20+ Easy Lunch Recipes That Aren't Salads

If you’re looking to switch up your lunch routine from your basic salads, you’ll want to try out these easy lunch ideas! Ready in less than 20 minutes, you’ll have a tasty dish that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Sandwiches, grain bowls and smoothies all make for a nourishing meal to enjoy on your lunch break. Try recipes like our Creamy Raspberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie or our flavorful Goat Cheese-Tomato Toast for a midday meal that is simple and satisfying.

Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This sandwich takes classic tuna salad and adds a creamy twist with ripe avocado for a fresh, buttery flavor and texture. It’s the ideal upgrade to your usual tuna salad, and it’s sure to become your new favorite lunchtime sandwich for work or home.

Creamy Raspberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Chia seeds add a healthy dose of fiber to keep you full and satisfied. The natural sweetness of frozen peaches combined with dates and the tangy brightness of raspberries make every sip refreshing and satisfying.

Goat Cheese-Tomato Toast

Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

Whip up this goat cheese–tomato toast to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer any time of the year. For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle with balsamic glaze or sprinkle with crushed red pepper for a little heat. You could also drizzle with a bit of honey and sprinkle with some fresh herbs like basil or mint.

High-Protein Tuna & White Bean Melt

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This ultra-quick tuna melt is a protein-packed sandwich that’s perfect for a fast and satisfying lunch. The beans add creaminess and fiber, while the tuna provides lean protein and omega-3s, making this dish as nutritious as it is flavorful.

Carrot Cake Smoothie

Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

With a mix of carrot juice, banana, warm spices like cinnamon and ginger and a hint of vanilla, this smoothie captures all the cozy flavors of carrot cake in a glass.

Cucumber-Avocado-Tomato Sandwich

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Creamy avocado and hummus provide plant-based protein and healthy fats, while juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers bring refreshing crunch and flavor. Layer it all on whole-grain bread for an extra boost of fiber, and you’ve got a quick and wholesome sandwich.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This chicken noodle soup is packed with tender chicken, warm broth and soft noodles. The combination of ginger and garlic boosts flavor and is ready in just 20 minutes.

Mushroom-Ricotta Tartines

Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco,

Here, we slather a thick slice of good crusty whole-wheat bread with a creamy pesto-ricotta spread and top it with golden-brown sautéed mushrooms. Enjoy it as is or take it to the next level by adding a poached or fried egg on top.

Broccoli Melts

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Here, we combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food.

Orange Smoothie

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Tricia Manzanero, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This creamy smoothie makes the most of the entire orange—peel and all. In addition to cutting down on food waste, studies suggest that orange peel is a powerhouse for gut health.

High-Protein Tomato, Mozzarella & Arugula Sandwich

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, prop stylist: LIndsey Lower

This vegetarian sandwich is packed with protein, thanks to creamy fresh mozzarella cheese and plenty of walnuts blended into the roasted red pepper spread.

Chicken, Spinach & Feta Wraps

Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabe Greco

This chicken, spinach and feta wrap recipe is elevated by the convenience of rotisserie chicken and the scrumptious flavor of sun-dried tomatoes. Whisk together the easy dressing, toss with the chicken, add spinach and wrap it all together for a delicious lunch.

Eat-the-Rainbow Vegetable Soup

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This vibrant and wholesome soup is packed with a variety of colorful vegetables. The base of the soup is prepped ahead of time and stored in separate containers for an easy and nourishing lunch.

No-Added-Sugar Mango Lassi Smoothie

photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle

Made with juicy frozen mangoes, creamy Greek-style yogurt and nutrient-packed hemp seeds, this high-protein smoothie is inspired by the Indian drink and keeps you full and energized for your busy day!

Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

Robby Lozano

It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

Chopped Italian Sandwiches

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

This mouthwatering chopped Italian sandwich is assembled using a method where all the ingredients are arranged in a single layer, finely chopped together and then layered onto the bread.

Anti-Inflammatory Beet & Avocado Wrap

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Packed with fiber and monounsaturated fats, avocados are combined with beets, which contain their own inflammation-fighting phytochemicals. The tahini-lemon mixture adds brightness and a nutty flavor to this wrap.

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables, depending on your mood.

Get Your Greens Wrap

Sara Haas

This healthy, quick wrap is packed with plenty of green vegetables—cucumber, sprouts and lettuce add crunch, avocado lends creaminess and edamame provides some plant-based protein.

Cucumber & Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Wrap

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Skyler Myers, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

This easy vegetarian wrap features roasted red pepper hummus which adds color and a little extra flavor. Cucumber, sprouts, salad greens or spinach all add a refreshing crunch. For a peppery kick, try using arugula.

Orange-Mango Smoothie

Ali Redmond

This smoothie tastes just like a creamsicle. If you don’t have almond milk, any other dairy or nondairy milk will work.

Cucumber Sandwich with Cotija & Lime

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman

This easy vegetarian sandwich draws flavor inspiration from elote, the Mexican street corn dish. Instead of corn, we flavor cucumber slices with cotija cheese, lime and cilantro for a tasty filling.

5-Ingredient Brie and Blackberry Jam Grilled Cheese

Photography: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

This irresistible sandwich pairs creamy Brie cheese with a sweet-and-savory blackberry jam spread for the perfect ultra-quick lunch.

Tomato & Burrata Sandwich

Dillon Evans

This easy sandwich is a harmony of flavors that you can toss together for a quick lunch. Fresh heirloom tomato pairs well with the slightly salty, creamy burrata and tangy balsamic vinegar.