Lunch
2838 recipes found
Sheet-Pan Ravioli With Burst Tomatoes
Transform store-bought ravioli and a mélange of tomatoes into this low-effort, high-reward sheet pan dinner. Roasting the ravioli at high heat gives the pasta pockets crispy edges and delivers bursting tomatoes that collapse into a rich, tangy sauce. Use whatever tomatoes you have on hand: Small cherry, Sungolds or grape varieties can be left whole, while larger ones like beefsteak or Roma can be cut into irregular chunks to help them fall apart. The ravioli and tomatoes are finished off with grated pecorino and lots of black pepper, reminiscent of cacio e pepe.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250828-SEA-MarinatedTofuSandwiches-JatinSharma-HERO-5619bee115f8472c82f8e7fd0cb73a70.jpg)
I Finally Found My Dream Sandwich—It's Salty, Sweet, and Totally Unstoppable
This marinated tofu sandwich is savory, tangy, and sweet. Loaded with early-2000s sandwich shop favorites, including alfalfa sprouts, avocado, and cucumber, it's large and in charge—and incredibly satisfying to eat.
Pasta Salad With Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Sun-dried tomatoes take center stage in this pasta salad that tastes just as delicious at room temperature as it does chilled. The dressing (combining elements of pesto rosso, pesto alla Trapanese, and pesto alla Genovese) leans on oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to yield a sweet and tart base. A combination of toasted pine nuts, fresh basil and garlic round out the pesto, providing that characteristic nutty, sharp, herbaceous flavor. To bring it into dressing territory, a splash of red wine vinegar laces the pesto. That gentle punch is accentuated by a generous squeeze of lemon juice over the pasta, yielding a salad that’s undeniably savory and bright. For the best tomato flavor, avoid oil-packed sun dried tomatoes that contain vinegar as the tomatoes can take on too strong of a vinegary bite.
Kenai Dip (Smoky Jalapeño Cheese Dip)
Slathered on burgers and sold by the tub in grocery store delis across Alaska, this cold, smoky jalapeño-cheese dip is most authentically consumed within earshot of a 4-stroke outboard motor while fishing for salmon on the Kenai (keen-EYE) River. The original dip, also known simply as jalapeño cheese dip, has been sold by Echo Lake Meats, a butcher shop in the fishing town of Kenai south of Anchorage, since the 1970s. Its recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but copycat dips abound. This tasty, quick-to-make version for home cooks was adapted from the chef and recipe developer Maya Wilson’s recipe in “The Alaska From Scratch Cookbook” (Rodale, 2018). It’s important to use freshly grated cheese to get the correct texture.
Aguachile Shrimp Salad
Aguachile, the fiery dish from Mexico’s Pacific coast, means “chile water,” a reference to the bold sauce, which blends lime juice, dried chiles, fresh serranos, cilantro and cucumbers. Fresh raw shellfish, such as shrimp or scallops, are marinated and lightly cooked by the acid. Here, the aguachile sauce is swirled into sour cream with just a touch of mayo to turn it into a silky and electric dressing for quickly boiled shrimp, and thinly sliced tomatillos add a crisp, gooseberry-like freshness. Since the shrimp is cooked, the dish travels well, making it the perfect centerpiece for a picnic or a summer get-together. Feel free to use shell-on shrimp if you prefer and peel them after cooking.
Zucchini Butter Pasta
Make a dent in your glut of summer zucchini with this weeknight-friendly pasta. Grating the zucchini, a technique embraced by Julia Child, allows it to become so tender that it melts into the buttery, cheesy sauce. Cooking the zucchini with vegetable stock over low heat highlights the fruit’s sweetness and prevents it from caramelizing, giving the sauce a creamy rather than charred finish. Once the butter and Parmesan are added, give the mixture a good stir to encourage the zucchini to melt into the liquid. As always with zucchini, its mellow earthy flavor lays dormant until it is seasoned, so be generous with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
Cucumber-Tomato Salad With Sesame Whipped Tofu
Silken tofu can be an incredible creamy base for sauces, dips and even soups. It’s packed with protein and is a great way to enhance a simple light salad. The neutral flavor of silken tofu makes it a flexible blank canvas to highlight strong flavors like toasted sesame oil. Here, whipped tofu is a pedestal for simple peak summer tomatoes and cucumbers that are roughly chopped and salted. The simplicity of this salad means that everything needs to be well seasoned. Serve the salad with some crusty sourdough bread, creating a DIY tomato toast situation.
Crispy Fish Salad With Parsley and Ciabatta Croutons
Inspired by the legendary Zuni Café chicken salad, this version swaps poultry for crisp-skinned white fish, pairing it with a lively mix of textures and bold, sweet-sour flavors. Torn ciabatta croutons soak up a sherry vinegar dressing, punctuated by capers, pine nuts and raisins for sharpness, crunch and sweetness. Softened shallots and garlic add depth, while parsley keeps everything fresh. It’s a dish that feels both effortless and layered, a bright, satisfying lunch or a starter that’s sure to impress.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250821-SEA-NigerianOmelet-MaureenCelestine-33-00b3ec5d241c4879ab794d47c37aa2ef.jpg)
Yes, Cucumbers Belong in Your Omelet—This Recipe Proves It
Bright, savory, and satisfying, this Nigerian omelet with tomato, onion, pepper, and cucumber is the perfect quick meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Turmeric-Butter Pasta With Tomatoes
Resembling an endless summer sunset, this pasta’s sauce is golden and warm and packed with flavor from just a handful of ingredients: Rich butter, citrusy turmeric, sweet tomatoes and zesty garlic. The sauce comes together simply, too. Sizzle turmeric, garlic and black pepper in butter until the aroma fills the air, then simmer cherry tomatoes until they start to burst, sweetening and brightening the sauce before tossing with pasta. That’s it. To finish, feta cheese is highly recommended to add bursts of tangy richness. For added heft, stir in chickpeas or other beans, or serve with grilled chicken.
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Chicken (Super-Savory Grated Tofu)
Grating super-firm tofu is one of the best party tricks in the kitchen. It makes tofu not only quicker to prepare (no pressing required!) but also deceptively meaty. In this recipe from my book “Big Vegan Flavor” (Avery Books, 2024), the grated tofu is pan-fried until golden, then coated in an extremely good, flavor-rich sauce featuring some of my favorite pan-Asian condiments: fruity yet smoky gochugaru, nutty toasted sesame oil, plus umami-rich Chinese black vinegar and soy sauce. The result is delightfully crispy, chewy and super-savory tofu that is shockingly meaty. It’s been described as “spicy ground chicken,” “larb-esque,” and “I can’t believe it’s not chicken.” It’s delicious for dinner, but also tastes great at breakfast. Serve with stir-fried or steamed green beans or broccoli for a quick yet delicious meal. To make ahead, you can grate the tofu and prep the aromatics the night before.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250820-SEA-TomatoTarteTatin-RobbyLozano-HERO-ce302d4eae2e4d7b995f933bd36026fd.jpg)
This Tomato Tart Looks Fancy but Couldn't Be Easier
This savory spin on a French classic layers jammy tomatoes, caramelized onions, and golden pastry.
Vegetarian Tomato Mapo Tofu
Mapo tofu, the classic Sichuan dish that is now a Chinese American staple, receives a summery twist with the addition of tomatoes. Its signature tingly and assertive flavors are intensified by the umami tanginess of tomatoes, which also add a hint of fresh acidity. When you add the tofu, it will look like there’s not enough liquid, but rest assured, the tomatoes do break down during the cooking process, providing a soupy base. Not all brands of doubanjiang are created equal, so look for ones that come from Pixian, in Sichuan, as they tend to be the most flavorful thanks to a long period of fermentation under sunlight, resulting in a reddish-brown color with a deep and complex umami.
Chile Egg Salad Sandwiches With Yogurt
This egg salad sandwich reimagines Turkish çilbir, a breakfast dish made with poached eggs, garlicky yogurt, and smoky, chile-infused melted butter — a dish that’s rich and very flavorful despite the modest ingredient list. Here, those bold flavors appear in the tangy, yogurt-based dressing that coats jammy boiled eggs. The combination of creamy yogurt and slightly runny yolks creates a rich egg salad that doesn’t need mayo. If you don’t have a microwave, blanch the garlic cloves in boiling water with the eggs for 30 seconds before finely grating them and combining with the chile flakes and oil.
Strawberry-Basil Cottage Cheese Bowls
This easy breakfast isn’t too sweet or too savory, and that’s what makes it enticing to eat. Combine strawberries with vinegar, honey, basil, salt, and pepper, then let them sit for 15 minutes or up to 1 day. The berries become sweeter, tarter and slightly spicy from the black pepper, and their released juices develop into a pink syrup that you spoon over cottage cheese. Accentuate the savoriness by adding arugula, watercress or prosciutto; or lean into sweet by adding a spoonful of jam or granola.
Pepperoni Pasta Salad
This recipe gives the ’90s broccoli pasta salad an elegant upgrade with the addition of ripe cherry tomatoes, chopped radicchio, pepperoni and a tangy, Italian-style honey vinaigrette. Most of the ingredients in this recipe can be prepared in the time it takes to boil and cook the pasta. Searing the tomatoes softens them until saucy, while the raw broccoli offers contrasting crunch. Wilting the radicchio in the skillet tempers any bitter notes and the chopped Peppadew peppers offer sweet heat. Served room temperature or chilled, this crowd-pleasing dish makes a great potluck or barbecue side, but it’s also perfect for a summer meal al fresco. You can make it vegetarian by swapping the pepperoni for vegan pepperoni, or try it with crispy chickpeas spiced with smoked paprika.
Lemon Berry Quick Cake
Occasionally, you might find yourself with a surplus of summer berries. This easy cake is perfect for those occasions. The olive oil and lemon are inspired by traditional Italian cakes that offer richness while also feeling light and tender. The berries and the glaze — should you choose to use it — are reminiscent of traditional American pound cakes. This versatile cake-of-all-trades is baked in a cast-iron skillet yet remains soft and delicate in the crumb. It is so versatile that it can be served for breakfast, afternoon tea or as a simple, rustic dessert for a beautiful summer feast.
Olive Oil and Chile-Fried Eggs
This is less of a recipe and more of a trick — one that ends with a deeply savory, spicy red oil you’ll want to pour over everything. The eggs are fried in olive oil until the whites puff and crisp around the edges, then you scoot them to the side and let sliced garlic, smoked paprika and chile sizzle in the oil. What you’re left with is a garlicky, brick-red oil that stains the eggs and perfumes your kitchen in the best way. Eat the eggs straight from the pan, spoon them over a bowl of yogurt with flatbread for a savory breakfast, or serve over a bowl of rice and top it with herbs and pickles — whatever you've got. That spicy oil makes the dish, and you’ll want to save every last drop.
Olive Oil-Poached Tuna With Garlic Aioli
This is one of those recipes that feels luxurious without trying too hard. You slowly poach tuna, swordfish or halibut in a big bath of olive oil that’s been infused with lemon peels, garlic, thyme and chiles — basically, everything you want to be eating. Use a good everyday extra-virgin olive oil here, nothing too precious because you’ll be using a lot of it. (The leftover seasoned oil is gold; you can save it for roasting potatoes or sautéing greens.) As it poaches in the oil, the fish turns silky and rich, while the onion and chile soften and take on the deeply savory flavor of the oil. The best part? You use that same oil to make an aioli, which pulls everything together.
Clams and Tomato-Garlic Rice
Clams, tomatoes and garlic come together quickly to make a simple and satisfying one-pot dinner. It tastes of the sea without being overly fishy, and the tomatoes add acidity and brightness while the chorizo gives it richness and a bit of smokiness. While some brands of tinned shellfish can be on the pricier side, consider that each 4-ounce can packs in up to 4 dozen clams without the bulk of the shells. Look for whole clams in brine and olive oil for the best flavor.
Clams and Chorizo Rice
Clams, tomatoes and chorizo come together quickly to make a simple and satisfying one-pot dinner. It tastes of the sea without being overly fishy, and the tomatoes add acidity and brightness while the chorizo gives it richness and a bit of smokiness. While some brands of tinned shellfish can be on the pricier side, consider that each 4-ounce can packs in up to 4 dozen clams without the bulk of the shells. Look for whole clams in brine and olive oil for the best flavor.
Mustardy Sheet-Pan Salmon With Greens
A punchy mix of tangy Dijon, sweet maple, sharp garlic and fresh dill is slathered onto salmon fillets here, bringing major flavor to this quick, weeknight dish. Tender greens get tucked around the fillets on a sheet pan splashed with wine, where they wilt and crisp while the salmon bakes. By the time you finish a glass of wine yourself, you’ll have dinner on the table.
Sweet and Spicy Melon Salad
This salad is all about contrast: sweet, juicy melon (honeydew or anything similar), a sharp lime dressing with garlic and shallots, and a good hit of spice from serrano and red pepper. It’s finished with roasted peanuts for crunch and lots of fresh basil to keep it bright and herbaceous. The flavors are bold, tangy and just spicy enough to keep you coming back for another bite. It’s great as a side, but also can be lunch and pairs well with a hot day, crispy tofu, noodles and pork, grilled meats or any light sandwich or lettuce wrap.
One-Pot Paneer Pilaf
Meaty hunks of seared paneer let this pilaf hold its own as a satisfying vegetarian meal. Frozen cauliflower and peas keep the prep work to a minimum while frizzled onions, toasted tomato paste and aromatic garam masala add layers of flavor to this one-pot meal. To ensure distinct, fluffy grains, thoroughly rinse the rice and let it soak briefly while you prep other ingredients. For the best flavor and texture, look for an aged and parboiled basmati rice but regular basmati will work, too.