Budget-Friendly School Lunches
A collection of delicious, nutritious, and budget-friendly school lunch ideas that kids will actually eat, including DIY Lunchables, pasta salad, wraps, and bento boxes.
Ingredients
Grains
- 2 cups Rice Cooked
- 8 slices Whole grain bread
- 4 pieces Tortillas
- 2 cups Pasta Cooked
Proteins
- 1 can Canned beans Drained and rinsed
- 4 pieces Hard-boiled eggs Peeled
- 1 cup Cooked chicken Shredded or chopped
- 0.5 cups Nut butters Peanut or almond butter
Veggies
- 2 cups Carrots Sliced
- 1 cup Cucumber Sliced
- 1 cup Bell peppers Sliced
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes Halved
Fruits
- 4 pieces Bananas
- 4 pieces Apples
- 4 pieces Oranges
Dairy
- 4 sticks Cheese sticks
- 2 cups Yogurt Preferably low sugar
Extras
- 1 cup Hummus For dipping
- 4 pieces Granola bars Individually wrapped
- 2 cups Popcorn Air-popped preferred
Instructions
Preparation
- Plan your week by deciding on lunch options, ensuring a variety of textures and flavors.
- Shop for versatile ingredients to use across multiple meals.
- Prep ingredients in batches by washing, chopping, and cooking on weekends.
- Pack lunches efficiently in containers easy for kids to open.
Lunch Ideas
- Make DIY Lunchables with whole grain crackers, cheese, deli meat, and fresh fruit.
- Prepare pasta salad with cooked pasta, diced veggies, and a simple vinaigrette.
- Create wraps using tortillas filled with turkey, veggies, or hummus.
- Use a bento box to pack a variety of small portions of different foods.
- Prepare meals like chili or stir-fry in bulk and freeze for easy reheating.
Notes
Get kids involved in lunch preparation to increase their interest in eating the meals. Rotate recipes for variety and incorporate leftovers creatively.