Easy Hot Lunch Ideas (Fast to Make)
on Nov 17, 2022, Updated Nov 19, 2023
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We love Hot Lunch Ideas as they’re nutritious and comforting, so much better than cold salads and sandwiches. If you are running out of inspiration for lunch, you’ve come to the right place. From lunch pizza to teriyaki chicken to grilled cheese, we’ve rounded up the best quick and easy hot lunch recipes that will satisfy the pickiest eaters!
For the days you can come home for lunch, why don’t you cook up a warm and satisfying hot lunch? They are fast, budget-friendly, and most importantly, they’re so delicious and comforting.
Quick and Easy Hot Lunch Ideas
Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls
This delicious rice bowl is a quick and easy Japanese meal that can also be enjoyed at lunchtime. Your kids will love how every bite is loaded with tender chicken smothered in a rich, garlic teriyaki sauce.
Easy Miso Ramen
This hot, flavorful ramen will satisfy your cravings with a savory chicken broth, hearty ramen noodles and toppings like soft-boiled eggs and green onions.
You can easily make this delicious, authentic miso ramen at home in less than 30 minutes – it’s even better than the one from the restaurant!
Chicken Pad Thai
This recipe is perfect for those busy weekdays. Featuring salty, sweet, nutty and spicy flavors, the best part of this dish is that it comes together in less than 20 minutes!
Pesto Pasta
Whether you make homemade pesto or buy it from the grocery store, this dish is a must-try
! Pesto pasta takes about 5 minutes to prepare and just 15 minutes to cook. The result is a hot lunch your kids will love!
Best Lunches That Are Fast and Delicious
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
These easy grilled cheese sandwiches combine your favorite bread with delicious cheese, all cooked to golden cheesy perfection.
They’ll take your love for grilled cheese to a new level!
Chicken Lo Mein
With just 20 minutes to prepare, this go-to recipe will make your stir-fried noodles shine! You’ll love this dish so much that you’ll forget all about ordering takeout.
Microwave Mac and Cheese
Who doesn’t love a piping hot bowl of mac n’ cheese? This rich and creamy dish is made from scratch in the microwave!
Easy to prepare in just 15 minutes, your kids will be asking for it day after day.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Featuring a homemade marinara sauce, this spaghetti and meatballs dish is perfect for lunch! It’s made with tender, juicy meatballs and a rich sauce.
Be sure to include a bun for big eaters!
Homemade Lunch Ideas for Adults and Kids
Fried Rice
If you love Benihana, you’ll love this dish! Loaded with veggies and scrambled eggs, this Japanese restaurant-style dish is easy to make and totally customizable!
Add some chicken, shrimp, or steak to suit your taste!
Beef Stir Fry
Loaded with tender beef, this stir fry is absolutely delicious! The sauce is a tasty combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and beef broth.
If you’re using a tougher cut of beef, a marinade will help to tenderize the meat and maximize the flavor.
School Pizza
If you’re searching for a nostalgic meal, it doesn’t get any better than old-school cafeteria pizza. Remember when Friday was Pizza Day and the cafeteria ladies would serve up rectangular slices of cheesy, doughy pizza?
Now, you can recreate this classic hot pizza at home, or customize it with your favorite add-ins and make it into school breakfast pizza or school lunch pizza.
Easy Texas Burger
The state of Texas is known for its love of Tex-Mex food.
Popular dishes include fajitas, nachos, and chili con carne. Another favorite dish is the Texas burger, consisting of perfectly seasoned ground beef patties topped with creamy guacamole.
Chicken Fried Rice
The best thing about this recipe is that you can throw together delicious fried rice with the ingredients you already have on hand. It will be ready in 20 minutes and taste better than your favorite takeout spot.
You can use leftover chicken, ham, beef, pork, and vegetables.
Texas Chili
Known for its spicy, smoky flavor, this copycat Texas red chili recipe is a two-meat treat for those who want a warm bowl of hearty comfort.
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Easy Hot Lunch Idea: Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb chicken breasts , cubed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons honey, or sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Serving:
- steamed rice
- broccoli
Instructions
- Mix together soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, cornstarch, and optional ginger powder in a small bowl.
- Heat a large pan on medium-high heat. Add oil.
- When the oil is hot, add chicken breasts. Fry for about 3 minutes per side (5-6 in total) until golden brown.
- Add teriyaki sauce to chicken and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat. Serve the chicken on top of rice in a bowl with steamed broccoli. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition info doesn’t include broccoli or steam rice.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
You have honey in the directions but you don’t show it in the ingredients list. How much honey? Sounds delicious.
Hi Gwyn, I’ve updated the ingredients. Thanks for catching this.
THIS IS DELICIOUS!!!! i think i’ve got a new favourite lunch 🤩🤩🤩
The blog you posted was really nice and helpful.
Great recipe thank you so much!!
I doubled the sauce ingredients, I used 900g chicken breasts and substituted Powdered Monkfruit sweetener for Honey!! It was delicious 🤤😋😝