32 Cozy Christmas Lunch Ideas

Before diving into the preparation, let's gather our ingredients. For the Festive Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, you will need:

32 Cozy Christmas Lunch Ideas

Looking for a delicious vegetarian lunch option? These Festive Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a vibrant and nutritious choice, combining quinoa, black beans, and colorful veggies for a satisfying meal. Perfect for those busy days when you need easy lunch recipes that are both healthy and flavorful – afterka has you covered! VegetarianLunch EasyLunchRecipes SweetPotatoes HealthyEating FestiveFood PlantBased CozyMeals

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Ingredients

4 medium sweet potatoes

1 cup cooked quinoa

1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup corn kernels

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

1 avocado, diced

Fresh cilantro for garnish

5 cups fresh baby spinach

2 ripe pears, sliced

1 cup fresh cranberries

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette

1 cup Arborio rice

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups vegetable broth

2 cups mixed mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup white wine

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp red pepper flakes

Salt to taste

4 salmon fillets

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 cup breadcrumbs

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups vegetable broth

1 tsp ground nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped

1 cup cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Salt and pepper to taste

Tortilla chips for serving

4 chicken breasts

1/2 cup pomegranate juice

1/4 cup honey

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

4 bell peppers, tops cut, and seeds removed

1 lb ground turkey or beef

1 cup cooked rice

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cups tomato sauce

1 tbsp Italian herbs

Cheese for topping

1 cup lentils, rinsed

1 can coconut milk

2 cups vegetable broth

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp curry powder

Fresh cilantro for garnish

1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup cream

1 tbsp flour

Salt and pepper to taste

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1 egg, beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

12 oz spaghetti

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 cup parsley, chopped

Salt to taste

1 zucchini, sliced

1 bell pepper, sliced

1 eggplant, sliced

4 ciabatta rolls

1/2 cup hummus

Olive oil, for brushing

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cans white beans, drained

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups vegetable broth

1 tsp thyme

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

1 large sweet potato, cubed

1 can chickpeas, drained

2 cups spinach

1/4 cup tahini

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

4 cups mixed greens

2 apples, sliced

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted

1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup apple cider vinaigrette

4 large potatoes, cut into wedges

3 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and bake for 45-60 minutes until tender.

While the sweet potatoes bake, mix quinoa, black beans, corn, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

Once sweet potatoes are ready, cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out a little flesh to create space for the filling.

Fill them with the quinoa mixture, top with avocado, and garnish with cilantro.

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 4

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Cranberry Pear Spinach Salad 🍐🥗

In a large bowl, mix together spinach, pears, cranberries, walnuts, and feta.

Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette just before serving. Toss gently to combine.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 10 min | Servings: 6

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Creamy Mushroom Risotto 🍄🍚

In a saucepan, heat vegetable broth and keep warm.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.

Add mushrooms and cook until softened.

Stir in Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes until toasted.

Pour in white wine and stir until absorbed.

Begin adding warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring frequently, until all absorbed.

Stir in parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

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Spicy Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts 🌶️🥦

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, and salt.

Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

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Herb-Crusted Salmon Fillets 🐟🌿

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper, and spread Dijon mustard on top.

Mix breadcrumbs, parsley, dill, and season with salt and pepper.

Press breadcrumb mixture onto the fish.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and crust is golden.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 25 min | Servings: 4

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Warm butternut squash soup 🎃🥣

In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.

Add butternut squash, broth, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until squash is tender.

Puree the soup with coconut milk until smooth.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

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Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip 🧀🥬

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a bowl, mix spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, parmesan, salt, and pepper until combined.

Spread in a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Serve with tortilla chips.

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 40 min | Servings: 6

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Pomegranate Glazed Chicken 🍗🍎

In a small bowl, whisk together pomegranate juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Marinate chicken breasts in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat the grill or skillet and cook chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, basting with marinade until cooked through.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 40 min | Servings: 4

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Savory Stuffed Bell Peppers 🍴🌶️

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Sauté onion until soft, add ground meat, and cook until browned.

Stir in rice, 1 cup of tomato sauce, and Italian herbs.

Fill each pepper with the mixture and place in a baking dish.

Pour remaining sauce over peppers, top with cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 50 min | Servings: 4

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Coconut Curry Lentil Bowl 🍛🥥

In a pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.

Add lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, and curry powder, simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.

Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 40 min | Servings: 4

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Cauliflower Cheese Bake 🥦🧀

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Steam cauliflower until tender, about 5-7 minutes.

In a saucepan, heat milk, cream, and flour until thickened, stir in cheese until melted.

Combine cauliflower with cheese sauce, pour into a baking dish, and bake for 20 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

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Baked Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry ☁️🥐

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a bowl, mix spinach, feta, salt, and pepper.

Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares.

Place filling in the center, fold over to create triangles, seal edges, and brush with beaten egg.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 6

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Spaghetti Aglio e Olio 🍝🧄

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, reserve 1 cup pasta water.

In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté until garlic is golden.

Add drained spaghetti to pan, toss with reserved pasta water until combined.

Stir in parsley and season with salt before serving.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 20 min | Servings: 4

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Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches 🍆🥖

Preheat grill or grill pan.

Brush vegetables with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until tender.

Spread hummus on ciabatta rolls, fill with grilled vegetables, and assemble sandwiches.

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 20 min | Servings: 4

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Hearty White Bean Soup 🥘🌱

In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, and garlic until softened.

Add white beans, broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

Simmer for 20 minutes, remove bay leaf before serving.

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 6

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Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad 🥗🍠

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast for 25 minutes.

In a bowl, mix tahini, lemon juice, cumin, and a little water to make a dressing.

Combine roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, spinach, and dressing before serving.