Some lunches are so involved they feel like a dinner audition, but there’s no need to make things harder than they have to be. A good midday meal should be simple to put together and still do its job—keeping you from thinking about food until it’s actually time for dinner. These recipes skip the stress, keep you full, and let you enjoy lunch without feeling like you just competed in a cooking challenge.
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
A sandwich that doesn’t play around when it comes to keeping you full. Between the layers of melty goodness and slow-cooked perfection, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese is exactly what a lunch should be—simple but seriously rewarding. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with plain old sandwiches. If lunch had a comfort food hall of fame, this would be a first-ballot inductee.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Shirazi Salad
Light, fresh, and straight to the point—this is the kind of lunch that keeps you going without weighing you down. Shirazi Salad brings in crisp textures and just the right amount of brightness to make every bite feel refreshing. It’s proof that simple ingredients can still make a big impact. If you need a lunch that won’t leave you feeling sluggish, this one has your back.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad
Pasta e Fagioli Soup
If you need a lunch that warms you up and keeps you going, this is it. Pasta e Fagioli Soup brings together everything great about a comforting meal without making you feel weighed down. It’s hearty enough to keep you full all afternoon but not so heavy that you’re counting down to naptime. One bowl, and you’ll see why this has been a go-to lunch for generations.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Lunch doesn’t have to be complicated to be interesting, and this one proves it. Mexican Street Corn Salad brings bold flavors without the extra work, making it an easy choice when you need something quick but rewarding. It’s fresh, a little smoky, and just the right amount of creamy to make every bite worth it. Whether it’s a side or the main event, it gets the job done.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Turkey & Apple Panini
When you need something quick but not boring, this sandwich is the way to go. Turkey & Apple Panini brings a little crunch, a little sweetness, and a whole lot of flavor without making lunch feel like a chore. It’s warm, toasty, and just filling enough to keep you going without slowing you down. If all sandwiches were this good, lunch would always be exciting.
Get the Recipe: Turkey & Apple Panini
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Some things stick around for a reason, and this classic proves it. Old Fashioned Ham Salad doesn’t need fancy tricks to be a lunchtime favorite—it just works. It’s got that balance of creamy and savory that makes it perfect for stuffing into a sandwich or piling onto crackers. You’ll finish your lunch feeling full, happy, and wondering why you don’t make this more often.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Pastrami Reuben Sandwich
If a sandwich could be called legendary, this would be the one. Pastrami Reuben Sandwich is stacked high with all the right flavors, perfectly balanced between smoky, tangy, and a little creamy. It’s messy in the best way, making every bite worth the napkin cleanup. If lunch had a VIP section, this sandwich would be sitting front row.
Get the Recipe: Pastrami Reuben Sandwich
Potato Salad With Herbs & Green Garlic
A good potato salad doesn’t need to be complicated, and this one keeps it simple while still packing a punch. Potato Salad With Herbs & Green Garlic is fresh, a little herby, and just creamy enough to make it feel like a meal, not just a side. It’s the kind of lunch that lets you feel full without feeling like you overdid it. If you’re looking for something easy but fulfilling, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad With Herbs & Green Garlic
Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich
Big flavors, hearty bites, and just the right amount of indulgence—this sandwich means business. Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich brings together layers of goodness that make every bite better than the last. It’s the kind of lunch that keeps you full all afternoon, no second lunch required. If you’re not a sandwich person, this one might just change your mind.
Get the Recipe: Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich
Yellow Bean & Potato Salad
Not all salads are meant to be light, and this one proves it. Yellow Bean & Potato Salad is hearty enough to stand on its own, packed with texture and flavor that keeps you full. It’s got the right mix of fresh and rewarding without overcomplicating things. One serving, and you’ll wonder why you ever settled for boring salads.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad
Reuben Sliders
Everything you love about a classic, just in a more snackable form. Reuben Sliders bring together the bold flavors of the original but make them perfect for a quick lunch that doesn’t leave you stuffed. They’re a little tangy, a little creamy, and packed with just the right amount of crunch. Who knew a smaller sandwich could still bring such a big lunch?
Get the Recipe: Reuben Sliders
Copycat La Madeleine Country Potato Soup
A soup that keeps things simple but does its job well. Copycat La Madeleine Country Potato Soup is creamy, comforting, and just thick enough to make sure you’re full for hours. It’s the kind of lunch that makes you slow down for a second and actually enjoy your break. If you need something warm and reliable, this soup has you covered.
Get the Recipe: Copycat La Madeleine Country Potato Soup
Leftover Steak Quesadilla
When yesterday’s dinner turns into today’s best lunch, you know you’re doing something right. Leftover Steak Quesadilla keeps things easy by packing in bold flavors with minimal effort. It’s crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and just the right amount of indulgent. Lunch doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs to be good.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Quesadilla
Mediterranean Couscous Salad With Smoked Tomatoes
When you want a lunch that’s fresh but still filling, this is a solid pick. Mediterranean Couscous Salad With Smoked Tomatoes is packed with textures and flavors that keep things interesting without feeling over the top. It’s light enough to not slow you down but still gives you enough energy to power through the afternoon. If lunchtime is about balance, this salad gets it just right.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad With Smoked Tomatoes
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
When a sandwich comes with its own dip, you know it means business. Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich is rich, juicy, and made for people who don’t mind getting their hands a little messy. Every bite is packed with bold flavors, and that extra dip just makes it even better. Lunch should always be this good, but at least today, you’re winning.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich