Quick lunch

When you do not have much time, the important thing is to have a few tried-and-tested recipes that come together quickly and without stress. On this page we gather quick lunch recipes — mostly under 30 minutes, with fewer ingredients and simple steps. You will find one-pan dishes, pasta, omelettes, risotto, quick chicken recipes and simple vegetable dishes. If you want even more ideas you can cook with one hand, take a look at the Simple recipes hub.

Featured recipes

  • Spicy Vinaigrette — A quick homemade dressing with chili and honey that will make any salad more exciting.
  • Quick Honey Herb Vinaigrette — A quick and easy dressing that will turn even the most boring salad into a culinary experience.
  • Creamy Sherry Sauce — A quick and elegant sauce based on mayonnaise and yogurt, with a refined note of dry sherry. Ideal as a dip or dressing.
  • Kikimisu Sauce — This flavorful, creamy sauce is ready in just ten minutes and uses simple ingredients to create an elegant and delicious accompaniment that elevates any dish. Lighter than mayonnaise, its texture and taste bring a touch of restaurant-quality sophistication to your kitchen.
  • Simple Yellow Sauce (Salsa Gialla) — A quick, creamy, and delicious sauce that perfectly complements cooked vegetables, fish, or eggs. Ideal when you want a simple yet effective addition to your meal.
  • Simple Black Truffle Sauce — Rich and aromatic black truffle sauce, ready in 10 minutes. Perfect for a quick yet sophisticated dinner.

Latest in this topic

  • Russian Caviar Sauce — An elegant and creamy sauce with vegetables and caviar, ideal for fish dishes, sandwiches, or as an appetizer spread.
  • Fish Sauce with Fresh Tuna and Monkfish — A rich and aromatic sauce made with fresh tuna, monkfish, and anchovies, perfect for pasta. The true taste of the Mediterranean on your plate!
  • Fisherman's Pasta Sauce — A quick and delicious seafood sauce, perfect for spaghetti or other long pasta.
  • Fig and Salami Skewers — Sweet, savory, simple, and quick – fig and salami skewers are the perfect bite for any occasion.
  • Hare Ragù with Pancetta and Red Wine — A rich and aromatic sauce made from hare, pancetta, and red wine, ideal for serving with wide pasta like pappardelle.
  • Wild Boar Ragu — A rich and aromatic hunter's sauce, ideal for colder days. Slow cooking is key for perfectly tender meat and deep flavor.
  • Sea Bass Ragu — A quick and elegant sea bass sauce, ideal for pasta like tagliatelle or pappardelle.
  • Fried Dough with Mozzarella and Anchovies — Quick and crispy fried dough patties with melted mozzarella and savory anchovies – a delightful Italian-inspired snack.

More ideas for cooking

  • Creamy Yogurt and Scallion Sauce — A quick and refreshing sauce made from yogurt, scallions, and fresh herbs, ideal for baked or grilled fish.
  • Creamy Cheese Sauce — A quick and versatile cheese sauce, also known as Mornay, ideal for pasta, vegetables, and gratinated dishes.
  • Creamy Curry and Saffron Sauce — A quick and easy creamy sauce with curry and saffron, ideal for pasta or as an accompaniment to chicken and rice dishes.
  • Gourmet Sauce — A quick and aromatic sauce that will turn any vegetable, raw or cooked, into a true delicacy.
  • Quick Fenugreek Sprout, Tomato, and Ricotta Sauce — Ready in a flash, this raw sauce combines creamy ricotta, fresh tomatoes, and nutrient-rich fenugreek sprouts. Ideal for a quick lunch!
  • Miso and Sesame Dressing — A quick and versatile savory-sweet dressing that perfectly complements fresh and roasted vegetables.
  • Green Yogurt and Mint Sauce — A quick and refreshing sauce that transforms any vegetable into a delicacy.
  • Salmoriglio Sauce – Quick Sicilian Classic for Fish — Potent and refreshing, this Sicilian olive oil, lemon, and herb sauce is ideal for any baked or grilled fish.
  • Lemon and Walnut Sauce — A quick and easy sauce that combines the freshness of lemon with the richness of walnuts. Perfect for fish, but also chicken or salads.
  • Red Mayonnaise 'Corallo' — A luxurious egg and oil sauce with added seafood roe, ideal with cooked fish and seafood.
  • Sicilian Pesto — A quick and refreshing raw pesto made with tomatoes, pine nuts, fresh basil, and celery, ideal for a light summer pasta dish.
  • Citrus Dressing — A quick and refreshing orange and lemon-based dressing, perfect for fish, carpaccio, and salads.
  • Salsa Verde - Quick Italian Sauce for Fish and Meat — A vibrant, fresh, and aromatic Italian sauce that perfectly complements roasted fish, boiled meat, and vegetables. Ready in an instant, it enriches the flavor of any dish.
  • Creamy Tofu Sauce with Mint and Ginger — A quick and refreshing no-cook vegan pasta sauce, ready in under 15 minutes.
  • Creamy Spaghetti with Green Peppercorns — Quick and creamy spaghetti with a spicy sauce of green peppercorns, cream, and cheese. A simple dish full of flavor, ready in 20 minutes.
  • Quick Tuna Sauce with Anchovies and Sage — A quick, aromatic, and simple tuna sauce that pairs perfectly with short pasta – ready in less than 20 minutes!
  • Quick Zucchini Sauce for Pasta — A simple and quick zucchini sauce, ideal for a light lunch or dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe combines the freshness of zucchini with the aroma of garlic and the richness of Parmesan.
  • Abruzzese Sauce: Quick Pasta with Pancetta and Cheese — A rustic, flavorful pasta dish featuring crispy pancetta, sweet onions, and two types of aged cheese, all brought together in a creamy sauce in under 20 minutes.
  • Pasta with Onion Sauce and Toasted Breadcrumbs — A quick, inexpensive, and incredibly delicious dish made with just a few ingredients, inspired by Southern Italy. Crispy breadcrumbs and sweet onions for a lunch ready in 20 minutes.
  • Creamy Mascarpone and Walnut Pasta Sauce — A super quick and incredibly creamy pasta sauce made with just three main ingredients, ready in under 15 minutes.
  • Mushroom Pesto — A quick and aromatic pesto made with fresh button mushrooms, parsley, and mint, ideal as a pasta sauce.
  • Black Olive and Pistachio Pesto — An aromatic and quick black olive, pistachio, and arugula pesto – perfect for pasta or as a spread.
  • Fava Bean Pesto — Bright, fresh, and creamy, this fava bean pesto is a delightful spring alternative to classic basil pesto.
  • Creamy Wine Sauce — A quick and creamy wine and egg yolk sauce, ideal for asparagus, fish, or chicken.

Frequently asked questions

What should I cook for a quick lunch?

For a quick lunch the best options are simple combinations such as pasta, rice, chicken, eggs, vegetables or one-pan dishes.

Which recipes work when I do not have much time?

Choose recipes with fewer ingredients, shorter preparation and clear steps. On this page we show recipes that are practical for everyday cooking.

Can quick lunches still be filling?

Yes. Pasta with minced meat, chicken with rice or an omelette with potatoes and vegetables will be just as filling as a classic lunch, only with less time at the stove.