November 11, 2014
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Need to put that leftover pasta to use? This pizza pasta salad for kids is an easy school lunch idea you can prepare ahead and keep on hand for a simple lunch idea.
This lunch comes together in minutes, and if you plan ahead it can be entirely made using leftovers from pizza night and cooked pasta!
By now, I’m entering pro status at storing leftovers and reusing them in other delicious recipes, so my husband and my picky eaters feel like they are getting an entirely new meal, enter: Pizza Pasta Salad.
Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad
Pizza is a household favorite, so it’s no wonder my kids love this pasta salad lunch. Check out this video to see how it’s made.
How easy is that? Add your cooked pasta to a bowl, toss in your favorite pizza toppings, a drizzle of vinaigrette or marinara sauce, toss to combine, and it’s ready!
Repurposing pizza toppings and cooked pasta, helps to save time and minimizing waste. It’s also a meal that’s a winner with picky eaters.
I’ve learned by using ingredients that my kids are fond of, like pepperoni pizza toppings, in new recipes, helps them be more open to trying new dishes and discovering new favorites.
This recipe can also be found in my collection of lunch ideas for picky eaters. Each lunch idea is a version of kid-friendly meals that have a variety of foods, from whole grains to lean proteins and veggies.
Packing Pasta Salad for a School Lunch
While I like serving pasta salad at room temperature for BBQ’s and grilling parties, I prefer to pack it chilled for the lunchbox.
You can do this by packing the salad in a lunch container and adding a freeze pack to the lunch bag, or using a chilled thermos container. This way it will stay fresh and you won’t have to worry about it spoiling before lunch.
At least this recipe doesn’t require reheating, which is a plus if your child is going on a field trip or the school cafeteria doesn’t have a microwave. I have several cold lunch ideas like more pasta salads, wraps, and bento lunches that are great for both cases.
Hungry for more lunches kids will love? I have 100 more ideas in my ebook, 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!
More Pasta Salad Ideas for Kids
Pasta salad is just one of my kids’ favorite lunches, and I love that it can be prepped ahead and still taste good 2 days later. Here are some more ideas you’re family is going to love!
- Cobb Pasta Salad– a favorite!
- Jambalaya Pasta Salad
- Summer Pasta Salad
Related: Top 5 Lunchboxes We’ve Tested
Pizza Pasta Salad for Kids
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta we used whole-wheat
- 2- ounces mozzarella cheese sliced
- ½ cup broccoli florets chopped
- 8 slices nitrate-free pepperoni quartered
- ¼ cup black olives sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 tablespoons Italian dressing or plain olive oil
- Salt & black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cheese, broccoli, pepperoni, black olives, tomatoes, dressing, salt, and black pepper. Toss to combine.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days or pack inside a lunch container.
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