7 warm autumn lunches that fill you up without feeling heavy

Autumn brings warm, hearty meals, but that doesn't mean every lunch has to be heavy and filling. Instead of a big serving of pasta with a creamy sauce, we often want something that will fill us up, but without the feeling of having eaten too much for lunch.

That's why autumn foods are a great base for lunches that are both filling and a bit lighter. Pumpkins, mushrooms, cabbage, legumes, kale, root vegetables, apples, and other seasonal foods allow for many combinations without having to skimp on flavor or give up a specific meal.

Below, we've collected seven lunch ideas that are also suitable for more hectic workdays - when you want something good, but don't want to think about the couch and rest after lunch.

1. Rice Bowl with Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, and Kale

A rice bowl is a great choice for days when you want a specific lunch, but not a heavy meal. Juicy chicken, baked sweet potatoes, and kale provide a combination of different flavors and textures, and the dish can be prepared in advance. The recipe is HERE.

2. Autumn vegetable stew with beans

Warm vegetable stew is one of those dishes that always feels good in the fall. It's full of seasonal vegetables with the addition of beans, so it's filling enough for a stand-alone lunch, but still pleasantly light. The recipe is HERE.

3. Crispy-crusted salmon, roasted vegetables and yogurt sauce

Crispy-crusted salmon is accompanied by colorful roasted vegetables and a refreshing yogurt sauce. This is a simple lunch that is mostly prepared in one pan; it feels a little more special, even though it doesn't require much time or effort to prepare. The recipe is HERE.

4. Warm lentil salad with pumpkin and kale

When salad is no longer just a side dish, but becomes a real lunch. Lentils provide satiety, roasted pumpkin provides a pleasant sweetness, and kale provides freshness and texture. The warm combination is perfect for cooler autumn days. The recipe is HERE.

5. Millet porridge with chicken and mushrooms from one pot

This dish only requires one pot, and the result is a warm and filling meal with a distinctly autumnal character. The millet porridge, chicken, mushrooms, and spinach come together beautifully during cooking, making it perfect for days when you want to keep things simple. The recipe is HERE.

6. Sweet cabbage with meat

A simple homemade stew with soft cabbage, vegetables and chunks of veal. The stew is hearty and filling, but a much more balanced choice than many heavy autumn dishes. The recipe is HERE.

7. Cauliflower meatballs with cream sauce

In this version, cauliflower is transformed into soft, baked meatballs, topped with a creamy cream sauce. It's a slightly different meatless lunch that's filling enough that you won't miss the meat. The recipe is HERE.