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Packing leftovers for school lunch is one of my favorite tricks for saving time and cutting down on food waste. And, trust me, meatballs are top-tier leftovers! Get the best tips for packing them correctly in the post below.
Can You Pack Meatballs for Lunch at School?
YES! You don’t have to reinvent lunch when last night's meatballs already make the perfect, quick high-protein school lunch! Plus, they're just as delicious eaten at room temperature (my teens even sneak them cold straight from the fridge).
Prefer them warm? No problem! I've got the best thermos tips to keep meatballs hot! And with double batches, extras become an easy meatball skewer lunch for another day. We're talking less kitchen time, more free time for literally anything else!
Ingredients
This simple lunch comes together in 5 minutes and works with any kind of meatballs, whether it's sweet and sour, bbq, or classic marinara like I use in this meatball sub:
- Leftover meatballs: use leftover meatballs from dinner or frozen.
- Rice: I’m using leftover rice for this lunchbox, but you can use pasta, quinoa or even zoodles if you want to make it low-carb.
- Veggie sides: think carrot sticks, snap peas, or any other favorite crisp veggies!
How to Pack Leftover Meatballs for Lunch
Packed right, meatballs make an epic school lunch. Follow these assembly tips to keep them fresh, firm, and full of flavor:
- Assemble lunchbox
Place your rice or other base in the largest section of a bento-style lunchbox with compartments. Next, you’re going to layer the meatballs directly on top. Use the other compartments for your veggies, like carrots and snap peas, to keep them separate and crisp. - Pack extra sauce
If your meatballs come with sauce, pour extra into a small, leak-proof container, pack it separately and wait to add it until just before eating so the rice doesn’t get too soggy. - Pack it for school
If you’re prepping this lunch ahead of time, keep it refrigerated until it’s time to leave for school. When packing, place the lunch container in an insulated bag and keep any additional sides separate.
School Lunch Packing Tips for Leftovers
A few simple packing tricks will keep any leftovers just as mouth-watering at lunchtime as they were at dinner!
Use the right container
A school lunch container with compartments keeps meatballs and rice at their best while veggies stay crisp in their own space. This way everything stays neatly separated and mess-free!
Keep it cool
Consider adding an ice pack to the lunch bag to maintain a safe temperature and keep everything fresh until lunchtime rolls around.
Add more nutrition
Boost your child's lunch with extra nutrition by adding their favorite fruit, yogurt, or a healthy dessert.
Pack extra sauce separate
Pour any dips or sauces in small leak-proof dip containers to avoid spills and keep backpacks clean.
More School Lunches with Leftovers
Cook once, eat twice! That's my secret to effortless school lunches. Leftover spaghetti and pizza slices make easy, next-day meals. Or toss extra taco night ingredients into a container for a quick and delicious burrito bowl.
How to Pack Meatballs for School Lunch
Ingredients
- 3-4 leftover meatballs
- ½ cup cooked rice
- veggie sides, like carrot sticks, snap peas
Instructions
Assemble the Lunchbox
- Place the meatballs and rice together in one compartment and pack veggies in separate compartments or container so they stay crisp.
- Pour any extra sauce into a small, leak-proof container for dipping or mixing.
Pack for School
- Keep meatball lunch and any added healthy sides refrigerated until ready to leave, then pack in a lunch bag with an ice pack.
Karen says
My kids LOVE meatballs, but I hadn’t known you could pack them for lunch, this is such a great idea!