Lunchtime is about to get a serious makeover with these 21 soups and salads. No more sad desk salads or bland broths that make you dread noon. With these recipes, you’re set to power through your day with a satisfied smile and a spring in your step. So, let’s get straight to business and turn your midday meal into a highlight.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
If you’re in the mood for a great pasta salad that’s more than just macaroni and mayo, this Tuna Macaroni Salad is the way to go. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s straightforward and doesn’t ask much of you in the kitchen. You’ll mix some cooked elbow macaroni with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and a few pantry staples like mayonnaise and mustard. Feel free to make it your own by tweaking the ingredients to what you like. It’s a great choice for a meal that’s easy to make and stands out in your meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Liven up your lunch with Chicken Tortellini Soup, a warming and substantial dish that promises to refresh your midday eating routine. This one-pot wonder blends chicken, cheese tortellini, and a mix of vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, all seasoned with Italian spices for a rich flavor profile. It’s easy to cook in under 40 minutes, making use of leftover chicken and turning it into a comforting bowl that can easily become a new lunchtime favorite. Perfect for those seeking a hearty meal that’s both comforting and quick to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Spice up your day with Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad, the perfect choice for adding a zing to your usual lunch fare. This salad combines baked chicken, crispy bacon, and charred jalapeños with a rich dressing made of mayonnaise or sour cream and hot sauce. Tossing these ingredients together and chilling the mixture allows the flavors to meld perfectly. This creates a spicy and creamy texture that keeps well, making it a great option for meal prep. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this salad is for anyone looking to break the monotony of regular lunches with something lively and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Keto Zuppa Toscana
Transform your lunch into a comforting experience with Keto Zuppa Toscana. This soup cleverly adapts the classic Olive Garden favorite by replacing potatoes with radishes, cutting down on carbs without losing the delicious texture and flavor. It’s made with hearty ingredients like bacon, sausage, kale, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan. This soup not only warms you up but also keeps you full, making it a perfect lunch during busy weekdays. It’s easy to cook in just an hour and freezes well, so you can enjoy a comforting meal anytime you need it.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Lighten up your lunch with the Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Quick to prepare, this dish combines thinly sliced cucumbers and onions with a creamy dressing of sour cream, mayonnaise, and fresh dill. It’s a great side dish for any protein-heavy main, creating a refreshing contrast. Not only is it simple to throw together, but chilling it briefly before serving enhances the flavors. It’s a good choice for those who need a quick, refreshing meal that supports a busy lifestyle. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a nutritious and quick option for their lunch.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Revamp your lunch side dishes with the innovative Cauliflower Potato Salad. This recipe puts a healthy spin on traditional potato salad by using cauliflower instead. Crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese are paired with a creamy base enhanced by a hint of hot sauce and paprika. It’s easy to make and is a great way to keep your meals exciting and delicious without the heaviness of regular potatoes. It’s perfect for those looking for a filling yet lighter lunch option that doesn’t skimp on flavor or comfort.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is just what you need to revamp your lunch routine. Featuring a smooth mix of sweet potatoes and red peppers cooked with onions and garlic, this soup serves a rich, creamy texture that’s both comforting and hearty. It’s very easy to prepare; you just cook the veggies and then blend them once they’re tender. Ready in about an hour, this soup is a practical way to incorporate more veggies into your meals with minimal effort. It’s the best way to make lunch more interesting and nutritious without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a great pick when you’re looking for something beyond the usual. In just 25 minutes, you can whip up something special. It’s perfect for prepping ahead for those busy days when you need a quick meal. With pre-cooked chicken and store-bought dressing, you’re cutting down on prep time without skimping on flavor. It’s the kind of dish that makes you look forward to lunchtime, no cooking required.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Make lunch extra special with this Creamy Italian Sausage Soup, a great pick for anyone needing a quick and delicious meal. It’s made with flavorful Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, heavy whipping cream, and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and creamy texture. This hearty soup is prepared in just 30 minutes using a single pot, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze. It’s perfect for busy individuals who want a delicious, filling meal with minimal effort. This soup is also a great way to keep lunch exciting during a hectic week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Big Mac Salad
Shake up your lunch with the Big Mac Salad, a creative and healthier alternative to the classic burger. This salad packs in all the familiar flavors of a Big Mac — bacon, ground beef, romaine lettuce, pickles, and cheddar cheese, all tossed in a homemade Big Mac sauce that you can whip up easily. This recipe is perfect for a quick, delicious lunch that combines fun and flavor without the weight of fast food. It’s also cost-effective and gives you full control over the ingredients, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to eat better without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
The Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a great choice for anyone looking to diversify their lunch options. This soup features a hearty mix of mushrooms and spices in a creamy base made from sour cream and milk. It’s relatively easy to prepare in about 45 minutes and serves a comforting, rich flavor that’s a nice change from the usual lunch fare. Perfect for prepping in advance, this soup can simplify your meal planning for the week, so you always have a warming meal ready to go. It’s perfect for those seeking a comforting lunch option that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
White Bean Soup
The White Bean Soup is a hearty and healthy addition to any lunch plan. Made with white beans, carrots, celery, and spinach, this soup boasts a creamy consistency achieved by pureeing the beans. It requires only 40 minutes to prepare, making it a practical choice for a busy schedule. This soup is not only simple and delicious but also rich in nutrients, delivering a good source of fiber and protein to fuel your afternoon. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a nutritious and comforting meal that can easily be prepared ahead of time, making your lunchtime both stress-free and filling.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Thai Chicken Salad
This Thai Chicken Salad is a great choice to shake up your everyday lunch. The salad features chicken marinated in a homemade sauce with coconut milk, garlic, cilantro, ginger, and other fresh ingredients for a rich taste profile. It’s great as a filling meal and is designed to be easy to prepare, perfect for anyone looking to add some excitement to their lunch routine without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, it’s light yet hearty, helping you avoid that heavy, sluggish feeling after lunch.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a great choice for a filling and comforting lunch. It features all the beloved ingredients of a traditional chicken pot pie — chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions — but in a soup form that’s simpler to prepare. Everything cooks together in one pot with broth and cream, making it a practical option for a busy day. This soup is perfect for prepping ahead and reheating, so you can have a cozy, homemade lunch even on your busiest days.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Avocado Tuna Salad
If you’re looking for a quick, healthy lunch option, try the Avocado Tuna Salad. It combines creamy avocado with flaky tuna, crisp celery, fresh dill, and a touch of lemon juice for a refreshing taste. This salad is incredibly easy to throw together, perfect for those days when you’re short on time but still want a nutritious and filling meal. Packed with proteins and healthy fats, it keeps you full longer, helping you power through your afternoon without reaching for unhealthy snacks.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup is a great lunch option if you’re looking for something hearty yet easy to make. It starts with cooked wild rice and sautéed mushrooms, seasoned with herbs and enriched with a creamy roux and a splash of lemon for extra depth of flavor. This soup is not only delicious but also filling, making it a practical choice for busy weekdays. It’s also perfect for anyone who loves to have leftovers, as it tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is a straightforward, comforting meal that’s perfect for busy individuals. Just load up the slow cooker with split peas, ham, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, chicken broth, and seasonings, and let it cook. This soup is great for preparing in the morning and coming home to a ready-to-eat meal. It’s hearty and flavorful, serving a filling lunch that’s far superior to quick, less healthy options. This soup also makes a great choice for anyone looking to simplify their cooking routine while still enjoying a comforting meal during the workweek.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
These jars are loaded with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, crunchy green peppers, red onions, and Kalamata olives, all topped with creamy feta cheese. The homemade dressing, made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano, adds a perfect tangy touch. These jars are not only a great way to enjoy a quick and healthy lunch, but they also simplify your meal prep for the week. By preparing these in advance, you’ll avoid the stress and expense of daily lunch outings.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Here’s why your lunch routine wants the Crock Pot Taco Soup. It’s an effortless meal that involves browning ground beef and then tossing it into a crock pot with onions, cream cheese, and other flavorful ingredients. Let it cook slowly to blend the rich flavors into a hearty soup. This recipe is particularly great for busy people because it requires minimal active prep — you just set it and forget it. It’s a practical solution to meal prep, so you’ll have a delicious lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Shake up your midday meal with Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. This recipe combines cooked chicken with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon, mixed with homemade ranch seasoning for a burst of flavor. Spoon the mixture into halved cucumbers for a crunchy and refreshing lunch. Not only is this dish quick to assemble, but it’s also portable, perfect for busy days when you need a lunch that can travel with you. The cucumber boats are a fun and light alternative to bread-heavy meals, helping you stay full without feeling weighed down.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup may be what your lunch routine is missing. This simple yet flavorful soup combines creamed corn, corn kernels, veggies, and chicken in a homemade broth with thyme, garlic, oregano, and a splash of lemon juice. It’s a comforting choice that’s easy to prepare, requiring just one pot and straightforward cooking steps. This makes it a great option for those looking to streamline their cooking process without sacrificing taste. Preparing this soup in batches at the start of the week can simplify your meal prep, so you have a delicious and comforting lunch ready every day, saving you both time and effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup