Elevated Back To School Lunch Ideas
Packing school lunches can often feel like a daunting task, especially when trying to come up with creative and nutritious options that your kids will actually eat. If you’re tired of the same old sandwich and chips routine, here are some fresh and exciting ideas that will make lunchtime more enjoyable for your little ones.
Here are some tips for packing school lunches to make things easier throughout the week:
Balance: Ensure the lunch includes a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruit.
Variety: Keep things interesting by rotating different options throughout the week.
Presentation: Use fun containers, bento boxes, and colorful foods to make the lunch visually appealing.
Involvement: Get your kids involved in planning and packing their lunches to increase the likelihood they’ll eat what you pack.
Preparation: Prep ingredients and lunches the night before to save time in the morning.
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Meal Prep Sundays: Set aside some time on Sundays to prep ingredients for the week. Chop veggies, cook proteins, and portion out snacks to save time during busy mornings.
Incorporate Themes: Add some fun by creating themed lunches based on holidays, seasons, or your child’s favorite characters. For example, use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches and fruits into stars for a space-themed lunch.
DIY Dips and Sauces: Pack small containers of dips and sauces to make veggies and proteins more exciting. Hummus, guacamole, ranch dressing, and yogurt-based dips are great options.
Use Reusable Containers: Invest in a variety of reusable containers and utensils to reduce waste and make packing easier. Bento boxes, silicone muffin cups, and reusable snack bags are great choices.
Food Safety: Keep food safe by using ice packs in lunchboxes to maintain the proper temperature. If packing warm foods, use insulated containers to keep them hot.
Rotate Lunch Items: Avoid lunchtime boredom by rotating different lunch items and ingredients. Aim to introduce new foods regularly while keeping some favorites in the mix.
Focus on Color and Variety: Create visually appealing lunches by focusing on a variety of colors and textures. A colorful lunch is not only more enticing but also likely more nutritious.
By incorporating these tips into your lunch-packing routine, you can ensure that your child looks forward to their meals and stays energized throughout the school day. Happy lunch-making!
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Now let’s get into these mouth-watering lunch ideas that go beyond the sandwich and chips:
1. Spicy Baked Salmon Sushi Muffins
Spicy baked salmon sushi muffins, which have been viral on Tik Tok lately, are bite-sized sushi rice muffins with lots of flavor appeal. This Tik Tok recipe for a salmon appetizer is simple to prepare and, if you love Japanese-inspired food with a fun twist, you’ll love it.
2. Chopped Italian Sandwich
This quick and easy recipe will give you a classic Italian sub, and the best part is that it’s completely customizable!
3. Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich
This is an amazing sandwich with some of the best traditional Italian ingredients: mortadella, burrata, pesto, balsamic vinegar, arugula and focaccia.
4. Ladenia (Traditional Greek Pizza/Flatbread)
Ladenia is a type of flatbread topped with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and various herbs, typically oregano and basil leaves. Often served as a snack or appetizer, it makes the perfect lunch idea that’s far from boring!
5. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is a delicious comfort food meal or side dish – and in this case, the perfectly delicious entree for a school lunch.
6. One Pot Pizza Pasta
This One Pot Pizza Pasta is a weeknight meal saver. It’s easy, tasty, and sure to please. Kids and adults alike will devour this one.
7. Bacon Cheddar Ranch Roll-Ups
With their creamy filling loaded with real bacon pieces, shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, and Ranch seasoning, they’re loaded with fabulous flavor. These little bites are just perfect for afternoon snacking and lunchbox packing.
8. Meatloaf Sandwich
When you grill leftover meatloaf and add cheese, you have the best meatloaf sandwich and entree idea for a kid’s lunch.
9. Vegan Hamburger Helper
This one-pot wonder is packed with hearty pasta, savory vegan meat, and a creamy sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Or in this case, thirds, as this meal makes the perfect leftovers for a kids lunch the following day.
10. Cream Cheese Tortilla Rolls
These vegetable cream cheese tortilla roll ups, sometimes called “veggie pinwheels”, make the perfect appetizer or snack to make ahead. With sweet baby peppers, cream cheese, and herbs, all wrapped in a tortilla, these little bites are delicious and very easy to make.
