30 simple recipes you can make for lunch

Michele

When it comes to preparing lunch, we're often looking for quick and easy options that are both delicious and nutritious. To help you with this mission, we've put together a list of 30 simple recipes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds and keep your kitchen routine stress-free. From light and healthy dishes to comforting and recognizable options, there's something for everyone. 

Simple recipes you can make for lunch

We've put together a variety of easy-to-prepare dishes, perfect for satisfying your taste buds and fitting perfectly into your busy routine. From refreshing salads to comforting wraps and recognizable soups, these recipes are designed to make lunchtime a simple but deliciously satisfying experience. 

So grab your cutting board and get ready to enjoy a variety of tasty meals that will have you looking forward to lunch every day!

1. Chicken Salad with Avocado

A mix of leafy greens, shredded grilled chicken, sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes and a simple lemon dressing creates a light and satisfying meal.

2. Spaghetti with Basil Pesto

Spaghetti with Basil Pesto is a classic Italian dish that delights palates around the world. Its simplicity and harmony of flavors make it a popular choice for quick and satisfying lunches. The base of pesto, made from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese, is a combination of fresh and aromatic ingredients that come together to create a vibrant and comforting sauce. When mixed with the al dente spaghetti, the pesto envelops each strand of pasta, providing an explosion of herbaceous flavors and a hint of nuttiness that perfectly complements the soft texture of the pasta.

In addition to its delicious simplicity, Basil Pesto Spaghetti is a versatile option that can be customized according to individual preferences. Adding halved cherry tomatoes or pieces of grilled chicken can elevate the dish even further, while grilled vegetables such as zucchini or bell peppers can add an extra dimension of flavor and nutrition. Whether prepared as a quick weekday meal or as a more sophisticated option for a weekend lunch, spaghetti alla pesto is a foolproof choice that pleases all palates and provides a truly rewarding culinary experience.

3. Caprese sandwich

Layers of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, between slices of crusty Italian bread.

4. Vegetable Omelette

The vegetable omelette is a nutritious and versatile option for lunch, offering a delicious way to incorporate a variety of fresh vegetables into your meal. By mixing beaten eggs with chopped vegetables such as peppers, onions and spinach, you create a combination of flavors and textures that appeals to all palates. As well as being a healthy option, the vegetable omelette is quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for those busy days when you want a home-cooked, comforting meal.

One of the great advantages of the vegetable omelette is its adaptability. You can easily customize the omelette according to your tastes and available ingredients, adding mushrooms, tomatoes or even cheese for an extra touch of flavour. Served with a fresh green salad or even on a slice of wholemeal bread, the vegetable omelette is a versatile and satisfying option that not only pleases the palate, but also provides a balanced and nutritious meal for your lunch.

5. Chicken Caesar Wrap

Fill a whole wheat tortilla with grilled chicken, chopped lettuce, croutons and Caesar dressing.

6. Lentil soup

Cook lentils with carrot, celery, onion and vegetable stock until tender. Season with fresh herbs and serve hot.

7. Black Bean Tacos

Black Bean Tacos offer an explosion of flavors and textures, combining the richness and creaminess of seasoned black beans with the freshness and crunch of vegetables. By filling corn tortillas with seasoned black beans, melted cheese, diced avocado, chopped fresh tomatoes and cilantro, you create a meal that pleases all the senses. The combination of ingredients creates a complex taste experience, with earthy notes from the black beans, acidity from the tomatoes and a refreshing touch from the avocado, all wrapped up in the crunchy texture of the tortilla.

One of the most attractive features of Black Bean Tacos is their versatility and adaptability. They are easily customizable, allowing you to add your own favorite ingredients, such as peppers, caramelized onions or hot sauce, to create unique flavor combinations. What's more, this option is a healthy choice, providing a dose of protein and fiber from the black beans, along with a variety of nutrients from the fresh vegetables. Whether for a quick weekday lunch or an informal dinner with friends, Black Bean Tacos are a delicious and satisfying option that is sure to please all palates.

8. Mushroom risotto

Sauté arborio rice with mushrooms, onion and garlic, gradually adding vegetable stock until creamy. Finish with grated Parmesan cheese.

9. Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables

Mix cooked quinoa with roasted vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant and peppers. Drizzle with a balsamic vinegar dressing.

10. Pasta with homemade tomato sauce

Pasta with homemade tomato sauce is a classic dish that evokes comfort and simplicity, but with an explosion of fresh, natural flavors. The basis of this dish is homemade tomato sauce, prepared with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion and aromatic herbs such as basil and oregano. This sauce is cooked slowly to allow the flavors to fully develop, resulting in a rich, full-bodied sauce full of freshness.

What makes Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce so special is its ability to be a comforting and familiar meal, while at the same time being healthy and nutritious. What's more, it's incredibly versatile - you can serve pasta with tomato sauce simply, or add extra ingredients, such as sautéed vegetables, grilled chicken or homemade meatballs, to create an even more substantial and tasty meal. Whether it's for a quick weekday meal or to impress guests at an informal dinner party, Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce is a sure-fire choice that pleases all palates.

