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Start with this protein box with guacamole when you need a non-sandwich lunch idea that's quick to pack.
When everyone is tired of sandwiches, these non-sandwich lunch ideas will give you plenty of easy ways to change things up. You'll find bento-style lunches, wraps, hot lunches, and meal ideas that are simple to pack and made to hold up until lunchtime.
Easy Non-Sandwich School Lunches
When both my kids and I are tired of another sandwich, these non-sandwich lunch ideas make it easy to change things up. Here you’ll find bento-style lunches, wraps, warm meals, and filling lunchables that add variety to school lunches and always come home eaten because they’re made with foods your kids like. Click on an idea to learn how to keep it fresh until lunch.
Protein Bento with Guacamole (30g protein)
Guacamole, protein, fruit, and crunchy sides make this bento fresh, filling, and easy to customize.
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Mac and Cheese Thermos Lunch
Pack mac and cheese in a preheated thermos for a warm lunch that stays creamy until noon.
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Tortilla Pizza
These personal tortilla pizzas are quick to assemble and easy for kids to customize with their favorite toppings.
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Crispy Chicken Wrap
Use leftover or frozen chicken strips to make a crispy wrap that is filling and easy to hold.
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Protein Box with Leftover Chicken
Turn leftover chicken into a protein box with fruit, vegetables, crackers, or another easy side.
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Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup makes a comforting thermos lunch that works especially well on colder days.
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Pancake Bento with Fruit
Use homemade or frozen pancakes to build a playful bento with fruit and easy sides.
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Protein Lunchable
This homemade lunchable adds more protein and lets you choose the crackers, meat, and cheese.
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Nuggets Lunchable
Use your child's favorite nuggets to build a lunchable-style meal with simple sides.
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Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Grilled cheese dippers and tomato soup make a warm, filling lunch with a fun dipping element.
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DIY Taco Lunchable
Use taco-night leftovers to make a DIY lunchable kids can assemble one bite at a time.
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Picnic Box
This picnic box works well for kids who prefer grazing on smaller foods instead of one main.
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BLT Salad
Bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and cheese turn the classic BLT into a filling salad.
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Charcuterie Lunchable
Meat, cheese, fruit, and crunchy sides make this charcuterie-style lunch easy to customize.
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Cali Bistro Box
Mix protein, fruit, vegetables, and crunchy sides into a quick bistro box with plenty of variety.
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Chicken Salad Croissant
Chicken salad on a croissant is a filling change from a basic sandwich and packs plenty of protein.
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Filling Homemade lunchable
This bigger homemade lunchable uses kid-favorite ingredients and is easy to adjust for appetite.
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Ham & Cheese Wrap
Ham and cheese in a wrap gives the usual lunch a quick change without adding more work.
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Rotisserie Chicken Wrap
Use rotisserie or leftover chicken to make a fast, flavorful wrap for school or work.
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Protein Box with Guacamole
Start with this protein box with guacamole when you need a non-sandwich lunch idea that's quick to pack.
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Ingredients
- 3 ounces deli turkey
- 1 ounce cheese
- 1 hard-boiled egg
- 1 serving crackers
- 1 ounce guacamole, or 1 guacamole cup
- ½ red bell pepper, cut into strips
- ½ cup grapes
Instructions
Assemble
- Arrange the turkey, cheese, hard-boiled egg, bell pepper, and grapes inside a compartment lunch container. Add the guacamole cup or pack homemade guacamole in a small lidded container.
Pack for Lunch
- Place the crackers in their own compartment or container so they stay crisp. Refrigerate until ready to pack the bento inside an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack.
Notes
- Batch-cook and peel hard-boiled eggs ahead to make this lunch faster to assemble.
- Keep homemade guacamole in a leakproof container.
- Pack crackers away from moist ingredients, so they stay crunchy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1lunch | Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 220mg | Sodium: 1255mg | Potassium: 663mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 2273IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 2mg
Abi Dickson says
These lunch ideas are awesome! Great ways to snack and make sure healthy snacks taste good too.
Rony Jahid says
Non-sandwich is very testy for us. We want to eat anytime in a day. It is easy to make it. So, I will make it everyday for our family members and it is very helpful to our health.
MOMables says
Awesome!
Carson says
My kids love ham or turkey wrapped around sweet pickles. (I usually cut each pickle in half so that they get a fair amount of protein rather than filling up on pickle.)
Amber says
Thanks so much for sharing all your great ideas and making them available to other! This is worth the money you are asking for! I can put my extra time into planning and being a better homeschool mom all while having confidence I am giving my kids healthy meals too! One less thing for a momma to think about is freeing!
MOMables says
Thank you so much Amber!
Christine Lacey says
Do you have any advice for bento boxes with sealable sections? My son likes sliced tomatoes and tomato juice leaks out of that section into his other sections.
MOMables says
which lunchbox are you currently using? it sounds like you need a compartamentalized container. one container with different sections. how are you sending the tomatoes? sliced by themselves? in a sandwich? give me a little more info so i can help :)
M Anderson says
I just purchased the Yumbox bento lunch box and it has several compartments but it doesn’t leak. I can put yogurt and dips inside and it does not spill over onto other areas. The entire box uses one sealed attached lid, which I find is much easier for my 4-year old. No more lost individual lids!
Sharee says
Look into Kids Konserve round containers (they don’t leak), Lunchbots leak proof rounds or their click lock containers (leaf proof).
Dawn says
Try the “Press and Seal” glad wrap. That way you can just seal off the messy section without having to try to cover the entire thing.
Roimata says
Have you seen the planetbox ones? They come with sealable containers that fit inside, a little one for dips and a big one for substantial items.
MOMables says
Yes, I’ve seen the planet box. I like them, but they are not the most affordable for many parents.