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Homemade Lunchables Nachos

Today I’m going to show you how to pack a homemade version of those Lunchables nachos your kids love!

This box has all the elements: chips, queso dip, protein, and fresh snacks; keep reading to see how to arrange this box so all the ingredients stays fresh.

lunchbox filled with sliced chicken, fruit and sliced veggies, purple chips and cheese dip

Homemade Nachos & Cheese Lunchable

If your kids love those pre-packaged yellow boxes with nacho cheese and chips, this homemade version is a great swap that will cost less and includes better-tasting ingredients. 

For the nacho dip, you can either use a queso cup from the grocery store or make my infamous (and easy) cheese dip and pack it into a mini sauce container- either way, you can’t go wrong. 

From there, the rest of the lunch is a cinch to assemble; it’s a matter of what you’re kids would love to dip with queso. 

What is in a Homemade Lunchables Nacho Lunch

This lunch can be packed with any ingredients, but you will need tortilla chips and nacho cheese to complete it. 

  • Nacho dip: try this homemade recipe or a store-bought queso cup. 
  • Tortilla chips: regular, blue corn, and even whole grain crackers. 
  • Black olives: optional, but make a great snack in this bento. 
  • Protein: sliced cooked chicken, rolled deli meat, or hard-boiled eggs.
  • Snacks: sliced veggies and fruit of any kind.  

More Copycat Lunchables Recipes here!

How to Pack this Nacho Lunchables for Lunch

Here’s the part where I show you how to assemble all of these ingredients, so they stay fresh for lunch: 

  1. Prep
    Wash and slice the fruit and veggies, if needed. Slice grilled chicken.
  2. Wet ingredients together
    The veggies, olives, and chicken can be packed into the same compartment. If you don’t want the fruit to pick on the flavors of the chicken or protein, pack it separately. 
  3. Chips separate
    To keep the chips crispy, they should be packed into their own compartment or container. 
  4. Prepare for shipment
    Close the lunchbox and add it to a lunch bag with an ice pack. 
  5. Cheese sauce
    If you’re making homemade cheese dip, pack it into a mini sauce container. Otherwise, add the sealed dip cup to the lunch container or bag. 

A compartmentalized lunch container is super helpful for lunch ideas like this! Check out my favorites here.

Print

DIY “Lunchables” Nachos

homemade version of lunchables nachos
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Learn how to assemble nachos and cheese for a balanced and healthy lunch!

 

  • Author: MOMables – Laura
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Lunch

Ingredients

  • ½ red bell pepper, sliced into ¼-inch thick strips
  • 1 small apple, sliced
  • ¼ cup pitted black olives
  • 3-ounces grilled chicken, sliced
  • 1 serving blue corn tortilla chips
  • ¼ cup or 2 ounces nacho cheese dip

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice the fruit and veggies as needed. 
  2. Pack the veggies, olives, and chicken into a compartmentalized lunch container. The fruit can be packed in the same or a separate compartment. 
  3. To keep the chips crunchy, pack them separate from the rest of the ingredients. 
  4. If making this with homemade nacho dip, pack it into a mini sauce container or add the dip cup to the lunch bag along with the assembled Lunchable and an ice pack. 

Equipment

101 Packed Lunches

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Kids Lunch Box

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Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 468
  • Sugar: 19.8 g
  • Sodium: 836.2 mg
  • Fat: 18.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52.9 g
  • Fiber: 7.9 g
  • Protein: 23.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 51.6 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jasmine

    September 16, 2020 at 10:54 am

    Hi I was wondering about the cheese dip?

    Reply
  2. Kristin

    September 26, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    How does the cheese dip keep in lunch container, but the time it is lunch time for the kiddos? It is still easy to dip chip into? Or does it become clumpy? Any helpful hits for preparation? Thank you

    Reply
    • MOMables

      September 27, 2013 at 9:38 am

      the cheese is to be eaten immediately after serving or you must spread it over the chips. it will solidify and not store well. You can also send it in a thermos.

      Reply
  3. Susan Lane

    June 15, 2012 at 11:57 am

    I assume that each of these little containers INSIDE the lunch box have tops as well so that it all does not get mixed up….cause I know my little girl would throw around her lunch box and this would be a complete mess when it’s time to eat of they don’t have tops…..hahah

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 15, 2012 at 6:21 pm

      Hi Susan! Yes, you can find this LaptopLunch over in our store. http://www.MOMables.com/store. It does have lids. :)

      Reply
  4. Erin

    June 14, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    That looks so much better than the boxed stuff! Do you have a recipe for the cheese dip?

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 14, 2012 at 5:30 pm

      The cheese dip recipe is coming soon…. stay tuned! :)

      Reply
  5. NIkky

    June 14, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    Hi
    Great Lunch but how do you make your own Cheese Dip, Thanks again Nikky

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 14, 2012 at 5:31 pm

      Nikky, the cheese dip recipe is coming soon…

      Reply
      • Nikky

        June 18, 2012 at 7:34 pm

        Hi
        Was just checking to see if Cheese Dip Recipe available
        Thanks Again

        Reply
        • Laura

          June 19, 2012 at 11:51 am

          It will be soon….

          Reply
  6. Jennifer

    June 14, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    How did you make your cheese dip?

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 14, 2012 at 5:32 pm

      Jennifer, the cheese dip recipe is coming soon….

      Reply
  7. Ashlyn

    June 14, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I will take the Momables lunch to go! You do mail those, right?! LOL ;) You’re meals always look great. Thanks for another idea to pack for my boys. :)

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 14, 2012 at 1:37 pm

      my pleasure. Thank you Ashlyn! We will keep them coming… and remember… if you need someone to help you plan and put it together… you now have us!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Laura! I help you make healthy lunches and meals your kids will love, with simple and tasty recipes.

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