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Once lunch time hits our body is craving a delicious meal after working hard in the morning. However lunch can be a difficult thing to plan when you’re looking for meals that will keep you full throughout the rest of the work day and taste amazing too.
While it may seem easier to just swing through a fast food restaurant, meal prepping and making a delicious hot lunch will not only leave you more satisfied, but will be more nutritious as well.
We’ve rounded up 15 delicious hot lunch recipes that you can easily meal prep on Sunday evening for next week’s lunch breaks. From delicious soup recipes to hot protein bowls, these meals will inspire you to spice up your lunch choices and prep ahead of time.
Keep scrolling to check out all the delicious hot lunch recipes.
READ NEXT: 15 Adult Lunchable Ideas You Can Meal Prep for the Work Week
Hot Lunch Essentials
To carry your hot lunches to work, you’ll need a thermos, insulated container or meal prep containers. Here are a few of our favorite options:
crock-pot 20 oz. lunchbox
stanley vaccum food jar
15 Delicious Hot Lunch Recipes
1. Turkey Basil Pesto Panini
Paninis are a classic lunch choice, and who says you can’t meal prep them at home for lunches this week. The combo of turkey and pesto is such a delicious choice that will only take a few minutes to assemble and cook in a panini maker.
2. Butter Garlic Baked Croissants with Turkey & Havarti
Wanting a savory treat for a brunch or lunch break is always a good idea. These butter croissants are super easy to assemble and bake in the oven. Plus, we’re convinced there aren’t many things better than a ham and cheese croissant.
3. Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia Turkey Sandwich
Anytime we can create a meal that’s entirely from Trader Joe’s we do it! This is an affordable and easy lunch that you can get all then ingredients in one place.
4. Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This chicken pot pie soup is like a deconstructed chicken pot pie that will warm your soul. Made with all the ingredients in a chicken pot pie and only takes 30 minutes to make.
5. Sweet & Spicy Katsu Chicken Sandwiches
If you love Chick-fil-a chicken sandwiches, then you’ll absolutely love this twist on a classic meal. Crispy pan-fried chicken brushed in a sweet honey glaze and fresh pickled vegetables, sandwiched between two buttered brioche buns. These sandwiches take just about 45 minutes to make and are easy to prep for taking on the go!
6. Mediterranean Grilled Chicken & Tomato Orzo
Do you love a delicious Mediterranean dish? This is like making a cava meal at home and dare we say it tastes way better. Made with tangy Mediterranean grilled chicken, over a bed of tomato orzo sprinkled with feta cheese crumbles and served with an herby green sauce.
7. Panko-Crusted Parmesan Chicken
No dish can be more classic than a homemade chicken parmesan. Although it seems fancy, it is so easy to make! Seasoned parmesan and Panko breaded chicken breasts topped with a delicious homemade tomato sauce and mozzarella. Pair this with a side of rice and vegetables for a complete meal prep lunch.
8. 30-Minute Spicy Chicken Bowls
The convenience of ordering take-out is hard to beat, but this super easy spicy ginger chicken will have you craving your lunch every day. Grilled chicken tenders sautéed in a spicy and tangy ginger chicken sauce, served over a warm bowl of rice and broccoli. This ginger chicken bowl will warm your stomach and your soul.
9. The Best Margherita Pizza Toast
Imagine if pizza and toast had a baby…what would you get? PIZZA TOAST! Since Hailey Bieber’s pizza toast recipe went viral on Tiktok, this has become one of our favorite easy lunch recipes to make for the workday.
10. Crispy Twice Baked Chicken Avocado Quesadillas
Shredded spicy seasoned chicken, melted grated cheddar cheese, and avocado slices are sandwiched between two soft homemade tortillas. After they are baked twice, the tortillas become browned and crispy adding an extra crunch.
11. Easy One Pot Chicken & Dumplings
Even though this recipe is a more modern version of our grandma’s chicken and dumplings, it still warms our soul on a cold, rainy day just like her’s always seems to do. Carry this chicken dumpling in a cute thermos to stay warm at work.
12. Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper
Remember the hamburger helper that your mom made from the box in the ‘90s and early 2000s? This is a healthier, homemade version of the recipe and tastes just like we remember. Plus, it makes enough servings to have enough for lunch throughout the week.
13. Spicy Stovetop Indian Butter Chicken
One of our favorite go-to comfort foods over the past couple of years has been Indian Butter Chicken. Every time we eat it, it’s like a warm hug. We love making this in a large batch and eating in for an easy lunch during the week.
14. Thanksgiving Leftovers Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Have leftovers from Thanksgiving? This Thanksgiving leftovers grilled cheese is so delicious and transforms all the best foods from the holiday into a delicious sandwich for lunch.
15. Spicy Thai Pasta Salad
If you love Thai food as much as we do, then you’re going to love this Spicy Thai pasta salad. It’s perfect for taking to work and reheating for lunch.
