Each September, I hear the same thing from many parents, and it starts something like this: “Thank goodness school is back in session!” quickly followed by “Only 572 school lunches left to make”.
Do.Not.Fret. I am here to help! I have teamed up with Stop & Shop to share tips, and a recipe to help you feel less frazzled about what to pack for school lunches.
Like most of you, I start at the grocery store. My favorite local grocery store is Stop & Shop in Westerly, R.I., and I am a huge fan of their own line of organic and natural foods, called Nature’s Promise.
Stop & Shop has everything I need to make quick, easy, and budget-friendly school lunches (The everyday, and sale, prices on all their foods they carry are truly affordable). In addition, they carry a wide variety of gluten free, and foods for those with allergy sensitivities.
But before I give you my nine (yes, 9!) tried and true school lunch tips, tricks and ideas, I want to share a few survey results that Stop & Shop shared with me:
50% of kids selected that they wish they had more lunchbox meal options and a larger variety -> gotcha covered!
14% of kids wish they had healthier lunchbox meal options -> oh, I have ideas for that too – just look at the photos!
69% percent of kids in New England bring their lunch to school at least a few times a week and 27% reporting that they bring their lunch every day -> that is a lot of lunches to compose, so read below!
9 Creative Lunch Box Ideas:
- You do not need to plan five school lunches per week: That’s right, plan three and get creative with the rest. Did you buy sliced turkey for a sandwich? How about using it two days later by making turkey and cheese cracker stacks? Have leftover chicken? No problem, toss some on a salad or make a quesadilla.
- Go vegetarian some days: Every day does not mean a main meat or poultry. Try packing boiled eggs, potatoes, yogurt drinks, granola, a salad wrap or muffins.
- Make it mini: Try mini egg cups, mini pizzas, mini bagels, mini muffins, mini cheese cuts, mini tomatoes, mini pretzels, etc.
- Kids can make their lunch: Depending on their age, you can give them your school lunch rules, and let them pack their own lunch.
- Prep and pack the night before: When I tell this to my friends, I can see a light bulb go off over their head.
- Lunch does not always = sandwich: Think outside the box. You do not need one main dish or component, but instead do a handful of items: a fruit, vegetable, protein, how about a soup or even leftovers from dinner?
- Dive into dips: Kids love dips, so take advantage and pack a side with veggies! Some favorites include ranch, hummus, yogurt, pesto, BBQ sauce, non-nut butters, and more!
- Take short-cuts: Premade salads, rotisserie chicken, premade sushi, wraps.
- Some like it hot: Hot dogs, soup, noodles, mac-n-cheese, slices of lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, or leftovers.
Easy Meatball Sliders
Now onto the recipe you’ve been drooling over since you read the title of this post: Quinoa Meatball Lunch Box Sliders. You can serve these over spaghetti for dinner and then, two days later, pack them lunch with fresh rolls. Depending on the age of your child, you may wish to cut these in half to make it easier for them to eat – pack a spoon for scooping!
Ingredients*:
1 cup panko bread crumbs (nature’s promise has a gluten free version)
1/4 cup milk
1 lb. ground beef
½ cup cooked quinoa
1/3 cup sweet onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 large egg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 pepper
Fresh rolls
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine bread crumbs and milk in a bowl, mix and set aside for 5 minutes.
2. In a separate large bowl, combine the quinoa, ground beef, onions, garlic, parsley, egg, salt, pepper, and breadcrumb mixture.
3. Form the beef mixture into balls (each using about 1.5 tablespoons of mixture); arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with unbleached parchment paper.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Pack these in an insulated jar to keep warm.
*All of the ingredients can be found at Stop & Shop, and most in the Nature’s Promise line.
Disclosure: Stop & Shop compensated me for my time and efforts. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer says
Thank you Chellie – hope the family is doing well.
Art from my Table says
This looks like the perfect packed lunch! Finding something besides a boring sandwich can get hard!
Carolyn Ingram says
Great ideas!!!
Cecilia says
It’s so bento box-ready! Love the ideas you shared.
Nichole says
Thanks for the great healthy lunch ideas!
Jennifer says
You must try – it isn’t particularly tasty on its own, but it also does not add harsh or strong flavors to anything. Seeing it is a complete protein, you need to start mixing it into other foods 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Easy to prepare and healthy lunch options!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Jonna says
I’m always looking for outside the sandwich lunch ideas. These are GREAT to add to our options. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
These all look like great alternatives to your normal every day “school lunch!” I would love to give some of these a try for my kids! Heck I want these for lunch myself.
Keikilani says
I am always looking for new lunch ideas for myself and the kids! Love your ideas.
Gingermommy says
These are amazing lunch box ideas. I love the idea of the quinoa meatball sliders. I am sure that my kids would love something different like this in their lunch boxes.
Megan says
Thanks for the lunch box ideas! It’s hard to get creative some days!
Hali says
This looks delicious and healthy! Great recipe.
Liz Mays says
I’m definitely liking the lunch ideas. I need to start changing thing sup more often. The sliders rock!
Sinisa says
Very cool tips. The recipe looks great. Will try it out
Kathy says
I love all of these ideas. School lunches are so important. My girls normally eat school lunch, but on occasion they’ll bring their own lunch.
krystal says
Beautiful pictures! You make school lunches look good. I love the quinoa idea.
Randi says
Those sliders sound delicious and a great change from the regular lunchbox fare. I’ll have to try your recipe!
Lisa Bristol says
I am always looking for new lunch ideas. I will have to check out Nature’s Promise products. It can be hard to find good quality gluten free products that the kids like.
Connie says
Love your ideas. I often get in a rut when it comes to packing lunches. These ideas will help me to switch things up.
Kristen Chidsey says
Oh I can’t wait to look for these products! I love the quality of ingredients they are made with.
Dawn Nieves says
These lunches look so yummy. Making lunch can be hard because my oldest is a picky eater, but these are things he’d love!
Kami says
Wow! I need you to make my lunches…never mind my kids! I sometimes struggle with sending my son with the same boring lunches again and again. These are great tips!!
Melissa Chapman says
I predict that your kids are the only ones bringing quinoa meatballs to school. I think it is a great meal but.too good to bring as a lunch.
Jeni Hawkins says
I’ve never had Quinoa before, but those meatballs look amazing! what a fun lunch!
Colleen Lanin says
I LOVE those lunch kits! This will make lunch time so much more fun for the kids.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
These are such great ideas! My kids will be so glad not to have another PB&J again.
Jeanette says
I always looking for creative ways to put new stuff in my kiddos lunch. He gets very bored with sandwiches so I’m always on the hunt looking for new stuff.