back to school lunchbox ideas

BACK TO SCHOOL Lunchbox Meal Ideas!

By Last Updated

Hey bestie! I’m Jenny, lunchbox mom on Instagram and Facebook. Whether it’s a workweek lunch for yourself or your school lunch for your kiddos, I’m here to help!  As we get ready to head back to school, I’m sharing some easy lunchbox meal ideas, delicious recipes, and packing tips.

Lunchbox Food Prep Tips

Packing a nutritious and delicious lunch every day can feel like a daunting task. But with a little planning and preparation, you can transform lunch from a dreaded chore into a meal to look forward to. This section offers practical tips and tricks to help you streamline your lunchbox meal prep, save time, and ensure your loved ones are fueled for the day ahead.

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  • Batch cook chicken in your crockpot (2-4 chicken breasts) season to your liking, set on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours and forget about it. Let it cool and shred. Use the chicken in rice bowls, wraps, pasta, salads and sandwiches.
  • Cut up extra veggies for the lunchbox while you’re cooking dinner. Line storage containers with paper towel and secure with airtight lids. 
  • Pre-make rice and pasta. When you are ready to use, add a few drops of water or broth to rice. Add pasta sauce for the pasta to reheat and warm all the way through. If you eat the pasta cold in a salad, stir in Italian dressing before adding other ingredients.

homemade Lunchables

Why We Love Lunchables

  • Meat, cheese, crackers, and a treat – so easy and the possibilities are endless!
  • The variety is great for picky eaters.
  • They’re also easy to get down in the time kids have to eat lunch. Remember they have 30 minutes at most including getting to lunch and back to class.

Leftovers and Hot Lunches

  • Invest in a good thermos. At least 12 ounces. Preheat your thermos with boiling hot water before adding your hot food so that it stays warm.
  • Send dinner leftovers. Rice and pasta can be made ahead, they reheat beautifully and stay warm until lunchtime.
  • I always say a hot lunch from home is like a warm hug. It’ll make their day!

Salad Lovers

  • Get a salad bowl with a toppings compartment. (Linked on my Instagram page.)These are so cool and they keep all your ingredients fresh until you’re ready to eat.
  • These work great for pasta salads and sides too.
  • You’ll love the little dressing container for the perfect amount of dressing or to stash some chocolate!

tips for packing salads for back to school lunches

Sandwich Packing Tips

  • If they love it and ask for the same thing every day, send it. Familiar foods can help kids settle back into routine.
  • If you send sandwiches because it’s easy for you, change up the bread so your kid doesn’t get bored of them. Use bagels, English muffins or croissants for something different.
  • Keep them simple. If you have to send dressing, pack it on the side. (Those to go packets from Chik-fil-a come in handy!)
  • If they like tomatoes, pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the sandwich.
  • Add lettuce to the top so it touches the bread. Lettuce will keep the bread from getting soggy.

HOT Lunchbox Meal Idea: Bison Bowl

(All Ingredients available at Walmart or Publix)

Bison Bowl

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground bison
  • 3-4 tbsp of Sazón Completa
  • 1/2 cup of Japanese BBQ sauce

Toppings:

  • 1/4 cup of shredded carrot
  • 2 tbs Furikaki seasoning
  • Drizzle of chili oil

Directions:

  • Preheat pan to medium-high heat.
  • Add ground bison.
  • As it cooks through, break it up with a cooking spoon or spatula.
  • Add seasoning and mix well to combine.
  • Add BBQ sauce and cover.
  • Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  • Serve with white rice.

NO COOK Lunchbox Idea: Yogurt Bowl

Tip: Chill your thermos in the fridge overnight.

yogurt bowl for back to school lunch

  • Add Greek vanilla yogurt to the thermos.
  • In a small lunchbox or compartment snack box, pack granola, berries and chocolate chips.
  • Send ice packs in the lunch bag and they’ll have a yummy and refreshing high protein lunch

For even more lunchbox meal ideas, tutorial videos, and links to these lunchboxes,  join me on Instagram and Facebook at @LunchBoxMafia Wishing you the very best back to school season, Jenny xoxo

Originally published in the August 2024 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.