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11. PB&J Pinwheel Sandwich Kabobs
These PB&J Pinwheel Sandwich Kabobs are such a cute kids’ lunch idea! Classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are reinvented as easy roll-ups, then skewered together with gorgeous fresh fruit.
12. Hungry Hippos
This sandwich recipe has it all goin’ on! Use it as a fun edible art project … or as a special little lunch box surprise!
13. Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
These Buffalo chicken pinwheels are an easy-to-eat and easy-to-make way to indulge in spicy buffalo chicken flavor without the mess of traditional wings.
14. Italian Pinwheels
Italian Pinwheels are packed with delicious Italian flavors, all rolled up in a soft tortilla. They’re great for serving at any party or picnic or just for a tasty snack whenever you need one!
15. Chicken Taco Pinwheels
These chicken pinwheels packed with taco flavor are a quick and easy appetizer that’s perfect for all sorts of occasions!
16. Meatball Pita Pockets
These 5 ingredient Meatballs Pita Pockets, made with pantry staples, are the perfect easy back-to-school eat, family dinner, appetizer, or snack.
17. No Junk Apple And Strawberry Muffins
These no-junk healthy apple muffins are delicious! Sweetened with apples, strawberries and a dash of maple syrup they have a wonderful natural sweetness that makes for a much rounder, fuller flavour.
18. Mild Chicken Fajitas For Kids
We love mild chicken fajitas for kids. We set all the prepped ingredients out and let the kids do the rest themselves.
19. Grilled Chicken Wraps
These grilled chicken wraps are perfect for a quick summer lunch! They’re packed with flavor, really easy and quick to make, and perfect for packed lunches and picnics.
20. Curried Chicken Salad
Curried Chicken Salad is packed to the brim with incredible flavor and makes the perfect easy lunch. In less than 30 minutes, juicy, tender chicken breasts transform into the most flavorful, creamy, spice-filled salad you’ll ever have.
21. Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad is a light, simple side or easy meal that is bursting with so much flavor! In only 10 minutes, cooked pasta noodles are tossed with all your favorite veggies, and coated in a zesty pesto sauce.
22. Easy Homemade Mini Sausage Rolls with Puff Pastry
This mini sausage rolls recipe made with puff pastry features crisp, flaky bites with a savory spiced sausage filling; they’re a delicious finger food appetizer or crowd-pleasing potluck dish!
23. Chicken Salad Finger Sandwiches
Chicken salad finger sandwiches are two-bite-sized savory sandwiches that are as easy to make as they are elegant, so don’t wait for afternoon tea to make them!
24. Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
A good lunch is filling, flavorful, and easy to make. And this Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap checks all of the boxes. Enjoy a healthy and refreshing family favorite lunch that’s economical and simple to make using leftover chicken.
25. Mini Filo Pastry Quiche Cups
Individual size, creamy and delicious egg-quiche, all wrapped up in filo pastry cases. You’ll love these mini filo pastry quiche cups!
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26. Air Fryer Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
Tender vegetarian ‘meat’ and a crisp, flaky pastry come together to make these generously sized air fryer vegetarian sausage rolls, perfect for a snack, lunch or dinner!
27. Avocado Chicken Salad
This easy avocado chicken salad with lime, cilantro, and red onion is creamy, tangy, and fresh. The perfect healthy meal in just 10 minutes!
28. Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This sourdough grilled cheese sandwich is comforting, tasty and so simple to make! This delicious sandwich features toasted sourdough with melted cheese, onions, tomatoes and lettuce!
29. Broccoli and Chicken Pasta
A fully loaded cold Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad is sensational for a summer lunch, picnic, BBQ, etc. The pasta salad contains red pepper, shallot, olives, and feta but no mayonnaise; simple olive oil with thyme will give this meal all its flavour.
30. Three- Ingredient Homemade Hot Pockets
The combination of turkey and swiss cheese, along with the flaky crunch of the crescent roll hand pie, creates the perfect savory flavor that will make your mouth water! And because they are individually “wrapped,” these little crescent roll hot pockets make them great to pack for a school lunch.
31. Protein Pasta Salad With Chicken
Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken is an easy, wholesome recipe with tons of protein, fiber, and vegetables. Elevate your meal prep with this protein-packed, easy, balanced option. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or those upcoming summer BBQ parties.
