Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Blog » Lunch

    Hot Lunch Recipes

    Published: Jan 19, 2023 · Modified: Feb 14, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share

    These hot lunch recipes will leave you filling full and satisfied, no matter what your tastes. From baked beans to grilled cheese, soups, and more, these recipes will make your mouth and your belly happy!

    Collage of four lunch recipes with the title "Hot Lunch Recipes" in the center of the collage.

    I'm always happiest if I can have a nice, hot lunch during the day. My husband is, too. We just love filling our bellies with rich, hearty, hot foods that leave us feeling like we really ate something.

    Salads are all well and good, but when we're really hungry, we want something substantial. That's especially true up here in Canada during the winter.

    These delicious hot lunch recipes are perfect year-round, but they'll make your tummy especially happy during the cold months.

    Why Choose Hot Lunches

    Hot lunches are filling and so satisfying. Salads and cold cut sandwiches make great lunches, but when you really want to fill yourself up, hot lunches are the way to go.

    Hot lunches can be anything from burgers to Wendy's chicken wraps and everything in between. The main thing they all share is that they're hot, hearty, and use simple ingredients.

    What is usually in a hot lunch?

    Our hot lunch recipes combine meats, cheeses, pasta, and bread as the base. In some recipes, you'll find sauces of some sort, and almost all of them have some form of vegetables from onions and garlic in the bakes to tomatoes and lettuce on some of the sandwiches.

    In reality, though, a hot lunch can contain anything. They can be as simple as pasta and sauce to meaty casseroles, burgers, hot dogs, or even steak sandwiches. The only constant is that they're hot.

    What to Serve with These Recipes

    All of the recipes on this list are complete meals in and of themselves. They're so hearty, we don't actually recommend serving anything with most of them.

    That being said, you can serve salad or your favorite bread with the soups on this list, and garlic bread makes a great addition to our bakes and pizza.

    Why You'll Love These Recipes

    • They're hot and hearty and will keep you full all day.
    • They're loaded with flavor and easy to make.
    • The use simple ingredients.

    Hot Lunch Recipes

    No matter what your tastes are, you're going to find something you love on this list. You'll find soups, sandwiches, bakes, pizzas, burritos, and so much more.

    They're all piping hot, full of flavor, and will keep you satisfied for hours. Check them out!

