Here is a list of 7 main school lunchbox entrees that I actually serve my son (7) and my twin daughters (5) for their school lunch. View my quick tips and some inspiration from other bloggers too.
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1) Pinwheels with Deli Meat and Cheddar Cheese
This inspiration came from Real Mom Nutrition who shares the step by step process. Hers came out far more prettier than mine when I removed them from my oven (see above photo). Use the crescent roll dough that you will roll out on parchment paper on top of a baking sheet. Layer on your preferred deli meat (ham, chicken, or turkey,) and cheese (cheddar, provolone or Swiss cheese) and roll as tight as you can. Gently cut 8 slices. The parchment paper will prevent sticking. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 375°F until golden brown and cheese melty. Remove to a cooling rack or immediately place it in your child’s lunchbox. Leftovers place in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days.
2) Ham Grilled Cheese
Plan accordingly it’s important to watch the time on this one. Bring out your skillet to medium setting or get your panini maker out. I make mine in a skillet or large sauce pan with unsalted butter. I use wheat bread or a white bread then I place the cheddar cheese between two slices of ham. Next, I top it with another slice of bread. Place the sandwich in the skillet with the unsalted butter. Let that butter soak into the bread and flip it when it gets golden brown. Repeat for the next side. I put all three sandwiches in my skillet at the same time. After they are browned, I slice them into triangles and stack them into each of their sandwich boxes.
3) Peanut Butter & Jelly (PB&J) Sandwich
It’s a classic! Experiment with specialty peanut butters and jams. I slice the sandwiches in triangles and place them in the container. Remember ingredients matter. Also, in the frozen food section there are bites and uncrustables that you can throw in that will thaw nicely by the time lunch starts. Visit MommyGoneHealthy for more fun ways to upgrade your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
4) Cold Cuts, Cheese and Crackers
You will need to add your ice pack for this one in the lunchboxes. These cheese boards or charcuterie box or home made lunchables are good for school lunch too! We are not fans of the pastrami, but we roll a few deli meats. Dried fruits, honey roasted nuts, chips, broccoli, snap peas, cucumber slices, carrot slices, grapes, olives and a sliced croissant. Cream cheese, parmesan cheese or your preferred hard cheese.
5) Bagel & Cream Cheese
You will need to add your ice pack for this one in the lunchboxes. I was inspired by Lauren Cobello when she wrote about her children’s favorite foods that they enjoy to eat. The Everything Bagel, Blueberry or Cranberry Bagels can be used in a variety of ways. Cupcake holders come in handy to help with separating foods. Slice your bagels and put your cream cheese in a small plastic container. Pack a plastic spoon or dull spreader to be used to spread the cream cheese on their bagel.
6) Cucumber & Cream Cheese
You will need to add your ice pack for this one in the lunchboxes. If you run out of deli meat or bread this is a good quick fix. 5 cucumber cream cheese sandwiches made without bread.
7) Turkey Wraps
You will need to add your ice pack for this one in the lunchboxes. Spread lightly some avocado or hummus on a wheat tortilla. Then take a leaf of butter lettuce or the sliced deli turkey. Follow that up with cream cheese or cheddar cheese. Layer it with thinly sliced carrots. Fold and roll tightly. Leave whole or slice in half before packing into lunch containers.
What Side Vegetables and Fruits To Pack?
• Watermelon
• Honeydew
• Cantaloupe
• Blueberries
• Mango
• Kiwi
• Cuties
• Banana with skin
• Grapes
• Apple
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Snap peas
What Side Snacks To Pack?
• Artisan crackers
• Organic Chips (Clancy’s Nacho Tortilla Chips)
• Cookies
• Dried Fruit
• Granola Bar
• Z Bar
• Black Forest Fruit Snack
• Box of Raisins
• Mixed fruit cups
What Are Some Additional Preparation Tips?
I use a melon scooper to make the cutest little watermelon balls as a side fruit in a plastic container. Don’t forget to provide a plastic fork for watermelon, honeydew or cantaloupe balls.
Usually, I mix a combination of a PB&J sandwich with one pinwheel which can be eaten right out of the oven or cold. I usually have them warm when they are packed and they are still good to eat by lunch time. Along with 3 sliced carrots, 5 sliced cucumber and 1 to 2 fruits. Keeping things colorful is helpful, but you also want it to be something they will eat too. I throw in a fruit snack or cookies. My kids complain that they would rather have their apples whole, but I have found that when I provide 3 large apple slices it is eaten. Usually, they only eat 1 to 4 bites from the whole apple.
For the deli meat entrees, I include a handful of chips in a ziplock sandwich bag. Along with 3 sliced carrots, fruit medley (watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe). My son would prefer the banana over the melons. For an organic snack, my kids like the Z bar or a snack pack of mini cookies.
Lunchbox Jokes and Notes
On the first day of school, I included a handwritten note in their lunchboxes. However, I did not keep it going after that. I’m all for finding better ways to keep things simple and not to add more mom pressure on myself. So here is something that I found with these digital downloads that you can print from home from the Etsy community. Words of affirmations, lunchbox notes to jokes to include with your child’s lunch.
What Are Some Lunchbox Packing Tips?
It’s important to get the right type of lunch box that is insulated, easy to clean and has good storage space. Find a good spot to insert a plastic fork and/or spoon. Leak proof thermos food jar that can keep food warm up to 6 hours is a good investment (Dinner leftovers like casserole, spaghetti, chicken nuggets or a chicken penne pasta). Stainless water bottles are best to keep your ice cubes and water cold. Add a napkin with your entree plastic container so that they have to move it to get to their food and hopefully they will use it to wipe their face.
What are some of your favorite do’s or recipes that you like to whip up for your kiddos? Please let me know in the comments below.
