- Two to three ounces of meat or cheese
- One or two slices of bread OR 1/2 cup grain or rice
- At least two different fruits or vegetables
- 1 cup milk or 4 ounces dairy product
Lunchbox Recipes
- Tuna Sandwiches
These delicious sandwiches from my cookbook can be made ahead and frozen, then tucked into the lunch box; it will thaw to perfection by lunch time. - Chicken Pesto Croissant Sandwiches
This four ingredient recipe is super easy to make, and the flavors are very appealing. - Franks 'n Bean Soup
Kids think it's hard to beat this soup; pack a small container full of cheese for your child to sprinkle on top of the soup before they eat. - Turkey Hummus Sandwiches
Prepared hummus is a great timesaver, but you can also make your own to use in these easy sandwiches. - Mini Hero Sandwiches
Remember that you can create sandwiches to your child's tastes. If he or she doesn't like mustard, leave it out! - Cannellini Bean Spread Wraps
This spread is milder than Hummus, and also freezes beautifully. Make a bunch and you'll be able to slip one into the lunch box once a week. - Tomato Tortellini Soup
Kids love to be creative with their food; package the cheese separately so they can sprinkle it on the soup themselves, or think about packing shredded veggies they could use in the same way. - Turkey Cobb Wrap Sandwiches
These delicious sandwiches can be made with small tortillas, or cut the wrap into thirds so it's easier to eat. - Chilled Cucumber Soup
Hey, there have to be some children out there who would like this soup! Aren't there? It's smooth, suave, and cool, just like your teenager. - Sour Cream Pesto Dip
Place this easy and savory dip in the lunch box along with baby carrots and tiny celery sticks and your kid will have a party! - Parmesan Tuna Sandwiches
Put this sandwich spread in a container, then slice a few mini whole wheat sandwich buns. Let your kids assemble their own fabulous sandwiches! - Salmon Cucumber Sandwiches
Again, if cucumbers aren't a favorite at your house, leave them out and use chopped celery or shredded carrot. - Crisp Tuna Salad
Canned potato sticks are the 'crisp' in this easy salad. You could also use fried chow mein noodles, or peanuts. - Chicken Chowder
If your children like chicken, corn, and potatoes, they will like this soup! - Chicken Santa Fe Soup
You can also make this delicious soup ahead of time and freeze it, then reheat and pour into warmed thermoses for a cold day. - Creamy Fruit Pasta Salad
This three ingredient recipe is so quick and easy, and very delicious. - Waldorf Chicken Salad Sandwich
Pack the four ingredients for this sandwich separately and let your child assemble it himself. - Updated Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Carrots, sunflower seeds, and currants update regular peanut butter; use one or all three! - Bologna Slaw Wrap Sandwiches
I love using flour tortillas for just about any sandwich filling; it holds together so well and tastes wonderful. - Shrimp Salad Sandwiches
Boy, I would have gobbled these down if they had been in my lunch box! For kids, I'd leave out the cabbage and add a few more shrimp. - Chewy Picnic Bars
Boy, these are good bar cookies! If your child doesn't like raisins, nuts, or coconut, leave them out and substitute chocolate chips. - Oatmeal Cookies
I love this recipe for oatmeal cookies; it's chewy, crunchy, and delicious. - Chewy Cereal Bars
There's no candy bar in the world better than this bar cookie. And you can make it healthy (well, healthier) by adding wholesome ingredients like raisins. - Applesauce Granola Cookies
These cookies just say 'fall' to me. I love the combination of sweet applesauce and crunchy granola. - Crisp Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut butter cookies are made even better with crisp rice cereal and chocolate chips. Yum. - Peanut Blossoms
For a real treat, pack these classic and delicious peanut and chocolate cookies. - Snickerdoodles
This classic cookie, rolled in sugar and cinnamon before baking, is a perfect lunchbox treat. - Apricot Banana Bars
Yes, a bar cookie can be healthy too! But don't tell your kids!
When you are planning brown bag school lunches, one way to save time is to plan a whole week of lunches when you do your grocery shopping. Some fruits may need that extra time to ripen in a closed paper bag on the counter.
You can make sandwiches for school lunches in an assembly line ahead of time and freeze them, following the tips in Freezing Chart and Tips. In fact, freezing any type of bread before you start assembling sandwiches helps stop the bread from tearing when you spread it with butter or other spreads.
