Quick and Healthy Lunch Recipes for Every Day

Lunch is one of my favourite meals of the day, especially when it is easy enough for a busy weekday but still feels like something to look forward to. Here you will find quick sandwiches, substantial salads, warming soups, portable lunchbox ideas and plenty of pies, noodles and wraps. Try my make-ahead taco salad, cosy up with Turkish lentil soup or make a golden mushroom garlic toastie.

You can also browse my dedicated sandwich recipes, salad recipes, soup recipes and picnic food collections.

Southern Tomato Pie Recipe
Featured quick lunches recipe Southern Tomato Pie Recipe

Once upon a time I had a lot of Rouge de Marmande tomatoes (it was summer so my vege box was filled with tomatoes). And so I did what many cooks in the South did and made Southern Tomato Pie! And do you know what? It was DAMN delicious and easy! It uses up almost half a kilo or a pound of tomatoes to make an easy, tasty pie. This is a pushy recipe Dear Reader!

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Quick and Healthy Lunch Recipes for Every Day Recipes

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Quick and easy lunch ideas

Speedy lunches

These lunches come together quickly when you are hungry now. They include fast noodles, clever toast toppers, salads and satisfying cafe-style favourites.

BBQ Chicken Mission Burrito BBQ Chicken Mission Burrito Tuna Melt Sandwich Tuna Melt Sandwich Spanish Pan Con Tomate Spanish Pan Con Tomate 5 Minute Smoked Salmon Salad 5 Minute Smoked Salmon Salad Pan-Fried Gnocchi With Sage Butter Pan-Fried Gnocchi With Sage Butter Scallion Noodles Scallion Noodles Baked Ricotta Baked Ricotta Hasselback Caprese Hasselback Caprese

Make-ahead and meal-prep lunches

A little preparation makes weekday lunches much easier. These recipes travel well, keep nicely or can be portioned out for several meals.

Crustless Veggie Quiche Crustless Veggie Quiche Taco Salad Taco Salad Baked Chicken Breast Baked Chicken Breast Japchae Noodles Japchae Noodles Beef and Lemongrass Vermicelli Salad Beef and Lemongrass Vermicelli Salad Grow Your Own Chia Sprouts Grow Your Own Chia Sprouts Five Healthy Vegetable Packed Lunches Five Healthy Vegetable Packed Lunches Rocket, Parmesan and Sunflower Seed Salad Rocket, Parmesan and Sunflower Seed Salad Salmon En Papillote Salmon En Papillote Made From Scratch Gravlax Made From Scratch Gravlax Rustic Risotto Stuffed Tomatoes Rustic Risotto Stuffed Tomatoes Moonblush Tomatoes Moonblush Tomatoes

Brunch-style lunches

Some days call for a late breakfast that becomes lunch. Eggs, cheese, potato and savoury baking make these recipes especially good for that in-between meal.

Starbucks Egg Bites Starbucks Egg Bites Crispy Potato Cakes with Bacon and Cheese Crispy Potato Cakes with Bacon and Cheese Gibanica Cheese Pie Gibanica Cheese Pie Savoury Brie Cheesecake With Figs Savoury Brie Cheesecake With Figs Four Grain Congee Four Grain Congee Khachapuri Georgian Cheese Bread Khachapuri Georgian Cheese Bread Cheese Knishes Cheese Knishes Caprese Toastie Caprese Toastie

Salads and healthy lunches

Fresh and colourful salads

Crisp vegetables, fruit, herbs and cheese make these salads interesting enough to become the main event rather than a side dish.

Easy Antipasto Salad Easy Antipasto Salad Beetroot, Ricotta and Pistachio Salad Beetroot, Ricotta and Pistachio Salad Peach, Fig and Goat's Cheese Salad Peach, Fig and Goat's Cheese Salad Burrata Salad With Tomatoes Burrata Salad With Tomatoes Tomato and Strawberry Salad Tomato and Strawberry Salad Cucumber and Pomegranate Salad Cucumber and Pomegranate Salad Cauliflower Coleslaw Cauliflower Coleslaw Purple Potato Salad Purple Potato Salad Halloumi and Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Halloumi and Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Watermelon and Feta Salad Watermelon and Feta Salad Antioxidant Spinach, Mango and Pomegranate Salad Antioxidant Spinach, Mango and Pomegranate Salad

Protein-rich salads and bowls

Chicken, fish, beef, eggs and grains turn these bowls into complete lunches that will see you comfortably through the afternoon.

Chicken Salad Chicken Salad TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl Tarama Egg Salad Tarama Egg Salad Cauliflower and Chicken Salad Cauliflower and Chicken Salad Thai Beef Salad Cups Thai Beef Salad Cups Smoked Trout, Celeriac and Watercress Salad Smoked Trout, Celeriac and Watercress Salad Thai Green Papaya Salad with Prawns Thai Green Papaya Salad with Prawns Salmon Fish Cakes and Coronation Pasta Salad Salmon Fish Cakes and Coronation Pasta Salad Bulgur Wheat Salad with Pomegranate Bulgur Wheat Salad with Pomegranate Vietnamese Chicken and Mint Salad Vietnamese Chicken and Mint Salad Lentil and Chorizo Salad Lentil and Chorizo Salad

Vegetarian lunch favourites

These meat-free lunches use vegetables, beans, cheese and mushrooms to make meals with plenty of texture and substance.

Vegan Bean Burgers Vegan Bean Burgers Stuffed Saffron Milk Cap Mushrooms Stuffed Saffron Milk Cap Mushrooms Spanakopita Spanakopita Stuffed Zucchini Flowers Stuffed Zucchini Flowers Chilli Cheese Cornbread Chilli Cheese Cornbread Kabocha Pumpkin Fries Kabocha Pumpkin Fries Ossetian Cheese Pie Ossetian Cheese Pie Mushroom Strudel Mushroom Strudel

Sandwiches, wraps and burgers

Sandwiches and toasties

From crisp toasties to generous filled sandwiches, these are the lunches to make when bread and a very good filling sound exactly right.

Easy Choripan Chorizo Sandwich Easy Choripan Chorizo Sandwich Mushroom Garlic Toastie Melt Mushroom Garlic Toastie Melt Tamagoyaki Sando Tamagoyaki Sando Cuban Sandwich Cuban Sandwich Mac and Cheese Toastie Mac and Cheese Toastie Ham and Cheese Brick Toast Ham and Cheese Brick Toast Four Jaffle Recipes Four Jaffle Recipes Four Favourite Sandwich Fillings Four Favourite Sandwich Fillings

Wraps, rolls and stuffed breads

Wrap it, roll it or tuck it inside bread for a lunch that is easy to hold and very good at keeping all the delicious fillings together.

Chicken Caesar Wrap Chicken Caesar Wrap Rice Paper Dumplings Rice Paper Dumplings Chicken Gyros Chicken Gyros Zucchini Roulade Zucchini Roulade Roast Duck Rice Paper Rolls Roast Duck Rice Paper Rolls Naturally Coloured Rainbow Sushi Naturally Coloured Rainbow Sushi Rainbow Chard Wraps Rainbow Chard Wraps Hawawshi Stuffed Pita Hawawshi Stuffed Pita Spinach and Cheese Gozleme Spinach and Cheese Gozleme Homemade SPAM Sushi Homemade SPAM Sushi Stuffed Vegetarian Muffuletta Stuffed Vegetarian Muffuletta Olive Leaf Dolmades Olive Leaf Dolmades

Burgers, subs and rolls

These burgers and generously filled rolls are for a lunch with serious appetite, from juicy patties to meatball subs and lobster rolls.

Easy Choripan Chorizo Sandwich Easy Choripan Chorizo Sandwich Mexican Sonoran Hot Dogs Mexican Sonoran Hot Dogs Lobster Rolls Lobster Rolls Chicken and Pork Meatball Subs Chicken and Pork Meatball Subs Halloumi Tapioca Burgers Halloumi Tapioca Burgers Thai Chicken Burger Thai Chicken Burger The Manwich Pork Rib Sandwich The Manwich Pork Rib Sandwich Turkey Jasmine Burger with Wasabi Mayo Turkey Jasmine Burger with Wasabi Mayo Wagyu Burger with Brioche Rolls Wagyu Burger with Brioche Rolls Blindfold Veggie Burger Taste Test Blindfold Veggie Burger Taste Test

Soups and warming lunches

Vegetable, bean and lentil soups

These vegetable and pulse soups make a warming lunch without feeling too heavy. Add good bread and lunch is sorted.

Turkish Lentil Soup Turkish Lentil Soup Hummus Soup Hummus Soup Watermelon Gazpacho Watermelon Gazpacho Egyptian Lentil Soup Egyptian Lentil Soup Carrot, Cumin and Ginger Soup Carrot, Cumin and Ginger Soup French Onion Soup with Blue Brie Croutons French Onion Soup with Blue Brie Croutons Sweet Potato Lemongrass Coconut Soup Sweet Potato Lemongrass Coconut Soup Sweetcorn Chowder Sweetcorn Chowder Lazy Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk Lazy Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk

Meaty and comforting soups

These rich soups have chicken, chorizo, bacon or meatballs in the bowl, making them especially good for cold days and large appetites.

