
The start of school is quickly approaching! Most kiddos will be returning to school in person this year, which means that parents need to start thinking about healthy and easy lunch ideas. Luckily, EatLove is stocked with recipes that kids will enjoy and that are easy to throw together for lunch. Check out our favorite lunch recipes for kids that are perfect for packing in a lunchbox.
1. Pizza Roll Ups
These homemade pizza roll ups are quick and easy to make. Just fill a tortilla with pizza ingredients — pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and spinach. Then, roll up the tortilla and brown them in the oven. Kids can enjoy these warm or cold, so you can make them the night before and throw them in the fridge. Pair the roll ups with your kid’s favorite fruits and veggies. For this lunch box, we’ve included bell peppers, mango, and some squares of chocolate.
2. Chicken, Grape & Apple Salad
This Chicken, Grape & Apple Salad is delicious and boasts protein and servings of fruit. You can serve it up in a lunchbox on its own, or pair it with some romaine lettuce leaves to add some vegetables. This chicken salad is the perfect balance of sweet and savory and will surely be a recipe your kids ask you to make again and again.
3. Tomato + Avocado + Mozzarella
A great way to help your kids get the nutrients they need is with this Tomato Avocado Mozzarella Lunch Box. It is packed with protein, healthy fat, fiber, and vegetables. And it’s super easy to make! Just slice up a tomato, an avocado, and some fresh mozzarella cheese. Then pair the slices with some healthy snacks.
4. Ham Rolls & Cucumbers
These Ham Rolls & Cucumbers are another simple yet nutritious lunch option. It’s essentially a ham sandwich on a roll. Layer on all the fixings that your kid likes, including mayonnaise, mustard, honey, spinach, and more. We’ve paired this sandwich with some sliced cucumbers and oranges, so your kids can get in some servings of fruits and vegetables too!
5. Vegetable Tortellini
Pasta salads are another great idea for lunches. Like pizza roll ups, this Vegetable Tortellini can be served hot or cold. The night before, cook some fresh tortellini. Saute bell pepper, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes and mix the vegetables with the cooked tortellini. Throw in a few dashes of spice — and you’ve got yourself a hit! For this recipe, we’ve paired the tortellini with blueberries and baby carrots.
6. PB&J Bento
We can’t talk about our favorite lunch ideas without throwing in a classic PB&J. This nostalgic sandwich is one that has been enjoyed for generations. To make sure your kiddos get the energy they need to get through the school day, we recommend pairing the sandwich with plenty of fruits and vegetables. We’ve also used wheat bread in this PB&J Bento, which is a great source of complex carbs.
7. Rainbow Veggie Pinwheels
Another classic lunch idea is a wrap. To make wraps easier for kids to manage, cut it into 1-inch slices, or pinwheels. We love this delicious veggie pinwheel, which has cream cheese, bell peppers, carrots, spinach, and cabbage. You can pair it with fruit and a sweet treat for a well-balanced meal. Plus, a wrap is easy to modify. For example, add slices of turkey or include some ranch dressing for dipping.
8. Tomato Chicken Skewers
Skewers make the perfect addition to any lunch box. Not only are they fun to eat, but you can load them up with healthy ingredients your kids will actually eat. These Tomato Chicken Skewers feature cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. We’ve added a bit of pesto on the side for dipping and paired the skewers with strawberries, baby carrots, and a pickle. But feel free to mix it up to include other fresh ingredients.
9. Egg Salad Pita
Some sandwiches can cause bread to get soggy, and no one wants to eat a soggy sandwich. One way to get around that is by using pita in place of bread. Pita is distinguished by a pocket on the inside; you can fill the pocket with anything you’d put on a sandwich. Try this Egg Salad Pita! It’s quick to throw together and has been kid approved. Of course, you could also try making a pita with sandwich meat and cheese or with chicken salad.
10. Chicken Tacos
Make sure you have this recipe on hand for Tuesdays! These Chicken Tacos are easy to make and can easily be tailored to meet your child’s food preferences. For these tacos, we used hardshells, red cabbage, tomatoes, Mexican cheese, avocado, lime, and cilantro. Tacos can hold a lot of veggies, helping your kids get the vitamins and minerals they need.
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