It’s almost back-to-school time, and that means new backpacks and fresh packs of paper. It also means that mom and dad have to figure out what to pack for lunch everyday. We’ve taken some of the thinking out of your planning with some creative (and tasty!) ideas that travel well in lunch boxes and bags.
Muffin-Tin Spaghetti Nests
Using a fresh batch of spaghetti or using up leftovers, this tasty dish is an easy way to make sure the kids have a healthy lunch. If you’re looking for a way to add more veggies, you can throw in chopped broccoli, mushrooms, or whatever veggie your kid happens to be into at the moment.
Spray a muffin tin with canola oil or non-stick spray. Mix 3 cups of leftover spaghetti with 1 whisked egg. Distribute evenly into a muffin tin and top with your favorite cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and slightly golden brown. That’s it.
Get Creative
Sometimes you just want to do something extra special–or maybe you’re trying desperately to get your little one interested in eating real food. Presentation can be everything. Your kids will light up when they open up their lunchbox and see their favorite animals and characters. A cookie cutter comes in really handy for complicated shapes, but most of this can be done with a sharp knife and a big imagination.
Lunch Kebabs
This great lunch idea is essentially a deconstructed sandwich on a stick. Take advantage of the assortment of fine deli cuts in our Lunch Box Package and simply alternate cubes of bread with folded slices of your child’s favorite deli meat, cubed cheese, lettuce and their favorite fruits or veggies. For especially little ones, you can leave the skewers out.
Chicken & Veggie Skewers
Chicken and vegetables skewers can be fun. They are not only fun for the kids to eat, but they are even more fun for them to help you make. Healthy and balanced, these skewers will definitely be a hit with the kids, both at home and at school. They are great on their own or you can add a side like coleslaw or a small serving of pasta.
Mini Sandwich Wraps
Healthy and easy peasy as it gets. Fill your favorite sandwich wrap with yummy meats, cheeses, and veggies. Then add an apple or grapes. The best thing about wraps is that they don’t take a lot of time to prepare, and they don’t require a knife and fork.
