Midday hits and it's decision time again, and whatever's fastest usually wins even when it's not what anyone wants to eat. These 20 lunch recipes fix that, covering everything from handheld sandwiches to protein packed bowls so there's always something worth making.
Ground turkey gets cooked down with garlic, ginger and a splash of fish sauce, then piled into crisp butter lettuce leaves with fresh herbs. Top with peanuts and carrots for crunch.
Crispy homemade falafel gets loaded into a warm pita with fresh veggies and pickled onions, then finished with a creamy tahini yogurt sauce. Store bought pita works just fine here.
Golden pan fried chicken cutlets get piled onto a chewy ciabatta roll with sharp provolone, garlicky sauteed greens and a roasted red pepper mayo that ties every bite together. It's a lunchtime classic that tastes like it came straight from an old school Italian deli counter.
Bite sized pieces of lobster get dredged and fried until golden, then tucked into soft French bread with shredded lettuce, pickles and a spicy Creole remoulade. A little fancier, still doable on a weeknight.
Crispy pan fried chicken cutlets meet homemade Caesar salad tossed in a garlicky, creamy dressing, all piled onto a crusty ciabatta roll. The dressing comes together in one bowl and there's plenty leftover for dipping fries or drizzling over extra greens on the side.
Roasted chicken, sliced avocado and two kinds of melty cheese get grilled between thick slices of bread with a smoky chipotle mayo spread on both sides. It's a hearty sandwich that disappears fast, so plan on making extra if you're feeding more than one person.
Tender chicken, juicy red grapes, crunchy celery and buttery pecans get tossed together in a tangy poppy seed dressing that's ready in minutes. Scoop it onto a bed of greens, into a pita pocket or straight out of the bowl for a lunch that always feels a little fancy.
Classic tuna salad gets piled onto toasted sourdough with a thick slice of ripe tomato and melty provolone, then broiled until golden and bubbly around the edges. It's an old diner favorite made at home, and it works just as well for dinner as it does for lunch.
A can of sardines, a little Dijon mustard and some crunchy celery come together in just minutes for a high protein sandwich that's bigger on flavor than the short ingredient list suggests. Pile it onto multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato for a lunch that keeps you full for hours.
Shredded rotisserie chicken, diced dill pickles and crunchy celery get folded into a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayo, pickle juice and fresh dill. Spoon it onto bread, into lettuce wraps or eat it straight off a spoon, and it only gets better after a few hours in the fridge.
White cheddar and mozzarella get melted between thick slices of sourdough brushed with a Parmesan butter spread for a golden, cheesy crust. It's the coffee shop favorite made for a fraction of the price, and it's ready faster than a trip to the drive through.
Garlicky chicken, spinach and baby corn swim in a warm ginger miso broth loaded with wiggly noodles that soak up all that flavor. Top each bowl with a soft boiled egg and a sprinkle of scallions for the full effect, and this one beats delivery every time.
Celery and onions cook low and slow until soft, then get blended with a handful of spinach into a soup so rich you'll never guess it's completely dairy free. A crusty piece of bread on the side is non negotiable, and leftovers taste even better the next day.
Ground chicken, mixed veggies and cheese bake up into portion controlled muffins that are basically meatloaf. Make a batch on Sunday and grab one on your way out the door all week for a high protein lunch that's ready whenever you are.
Sushi rice gets molded around a spicy tuna and cucumber filling, then wrapped in nori for a portable, low fat lunch you can eat with your hands. No special mold required here, just a bowl of water for wetting your hands and a little patience.
Avocado, imitation crab meat and cucumber get rolled in sushi rice and nori, then coated in toasted panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch on the outside. Making sushi at home is easier than you'd think, and a bamboo mat is the only special tool you'll actually need.
A simple roux and real shredded cheddar come together for a stovetop mac and cheese that tastes like the blue box, just noticeably better. No powdered cheese packet needed here, and it's just as fast to throw together on a lunch break as the boxed version ever was.
Warm rice and quinoa get topped with a black bean and corn salsa, sliced avocado, tangy feta and a bright cilantro lime vinaigrette that ties the whole bowl together. It's a copycat of the popular Panera grain bowl, and it holds up just as well made ahead for the week.
Boldly spiced harissa chicken gets piled onto rice and mixed greens with feta, hummus, roasted corn, pickled onions and a hot honey vinaigrette drizzled over the top. This one brings the popular fast casual bowl home for a fraction of the cost and it's every bit as good.
Ground turkey, black beans, corn and avocado get piled over rice and finished with a lime crema. It's the top pick on this list because it's fast, filling and endlessly customizable for whatever's in the fridge.