Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids

Shila:  Serve quesadillas to win lunch at home! Kids love melted cheese in a grilled tortilla. And to perhaps pack in a greater protein punch, throw in any leftover meats to the mix. For example shredded chicken or steak.

Shila:  The assembly effort of making nachos is quite simple! Just throw down a plate of tortilla chips or baked pita, and sprinkle it with toppings of your choice. Shredded cheese, of course, along with any leftover chicken or steak, beans, etc. After you warm this up in the microwave for a minute, consider a dollop of sour cream, avocado, salsa, etc.

Shila:  This cold pasta salad uses any pasta you have in your home, thrown together with a little bit of butter and any leftover veggies or cut-up deli meats you have on hand (i.e., salami, edamame, corn, beans, etc.). The most "fun" pasta to use for kids are the ones with shapes, like wagon wheels or shells!

Alexandra F.:  Even at fancy restaurants with steak on the kids menu, my kids will often opt for simple buttered noodles. They especially like wheel, shell or macaroni pasta, and we’ve found that we like it best using salted butter (though adding a pinch of salt separately is yummy, too).

Alexandra F.:  The king of all sandwiches! Some cheddar or American cheese between two pieces of bread, buttered and grilled on the stovetop to golden perfection. Delicious as is, though you can always add extra fillings for adults or more adventurous young eaters (leftover pulled pork is a favorite in our house). Try it with the Sara Lee Artesano sliced bread - it really takes grilled cheese to the next level.

Shila:  From shells and cheese to organic versions, macaroni and cheese pleases so many kids! Add toppings or leftovers to the mix for an extra kick of variety. I like to buy the individual cups that you can microwave faster, too.

Shila:  Chicken tenders are great lunch option for kids! Plus, you can save any leftovers for the next time. Chicken tenders also come in organic and even gluten-free options.

Judi Tschappat:  I love it for my kids because it uses ground turkey and vegetables (for the win) and takes me less time than putting together sandwiches. 10 minutes or less!!

From Wholesomeyum

Shila:  If restaurants have this on their lunch menu, I can too at home. And like these restaurants, we also add healthy toppings like oats, fruits (blackberries, raspberries), chopped nuts, and even a drizzle of chocolate or jam. Greek yogurt actually has a ton of protein in it, so this "parfait hack" can be filling for kids.

Shila:  I like to buy fresh, cooked meatballs from the deli counter. They can stay in the fridge for about a week. For lunch, we serve them with a side of cottage cheese.

Shila:  As your main lunch "entree," spread out an assortment of cheeses and crackers for the kids to assemble on their own. Add some deli meat to top for added protein. Serve alongside some fruit, nuts, veggies, and call it a light lunch!

Shila:  Toast up some bread and spread an avocado over the top for a classy and healthy lunch entree. We love to poach an egg on top, too!

Shila:  Using all the same ingredients (chicken, fruit, cheese) that you may throw down on a plate, instead, skewer them up and serve. For some reason, kids just like to eat with swords!

Shila:  Also a healthy after school snack idea, slice some ripe bananas into pieces. Roll the pieces in a bowl of slightly warmed Nutella, and then again over crushed nuts. Kids can eat these pieces as "sushi."

Shila:  Throw in frozen pizza for lunch! If you want, too, you can hack a simple cheese pizza and have the kids add their own veggie toppings before it hits the oven. Some kids may be more prone to eating said veggies if they had a hand in preparing the meal.