    Spaghetti Stuffed Subs
    Spaghetti stuffed subs combine meatball subs with everyone's favorite comfort food. They're a full spaghetti meal in a sandwich!
    Get the Recipe
    An overhead shot of stuffed spaghetti sub in a basket eith some fresh herbs.
    Meatball Sub Bake
    This meatball sub bake is always a hit. This meatball sub casserole has classic meatball goodness. So give this Italian meatball casserole a try.
    Get the Recipe
    Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich
    This sourdough breakfast sandwich is a delicious and satisfying way to start your day. It combines the tangy flavor of sourdough bread with your favorite breakfast ingredients including eggs, bacon, cheese, and vegetables.
    Get the Recipe
    Two halves of sourdough breakfast sandwich on top of each other with egg yolk dripping.
    Fried Pork Sandwiches
    Fried Pork Chop Sandwiches are so delicious, they're restaurant-quality. An easy meal the entire family will love!
    Get the Recipe
    Two fried pork chop sandwiches on cutting board.
    Crab Cake Sandwich
    Crab cake sandwiches are so easy to make and taste amazing!! All you need are crab cakes, a creamy aioli, and your favorite tasty toppings.
    Get the Recipe
    Fully assembled crab cake sandwich on a plate ready to eat.
    Grouper Rueben Sandwich
    This Grouper Reuben Sandwich is a fun twist on a classic recipe. If you enjoy seafood then this is the recipe that you want to make ASAP!
    Get the Recipe
    Grouper reuben sandwich on a wooden board.
    BEST Steak Sandwich - Tender and Juicy
    Are you ready for a dinner recipe that will fill you full? This Steak Sandwich is LOADED with flavor and topped with fresh ingredients.
    Get the Recipe
    The Best Toasted Reuben Sandwich with Homemade Dressing
    Get ready for a toasted Reuben sandwich done two ways! Serve up your toasted Reuben sandwich with chipotle aioli sauce or homemade dressing.
    Get the Recipe
    Best Reuben Sandwich Recipe Done Two Ways.
    Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich (Turkey Apple Brie Wrap)
    This sensational Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich (Turkey Apple Brie Wrap) is filled with apples, brie cheese, leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken and more!
    Get the Recipe
    A collage of two photos. The left photo is Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich held by hand. The right photo is Turkey Apple Brie Wrap held by hand.
    Chicken Po’ Boy
    This chicken po boy sandwich is made with battered chicken fried to perfection, and a garden of veggies. It's simple and delicious.
    Get the Recipe
    Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
    This air fryer tortilla pizza is loaded with all the flavors we love in a pizza, all on top of a thin, crispy tortilla.
    Get the Recipe
    One Pot Lasagna Soup
    Looking for a delicious and easy dinner recipe? One Pot Lasagna Soup makes a simple solution!! Forget the hassle of layering and baking traditional lasagna. By cooking everything in a single pot, you will enjoy the same flavors with half the effort. It's a great way to save time, minimize cleanup, and still create a tasty and satisfying meal.
    Get the Recipe
    White bowl full of one pot lasagna soup with spoon in it.
    Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup with Cream Cheese
    This creamy chicken tortilla soup with cream cheese is a savory meal with rich flavors and a satisfying texture. It's as versatile as it is delicious and you can make the dish uniquely yours with all of the options. This one-pot wonder is an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend treat.
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup on the table with another in the background.
    Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
    Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are crispy on the outside and filled with spicy flavor and gooey cheese. A great lunch or dinner.
    Get the Recipe
    Breakfast Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls 
    Breakfast Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are hearty and delicious. This easy breakfast sandwich recipe features a mix of breakfast sausage and cream cheese wrapped in Pillsbury crescent rolls that are cooked to golden brown perfection. These are great for breakfast on-the-go!
    Get the Recipe
    Provolone Grilled Cheese
    Take grilled cheese sandwiches to the next level with this Provolone grilled cheese sandwich. Melty Provolone and mozzarella cheeses, sandwiched between two slices of toasted crusty bread, with parsley, oregano, and black pepper, it's sandwich perfection!
    Get the Recipe
    Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Croissant Sandwich
    You can enjoy a hearty and delicious breakfast croissant sandwich any time of the day! It's loaded up with Egg, bacon, cheese, and more! You have never had a breakfast sandwich like this before!
    Get the Recipe
    A Bacon Egg and Cheese Croissant on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Ham & Cheese Sliders
    Air Fryer Ham and Cheese sliders are tasty mini sandwiches that are great for parties.
    Get the Recipe
    Pork and Bean Burritos
    Pork and Bean Burritos or Mexican Pork Wraps are fast or slow cooked, with ground pork, pork chops or leftovers, freeze great, and an easy dinner or snack!
    Get the Recipe
    Pork and Bean Burritos
    How to Make Margherita Pizza
    Have a taste of Italy at home with this Margherita pizza recipe. The toppings make this pizza unique Margherita. tomatoes, slices of fresh Mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil create this Italian classic.
    Get the Recipe
    A slice of margherita pizza lifting up from the parchment paper by a spatula.
    Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza
    This air fryer English muffin pizza takes the classic snack and makes it even better by air frying it. It's cheesy, toasty, and delicious.
    Get the Recipe
    Red Lobster Lobster Pizza Copycat
    This copycat Red Lobster lobster pizza is loaded with all the flavors we love in the original and so easy to make. Give it a try!
    Get the Recipe
    Pizza Bagels in Air Fryer
    These air fryer pizza bagels are so delicious and super easy. It only takes 4 ingredients and a few minutes to make this pizza bagels recipe. They're perfect for a quick dinner, snack or party appetizer!
    Get the Recipe
    Stack of air fryer pizza bagels ready to eat.
    Frozen Pizza Burgers
    This frozen pizza burgers recipe combines two of our favorite comfort foods into one super treat. It's a burger AND a pizza!
    Get the Recipe
    Frozen pizza burger held in the air.
    Braided Pizza Bread
    With this recipe for braided pizza bread it's going to be easy as pie (pun intended) to have a treat for yourself at any gathering.
    Get the Recipe
    Braided pizza bread cut open to expose pepperoni and cheese.
    Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
    These homemade pizza rolls in Air Fryer need just a few minutes of prep time and some simple ingredients to make and are super delicious and versatile.
    Get the Recipe
    A stack of three homemade pizza rolls, covered in melted cheese and garnished with herbs, sits on a white plate. In the background is a red checkered cloth and a basket with more air fryer pizza rolls.
    Big Mac Pizza
    This Big Mac pizza recipe has all the flavors we love in our Big Mac, all served up on a tasty pizza crust! It's the best of two great worlds.
    Get the Recipe
    A slice of pizza on cutting board.
    Double Cheeseburger Pizza
    Double Cheeseburger Pizza is a crispy crust topped with the best cheeseburger toppings. This cheeseburger pizza recipe makes for a delicious lunch or dinner!
    Get the Recipe
    Cheeseburger Pizza with pizza cutter.
    Air Fryer Pizza
    This semi-homemade air fryer pizza is delicious and comes together so fast. Just six ingredients make this air fried pizza quick and tasty.
    Get the Recipe
    Air Fryer Pizza Grilled Cheese
    Air fryer pizza grilled cheese is the best of two worlds. This air fryer grilled cheese sandwich tastes like crispy, delicious pizza bread!
    Get the Recipe
    Air Fryer Pizza Grilled Cheese.
    Pizza Dough Balls
    This pizza ball recipe is wonderful and can be either baked or fried. Everyone will love these pizza dough balls! Fried pizza bites anyone?
    Get the Recipe
    Pizza Pinwheels Recipe
    Love the idea of a simple pizza pinwheel recipe? Don't miss out on these delicious Pizza Pinwheels with crescent rolls. It's literally the perfect treat!
    Get the Recipe
    Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza in One Hour
    Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza in One Hour is created, from pantry to plate, in just 1 hour! Use your favorite toppings on two 13x9 inch pizzas!
    Get the Recipe
    Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza in One Hour
    School Breakfast Pizza
    This easy school breakfast pizza is everything we ever loved about the cafeteria classic only better and loaded with great ingredients.
    Get the Recipe
    slice of school breakfast pizza being lifted from pan with spatula
    Salmon Pizza
    This Salmon Pizza is a creative and delicious way to enjoy salmon. It’s easy to make and topped with chunks of real salmon, gooey cheese, and fresh tomatoes.
    Get the Recipe
    A slice of salmon pizza topped with cheese, chunks of meat, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped green onions.
    Easy Cheese and Ham Pinwheels
    Easy Baked Ham Pinwheels with cheese are so quick and easy to make! Your favorite sandwich meat, cheese, garlic butter and refrigerated pizza dough are all you need! The possibilities are truly endless and a delicious result every time.
    Get the Recipe
    A close-up of a hand holding a ham and cheese pinwheel with other pinwheels visible on a plate in the background.
    Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
    Air fryer pigs in a blanket are a modern twist on an old favorite. Cooked in the air fryer, they're dong quickly and perfectly every time.
    Get the Recipe
    A pile of Air fryer pigs in a blanket on a plate.
    Burger King Chicken Fries
    This copycat Burger King chicken fries recipe is tastier and healthier than the original. Get all that taste with an air-fried version.
    Get the Recipe
    Burger King Chicken Fries on a white plate with one in dip.
    Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger
    For a fun and different way to enjoy to mac and cheese, why not give this crispy bacon mac and cheese burger a try? These mini burgers are perfect for a family-fun dinner or party. A burger both kids and adults alike will love!! Serve these mini burgers on game night and watch them disappear!
    Get the Recipe
    Mac and cheese burger on a plate with a bite taken.
    How to Cook Hamburgers in Air Fryer
    How to Cook Hamburgers in Air Fryer recipe shows how easy cooking hamburger patties in your air fryer is. Air Fryer Hamburgers are delicious!
    Get the Recipe
    Jalapeno Cheeseburger Sliders with Spicy Mayo
    Delicious mini cheeseburger sliders with a kick. This cheeseburger sliders recipe uses jalapeno peppers and cheddar cheese served on rolls.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Hamburger Pinwheels
    This Easy Hamburger Pinwheels or Cheeseburger Roll Ups recipe with ground beef or other meat shows you how to cook pinwheels with bacon, cheese and more.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Hamburger Pinwheels.
