A new school year is right around the corner or maybe it has started already meaning it is time to start packing school lunches again! I feel like summer went super fast this year.
If you are anything like me, sometimes it can be overwhelming to think about the many different meals you will have to make during the week. Not to mention, take into consideration what everyone enjoys to eat.
So, I thought why not make up a few go-to packed lunchbox ideas that you can have on hand when you are trying to plan for the week or get your grocery shopping done?
This list of easy lunch ideas is going to be great in a pinch and save you a little bit of stress on top of everything else you need to accomplish in the morning when you prepare these lunch containers ahead of time.
7 Easy and delicious lunchbox recipes
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb rotisserie chicken or any cooked shredded chicken will work
- 8oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3-1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup Colby jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 3 tbs green onions, sliced
- 3 large flour tortillas
Instructions:
- To a medium sized bowl add the chicken, cream cheese, and ranch. Stir until well combined (I like to use my electric hand mixer to combine the ingredients super well)
- Stir in bacon, cheese, and green onions.
- Spread a layer of the chicken bacon ranch mixture all over the three tortillas. Roll the tortillas tightly and slice into 1 inch pieces. Enjoy!
Classic PB&J Sandwich and Baked Potato Salad
Potato Salad Ingredients:
- 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced small
- 1/2-1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 hard boiled eggs, diced
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
Ranch Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried dill
Instructions:
- Boil the potatoes in a large pot until fork tender. Let the potatoes cool down completely.
- To a large bowl add in the potatoes, bacon, cheese, boiled eggs, and green onions and stir.
- To a small bowl add in the dressing ingredients and whisk.
- Stir the dressing into the bowl and chill for 2-3 hours.
- Lastly, build your PB&J with your favorite peanut butter, jelly, and bread.
Classic Turkey Sub
Ingredients:
- crescent roll, sub roll, lettuce wrap, or a bagel
- deli turkey
- cheese (pick your favorite, I love provolone)
- mayo
- lettuce
- freshly sliced tomato
Instructions:
- Don’t forget about the simple turkey sub. You can make it in a crescent roll, sub roll, lettuce-wrapped, or in a bagel! Add turkey, cheese, mayo, lettuce, and tomato. It’s simple but a perfect lunch!
- Pair it with your favorite side like the baked potato salad above.
Ranch Chicken Wraps
Ingredients:
- 4 large burrito-sized tortillas
- 2 cups cooked chopped or shredded chicken
- 1 1/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Layer the chopped or shredded chicken onto each of the tortillas.
- Then evenly place the rest of the ingredients between the tortillas. Enjoy!
Avocado Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked shredded or cubed chicken breast
- 2 avocados, cubed
- 1/2 lb rotini pasta
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1/3 cup of the semi fresh basil sold in a small container at the store)
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta down.
- Add the pasta, chicken, avocados, onion, tomatoes, and basil to a large bowl and stir well.
- Make the dressing:
- Add all of the dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk well.
- Pour the dressing into the pasta salad and stir.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup salted pretzels
- 1 sleeve of graham crackers
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (or SunButter)
Topping:
- 10oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (or SunButter)
Instructions:
- Add the pretzels and graham crackers to a food processor and pulse until they are small crumbs. Add the butter, powdered sugar, and peanut butter and process until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray, and spread the mixture out into the pan.
- To a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of peanut butter. Place in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after every interval, until melted and smooth. Spread over the peanut butter layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice into bars and enjoy!
It’s time to get packin’
What I love about these is that they aren’t all your traditional lunch ideas that you will get bored with. Also, some of the recipes will make enough for more than one lunch cutting down on the work you will have to do in the end.
Plus who doesn’t love a little dessert with lunch with the no-bake peanut butter bars? Another perk is that they fit great in lunchbox containers.
Do you have any other fun ideas you love to pack for your lunch? If so, I’d love to hear them in the comments below!