Phuket Crab Curry Phuket Crab Curry Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Tomato Soup with Meatball Croutons Tomato Soup with Meatball Croutons White Bean and Spinach Soup with Chorizo White Bean and Spinach Soup with Chorizo Austrian Pancake Soup Austrian Pancake Soup Chicken Soup with Potato Bread Rolls Chicken Soup with Potato Bread Rolls

Lunchboxes, picnics and savoury baking

Lunchbox recipes

These recipes are practical, portable and made to survive the journey to work or school. Many can be baked or assembled in advance.

Zucchini Cheese Bread Zucchini Cheese Bread Chilli Cheese Cornbread Chilli Cheese Cornbread 10 Healthy Lunchbox Ideas 10 Healthy Lunchbox Ideas Mushroom Strudel Mushroom Strudel Bacon and Egg Pie Bacon and Egg Pie Healthy and Tasty Lunchbox Tips Healthy and Tasty Lunchbox Tips Zucchini Slice Zucchini Slice Cheesy Vegemite Pull-Apart Cheesy Vegemite Pull-Apart Four Jaffle Recipes Four Jaffle Recipes Vegetable Muffins Vegetable Muffins Bacon, Cheese and Pineapple Popcorn Bacon, Cheese and Pineapple Popcorn Low Fat Chicken and Apricot Sausage Rolls Low Fat Chicken and Apricot Sausage Rolls

Picnic food

Pack these pies, salads, dips and savoury treats for a picnic, or spread them across the table for a relaxed lunch at home.

Easy Antipasto Salad Easy Antipasto Salad Salami Rose Charcuterie Platter Salami Rose Charcuterie Platter Kinkkupiirakka Finnish Ham and Cheese Pie Kinkkupiirakka Finnish Ham and Cheese Pie Easy Pizza Dip Easy Pizza Dip Bedfordshire Clanger Bedfordshire Clanger Peking Duck Rillettes Peking Duck Rillettes Lunch With Annabel Langbein Lunch With Annabel Langbein Creamy Mushroom Pate Creamy Mushroom Pate

Pies, tarts and quiches

Golden pastry and a generous savoury filling make these recipes ideal for lunch. Most are just as good warm as they are at room temperature.

Goat's Cheese Tart Goat's Cheese Tart Quiche Lorraine Quiche Lorraine Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Flower Tart Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Flower Tart Ham and Cheese Gibanica Ham and Cheese Gibanica Southern Tomato Pie Southern Tomato Pie Pear and Gorgonzola Tart Pear and Gorgonzola Tart Spinach, Halloumi and Feta Pie Spinach, Halloumi and Feta Pie Feta and Onion Pie Feta and Onion Pie

Sausage rolls and pastries

Sausage rolls are a lunchbox classic for good reason. This collection ranges from pork and chorizo to chicken, beef and a very Australian Vegemite version.

Lamb and Harissa Sausage Rolls Lamb and Harissa Sausage Rolls Pork, Fennel and Cabbage Sausage Rolls Pork, Fennel and Cabbage Sausage Rolls Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage Rolls Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage Rolls Chorizo and Cheese Strudel Chorizo and Cheese Strudel Bacon and Cheese Sausage Rolls Bacon and Cheese Sausage Rolls Char Siu Pork Sausage Rolls Char Siu Pork Sausage Rolls Vegemite and Cheese Sausage Rolls Vegemite and Cheese Sausage Rolls Low Fat Chicken and Apricot Sausage Rolls Low Fat Chicken and Apricot Sausage Rolls Smoky Chorizo Sausage Rolls Smoky Chorizo Sausage Rolls

Lunch recipes from around the world

Asian noodles, rice and dumplings

Noodles, rice and dumplings make brilliant lunches because they are satisfying, adaptable and packed with sauces, aromatics and texture.

Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls Top 5 Noodle Recipes Top 5 Noodle Recipes Low Carb Eggplant Noodles Low Carb Eggplant Noodles Hokkien Noodles Hokkien Noodles Fresh Udon Noodles Fresh Udon Noodles Singapore Noodles Singapore Noodles Xiao Long Bao Xiao Long Bao Fried Hokkien Noodles Fried Hokkien Noodles

Mexican and Middle Eastern lunches

Spices, herbs, flatbreads and bright dressings make these lunches especially lively, whether you want tacos, a stuffed pita or a generous salad.

