If busy weekdays leave you rushing to get you and your family out the door in the morning, you may have forgotten all about planning a satisfying lunch. But come noon, you won't want to be stuck picking at boring leftovers. Instead, reach for one of these quick lunch ideas to save the day!
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. Many of them can even be prepped the night before, like the many Crock-Pot recipes, to make your morning routine easier. Try cozy soup and sandwich combos, like slow cooker split pea soup and pesto caprese panini, 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). For a fresh take on salads, try the Greek salad with grilled chicken or the sesame pork noodle salad that makes cold noodles fun to eat. Once you have your lunch prepped and packed, you can move on to tackling your weeknight family dinner!
Ryan Dausch
1 of 35
Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Peso 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 recipe.
SHOP BAKING SHEETS
Will Dickey
2 of 35
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 recipe.
Ryan Dausch
3 of 35
Tex-Mex Grain Bowls
Grain bowls are the ultimate lunch food—they're easy to prep ahead, they never get soggy, and they're totally customizable! Try this one made with Tex-Mex beans, veggies, and plenty of fun toppings.
Get Ree's recipe.
Con Poulos
4 of 35
Greek Salad with Chicken
Keep the dressing and pita chips on the side to ensure this salad stays crisp until lunch. Then, just before eating, toss it altogether—and lunch is served!
Get the recipe.
William Dickey
5 of 35
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Throw all the ingredients for this smoky split pea soup in the slow cooker the night before and you'll have a tasty soup that's ready to eat the next day. It's so easy!
Get the recipe.
SHOP SLOW COOKERS
Ralph Smith
6 of 35
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls
Both the quinoa and BBQ chicken can be prepped at the beginning of the week. Keep them in separate food storage containers until you're ready to build your bowls.
Get Ree's recipe.
Ryan Liebe
7 of 35
Lime Chicken Quesadillas
The flavorful lime-cilantro sauce in these chicken quesadillas gives the classic dish a new twist. Serve any extra sauce on the side with the cheesy triangles for dipping.
Get Ree's recipe.
Ralph Smith
8 of 35
Sesame Pork Noodle Salad
This is not your average sad lunch salad. Instead, your bowl will be filled with flavorful sesame pork, ramen noodles, and crunchy veggies.
Get Ree's recipe.
Will Dickey
9 of 35
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
This cozy chili is made with ground turkey so it's healthy and satisfying at the same time. Best of all—you won't have to venture out in the cold for lunch!
Get the recipe.
Ryan Liebe
10 of 35
Veggie Burritos with Black Eyed Peas
There are a ton of varieties when it comes to burritos but this veggie and bean version is so good. It's perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike!
Get Ree's recipe.
SHOP SKILLETS
Ryan Dausch
11 of 35
Grilled Pork Salad with Strawberries
To take your lunch salad to the next level, try adding slices of seasoned pork chops, fresh strawberries, and your favorite cheese—either goat cheese or blue cheese would work great!
Get Ree's recipe.
Erica Kastner/The Pioneer Woman
12 of 35
Chicken Waldorf Salad
This classic, creamy chicken salad has plenty of crunch from celery and nuts, and a touch of sweetness thanks to the apples and grapes. Just be sure to keep it in the refrigerator since it contains dairy.
Get the recipe.
Ralph Smith
13 of 35
Fried Green Tomato BLT
Upgrade your BLT by making fried green tomatoes for added crunch. It's a fun twist on a classic sandwich.
Get Ree's recipe.
Ralph Smith
14 of 35
Grilled Steak Wraps with Peanut Sauce
You can use leftover grilled skirt steak for these easy wraps. The sliced steak, crunchy salad, and peanut sauce is a magical combination.
Get Ree's recipe.
Erica Kastner/The Pioneer Woman
15 of 35
Chicken Fajita Salad Bowls
These easy bowls can be personalized based on your preferences—serve it with lettuce for a grain-free lunch, over rice for something heartier, or wrapped up in a tortilla for easy portability.
Get the recipe.
SHOP BOWLS
Will Dickey
16 of 35
Easy Taco Salad
This bright, flavorful taco salad comes together in about 15 minutes. Make it for dinner then bring the leftovers for lunch! Get the recipe.
Ryan Dausch
17 of 35
Greek Pesto Pasta Salad
Whip up a big batch of pasta salad over the weekend (we love this one that's packed with artichokes, feta and tomatoes!) and bring it for lunch all week. Get Ree's recipe.
Ralph Smith
18 of 35
Chicken Salad Sandwich
There's nothing more classic than a chicken salad sandwich. Make the salad ahead of time and just toast a couple slices of bread for a quick lunch.
Get Ree's recipe.
Ralph Smith
19 of 35
Chicken and Noodles
Nothing says comfort like a big bowl of chicken soup! Pack this easy soup for lunch and you'll be satisfied until dinner.
Get Ree's recipe.
Beatriz Da Costa
20 of 35
Curried Chicken Salad Croissants
This chicken salad is seasoned with warm, fragrant curry powder and is as delicious on a bed of lettuce as it is on this buttery croissant! Get Ree's recipe.
SHOP LUNCH PLATES
Con Poulos
21 of 35
Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl
This healthy grain bowl is a cinch to prep and is the perfect hearty lunch. You can replace the salmon with leftover sliced chicken or steak, too! Get Ree's recipe.
Hector Sanchez
22 of 35
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
Ree says: "Broccoli-cheese soup is my life." Make it yours, too, and enjoy a cheesy, creamy bowl for lunch today!
Get Ree's recipe.
The Pioneer Woman
23 of 35
Heavenly Hummus Wrap
Vegetarians, rejoice! This easy hummus wrap is anything but boring, and travels well if you're taking it on the go.
Get Ree's recipe.
Ryan Dausch
24 of 35
Pesto Caprese Panini
Ree's wild for pesto, and for good reason: It adds so much flavor to any dish! This easy pesto panini is made from only 4 ingredients that you probably already have at home. Get Ree's recipe.
GHAZALLE BADIOZAMANI
25 of 35
Ralph Smith
26 of 35
Caprese French Bread Pizzas
Working from home? Then this quick Caprese pizza loaded with mozzarella and tomatoes is perfect for you! (Here's a tip: Use store-bought pesto to cut down on the prep time.)
Get Ree's recipe.
Ryan Dausch
27 of 35
Ham Sandwiches with Quick Pickles
Ree uses country ham (a dry-cured ham that is often smoked and sliced thick) in this hearty sandwich. It's topped with sweet and spicy homemade quick pickles.
Get Ree's recipe.
Ralph Smith
28 of 35
Ranch Chopped Salad
We can't stop drooling over this classic salad! It's tossed in a creamy homemade ranch dressing and topped with bacon and cheese.
Get Ree's recipe.
The Pioneer Woman
29 of 35
Grilled Veggie and Cream Cheese Sandwich
Grill up some veggies over the weekend and pile them high in this sandwich. It's perfect for taking on the go.
Get Ree's recipe.
Beatriz Da Costa
30 of 35
Cobb Chicken Salad
Love Cobb salad but don't want to spend the time arranging rows on your salad? Then make this Cobb chicken salad instead! It's packed with all the usual ingredients like blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and avocado and can be sandwiched between 2 slices of bread for an easy, on-the-go lunch!
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