If you have 5 minutes, have enough time to pack a fresh lunch because these quick lunch ideas are everything you need to get awesome lunches in that lunchbox and get out of the house on time. #Winning
It’s no secret that by the third or fourth week of school we, parents, can often find all of our back-to-school routine goals and meal prep expectations become more distant and out of reach. Things can get so busy!
But I’m here to tell you to not give up on making fresh and healthy lunches for you and the kids -yes, you’ve got to eat too! A healthy lunch is less about it looking like it belongs on an Instagram feed and more about being prepared the night before. Fresh food is good so high-five!
Watch this video to see a few of our favorite quick and easy lunches and then read on for more info!
How to Pack Easy School Lunches
First, let’s go over a tip or two about packing lunches ahead of time:
1. Keep it simple!
I find items that are easy to put in a lunchbox and can be used multiple ways such as wraps, leftover pasta, veggies, fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, deli cuts, and grilled chicken are all great ways to keep it simple while without sacrificing flavor or nutrients.
Building a lunch from staples will set you up in the smooth and fast track to lunch packing success a.k.a not being in the kitchen for hours every Sunday!
Here are some ideas to help you find inspiration, using one main ingredient at a time.
- 5 School Lunches with Ham
- 5 Lunch Ideas with Egg Salad
- 5 Hummus Lunches
- 5 School Lunch Ideas with Hard-Boiled Eggs
- 5 Turkey Lunches for School
If you’re looking for loads of lunch delicious lunch ideas for kids, then you need my book, 101 Packed Lunches!
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
2. Start with the right lunch containers
This might not seem like it would make a difference but believe me it does! Having the right lunch containers on hand is essential to avoiding the classic sorting through a pile of lidless plastic containers, only to find none of them fit in your kid’s lunch box.
Starting with a compartmentalized lunch container and filling in the compartments with healthy options is key to quick packing.
Check out this video where I show you my top picks for great containers and shop all of them here on Amazon.
Healthy School Lunch Ideas
Now that you’ve got the when and the how of lunch packing, let’s get on with the “what do you pack inside a lunchbox?” question.
1. Crunchy Turkey Pinwheels
Deli turkey, fresh veggies all wrapped up in a tortilla! Cut it into pinwheels or leave it whole to make a wrap.
2. BLT Salad
Simple and SO GOOD it takes less than five minutes to assemble if you boil the eggs and cook the bacon ahead of time.
3. Hummus Veggie Sandwich
One of my favorite ways to use hummus! Feel free to add any of your favorite deli cuts to make it even more hearty.
Find more lunch ideas with hummus here.
4. Pizza Pasta Salad
Leftover pasta from dinner (or cooked ahead), cheese, pepperoni, black olives, and lunch is ready!
5. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
It’s practically a sandwich without the bread…..
6. Mediterranean Bistro Box
I love creating bistro/bento boxes since the ingredients are always simple and ready to be packed into lunch containers!
7. Salmon Salad Pitas
It’s like tuna salad but so much better!
It’s safe to say that I take lunch pretty seriously but I also want to make it fun to eat for my 3 kids. And I’m thrilled to share with you the tips and tricks that have helped me pack quick lunches for my kids.
And if you’re still learning to master cooking for your family fresh and simple meals, check out my ebook, 101 Packed Lunches. It will provide all the lunchbox inspiration you need for the entire school year.
What are some of your go-to quick school lunch ideas?
5-Minute Healthy School Lunch Ideas
Ingredients
Mediterranean Bistro Box
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup hummus
- 2 pita rounds, cut into wedges
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 16 pitted Kalamata or black olives
Instructions
- Divide the ingredients between 2 lunch containers with compartments. Pack the hummus into sauce containers, if needed.
Kamilla
Hi, thank you so much for the recipes! I am going into seventh grade and have to make my own lunches from now on as my school starts very early. Tysm!!!
MOMables-Laura
You’re welcome, Kamilla!
beth
I am going back to work in a month and my kids are still learning from home so this is a big help to prepare the lunch a head of time and keep it in the fridge. so they can get it when its time. thank you for some good ideas.
sandra
this was really helpfully just because im a 6th grader this is really helpful because i have diabetes and i really need healthy foods age 11
Renee Wilson
Keep up the good work eating healthy. Best of Luck to you!
LeighAnn Armstrong
Thanks for sharing your ideas! I love your tips, & enjoy seeing the current trends. I’ve got an almost-adult kiddo, who works, & a high school senior. Even with a full fridge, I’ve noticed my kids skipping breakfast and lunch! I like having quick, go-to healthy choices for my people to grab. It’s helpful for them to have a meal prepared; either for at home or on the go. Some people’s jobs haven’t slowed, at all. Nobody in my house is in a bubble…& your content is relevant in this time! I’m a fan. ;)
MOMables - Laura
Thank you so much, LeighAnn! I do my best to stay relative and provide options for moms and kids of all ages.
Rebecca G
Love this thank you!
MOMables - Laura
Thank you, Rebecca!
Emily Reed
You do realize what you are posting is non essential right now. I need ideas for Tens at home during quarantine and I am at work lunches. Not how to get out of the house in a hurry and packing lunches. Are you living in a bubble? I know you home school but seriously, this is why I never open your emails. Please unsubscribe me!
MOMables - Laura
Hi Emily, I understand that any content not related to what’s going on in the world right now can seem non-essential. However, I know many families are still looking for simple lunch recipes that can be prepped ahead and enjoyed at the office or home. The recipes I shared in the post can do both. If you’d like to unsubscribe you can do so by opening an email from me, scrolling to the very bottom, and clicking the unsubscribe link. Have a great day.
Faranaaz Allie
I love your content. My kids are going back to school and I am hunting for ideas to make delicious, quick but nutritious meals for them to take for lunch…and your ideas are the most helpful. Thank you!!!
Fara
MOMables - Laura
Hi, Faranaaz, this makes me so happy to hear!
Lara
Emily, I am in the same situation you are, and find lunch ideas like this invaluable. Having a lunch ready to go for my kiddo to grab when he is ready is a huge help. The only lunch difference between distance learning and in school learning is that now you don’t have to put the meal in a bag or box, you just put it in the fridge for them.
This is an interesting time for everyone, and finding ways to simplify things is always wanted
Jane
Hi l am Joanna I am in year 3 and me and my mom are trying to find things to pack for my lunch.