10 Easy and Healthy School Lunch Recipe Ideas
As a busy parent in America, you’re always looking for ways to make life easier, especially when it comes to packing school lunches. You want something quick, healthy, and that your kids will actually enjoy. Here are some easy and nutritious school lunch ideas that will make your mornings a breeze.
Fun & Simple Cold Lunch Ideas
DIY Nachos: Pack tortilla chips, protein (black beans, shredded chicken, or ground beef), shredded cheese, veggies (cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, lettuce), and your choice of guacamole, salsa, or sour cream in separate compartments of a bento-style lunch box1. Add a small apple or fruit of choice for a complete meal
Banana French Toast Sandwich: Turn leftover banana French toast into a sandwich with cream cheese and no-sugar-added strawberry jam. This is a tasty alternative to plain bread
Cheese Waffle Sandwich: Make yummy cheese waffles with just two ingredients, adding a third for veggies or toppings Spread mashed avocado or your favorite spread and turn them into sandwiches. Serve with fruits, vegetables, and crackers
Pancakes + Eggs: Use your favorite healthy pancake recipe and spread peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, mashed avocado, jam, or mashed beans between two pancakes to make a sandwich. Waffles work great too!
Broccoli Bites: These are simple to prepare, nutrient-packed, and provide a great protein boost. They freeze well, so make a batch ahead of time and thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Pesto Pasta: Pesto pasta is flavorful, convenient, customizable, and a balanced cold lunch.
Deconstructed Pasta Salad: If your child doesn’t like mixed foods, pack cooked pasta, sauce, or dip (like mango salsa), protein, fruit, and fresh veggies in separate containers
Wraps and Rolls
BLT Wrap: Cook bacon ahead of time, chop lettuce and tomatoes, and store all ingredients separately. In the morning, spread mayo on a tortilla and add the ingredients.
Nutella & Banana Sushi Roll: For a sweeter option on Fridays, spread Nutella on a tortilla, add a banana, roll it up, and slice into “sushi”.
Ham & Cheese Mini Sub Lunchable: Use rolls instead of bread for a fun twist. Add sliced carrots (pre-cut the night before) and fresh strawberries.
Turkey and Cheese Wraps: A simple and classic option that’s always a hit
Balanced Bowls & Salads
Middle Eastern Protein Bowl: Combine your child’s favorite Middle Eastern ingredients for a protein-packed and flavorful bowl.Quinoa Fiesta Salad: A colorful and nutritious salad with quinoa, black beans, corn, and your favorite fiesta flavors
Other Creative Ideas
Yogurt Parfait: In reusable lunch containers with freezer packs, layer low-fat yogurt, diced fruit or berries, and granola or slivered almonds. You can freeze the yogurt overnight to keep it cold until lunchtime.Lunch Kabobs: Thread cheese cubes, grapes, cherry tomatoes, and cooked chicken or turkey onto skewers for a fun and interactive lunch.
Tips for Involving Your Kids
Get your child involved in the lunch-making process. Ask them what types of foods they enjoy eating and create a list of lunch favorites. Give them two options to choose from and explain why a variety of foods is important in their diet.
Time-Saving Tips
- Prepare ingredients the night before: Chop veggies, cook bacon, and portion out snacks to save time in the morning.
- Make a batch of pancakes, waffles, or muffins on the weekend: Freeze them for easy access during the week.
- Use leftovers: Repurpose dinner leftovers into lunch, like grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or pasta.
- Invest in good lunch containers: Bento-style boxes with compartments are great for keeping foods separate.
- Get the right tools: Having the right tools can make school lunch prep much easier.
By incorporating these easy and healthy school lunch ideas, you can ensure your child enjoys a nutritious and delicious meal every day, without spending hours in the kitchen.
