30 Easy and Delicious Summer Lunch Ideas — Bring on the Pasta Salad and Avocado Dressing

Satisfy guacamole cravings in a more meal-appropriate way by packing up this salad in a mason jar. Optional: chips on the side.

Get the recipe: guacamole mason jar salad

You won't have a sad desk lunch when you've got this vibrant pasta salad waiting for you in the fridge.

Get the recipe: sun-dried tomato pasta salad

Give cauliflower rice a little oomph with lime, cilantro, and chicken.

Get the recipe: cilantro lime chicken with cauliflower rice

There are a lot of takes of "green goddess" dressing, but this one involves avocado, herbs, lime, jalapeño, and garlic.

Get the recipe: green goddess quinoa Summer salad

For a lighter take on chicken salad, try this version that ditches mayo in favor of yogurt and avocado.

Get the recipe: avocado chicken salad sandwich

The Instant Pot can be used for so many things, including this Summer soup packed with zucchini, corn, carrots, and tomatoes.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Summer soup

It might look simple, but this veggie-packed pasta is coated in a really flavorful dressing with olive oil, toasted sesame seeds, dijon mustard, dried basil, vinegar, and roasted garlic.

Get the recipe: California pasta salad with Italian dressing

You can meal prep each of the separate ingredients for these bowls at the beginning of the week, then assemble them when lunchtime rolls around.

Get the recipe: grilled BBQ chicken bowls

Keep things super light and green with this zoodle and pea salad.

Get the recipe: zucchini noodle, quinoa, and pea salad

This Mediterranean orzo is perfect for feeding a crowd at a summertime party or for making for a week's worth of lunch for yourself.

Get the recipe: Mediterranean orzo

You'll want to drizzle this avocado dressing on everything, including this spicy sweet potato salad.

Get the recipe: spicy Southwestern salad with avocado dressing

This "cream" of asparagus soup actually doesn't have any — it's made with Greek yogurt for a lighter but equally delicious taste.

Get the recipe: cream of asparagus soup

Traditional caprese calls for tomatoes, but switch things up with juicy strawberries if you're feeling adventurous.

Get the recipe: strawberry caprese pasta salad

These mason jar salads are filled with all the good stuff: quinoa, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and a tangy dill dressing. You can stock up your fridge and grab one every day for a week.

Get the recipe: Summer quinoa salad jars with lemon dill dressing

For a lighter lunch, you could eat this black bean and corn salad as is or eat it with a pita, tortilla chips, or extra protein.

Get the recipe: cucumber corn salad

Slow cookers might be reserved for Fall and Winter, but there are plenty of summery recipes to make, too. Try this chicken quinoa primavera, which is finished off with a vibrant asparagus pesto.

Get the recipe: slow-cooker chicken quinoa primavera

A rainbow in a bowl: this citrus quinoa dish incorporates plenty of fresh produce.

Get the recipe: rainbow quinoa salad with honey-citrus vinaigrette

When you've got time to kill at home, treat yourself to this irresistible chicken BBQ pizza with corn and mozzarella.

Get the recipe: grilled BBQ chicken pizza with avocado

Take all the yummy flavors of a BLT sandwich and turn it into a pasta for a lunch that'll make your coworkers jealous.

Get the recipe: BLT pasta salad

Farro, a toothsome whole grain that stands up to other ingredients, is a great base for a filling caprese salad.

Get the recipe: caprese farro salad

Add a little bit of richness and creaminess to pesto by blending in a ripe avocado.

Get the recipe: avocado pesto pasta salad

Don't even bother sauteing your spiralized zucchini with this cold salad. Toss the zoodles with feta, grilled corn, and blueberries for a light and refreshing lunch.

Get the recipe: cold Summer zucchini noodles

You can treat this as a standalone lunch or use it as the base for DIY burrito bowls.

Get the recipe: quinoa, black bean, and corn salad

Skip the line at Panera Bread and whip up this strawberry poppyseed salad inspired by the restaurant's.

Get the recipe: copycat Panera Bread strawberry poppyseed salad

Equal parts colorful and filling, this delicious salad holds up well in the refrigerator.

Get the recipe: three-bean salad with wild rice

With just a touch of apple cider vinegar and honey, this take on a classic sweet-salty macaroni salad will fill you with nostalgia.

Get the recipe: creamy macaroni salad

You can never have too many tomato recipes during Summer! Chop them up into an easy salad with cucumbers and feta cheese.

Get the recipe: tomato salad with chickpeas, avocado, and cucumber