For busy families, lunchtime can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of chaos. Between work, school, and a never-ending list of activities, finding quick and easy lunch ideas that are delicious can be a challenge. But hey, that’s what we’re here for. Let us help you navigate the lunchtime madness with ease. It doesn’t always have to be the boring sandwiches and dinner leftovers; there’s a world of flavorful and fuss-free meals that are waiting to be discovered. So keep reading, pay attention, and make lunch time great again!
Here are 3 easy lunch ideas that you can whip up in minutes.
Ham-Tastic Fried Rice
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups Buddig Original Ham, sliced into about 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 cup champignon mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 3 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cups cooked Jasmine rice, chilled
- 3 tbsp bacon grease
- 1 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- ¼ – ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- Salt, to taste
- Start off by heating up a tablespoon of bacon grease in a large skillet over medium heat. Give the oil a whirl, making sure it coats the entire surface of the pan. Now, pour the egg into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip it over for one more minute. Next, place the egg onto a cutting board and let it cool. Once cooled, slice it into small pieces and set aside.
- Mushroom’s turn in the hot seat! Add a tablespoon of the bacon grease into the same skillet (unless you want to wash another pan!) and swirl. Toss in the mushrooms and let them cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring until they’ve achieved a desirable golden-brown color and are slightly tender. Once cooked, move the mushrooms to where your eggs are.
- Time to turn up the heat! Add the remaining tablespoon of grease to the skillet, cranking that dial to medium-high. Put the rice in and give it a good stir. Keep stirring and cooking for about 2 minutes. Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil into and continue stirring, ensuring the sauce is mixed well with the rice. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- It’s time to add the ham, corn, and peas to the rice—again, make sure to give everything a good stir (that’s the key to yummy fried rice, y’all!). Cook for 3-4 minutes then add in the eggs, mushrooms, and green onions. Add some pepper and continue to stir. Push the rice to the edges of the skillet, creating a hole at the center. This is where the butter goes. Once the butter has melted, Mix it evenly with the rice. Add a pinch of salt to achieve the perfect flavor.
Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla
- In a bowl, mix together the mayo, taco seasoning, a pinch of garlic salt, and a splash of hot sauce. Give it a good whisk.
- Take a tortilla and spread the mixture on one side. Pile on a generous amount of shredded chicken followed by a layer of cheese.
- Take another tortilla, slather it with sauce, and place it on top.
- Pop your assembled tortilla in the microwave for a quick 20-second sizzle. Then, transfer to a pan over medium heat until crispy. Quick tip: If you happen to have any leftover sauce, it's perfect for dipping! So go ahead—dunk and devour to your heart's content. Enjoy every crunchy, saucy bite!
Ham & Broccoli Casserole
- 4-5 slices of Buddig Original Ham
- 12 to 16 ounces broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp finely minced onion
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 additional tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ tsp salt
- A dash of pepper
- Preheat your oven to a toasty 375 °F.
- Grab a 1 ½-quart casserole dish and butter it.
- Next up, the broccoli! Grab a saucepan, toss in the broccoli, and add about an inch of water. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover the pan and simmer on low for about 3 minutes or until the broccoli achieves that tender-crisp perfection.
- Now in another saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the flour, give it a quick stir, and let it cook for a minute or two. Next up: the mustard, salt, and a dash of pepper. Then, gradually pour in the milk (and a dash of minced onion if you're feeling a little extra). Keep stirring until the sauce thickens up.
- Add the cheddar cheese into the mixture and stir well until it has completely melted. Don’t forget to remove the sauce from the heat!
- Now back to your broccoli! Remove those beautiful florets from the water and place them in the buttered casserole dish.
- Mix the ham with the broccoli and then pour the sauce over the whole thing.
- Mix together 2 tablespoons of melted butter and panko breadcrumbs. Give it a good toss, and then sprinkle this buttery, crunchy goodness over the casserole. It's the perfect finishing touch!
- Pop that casserole dish into the preheated oven and let it work its magic for 20 to 25 minutes. Watch as the flavors come together—the cheese will get ooey-gooey, and the breadcrumbs will give your casserole a beautiful golden topping.
- Enjoy your delicious masterpiece!
Turn Easy Lunch Ideas Into Delicious Family Meals with Buddig
Buddig offers a fantastic solution for busy families seeking convenient and flavorful lunch options. With our delectable range of lunch meats, you can create a variety of satisfying and wholesome meals without gluten or MSG. Whether you're crafting mouthwatering sandwiches, tasty wraps, or creative salads, Buddig provides the perfect foundation for your culinary creations. So, embrace the ease and deliciousness that Buddig brings to your lunchtime routine, and let your family enjoy quick and tasty meals together!
Use our store locator to find the nearest store carrying our products and stock up on your favorite Buddig lunch meats today.