Easy Make Ahead School Lunches
These easy make ahead school lunches are healthy, packed with fruits and vegetables, and take just a few minutes to prepare so you are ready to go for the hectic weekdays!
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Make ahead healthy school lunches
What a year 2020 has been! Whether you are planning to send your child back to school or you are doing virtual from home, those kiddies need to eat… and they tend to eat… a lot.
I set out on a mission to make each school lunch that I pack healthy and cost less than a Happy Meal at McDonald’s. Yep, you heard right, these back to school lunches are kid-friendly AND budget-friendly!
Feeding your child shouldn’t have to break the bank. Food is expensive and this year has yielded some incredibly tough times on thousands and thousands of families. These lunches will help you stretch ingredients, feed your child healthy meals, and help save some money on your grocery bill without sacrificing quality ingredients.
These are tried and true recipes that I send my own kids off the school with. Each kid has their own favorite (Ava loves the pasta.. she’s just like her Mum) and they look forward to see what I packed them. I hope your kiddies enjoy these kid friendly meals as much as mine have!
Monday- Turkey and cheese pinwheels
Turkey Pin Wheels
Ingredients
- 1 flour tortilla
- 1 oz cream cheese
- 2 oz sliced cheese
Additional snacks
- 4 oz cucumbers sliced
- 2 oz baby carrots
- 2 oz blackberries
- 2 oz yogurt covered cranberries
Instructions
- Make the turkey and cheese pinwheels. Lay the tortilla flat on your work surface. Smear cream cheese all over the tortilla. