41 School Lunch Ideas That Deserve an A++
Packing school lunches five days a week is the ultimate test of emotional resilience. You think you have a great idea; you send the kiddos off to the bus stop…and the sandwich comes back half-eaten—or worse, traded for a Twinkie. Luckily, we have a batch of school lunch ideas that won’t leave you resorting to too many packets of Goldfish crackers and fruit gummies. Think make-ahead quesadillas, cold noodles, freezer-friendly handhelds, and plenty of snacks and treats to round out the lunch box.
Some, like our miso-spiked take on PB&J and canned-tuna onigiri, take familiar lunch staples in a new direction. Others, including Jamaican beef patties and chicken quesadillas, can be prepped ahead so weekday mornings require little more than packing and going. Whether you’re looking for kids’ lunch ideas that can be eaten cold, leftovers that travel well, or something besides another sandwich, you’ve got options below.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon2/41Crispy Chicken Quesadillas
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Suzie Myers4/41Spicy Tuna Mayo Onigiri
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley6/41Kale and Cheddar Gözleme
Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Christina Allen8/41Samosa-dillas With Cucumber Salad
Photograph by Peden + Munk, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen, Prop Styling by Ceci Garcia10/41Paneer Kathi Rolls
Photo by Alex Lau13/41Green Goddess Crunch Sandwich
Creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, lettuce, sprouts, and an herby green goddess spread make this vegetarian sandwich recipe substantial and satisfying. Assemble it the morning of and use sturdy bread to help it hold until lunch.
Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou15/41Easy Peanut Noodles
These slurpable noodles turn pantry staples—peanut butter, dried noodles, soy sauce, and vinegar—into a quick, satisfying lunch. If your school is peanut-free, swap in sunflower butter or chickpea butter.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness16/41Olive Bar Pasta Salad
19/41Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice
Leftover rice gets a school lunch second act with broccoli, eggs, ginger, and garlic. Make a big batch for dinner and portion the extras into lunches for later in the week.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Christine Keely20/41No-Mayo Tuna Salad
Photo by TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou22/41Chicken and Cucumber Rice Bowls
Roast a big batch of chicken thighs, fennel, and scallions for dinner, then turn the leftovers into lunch with rice, crunchy cucumbers, and a bright, gingery sauce.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Gerri Williams25/41Lentil Soup With Greens and Rice
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams27/41Sheet-Pan Pepperoni Pasta
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi28/41Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca29/41BBQ Mushroom Pizza
Mozzarella, Gouda, mushrooms, and tangy barbecue sauce make this homemade pizza plenty flavorful even when it isn’t piping hot. Pack leftover slices for a very easy next-day lunch.
PHOTO BY CHELSIE CRAIG, FOOD STYLING BY ANNA BILLINGSKOG30/41Sheet Pan Chicken Meatballs With Tomatoes and Chickpeas
Photo by Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling Micah Marie Morton31/41Falafel
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman33/41Cheese-Cracker-Crusted Chicken
Alex Lau34/41Tofu Summer Rolls
This recipe is endlessly adaptable: Use any leftover protein or shred a rotisserie chicken in place of the tofu, and add in whatever crunchy vegetables you’ve got in the produce drawer. Pack the dipping sauce separately to keep lunch neat and easy.
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano. Prop Styling by Maeve Sheridan and Molly Longwell35/41Fully Loaded Carrot Muffins
Photograph by Andrew B. Myers, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness36/41Feta and Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege37/41Tuscan Kale Chips
Low-and-slow baking turns olive-oil-coated kale leaves light and crisp. Pack a handful alongside a favorite sandwich or wrap when the lunch box could use something crunchy.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi38/41Sweet Potato Fries With Sriracha Dip
These baked sweet potato fries make for an exceptionally easy lunch box side. Pack them alongside tofu nuggets, chicken cutlets, or a sandwich to round out the meal.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca39/41Spiced Marshmallow Popcorn Bars
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon40/412-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio41/41Strawberry Doughnut Muffins