    Portobello Mushroom Stuffed Burgers Wrapped in Bacon
    This Bacon Wrapped Burger recipe is a flavor bomb! It’s juicy, savory, and sure to impress your guests. I highly recommend these as a twist on a classic burger.
    Get the Recipe
    A bacon wrapped burger on a bun with onions, tomatoes and lettuce.
    Old Fashioned Burgers
    Our go-to hamburger recipe for years and the best old fashioned burger recipe. My husband skips the breadcrumbs and egg. I include them. Both are delicious!
    Get the Recipe
    Perfect Parmesan Double Pork Burger
    These Perfect Parmesan Double Pork Burgers are almost too good words. They should be on everyone's bucket list! The flavor is divine. Ground pork, cooked bacon, ham or pancetta, onion and of course parmesan cheese!  You have to try them!
    Get the Recipe
    Perfect Parmesan Double Pork Burger
    Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Pie
    My Grandma’s Bacon Cheeseburger Pie is exactly like a bacon cheeseburger in a pie crust! Ketchup, mustard, relish, bacon, ground meat and lots of cheese! It's a hearty and delicious meal that is a true crowd-pleaser for meals!
    Get the Recipe
    Close up of bacon cheeseburger pie.
    The BEST Peanut Butter Bacon Burger
    This peanut butter bacon burger is the perfect blend of sweetness and saltiness with a touch of savory goodness in every bite. It's unbelievable but peanut butter and bacon are absolutely wonderful on a burger and definitely worth a try. Really.
    Get the Recipe
    Peanut butter bacon burger on a plate with fries on the side.
    Cheeseburger Crescent Rolls
    Cheeseburger Crescent Rolls or meatball crescent rolls are so addictive and our favorite crescent roll recipe with ground beef or without!
    Get the Recipe
    Big Mac Bites
    These Big Mac bites have everything we love about the classic burger in a bite-size treat. These little Big Mac bowls are so easy to make and delicious.
    Get the Recipe
    Old Fashioned Cream of Broccoli Soup
    Learn all about how to make cream of broccoli soup for quick and easy meals! This simple recipe shows you how to make an easy, healthy, old fashioned cream of broccoli soup, with or without cheese.
    Get the Recipe
    Bowl of old fashioned cream of broccoli soup topped with grated cheese.
    Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup
    This ramen chicken noodle soup recipe is full of Asian-inspired flavor. This Asian chicken ramen noodle soup recipe is a fusion of Asian and American.
    Get the Recipe
    Overhead shot of ramen noodle soup in bowl
    Marcel's Lentil soup
    Marcel's Lentil Soup is a wonderful tomato based lentil soup. Simple to make and full of flavor. This is a recipe you will make over and over again!
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of Marcel's Lentil Soup.
    Slow Cooker Turkey Tortilla Soup
    This slow cooker turkey tortilla soup is loaded with delicious Tex-Mex flavor and tender white meat turkey. Healthy and tasty!
    Get the Recipe
    Instant Pot Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    This copycat Instant Pot Panera broccoli cheddar soup is even better than the original. This creamy delicious soup is perfect for the cold.
    Get the Recipe
    Panera broccoli cheddar soup in a bowl.
    Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup - Made 3 Ways!
    Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup is easy and a delightfully creamy chicken soup with tortellini made on a stove top, slow cooker or instant pot.
    Get the Recipe
    Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
    Easy Beef Vegetable Soup
    Easy Beef Vegetable Soup is comfort in every spoonful! Full of beef or steak, vegetables and more, this creamy, restaurant quality soup recipe is the best! Really. A flavor explosion in your mouth!
    Get the Recipe
    Beef Vegetable soup in a bowl.
    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup with Tortellini
    Slow cooker minestrone soup with tortellini is a hearty dish your family will love. Packed with veggies, protein, and noodles, it's a feast!
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of slow cooker minestrone soup with tortellini.
    The Best Cream of Potato and Leek Soup
    The Best Cream of Potato and Leek Soup is old fashioned, simple, without bacon, with or without cream and the perfect blend of potato and leeks! Served with green onions, cheese, bacon or ham, parsley or chives, this soup will not disappoint! 
    Get the Recipe
    The Best Cream of Potato and Leek Soup
    Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
    This Easy Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup recipe includes a list of ingredients, a great method and how to make the best creamy mushroom soup.
    Get the Recipe
    Creamy Mushroom Soup
    Easy Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
    Easy Creamy Sweet Potato Soup is a delicious bowl of comfort for your soul! With or without cream this soup recipe won't disappoint!
    Get the Recipe
    My Grandma's Cream of Tomato Soup
    My Grandma's Cream of Tomato Soup has been my favorite soup ever since I can remember. Creamy tomato goodness in every spoonful!
    Get the Recipe
    My Grandma's Cream of Tomato Soup
    Slow Cooker Moroccan Tomato Soup
    Slow Cooker Moroccan Tomato Soup is a wonderful change from traditional tomato soup! Pureed to mouth watering perfection!
    A spoonful of slow cooker tomato soup being lifted out of bowl.
    Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup
    This hearty and comforting Crockpot hamburger soup recipe is sure to become a total hit in your household. It is healthy, delicious, and super easy to make too!
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of crockpot hamburger soup on a plate on the table.

