26 Easy and Healthy School Lunch Ideas
Even picky eaters will love these lunches.
Packing a lunch bag day after day can feel tedious, especially if the literal fruits (and veggies) of your efforts come back uneaten after the bell rings. Make lunchtime more exciting and healthy with these school lunch ideas that can be prepared in minutes the night before, and packed easily to be in top tastiness come lunchtime. From sandwiches to bowls full of delicious and nutritious goodness, here's what to pack for lunch this school year.
Lemony Cucumber and Herb Pasta Salad
Designed to be enjoyed cold, this pasta salad is packed with freshness and stores easily. Plus, it can be even better a few days in, when the noodles soak up all the zesty vinaigrette. Keep the dressing on the side for picky kids.
Fancy Tomato Sandwiches
Cheese, tomatoes, salt, pepper, arugula, and fried onions with delicious chive butter spread all on a baguette—there's a reason 'fancy' is in the title. This delicious sandwich is easy to put together and makes eight servings. School lunch prep is done for the whole week in just 15 minutes.
PB&J Overnight Oats
Switch the classic combo from a sandwich to a lunch that packs easily in a lidded bowl or jar and is full of flavor and fiber. The oats themselves are a complete meal, or they can be a lunchbox component to a larger feast. For nut-free cafeterias, use sunflower butter instead of PB.
Tomato, Bacon, and Garlic Mayo Sandwich
Upgrade your standard BLT with a simple Greek yogurt spread! The colors and crunch help ensure an empty lunchbox after school. It will be ready to go in just twenty minutes.
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is always a good idea for a quick and tasty meal! Add a little lemon or lime juice to your avocado mash to keep it from browning before lunchtime.
Chicken, Sprouts and Provolone Sandwich
Rotisserie chicken and cheese on a bagel is a perfect combo. Get creative with the bread and even the toppings with this sandwich that can be enjoyed warm (wrap it in foil) or cold.
Hummus and Cucumber Toast
A swipe of hummus on crisp bread and layered cucumbers—feel free to cut them into cute shapes—makes for an easy and refreshing lunch that's beloved for its crunch! Package and serve open-faced or as a sandwich.
Spring Fried Rice
Add all your kid's favorite veggies to a big pot of fried rice to reheat and package in a thermos throughout the week. If they're a condiment kid, throw in a packet of soy sauce to amp it up at lunchtime.
Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Glaze
Food on a small skewer is always fun at lunch and can be enjoyed without utensils. Serve with a salad or leftover rotisserie chicken for a complete and healthy meal. Best part is that this lunch idea comes together in just five minutes.
Beef Koftas with Toasted Couscous
These flavorful meatballs on a stick are perfect with the side of couscous or another grain. Package them all together or wrap the koftas in foil and add small bowl containers with sides.
Thai Peanut Butter Ramen
These cold noodles are so fun to eat! Sneak in veggies or protein and swap out the peanut butter for creamy tahini or almond butter depending on nut restrictions.
Watermelon Poke Bowls
This completely plant-based lunch will be the envy of the lunchroom. It's colorful, tasty, healthy, and on-trend. The sweet marinated watermelon cubes alone will surely have your child asking for this dish in their lunchbox again and again.
French Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Who knew all you needed to give a ham and cheese sandwich a French twist was a baguette, Dijon, Gruyere, and adding butter to the cornichon and mustard mixture? With only 10 minutes in the kitchen, you'll have four French-inspired sandwiches ready for the week. It doesn't get much easier than that.
Better-for-You Caesar Salad With Lemon-Parmesan Croutons
Even picky eaters won't bat an eye at this healthy lunch idea. Caesar salad with yogurt dressing, topped with your choice of protein make a simple yet tasty meal. Pack the croutons and dressing separately so that the salad is freshly put together come lunchtime.
Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives
The cucumbers in this recipe are smashed, salted, and drained—which makes them exceptionally crispy and crunchy. You'll want to eat them like popcorn! Top the salad with feta and olives for a flawless mixture of flavors.
Chipotle Turkey Club
We already love the classic Turkey Club, but this spicy twist takes it up a notch. Just add the Chipotle chile powder to the mayonnaise before spreading it on the bread.
Farro Bowl With Pomegranate Vinaigrette
CAITLIN BENSEL
Caramelized sweet potato, nutty farro, salty feta, and tangy pomegranate vinaigrette mix together to create this perfectly-blended vegetarian dish. Farro is among the healthiest of grains, providing protein, fiber, and lots of nutrients. Pack dressing in its own container for optimal freshness.
Feta and Watermelon Grain Bowls
This colorful bowl is as intriguing and gorgeous as it is tasty. There's a good chance your youngster will rave about the sweet watermelon the moment they see you after school. Farro is the base, while watermelon cubes, cilantro, and a creamy avocado dressing tie it all together.
Baby Kale and Chicken Caesar
This Caesar salad is all about the toppings—homemade croutons being one of the most desirable. Plus, you can easily add grilled chicken for some extra protein. Baby kale and brussel sprouts will ensure your kid gets all the nutrient-rich greens they need to power through the rest of their school day.
Superfood Lentil Salad
The sunflower seed vinaigrette brings together the powerful flavors of golden raisins, chargrilled zucchini, and protein-packed lentils in this dish. Pack an extra container with sunflower seeds to top the salad with. Your kiddo will love the added crunch!
Tomato, Bacon, and Garlic Mayo Sandwich
This lunch idea takes a BLT and makes it better by incorporating a rich garlicky yogurt sauce and sliced avocado. The garlic mayo is made up of yogurt, oregano, garlic, and salt. Toasted white bread gives the sandwich a nice crunch.
Speedy Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches
This healthy sandwich packs in the protein, so you're kid can say fueled for the rest of their school day. Since this sandwich is filling, there's no need to pack additional sides.
Vegetarian Tacos With Goat Cheese
Everyone loves tacos, and these healthy vegetarian tacos are no exception. Pack these tacos with a side of salsa.
Pickled Tuna-Salad Sandwiches
This tuna salad sandwich is the perfect lunch idea for those who like to customize what they eat to their personal taste (aka picky eaters). The hard-boiled eggs are optional, and your kid can choose between sweet or dill pickle relish. This healthy lunch is ready in just under 10 minutes.
Herby Chicken Salad Tartines
This is a great sandwich if you're looking to repurpose last night's leftover rotisserie chicken. This chicken salad sandwich recipe packs in a bunch of bold flavors, including a tangy mayonnaise dressing, apple cider vinegar, and even a drizzle of honey. Herby chives and piquant radishes top the creamy sandwich.
Grilled Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas
Spinach and rotisserie chicken make for a healthy (and extremely tasty) lunch. Pack the quesadillas with sides of salsa, diced avocados, and sour cream.
Related: How to Pack a Healthy Lunch: 5 Tips for Stress-Free Lunches
For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Real Simple.
