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A list of easy and quick packed lunches for school (with photos!) and the tips to keep them fresh for hours inside a lunch box. Plus, my kid's favorite pasta lunch recipe.
These healthy kids lunches include sandwiches, wraps, bentos, warm meals, and no-cook ideas that are easy to pack for school.
After packing lunches for my three kids for years, these are the ideas I keep coming back to. Each one links to the recipe and practical tips for keeping it fresh until lunchtime.
School Lunch Ideas for Kids
These school lunch ideas have worked for my kids through every age and appetite. Click any lunch for the recipe and the packing tips that keep it fresh until lunchtime.
Healthy Protein “Lunchable”
A homemade protein Lunchable that is more filling, affordable, and easy to prep ahead.
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Lunch Box Tacos
Turn leftover tortillas into easy ham-and-cheese tacos that are fun to hold and eat.
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Healthy Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
A sturdy sandwich with simple packing tips to keep it together and prevent soggy bread.
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Easy Homemade Uncrustables (Freezeable!)
Make these with a favorite bread and filling, then freeze them for grab-and-pack lunches.
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Ham and Cheese Sub
A simple ham-and-cheese sub that costs less than takeout and packs well for school.
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Egg Salad in a Lunch Box
Pack egg salad so it stays cold, fresh, and far less likely to leave a smelly lunchbox.
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Cracker Stacker
A homemade cracker stacker with tips to keep every component crisp until lunchtime.
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Turkey Pepperoni Sandwich
Turkey, pepperoni, and cheese make a protein-packed sandwich with familiar pizza flavor.
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Guac & Protein Lunch Box
Single-serve guacamole, deli meat, cheese, and eggs make a filling, high-protein lunch.
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Salami and Pear Lunch Box
Sweet pears, salami, cheese, and crunchy sides make an easy charcuterie-style lunch.
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Tzatziki Dipping Bento
Protein, crisp veggies, pita, and tzatziki give kids plenty of fresh bites to choose from.
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Peanut Butter Apple Sandwich
Crisp apple adds sweetness and crunch, with an easy nut-free swap when needed.
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Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders
Turn leftover ham-and-cheese sliders into an easy school lunch for the next day.
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Grapes & Cheese Bento
Small, familiar bites make this variety box easy to eat while kids talk with friends.
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Fruit & Veggie Stoplight Bento
A colorful fruit-and-veggie box that works beside a sandwich or as a separate snack.
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A Rainbow in a Box
Oat bites, protein, fruit, and veggies come together in one colorful, filling lunch.
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Quick Tomato & Cheese Sandwich
A little pesto turns a basic tomato-and-cheese sandwich into something worth packing again.
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Ham & Cheese Roll Ups
Tortilla-free ham-and-cheese rolls with a simple trick to keep the cheese firm and fresh.
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DIY Nachos
Pack nachos with protein and a warm cheese sauce while keeping the chips crisp.
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Chicken & Apple Grilled Sandwich
Chicken, apple, and melted cheese make a grilled sandwich that still packs well for lunch.
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Turkey Club Wrap
A filling wrap that works especially well for hungry middle school and high school kids.
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Turkey and Veggie Hummus Wrap
A veggie-packed wrap with the layering tips that keep it crisp for hours.
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Chicken & Hummus Lunch Box
Use leftover chicken with hummus, pita, and fresh sides for a lunch that feels completely new.
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Chicken Caesar Lunch Wrap
All the flavors of Caesar salad rolled into a handheld lunch with no fork needed.
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Pizza Pasta Salad
Toss leftover pasta with favorite pizza toppings for an easy cold lunch kids recognize.
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Banana Sushi
A peanut butter and banana wrap sliced into bites that keeps the banana from getting messy.
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Deli Roll Ups
Roll ham, turkey, or roast beef into easy bite-sized pieces using whatever is on hand.
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Chicken & Pasta Thermos
Turn leftover chicken pasta into a hot thermos lunch that stays warm until lunchtime.
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Chicken Bacon Sandwich
Deli chicken and crispy bacon make a quick restaurant-style sandwich in about five minutes.
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Peanut Butter Pickle Sandwich
A salty-sweet sandwich for adventurous kids and an easy conversation starter at lunch.
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Turkey Pesto Pinwheels
Make these turkey pesto pinwheels ahead for a quick, bite-sized school lunch.
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Chips and Guac Lunch
Make chips and guacamole more filling while keeping the chips protected from breaking.
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Ramen Soup
Pack a better bowl of ramen in a thermos for a warm, filling school lunch.
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Easy Ham, Cheese, and Tomato Skewers
These ham, cheese, and tomato skewers offer a variety of fresh ingredients in a fun and interactive school lunch your kids will love.
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Don’t forget to pack these healthy school lunch ideas with a lunchbox note!
School Lunch Ideas for Kids + Pizza Pasta Salad
A list of easy and quick packed lunches for school (with photos!) and the tips to keep them fresh for hours inside a lunch box. Plus, my kid's favorite pasta lunch recipe.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounce box pasta, cooked
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
- 4 ounces nitrate free pepperoni slices, quartered
- ⅓ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup Italian dressing (or olive oil + 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to box directions, drain, and rinse. Allow pasta to cool down to room temperature in a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, chop all your ingredients and toss them into the bowl, waiting until the pasta is cooled to toss in the cheese (otherwise it will melt).
- Add in Italian dressing and toss to combine well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight. Store leftovers inane airtight container for up to 3 days.
Equipment
Nutrition
Serving: 1lunch | Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 55.9g | Protein: 19.6g | Fat: 17.8g | Saturated Fat: 6.5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 32.1mg | Sodium: 1364.5mg | Fiber: 5.7g | Sugar: 4.9g
Alisia says
My kids love your school lunch recipes!! Thanks for sharing all these easy and healthy ideas, Laura!
Anne says
I can never have enought ideas for easy & healthy school lunch ideas, thank you for this post!
Madison says
I love how simple these recipes are. As a mom, we often have so many choices to make, and when I ask my 10 and 12 y/o, they have noooo clue. We ended up finding a few “winners” for their lunches so thank you so much!!!!
Pamela says
These are such unique and healthy school lunch ideas! My kids are going to love these recipes, and I love how easy you make them for us busy mamas! Thank you.
Shelee says
I purchased your book for my daughter and it is now her “go-to” book for everyday! She is a busy mom that wants to feed the family healthy food and loves that most things she already has on hand!!
MOMables says
Shelee, that makes me so happy! I’m so glad I can help busy moms like your daughter.