Creative School Lunch Cooking Guide

During the school year, weeknights get hectic — so make mid-day meal planning easy. This year, send your child to school with a tasty meal that's healthy, too! Jazz up ordinary lunch staples with our creative ideas.

Sandwiches
Hot thermos food
Tasty side dishes
Sweet treats
Packed lunch essentials

Sandwiches

Easy to make and transport, sandwiches make a perfect lunch. Getting tired of the old peanut-butter-and-jelly routine? Make a change and try one of these recipes — or incorporate your favorite sandwich ingredients — to make lunchtime more fun!

Have leftover chicken from the night before? Put it to use and make some simple Cheesy Chicken Salad Wraps.
Pizza Roll-Ups, made on whole-wheat tortillas, offer a healthier and more portable alternative to the beloved cheesy slices. Experiment with your child's favorite pizza toppings, or add more vegetables to the sandwiches to give them an extra nutrition boost.
Delicious doesn't have to mean complicated and time-consuming. This Crunchy Tuna Salad Sandwich will take you just 10 minutes to prepare, but is sure to satisfy long after lunchtime is over. Switch things up a bit by trying out different breads and adding in some lettuce or spinach for crunch.
Next time you make a turkey sandwich, reach for a flour tortilla instead of bread and make this Turkey Wrap-Up. Wraps pack well, are easy to eat and aren't messy, making them great options for younger kids.

Hot thermos food

On a chilly or rainy day, nothing is more welcoming than a bowl of warm soup. Heat one of these soups right before you pour it into the thermos, and treat your child to warm soup for lunch.

Savory and comforting, the grated Pecorino Romano cheese makes this Chicken Vegetable Soup extra special — and a must for rainy days.
Have a picky eater on your hands? With just a few basic ingredients, Chicken Rice Soup is simple, yet appetizing.
You can never go wrong with a hearty Three Bean Chili! The beans have plenty of protein, which will keep your child energetic and attentive in class throughout the afternoon. Add some grated cheddar cheese on top and crackers on the side to make this lunch even tastier.

Tasty side dishes

It's the little things that matter. Make these as a side to a sandwich — or pack a few sides as main courses for a truly exciting lunch.

A welcome addition to any meal, the classic Veggie Pasta Salad packs lots of vitamins from garden vegetables — and stores well in the fridge. Make quick work of lunch prep, and make enough to last you for a few lunches.
Make a more substantial salad, like this Garden Chicken Pasta Salad and serve it with a lighter sandwich — or on a bed of lettuce to make a great meal.
Finger food is always fun! Cut up some fresh veggies like carrots, celery and cucumbers, and serve them with some hummus or an Herb Dip. The scrumptious dip is a good way to encourage your child to eat vegetables.
If your child is veggie-shy, cut up his or her favorite fruit and serve with this yummy Tropical Fruit Dip.
My Favorite Fruit Salad makes a scrumptious side or sweet treat. Get creative and try new fruits or yogurt flavors.

Sweet treats

A tasty lunch provides a welcome mid-day break, but what makes the meal truly unique is that special sweet treat hiding at the bottom of a lunch box. Make some of these sweet treats on the weekend and keep them in an air-tight container so they stay fresh for the week.

These No-Bake Cookies are not just fun to eat — they're also fun to make. Get your child involved by asking him or her to help you crush the graham crackers and shape the cookies.
Who doesn't love a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich? Make an ordinary sandwich into dessert by cutting it into fun shapes, and surprise your little one with these Fun Finger Sandwiches.
The fudgy goodness of a brownie tastes delicious with healthy beverages like milk and juice. Making BAKER'S^® One Bowl Brownies won't take precious time if you're using prepared mix.
Cereal isn't just for breakfast. Create one of these delicious Cereal Snacks and Treats for dessert, and use whole-grain cereal to keep these sweet goodies healthy.
Oatmeal raisin cookies taste delightful anytime, but add some chocolate and enjoy a truly delectable experience. This Chocolate Bliss Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe makes plenty for lunch — and for you, too!

Packed lunch essentials

At the start of each week, make sure you are well stocked on these lunchtime staples:

Bottled water and juice provide healthier alternatives to soda — and will keep your child better hydrated!
Granola bars make a quick and easy addition to a meal, and serve double-duty at snacktime.
Fruits and vegetables are easy to transport, and provide vital nutrients at every meal. Purchase seasonal produce weekly at your local Giant Eagle^®.
Stock up on lunch supplies, such as an insulated lunch bag for cold foods, a thermos for warm meals and re-usable plastic containers in assorted sizes.