This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.
Turn leftover meatballs into an easy school lunch with these meatball skewers. Here, you’ll learn how to pack them warm in a thermos or at room temperature so they’re ready to enjoy at lunchtime.
Meatballs Packed for School Lunch
When I have leftover meatballs from dinner, either homemade or frozen, this is one of those hot lunches that comes together with almost no effort. I usually pack them in a thermos along with a fork, but when my son was young, I’d send some bento skewers to make this lunch a little more fun.
School Lunch with Meatball Skewers
Do you need a non-sandwich lunch to add variety? I’ve got you covered. This meatball skewers lunch is an easy meal to make the most of leftovers while kids enjoy eating them!
Build this epic school lunch idea using frozen or leftover meatballs from dinner, tomato sauce, and bread. While the skewers add a little fun to the lunchbox, you can totally omit them and pack a meatballs & rice lunch bento instead.
Warm or cold? It’s up to you. You can pack this lunch in a thermos for a hot lunch or in a lunch container since many kids eat these at room temperature. Want to enjoy this lunch at home? Turn it into a meatball sub!
What you need
You just need three healthy staples to make this delicious meatball skewers lunch come true:
- Meatballs: use leftover meatballs from dinner or frozen.
- Tomato sauce: your favorite. My hidden veggie tomato sauce is a terrific option!
- Bread: toasted bread slices, a bread roll, or crackers; whatever you have on hand for dipping!
Packing it for Lunch
Packing It for Lunch
- Make the lunch
Warm the meatballs and tomato sauce until piping hot if you’re packing them in a thermos, or leave them at room temperature if that’s how they’ll be enjoyed. Toast the bread for dipping. - Make it better
Once cooled, pack the toasted bread in its own compartment or container so it stays crisp and doesn’t soak up the sauce before lunchtime. - Pack it for lunch
For a hot lunch, transfer the hot meatballs and sauce to a preheated thermos. For a room-temperature lunch, add them in a leak-proof lunch container. Add the toasted bread, fruit, and veggies, then pack everything inside a lunch bag.
Laura’s School Lunch Packing Tips
No. The skewers simply make lunch more fun to eat, especially when sent at room temperature in a regular lunchbox. You can pack the meatballs directly in the lunch container with a fork, and they’ll be just as delicious.
Absolutely. Frozen meatballs make this one of the easiest lunches to pack. Just heat them with the sauce before packing them in the thermos or lunch container.
Yes! I often pack leftover chicken meatballs, sweet and sour meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, even my meatless oat meatballs for my kids’ lunch!
Pack the toasted bread in a separate compartment or container so it stays crisp until it’s time to dip it in the sauce.
More Ways to Make Lunch Easier
If you’re using leftovers to make lunch, here are a few more ideas you’ll want to keep in your rotation:
Meatball Skewers Lunch
Ingredients
- 4 cooked meatballs
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- 4 toasted baguette slices
- Fruit & veggies, for serving
Instructions
Make the Lunch
- If packing the lunch warm, preheat a thermos with hot water for 5 minutes.
- Warm the meatballs and tomato sauce until piping hot.
Pack for Lunch
- For a hot lunch, empty the thermos and immediately fill it with the hot meatballs and sauce.
- For a room-temperature lunch, place the meatballs in a leak-proof lunch container or compartment.
- Pack the toasted bread separately, then add fruit, veggies, and silverware before placing everything inside a lunch bag.
Notes
- Frozen and leftover meatballs both work great.
- Skewers are optional but make lunch more fun.
- Pack the bread separately so it stays crisp for dipping.
Nicole says
My kids love meatballs so I tried this skewers for lunch and guess what? It was a HUGE hit!!! Thanks for the idea!
Narissa says
The first time I packed it cold, my son didn’t like it. I tried again with a thermos, and he was over the moon about it. Thanks Laura!
Klara says
My kids LOVE meatballs and always begging me to pack some for lunch. I tried to find some tips on the internet on how to do that exactly, without leaks and all your tips worked! Thank you!