32. Easy Cheeseburger Roll Ups
This no-cook recipe is a fun way to use up the items in your kitchen and satisfy some cheeseburger cravings. Do you have a picky eater who isn’t into cheese? Omit the nacho cheese sauce and you have easy hamburger pinwheels. You truly can accommodate anyone.
33. Classic Reuben Sandwich
This scrumptious toasted Reuben Sandwich is piled high with melty Swiss cheese, thin layers of sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, and homemade thousand island dressing, all on rye bread.
34. Chili Lime Quinoa Salad with Kale & Roasted Chickpeas
This crowd-pleasing Quinoa Salad with massaged kale, roasted Chickpeas and a homemade Chili Lime Dressing is the perfect make-ahead dish for lunch throughout the week.
35. Teriyaki Meatballs
The juicy and fluffy chicken meatballs coated in the umamilicious savory sauce will taste just as good-or even better- than what you get at your favorite Japanese restaurant! This easy recipe is the perfect entree for a kids lunch or even main dish the whole family will love, and only takes 40 minutes.
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36. Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This delicious Chickpea Egg Salad is made with a few simple ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes only! It’s a healthy meal-prep recipe that can be served with bread, crackers, vegan tortillas, and more!
37. Protein Snack Pack
Protein Snack Packs filled with hard-boiled eggs, almonds, hummus, and crunchy veggies. An easy and delicious lunchtime meal-prep solution perfect for any protein lover, these fantastic little protein snack packs are perfect for school lunches, post-workout snacks, or picnics in the park.
38. 5-Minute Avocado Bagel Sandwich
CREAMY & Healthy Avocado Bagel Sandwich that can be made with regular toast bread or bagel. 4 delicious veggie pairings are included, with step-by-step photos! Packed with both flavor and fiber, it’s the perfect breakfast bagel recipe, but also great as lunch and snacks!
39. Ultimate Turkey Bacon Club Kabob Style Sandwich
What do you get when you make a grilled cheese sandwich, turkey, crispy bacon, lettuce, and tomato and put them on a skewer? A lunch you’ll want to eat over and over again! Meet the Turkey Bacon Sandwich Kabobs!
40. Crescent Roll Pigs In A Blanket
Crescent Roll Pigs In A Blanket is a classic finger food that everyone, from little to big kids, loves! Buttery crescent rolls wrapped around little smoke sausages sprinkled with poppy seeds and a garlicky twist make this retro recipe even better.
41. Homemade Healthy Copycat Mcchicken Recipe
Unlock the secrets of my Homemade Healthy Copycat McChicken Recipe and bring the fast-food delight to your own kitchen with this easy, wholesome version. Indulge in a guilt-free, golden perfection, right from your stove, crafting the iconic taste of a McChicken at home in minutes!
42. Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, a satisfying lunch, or a delicious snack to enjoy any time of day, this air fryer tuna melt recipe will have you covered. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
43. Easy Spinach Pizza Quesadilla with Mozzarella Cheese
A play on a spinach quesadilla: these easy pizza quesadillas are healthy and delicious. Gooey mozzarella cheese packed with fresh spinach and Italian herbs cradled inside a crispy tortilla shell served with tangy pizza sauce makes for the perfect lunch box fun recipe.
44. Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels
Skip the sandwich and try these delicious and protein packed Meal Prep Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels for lunch! They hold up so well in the fridge and are great to enjoy on the go.
45. California Club Sandwich
This mile-high California club sandwich is packed with turkey, bacon, and creamy avocado. If you try it once, you will be craving it again and again!
Conclusion:
Packing school lunches that go beyond the standard sandwich and chips can be both fun and rewarding. With a little creativity and planning, you can provide your child with a variety of delicious and nutritious meals that they’ll look forward to each day.
Whether it’s a vibrant bento box, a flavorful wrap, or a fun DIY Lunchable, these ideas are sure to keep lunchtime exciting and satisfying. Remember to involve your child in the process, listen to their preferences, and mix things up to keep their interest piqued. Happy lunch packing, and enjoy watching your child thrive with these fresh and innovative lunch ideas!
