese, veggies, olives, and banana peppers. It's sure to rival any deli.
Get the Italian Sandwich recipe.
Crustless Quiche
You don't need to spend time making homemade crust for this variation on a sausage quiche. Instead, the edges get nice and golden after a quick bake in the oven. Best of all, you can prep this ahead of time and serve at room temperature!
Get the Crustless Quiche recipe.
Southwestern Salad
This fun weekday salad is so easy to toss together, but if you want to get a head start on chopping, you can prep all the vegetables (except the avocado) and store them in air-tight containers. Then, shake up the zesty jalapeño dressing in a jar on the side.
Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.
Shrimp and Grits
Not only are shrimp and grits cozy and comforting, but they only take 20 minutes to make! Just be sure to use quick cook grits that are faster to make than the stone-ground variety.
Get Ree's Shrimp and Grits recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
Sometimes, simple is best—as is the case with this tomato sandwich. The thick slices of heirloom tomatoes are perfectly paired with garlic aioli and basil for a delightfully easy sandwich.
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This deli salad mash-up combines fan favorite chicken salad and pasta salad into one crowd-pleasing dish! You can pack it in a lunchbox or bring it to a picnic in the park.
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Empanadas
Making empanadas at home might sound intimidating, but you can use rotisserie chicken and store-bought empanada wrappers to keep things easy. Plus, they're great for grabbing on the go!
Get the Chicken Empanadas recipe.
Waldorf Salad
This crisp, refreshing apple-based salad will make you feel like you're at an elegant afternoon lunch. Luckily, it's much more affordable to make at home and it only takes 15 minutes to whip up!
Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Prep a big batch of this succulent pulled pork over the weekend and you'll be blessed with tasty lunches throughout the week! Try piling some onto pretzel buns for a hearty, unique sandwich.
Get the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe.
Creamy Tortellini Soup
Use any mix of frozen veggies and your favorite flavor or tortellini to make this 15-minute soup customized to your liking. It also makes it easy to switch up from week to week.
Get the Creamy Tortellini Soup recipe.
Avocado Toast
You've likely seen avocado toast on the menu of many lunch joints these days. But making it at home is surprisingly easy. You can even get creative with the toppings like eggs and bacon or pico de gallo.
Get the Avocado Toast recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
This recipe is everything you love about spicy, saucy buffalo chicken (including the ranch dressing) all wrapped up into a tasty flour tortilla! It uses rotisserie chicken to make it even easier!
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Wraps recipe.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Hearty lentils make this vegetarian soup so satisfying. It's delicious on its own but could also be paired with a crusty bread or half sandwich to make it even more filling.
Get the Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe.
Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo
Swap out your typical sandwich bread in favor of something a little more exciting—like focaccia bread! It's perfect for this Italian-inspired ham sandwich.
Get Ree's Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo recipe.
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