Lunch ideas

Lunch is the meal most of the day revolves around, and the hardest question is usually — what today? Here we gather lunch recipes that are practical to cook during the week: from chicken, minced meat and pasta to simple dishes with potatoes, rice and vegetables. Most of them are made with ingredients you already have at home, with no exotic extras. If you are looking for something quick, use the Quick lunch hub as well. If you want family classics, open Recipes for every day or Traditional Croatian dishes.

Featured recipes

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.

Quick and easy 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.
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.
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.
Andalusian Sauce — A quick and creamy Spanish sauce with bell pepper and a hint of chili, perfect with fish, grilled meats, and as a spread.

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

Polenta Pizzette — These little polenta pizzas are a perfect way to reinvent leftover polenta into a delightful meal or appetizer. Quick, easy, and incredibly tasty!
Spicy Anchovy and Caper Sauce — This 'salsa forte' or 'strong sauce' is a classic of Italian cuisine that, with a few simple ingredients, creates a true explosion of flavors. The acidity of the vinegar, the saltiness of the anchovies and capers, and the spiciness of the chili make it a perfect partner for delicate white fish.
Spicy African Walnut Sauce — A potent and aromatic walnut and garlic sauce, ready in an instant. Perfectly pairs with fish, chicken, or as a spread.
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.
Duck Ragu — Duck Ragu — jednostavno jelo s poznatim okusima, prikladno za obiteljski ručak.
Basic Homemade Pasta Recipe — Learn how to make perfect homemade pasta dough. This simple recipe is ideal for noodles, lasagna, cannelloni, and more.
Basic Red Sauce with Paprika — A quick and versatile tomato sauce with a smooth texture, enriched with sweet paprika. A perfect base for pasta, gnocchi, or casseroles.
Basic Frying Batter (Beer Batter) — This basic recipe for frying batter with beer or wine guarantees perfectly crispy results. Ideal for frying vegetables, fish, and meat.
Occitan Salsa (Garlic and Lemon Sauce) — A quick and easy garlic, lemon, and olive oil sauce, ideal with vegetables, fish, or meat.
Marinated Eggplant with Basil and Garlic — Grilled eggplant in a rich Mediterranean dressing. A perfect summer appetizer or side dish.
Marinated Anchovies: A Mediterranean Delicacy — Marinated anchovies are a Mediterranean cuisine classic, a perfect way to transform fresh blue fish into a true delicacy.
Venison and Porcini Mushroom Hunter's Ragu — A thick, hearty ragu made with venison, porcini mushrooms, and red wine, perfect for serving with pappardelle pasta.
Bread, Butter, and Walnuts — A delightful and easy appetizer that brings together the simple joys of toasted bread, butter, and walnuts. Perfect for any occasion.
Creamy Wine Sauce — A quick and creamy wine and egg yolk sauce, ideal for asparagus, fish, or chicken.
Creamy Sour Cream and Paprika Pasta Sauce — A super quick and creamy pasta sauce made with just a few ingredients, perfect for a weekday lunch.
Creamy Yogurt and Scallion Sauce — A quick and refreshing sauce made from yogurt, scallions, and fresh herbs, ideal for baked or grilled fish.
Creamy Tofu Sauce with Mint and Ginger — A quick and refreshing no-cook vegan pasta sauce, ready in under 15 minutes.
Creamy Fresh Pepper Sauce — When you need a quick, impressive, and delicious sauce that elevates any dish, this simple fresh pepper sauce is the solution. Its creamy texture and vibrant color will refresh plates with fish, vegetables, or meat, and it's ready in just 15 minutes, with no cooking required!
Creamy Speck Sauce — A quick, creamy, and aromatic bacon sauce that will enrich any vegetable or pasta dish.
Creamy Morel Mushroom Sauce with Walnuts — A quick and elegant creamy sauce featuring unique morels, enriched with walnuts and the sweetness of Marsala wine.
Creamy Cheese Sauce — A quick and versatile cheese sauce, also known as Mornay, ideal for pasta, vegetables, and gratinated dishes.
Creamy Parsley Velouté Sauce — Creamy Parsley Velouté Sauce — brz i jednostavan recept za ručak tijekom tjedna.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good weekday lunch?

The most practical are one-pan or one-pot recipes, pasta with sauce, chicken with rice or potatoes, and simple stews. All of it can be made in 30 to 45 minutes.

How can I prepare lunch in advance?

Stews, goulash, sarma (cabbage rolls), paprikaš and dishes with minced meat are often even better the next day. Cook a larger batch and divide it into containers for two or three lunches.

What if I want a lighter lunch?

Choose salads with chicken or tuna, soups, vegetable risotto or pasta with tomato sauce. Have a look at the Healthy recipes hub too.