Shrimp Tacos Shrimp Tacos Beetroot, Ricotta and Pistachio Salad Beetroot, Ricotta and Pistachio Salad Cypriot Feast Cypriot Feast Hawawshi Stuffed Pita Hawawshi Stuffed Pita Pork Belly Tacos Pork Belly Tacos Spinach and Cheese Gozleme Spinach and Cheese Gozleme A Mexican Fireworks Fiesta A Mexican Fireworks Fiesta Crunchy Gochujang Tofu Tacos Crunchy Gochujang Tofu Tacos Moroccan Beef and Olive Briouats Moroccan Beef and Olive Briouats Roquamole and Sweetcorn Chowder Roquamole and Sweetcorn Chowder

European lunch favourites

These European-inspired lunches include Italian bread and gnocchi, Scandinavian sandwich cakes, savoury pies and comforting cafe classics.

Pan Con Tomate Pan Con Tomate Easy Pizza Dough Easy Pizza Dough Pan-Fried Gnocchi With Sage Butter Pan-Fried Gnocchi With Sage Butter Tomato and Zucchini Flower Tart Tomato and Zucchini Flower Tart Easy Stromboli Easy Stromboli Top 5 Pizza Recipes Top 5 Pizza Recipes Finnish Ham and Cheese Pie Finnish Ham and Cheese Pie Spelt Pizza Spelt Pizza

Lunch by protein

Chicken lunches

Chicken works in wraps, salads, pies and burgers, making it one of the easiest starting points when you want a substantial lunch.

Chicken Caesar Wrap Chicken Caesar Wrap BBQ Chicken Mission Burrito BBQ Chicken Mission Burrito Chicken Gyros Chicken Gyros Costco Chicken Bake Costco Chicken Bake Corn Chip Chicken Schnitzels Corn Chip Chicken Schnitzels Thai Green Chicken Curry Thai Green Chicken Curry West African Chicken and Peanut Stew West African Chicken and Peanut Stew Chicken Liver Pate Chicken Liver Pate Perfect Roast Chicken Perfect Roast Chicken Vietnamese Chicken and Mint Salad Vietnamese Chicken and Mint Salad Easy BBQ Chicken Pot Pie Easy BBQ Chicken Pot Pie

Fish and seafood lunches

These seafood lunches range from fresh salads and sushi to crisp squid, grilled prawns, tacos and a classic fish and chips feast.

Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls Salt and Pepper Squid Salt and Pepper Squid Grilled Prawns with Nduja Butter Grilled Prawns with Nduja Butter Shrimp Tacos Shrimp Tacos Shrimp Boil Shrimp Boil Lobster Rolls Lobster Rolls Baked Salmon in Fig Leaves Baked Salmon in Fig Leaves Slow Cooked Squid and Chorizo Slow Cooked Squid and Chorizo

Beef and pork lunches

For a heartier lunch, these beef and pork recipes bring big savoury flavours to salads, rice, tacos, pastries and stuffed breads.

Easy Choripan Chorizo Sandwich Easy Choripan Chorizo Sandwich Loaded Animal Fries Loaded Animal Fries Pad Kra Pao Thai Stir Fry Pad Kra Pao Thai Stir Fry Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignonne Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignonne Bulgogi Beef Gimbab Bulgogi Beef Gimbab Garlic Bread Stuffed With Ham and Cheese Garlic Bread Stuffed With Ham and Cheese Cuban Sandwich Cuban Sandwich Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage Rolls Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage Rolls

Themed lunch menus and unusual ideas

Seasonal and celebration lunch menus

These menus bring several recipes together for Christmas, Halloween, winter gatherings and occasions when lunch becomes the main event.

Australian Christmas Dinner Recipes Australian Christmas Dinner Recipes French Christmas Recipes French Christmas Recipes A Quarantined Halloween Party A Quarantined Halloween Party Halloween Afternoon Tea Halloween Afternoon Tea A Three Course Dinner From Scratch in One Hour A Three Course Dinner From Scratch in One Hour NQN's Terrifying Halloween Party NQN's Terrifying Halloween Party A Mid Winter's Night Feast A Mid Winter's Night Feast NQN's Seriously Spooky Halloween Party NQN's Seriously Spooky Halloween Party Ghastly Halloween Food Recipes Ghastly Halloween Food Recipes

Unusual lunch ideas

For something completely different, try cooking prawns and potatoes on a car engine during a road trip.

Manifold Destiny Car Engine Cooking Manifold Destiny Car Engine Cooking

Explore related recipe categories

Sandwiches 20 recipes Easy Salads 129 recipes Soups 76 recipes Picnic Recipes 96 recipes Easy Snacks 21 recipes

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