With these 17 recipes, your homemade lunch starts looking suspiciously restaurant-like. They’re tasty enough to pretend you spent real money, but you didn’t. No special skills or equipment needed—just basic kitchen confidence. People might start asking you where you ordered from, so practice your poker face. Lunch doesn’t have to feel like reheated disappointment anymore.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
If you like a bit of coastal flair in your midday meal, look no further. Bringing together pasta and seafood, Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp offers a refreshing break from the monotony of everyday sandwiches. Each bite is a conversation of textures and aromas that transport you to a seaside bistro. With this dish, skipping the lunchtime outing seems more like a choice, not a sacrifice.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Sometimes, comfort food is just what you need to get through the day. Imagine biting into a hearty, stuffed Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese—it’s the kind of indulgence that you’d expect to find in a cozy diner. It packs a punch of flavor and ensures you’re more than ready to tackle the rest of your workday or relax on the weekend. It’s a forgiving dish, allowing you to pick what you love.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Light and refreshing, yet undeniably satisfying, that’s the spirit of this green-packed lunch option. It’s not your standard leafy dish; Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes stands out with its hearty additions. This bowl is perfect for those days when you’re looking for something substantial yet plant-centric. It proves that salads need not be mere side dishes; they can take center stage.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Italian Wedding Soup
When the craving for something warm and inviting hits, few things satisfy like a hearty bowl of soup. Italian Wedding Soup envelops you in its homey goodness, reminiscent of a meal lovingly made by family. It’s an all-in-one dish that fills you up and warms you down to your toes. Ideal for those days when you need a comforting touch, it’s like a friendly embrace in edible form.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
There’s a certain joy in recreating a restaurant favorite within the comfort of your own home. Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich brings that classic eatery experience to your kitchen table with ease. It’s as if you’ve stepped into an old-school deli each time you assemble and enjoy this beloved sandwich. Nothing beats the convenience of crafting such a palate-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes
Sometimes a dish comes along that’s so refreshingly different, it instantly grabs your attention. The unlikely pairing in Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes does just that, offering a unique twist on fruit and veg combinations. It’s the sort of fare that challenges your palate in the best possible way, striking a perfect balance between sweet and tasty. This is a standout choice.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes
Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
Let’s talk about turning the ordinary into something exceptional. What could be just another lunch at your desk becomes a flavorsome escape with a Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich. This twist on a city classic uses ingredients that meld together in a taste without the need for a food truck. It’s the kind of sandwich that fortifies you for a productive afternoon, full of hustle and bustle.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
In a world where quick and easy often means bland and forgettable, this dish defies expectations. Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes is a testament to convenience meeting sophistication. Lunch now feels less like a routine and more like a mini escape to a far-off marketplace. It’s chock-full of surprises in every forkful.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Copycat Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Burrito
You don’t have to leave your house for a hint of festive, south-of-the-border fare. Crafting a Copycat Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Burrito in your own kitchen brings the party to you. It’s casual yet so much more than run-of-the-mill, catering to your craving for something familiar with a personal twist. Lunch now is not just a meal; it’s a fiesta of flavors waiting to unfold.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Burrito
Southern Ham Salad
Embrace the down-home flavors with a lunch that’s rooted in tradition yet perfect for the modern-day. Southern Ham Salad is like a visit to grandma’s house without ever stepping foot outside. It’s a blend of nostalgia and innovation, marrying the old with the new in a way that can only be described as scrumptious. It’s perfect for spreading on your favorite bread or crackers.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Salad
Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese
Update this childhood classic with a Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese and watch a simple sandwich turn gourmet. It’s unexpected, slightly sweet, and wholly satisfying, making the afternoon break a moment of true pleasure. Whether you’re in a rush or taking it slow, this sandwich fits the bill for a reliable and intriguing meal. It’s one sure way to bring a bit of smile-inducing whimsy to your lunch.
Get the Recipe: Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Here’s a dish that expertly tosses variety into your lunch hour. With Mediterranean Chopped Salad you’ll find yourself eagerly fork-deep in a mix that’s vibrant and texturally pleasing. It’s a health-conscious choice without sacrificing an iota of punch and character. Whether you’re dining solo or enjoying a group lunch via video call, it adds that social feel of a shared platter.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Cream of Poblano Soup
For those times when only the most comfort-inducing meal will do, consider this your go-to. Cream of Poblano Soup beckons with its creamy embrace, hinting at rich flavors and a touch of boldness. It’s not just soup; it’s a declaration that lunch can be as inviting as dinner by the fireplace. This dish blurs the line between nourishment and comfort, proving that you can have both in one bowl.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Poblano Soup
Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches
These Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches provide a playful yet utterly gratifying eating experience. It’s hands-on, customizable, and offers a medley of flavors that turns your mealtime into an active part of your day. No more passive munching; this is a creation that pulls you into the vibrant streets of Athens in every bite. It’s the kind of lunch that fits perfectly in your keyboard.
Get the Recipe: Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches
Wild Rice Salad
Forget the mundane options and opt for something subtly extraordinary. Wild Rice Salad serves up a robust base that goes beyond the expectations of a typical grain salad. It’s hearty, full of texture, and a solid companion to busier days when you need sustenance to push through. This dish highlights that lunch doesn’t have to be an afterthought; it can be a cornerstone of your daily routine.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad
Easy Hamburger Stew
It’s truly delicious when a dish can exude the essence of a slow-cooked Sunday dinner in a fraction of the time. Easy Hamburger Stew is the answer to your calls for something rich, deep in flavor, and uncomplicated. It’s like capturing the essence of a home-cooked meal in a hurry without skimping on that slow-simmered taste. Ideal for a hearty lunch that demands minimum effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Hamburger Stew
Reuben Quesadillas
Fuse together the tang and taste of an American deli classic with the ease and flair of Mexican street food. Reuben Quesadillas are a testament to culinary innovation without the fuss. They provide a delicious twist on what might be an expected flavor profile, surprising and engaging your palate. This dish proves that a gratifying lunch need not come from a high-end establishment.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Quesadillas