    Try These Hot Lunch Recipes Today

    These delicious hot lunch recipes are the perfect thing to carry you through the day. Make a meatball bake or a pot of soup, sliders, or anything else on this list for the weekend and then bring them to work during the week!

    These recipes also make great additions to potlucks and parties. No matter where or when you decide to serve them, we hope you'll give these hot lunch recipes a try. They're delicious!

    Collage of four lunch recipes with the title "Hot Lunch Recipes" in the center of the collage.
    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share

    More Lunch

    • A Big mac quesadilla cut into triangles and stacked together.
      Big Mac Quesadilla
    • Turkey club wrap served in two halves.
      Turkey Club Wrap
    • Big mac sloppy joes in a hamburger bun.
      Big Mac Sloppy Joes
    • A spoon scooping some enchilada meatballs.
      Enchilada Meatballs

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular July 4th Recipes!

    • A slice of red, white, and blue cheesecake on a stack of white plates.
      Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake
    • 4th of July candy chocolate bark leaned up against other chocolate bark.
      4th of July Chocolate Bark
    • A bowl of cheesecake fruit salad with a wooden spoon.
      Cheesecake Fruit Salad
    • A slice of red white and blue cake being held up by a metal spatula.
      Red, White, and Blue Cake

    More Red, White and Blue Desserts ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • A slice of strawberry charlotte cake on a plate topped with fresh strawberries.
      Strawberry Charlotte
    • A slice of Oreo delight on a white plate garnished with an Oreo cookie.
      No-Bake Oreo Delight
    • A slice of Funfetti ice cream cake on a blue plate.
      Funfetti Ice Cream Cake for Birthdays & More
    • A stack of three frozen s'mores bars on top of each other.
      Frozen S’mores

    More Sweet Treats ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and what's new!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved