41 A+ School Lunch Ideas
Lunchables and apple slices, egg salad sandwiches and cucumber spears, applesauce and a handful of granola—these are fine in a pinch, but what about some school lunch ideas that will keep your kiddo satiated and earn you high marks on your parenting report card? Yes, it’s back-to-school time for your children, which means it’s back to nine months of packing lunches for you. And us. Because we're here to help with 41 school lunch recipes that will keep your little ones’ brown bags brimming with the good stuff: an upgraded, miso-laced PB&J sandwich that parents will love too; weeknight sheet-pan chicken meatballs that make great leftovers; cauliflower shingaras (yes, they shall eat vegetables); and more. Point is: You’ve got options. Check them out below.
Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou1/41Lunch Nachos With Spiced Cauliflower
The formula for this school lunch idea is worth committing to memory: a bag of tortilla chips, a can of refried beans, shredded cheddar cheese, and some kind of quickly cooked, spiced veg such as cauliflower or brussels sprouts.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca2/41BBQ Mushroom Pizza
A hot grilled cheese sandwich doesn't travel so well, but you know what does? This mozzarella, Gouda, and mushroom-topped pizza, which grown-up children of suburbia will recognize as an homage to California Pizza Kitchen. (IYKYK.)
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Alison Attenborough4/41Saag Paneer, But With Feta
A healthy lunch that satisfies any time of the school year, this riff on the classic dish swaps out paneer for salty chunks of feta (though mozzarella or even tofu cubes would also work).
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Kat Boytsova6/41Garlic-Ginger Chicken With Cilantro and Mint
This spicy, juicy chicken is just as good by itself as it is rolled up in a roti and served with chutney. Or shred it and make quesadillas with chicken, black beans, and guacamole. Or—okay, we’ll stop, but the point is that it’s versatile.
Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou7/41Easy Peanut Butter Noodles
This kids' lunch is made from two ingredients we bet are in your pantry right now: peanut butter and some kind of dried noodle. Swap out the PB for almond or sesame butter if necessity dictates.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua8/41Cachapas
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca9/41Spiced Marshmallow Popcorn Bars
Photo by Alex Lau10/41Green Goddess Crunch Sandwich
You won't find any salami or deli meat here. Instead, you've got loads of green goodness: chives, tarragon, avocado, cucumber, lettuce, and sprouts. Is it a salad or a sandwich? It doesn't really matter; it's lunch.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li11/41Corn Cacio e Pepe
In search of an alternative to mac and cheese, we found inspiration in an iconic Italian dish—and it only takes five ingredients: pasta, corn, Pecorino Romano or Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Alex Lau13/41Veggie Italian Hoagies
Use whatever kind of tomatoes you want for this simple hoagie as long as they're large and meaty; this is not the time for cherry tomatoes. Then, look for thick Italian sub rolls, which help prevent sogginess.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Sue Li14/41Silky Peanut Butter Dressing
Adding silken tofu to the base of this dressing enriches it with protein and lends it a satiny texture. Pack it with sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, apples, and pretzels for dipping. And hey, parents: You can spread any leftovers on toaster waffles or a bagel in place of cream cheese for an on-the-go breakfast.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, styling by Molly Baz16/41Use-It-Up Frittata
Frittatas are a great way to turn leftover side dishes into something new, and nearly any combination of roasted vegetables, cooked grains, and cheese works. Consider zucchini + farro + Gruyère, or turn it Mexican-ish with corn + quinoa + Cotija.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by D'mytrek Brown18/41Classic Tuna Salad
Why try to fix what isn’t broken? This classic tuna salad has all of the essentials: mayonnaise, salty capers, lemon for brightness, celery and onion for crunch, and mustard and (optional) hot sauce for a little extra zing.
Alex Lau20/41Pepperoni Panzanella
Panzanella is a great way to use up the last of that loaf of crusty bread. Change up the salad by tossing in other vegetables or herbs, just don’t skip the tomato: It helps soften the bread.
Photo by Heidi's Bridge, styling by Molly Baz22/41Winter Crunch Salad
While it's true that plenty of children think they don't like brussels sprouts, we wonder: Have they tried them raw? This salad with shredded fresh brussels and kale, salty cheese, sweet-tart apple, and crunchy seeds will make anyone a fan.
Photo by TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou23/41Greens-and-Beans Sandwiches
Leveled-up canned beans become a creamy layer in this vegetarian sandwich, while cucumbers, thick-cut feta, and dark rye bread give your kids something to sink their teeth into.
PHOTO BY CHELSIE CRAIG, FOOD STYLING BY ANNA BILLINGSKOG24/41Sheet Pan Chicken Meatballs With Tomatoes and Chickpeas
This one's for the kids who like heat, garlic, and spice, because these meatballs contain harissa paste. We love to make it for dinner and then pack leftovers for tomorrow's lunch along with some pita bread.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen26/41Weeknight Steak and Rice Noodle Salad
Make making lunch work for you! We highly endorse cooking off extra rice noodles to keep on hand for low-maintenance stir-fries and soups for later in the week.
28/41Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice
A pan full of veggie-packed, gingery, garlicky egg fried rice is one of the easiest and most satisfying school lunches—and breakfasts and dinners—we know.
Alex Lau31/41Tofu Summer Rolls
This recipe is endlessly adaptable and riffable: Use any leftover protein or shred a rotisserie chicken in place of the tofu, and use whatever crunchy vegetables you’ve got in the produce drawer.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Frances Boswell34/41Hummus With Spiced Summer Squash and Lamb
If you’re making this hummus for a finicky kid, pack the toppings in separate containers and let them help themselves. Including lots of toasted pita is nonnegotiable.
Photo by Alex Lau36/41Pasta Salad With Spring Vegetables and Tomatoes
What kid doesn't like pasta salad? This one's a no-brainer, but we particularly love to see the tomatoes, sugar snap peas, spring onions, and loads of fresh herbs packed into this recipe.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Pearl Jones38/41Spicy Steak Lettuce Wraps
If your child's only experiences with short ribs have been in braised form, then they're in for a treat with these lettuce wraps. Sliced thin and generously marinated, the meat is tender and packed with flavor.
Photo by TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou40/41Chicken and Cucumber Rice Bowls
Protein, whole grains, crunchy vegetables, and a zingy sauce—yep, this packable lunch has it all. Start by roasting a big batch of chicken thighs, fennel, and scallions for dinner the night before, then use the leftovers for lunch.
Photo by Laura Murray, styling by Rick Martinez41/41Shingaras With Cauliflower and Potato Filling
Shingaras, the Bangladeshi style of samosas, are usually served as an appetizer or snack, but we think they make for a tasty and filling school lunch idea.