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!
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!
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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.
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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.
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Fried Pork Sandwiches
Fried Pork Chop Sandwiches are so delicious, they're restaurant-quality. An easy meal the entire family will love!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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Air Fryer Ham & Cheese Sliders
Air Fryer Ham and Cheese sliders are tasty mini sandwiches that are great for parties.
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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!
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How to Make Margherita Pizza
Have a taste of Italy at home with this Margherita pizza recipe. Topped with Italian tomatoes, fresh Mozzarella cheese, and basil this classic pizza has the traditional flavors of authentic Italian pizza. This version homemade version is made in a Dutch oven.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are easy to make and taste delicious. This makes for a perfect meal or snack. Kids love them.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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?
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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!
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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!
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School Breakfast Pizza
This easy school breakfast pizza is everything we ever loved about the cafeteria classic only better and loaded with great ingredients.
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Simple Skillet Pizza
Simple Skillet Pizza is both fast and easy. The thin dough is amazing. Use your favorite toppings and you will have created a tasty treat, every time!
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Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are so quick and easy to make! Your favorite sandwich meat, cheese, garlic butter and refrigerated pizza dough is all you need! The possibilities are truly endless and a delicious result every time.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Turtle Backs
Turtle Backs is an easy recipe with baked or barbecued portobello mushrooms, stuffed with ground beef, burger or hamburger, wrapped in bacon!
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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!
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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!
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Grandma’s Bacon Cheeseburger Pie
Grandma’s Bacon Cheeseburger Pie is exactly like a bacon cheeseburger in a pie crust! Ketchup, mustard, relish, bacon, ground meat and cheese!
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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.
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Cheeseburger Crescent Rolls
Cheeseburger Crescent Rolls or meatball crescent rolls are so addictive and our favorite crescent roll recipe with ground beef or without!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Slow Cooker Moroccan Tomato Soup
Slow Cooker Moroccan Tomato Soup is a wonderful change from traditional tomato soup! Pureed to mouth watering perfection!
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Slow Cooker Italian Hamburger Soup
An easy slow cooker Italian Hamburger Soup recipe filled with ground beef, your favorite vegetables, and pasta. Perfect for any occasion, this hearty soup is filled with healthy ingredients, and satisfies every time!
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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!
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