33 Reader-Favorite Hot Lunch Recipes You'll Love

Lunch is one of the three major meals of the day, so why does it feel like an afterthought so often? This collection of 33 reader-favorite hot lunch recipes gives your midday meal the love it deserves, featuring recipes that are consistently ranked among the best. Try provolone grilled cheese sandwiches, air fryer English muffin pizzas, old-fashioned tomato soup, and more.

Easy Baked Ham And Cheese Pinwheels

A plate of 3 cheesy pinwheels. — Easy Ham And Cheese Pinwheels. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are quick and easy! Your favorite sandwich meat, cheese, garlic butter and refrigerated pizza dough is all you need!
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Ham And Cheese Pinwheels

My Grandma's Cream Of Tomato Soup

A bowl of tomato soup with visible chunks of tomatoes, onions, and small macaroni pasta is the perfect lunch. The spoon and ladle nestled in the bowl invite you to savor every delicious bite. — My Grandma's Cream Of Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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

Easy Pizza Dough Balls

Hands pulling apart a deep-fried ball filled with melted cheese, sauce, and meat—perfect for lunch. A plate with more of these fried snacks is visible in the background. — Easy Pizza Dough Balls. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Easy Pizza Dough Balls

Air Fryer Pepperoni Rolls

Close-up of a stuffed bread roll with melted cheese and pepperoni slices inside, perfect for a late-night snack. — Air Fryer Pepperoni Rolls. Photo credit: kitchen Divas.

Delight in golden-brown Air Fryer Pepperoni Rolls: a quick, flavorful snack! Stuffed with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni, perfect for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pepperoni Rolls

Easy Hamburger Pinwheels

A plate of freshly baked pinwheel pastries filled with a minced meat mixture, accompanied by tomato sauce, displayed on a white plate. — Easy Hamburger Pinwheels. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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

Big Mac Pizza

Slices of pizza on a cutting board. — Big Mac Pizza. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Big Mac Pizza

The Best Old Fashioned Burger

Three hamburgers with sesame seed buns, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and grilled beef patties on a white plate. — The Best Old Fashioned Burger. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: The Best Old Fashioned Burger

Provolone Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Two halves of grilled cheese on top of each other. — Provolone Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas

This provolone grilled cheese sandwich is the classic treat from our childhood but refined for adults. It's melty, toasty, and oh, so good.
Get the Recipe: Provolone Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Red Lobster Lobster Pizza Copycat

Corner of pizza closeup. — Red Lobster Lobster Pizza Copycat. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Red Lobster Lobster Pizza Copycat

Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza

A english muffin pizza with pepperoni, melted cheese, and diced green peppers on a white plate. — Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza

Pork And Bean Burritos

A burrito cut in half on top of a pile of burritos. — Pork And Bean Burritos. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

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

Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

A basket lined with white paper holds several golden-brown garlic knots topped with chopped parsley and grated cheese, with a bowl of marinara sauce in the background. — Air Fryer Pizza Rolls. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are easy to make and taste delicious. This makes for a perfect meal or snack. Kids love them.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

The Best Peanut Butter Bacon Burger

A close-up of a bacon cheeseburger with creamy sauce on a bun, accompanied by a side of fries. — The Best Peanut Butter Bacon Burger. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This peanut butter bacon burger is the perfect blend of sweetness and saltiness with a touch of savory goodness in every bite.
Get the Recipe: The Best Peanut Butter Bacon Burger

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)

A piece of air fryer chicken tenders being dipped into a bowl of red sauce, with more chicken and lemon slices in the background.

Tender slices of chicken breasts are coated with delicious spices and then air-fried to perfection in this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders No Breading recipe.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)

Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

A bowl of creamy soup with a sprinkle of black pepper on top, perfect for lunch, placed on a green cloth. — Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A sandwich cut in half on a plate. — Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The Best Cream Of Potato And Leek Soup

A bowl of creamy soup garnished with chopped chives and shredded cheese, perfect for a delightful lunch, with a spoonful of soup being lifted from the bowl. — The Best Cream Of Potato And Leek Soup. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

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!
Get the Recipe: The Best Cream Of Potato And Leek Soup

Spaghetti Stuffed Subs

A close-up of a sub sandwich filled with meatballs, marinara sauce, melted cheese, and garnished with shredded cheese and parsley. The sandwich is on a piece of parchment paper—a perfect addition to fun meals for children. — Spaghetti Stuffed Subs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Spaghetti stuffed subs combine meatball subs with everyone's favorite comfort food. They're a full spaghetti meal in a sandwich!
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Stuffed Subs

Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Burgers (Turtle Backs)

Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Burgers on plate. — Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Burgers (Turtle Backs). Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Turtle Backs is an easy recipe with baked or barbecued portobello mushrooms, stuffed with ground beef, burger or hamburger, wrapped in bacon!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Burgers (Turtle Backs)

Cheeseburger Meatball Stuffed 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: Cheeseburger Meatball Stuffed Crescent Rolls

Frozen Pizza Burgers

A close-up of a hand holding a bitten meatball sandwich with tomato sauce and melted cheese. — Frozen Pizza Burgers. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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 Burgers

Chicken Po Boy

Picture of a Po Boy Sandwich with fried chicken and and a garden of veggies. — Chicken Po Boy. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Chicken Po Boy

Easy Beef Vegetable Soup

A bowl of creamy soup with chunks of beef and vegetables, served with a spoon on a striped cloth napkin. Celery stalks and mushrooms are visible in the background. — Easy Beef Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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!
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Vegetable Soup

Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

A hand holding a slice of pepperoni pizza with melted cheese and golden crust. — Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

Double Cheeseburger Pizza

A close-up of a cheeseburger pizza topped with ground beef, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickles, and tomato ketchup on a wooden board. — Double Cheeseburger Pizza. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Double Cheeseburger Pizza

Pizza Bagels In Air Fryer

Plate of mini bagel pizzas topped with cheese and pepperoni, served with a side of marinara sauce. — Air Fryer Bagels. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

These pizza bagels in air fryer are delicious and super easy to make with only 4 ingredients and a few minutes. Perfect for snacks or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Bagels In Air Fryer

Slow Cooker Italian Hamburger Soup

A bowl of minestrone soup contains various mixed vegetables including carrots and mushrooms, pieces of ground meat, macaroni, and a tomato-based broth topped with herbs. — Slow Cooker Italian Hamburger Soup. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

My Easy Slow Cooker Italian Hamburger Soup recipe is hearty, filled with ground beef, your favorite vegetables and pasta, including macaroni!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Hamburger Soup

Jalapeno Cheeseburger Sliders With Spicy Mayo

A cheeseburger with a bite taken out, showing layers of beef patty, cheese, jalapeno peppers, and tomatoes, served with sliced bell peppers on the side. — Jalapeno Cheeseburger Sliders With Spicy Mayo. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Delicious mini cheeseburger sliders with a kick. This cheeseburger sliders recipe uses jalapeno peppers and cheddar cheese served on rolls.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Cheeseburger Sliders With Spicy Mayo

Pizza Pinwheels Recipe

A plate of six baked pinwheel pastries filled with cheese, red bell peppers, and green herbs—perfect for hot lunch recipes. — Pizza Pinwheels Recipe: A Tasty And Easy Homemade Snack Recipe. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

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: Pizza Pinwheels Recipe

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: Meatball Sub Bake

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

Burger King Chicken Fries

A plate of breaded chicken tenders with a side of sauce. — Burger King Chicken Fries. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

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

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