11. Tuna and avocado sandwich

Mix canned tuna with mashed avocado and seasonings of your choice. Spread on slices of wholemeal bread and add lettuce and tomato.

12. Vegetable Pizza

Spread tomato sauce on a pizza base and top with your favorite vegetables, such as peppers, mushrooms and onions.

13. Falafel wrap

The Falafel Wrap is a delicious combination of flavors and textures that brings the best of Middle Eastern cuisine to your lunch. This dish consists of falafel, fried chickpea fritters seasoned with a mixture of herbs and spices, which are wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. The falafel is then topped with creamy hummus, pickled cucumber, fresh tomato, crisp lettuce and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce.

What makes the Falafel Wrap so popular is its unique combination of fresh and intense flavors, combined with the practicality of being a portable and quick-to-prepare meal. What's more, this dish is a versatile option that can be adapted according to individual preferences, allowing for the addition of ingredients such as thinly sliced red onion, grilled peppers or even a touch of pepper for those who like a little more heat. Whether for a quick weekday lunch or a light and satisfying meal at any time of the day, the Falafel Wrap is a choice that is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.

14. Potato Salad with Herbs

Cook potatoes until soft, then mix with red onion, celery, pickles and mayonnaise. Season with fresh herbs.

15. Chicken Skewers with Vegetables

Thread pieces of chicken and vegetables onto wooden skewers and grill until cooked. Serve with yogurt sauce.

16. Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Fill a tortilla with grilled chicken, lettuce, croutons and Caesar sauce.

17. Chickpea salad

Combine cooked chickpeas with cucumber, tomato, red onion, olives and feta cheese. Season with olive oil and lemon juice.

18. Vegetable Quiche

Bake a pie crust with a mixture of eggs, milk and vegetables such as broccoli, peppers and onions.

19. Hummus and Vegetable Wrap

Spread hummus on a wheat tortilla and fill with chopped vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers and peppers.

20. Fruit Salad with Grilled Chicken

Fruit Salad with Grilled Chicken offers a unique culinary experience, combining the sweetness and freshness of fruit with the juiciness and smokiness of grilled chicken. In this recipe, slices of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, pineapple and mango, are carefully combined with pieces of grilled chicken, creating a blend of flavors and textures that is both refreshing and satisfying. The addition of leafy greens, such as arugula or spinach, and crunchy nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, complement this salad, providing an explosion of nutrients and flavors.

What makes Fruit Salad with Grilled Chicken so special is its ability to be a complete and balanced meal that satisfies both sweet and savory cravings. What's more, it's an extremely versatile option, allowing you to add other ingredients according to personal preference, such as crumbled feta cheese, diced avocado or even a pinch of pepper for those who like an extra touch of heat. Whether as a light option for lunch or as a refreshing meal on a hot summer's day, the Fruit Salad with Grilled Chicken is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving every bite.

21. Pasta with Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce

Cook pasta and mix with a dried tomato pesto made with dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil.

22. Vegan Taco Wrap

Fill a tortilla with seasoned black beans, rice, guacamole, salsa and coriander.

23. Caprese pasta salad

Combine cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil and black olives. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

24. Turkey sandwich with avocado

Pile slices of roast turkey with sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato and mustard on a bun of your choice.

25. Falafel pita

Fill pita bread with falafel, tomato, cucumber, lettuce and tahini sauce.

26. Brown Rice Salad with Vegetables

Mix cooked brown rice with grilled vegetables such as zucchini, peppers and carrots. Season with lemon vinaigrette.

27. Chicken Wrap with Guacamole

Spread guacamole on a tortilla and fill with grilled chicken, lettuce and tomato.

28. Tomato and Basil Soup

Cook tomatoes, onion and garlic in vegetable stock, then blend until creamy. Add fresh basil leaves before serving.

29. Chicken salad with curry

Mix cooked chicken, apple, raisins and chopped walnuts with mayonnaise and curry powder. Serve on leafy greens.

30. Veggie Wrap with Feta Cheese

The Veggie Wrap with Feta Cheese is a light, fresh and flavor-packed meal that celebrates the variety and versatility of vegetables. In this recipe, a whole wheat tortilla is filled with a vibrant selection of grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, peppers and onions, which bring an explosion of colors and flavors. The finishing touch is feta cheese, adding a salty, creamy note that further elevates the flavor profile of this dish.

What makes the Veggie Wrap with Feta Cheese so irresistible is the balanced combination of textures and fresh, vibrant flavors. What's more, it's an extremely versatile option, allowing you to include other vegetables of your choice, such as eggplant, mushrooms or spinach, for a personalized experience. Whether as a quick lunch to take with you or as a healthy option for a light meal at home, the Veggie Wrap with Feta Cheese is a delicious choice that is sure to please all palates, as well as being a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet in a delicious way.

We hope these simple and tasty recipes will help make your lunchtime meals easier. Try a new recipe every day and enjoy a variety of fresh and healthy flavors!

See also: 10 simple recipes to make in the microwave

April 2nd, 2024