A lot of people are starting to think about what to stick in their kids' lunches for this next school year. While I don't send my children to school, I still make sure that I have food for lunches that they are able to handle on their own. Other than the typical leftovers from dinner or that kid-friendly peanut butter and jelly sandwich, here is a list of lunch ideas that I have done for my family so that we don't get bored with the same old thing day after day!
Fried egg sandwiches
Mini homemade pizzas
Egg salad sandwiches
Chicken/Tuna salad sandwiches
Homemade pita bread stuffed with any number of things (esp. homemade chicken salad! Yum!)
Salad with grilled chicken
Hot Dogs/Coneys
Grilled cheese sandwiches
Chili beans, toss some cheese, salsa and tortilla chips and you got nachos
Make up a bunch of meatballs and freeze. Get some hoagie rolls and spaghetti sauce and make meatball subs.
Make up a bunch of spaghetti and let them have at it.
Egg burritos
Salad with a bit of chicken chunks and boiled eggs
Homemade tortillas throw in some chili
Leftover pasta with whatever. I've thrown leftover pasta and chicken together. Add chopped veggies or have them on the side, drizzle with a vinagriette.
Veggie Chicken noodle soup(leftover chicken and veggies with pasta and broth)
French toast and fruit
Pancakes and fruit
Bean and cheese burritos
Chicken quesadillas(cut up leftover chicken, add salsa or taco sauce to it, put on one side of a tortilla shell top with cheese, fold over tortilla shell, melt some butter or use olive oil in a hot skillet then put quesadilla in the skillet and lightly brown both sides)
Cheese quesadillas
Baked potatoes with leftover chili or taco meat
I hope that this inspires you to think outside that same old lunchbox and try something different for a change!
As for those nagging questions about packing and keeping things fresh, here is what I do:
Since I homeschooling my children right now, I only have to worry about packing hubby's lunch. However, should I get into a position where I am having to make "bag lunches" for my kids to take to school. Most of the items, I can make a day ahead. For the egg/chicken/tuna salad sandwiches, I would make the filling and put into a small container and then put the bread in a separate baggie and make sure that I included a plastic fork or spoon for them to make their own sandwich at lunch time so the bread doesn't get soggy. I just wrap most of my sandwiches, mini pizzas, or wraps in plastic wrap or put in a plastic baggie and stick in the fridge til I pack the lunch. Then I also have small little blue ice packs that I put in my hubby's lunch every day to keep the food cold and fresh.**
This post is linked at:
- Recipe Swap at The Grocery Challenge!
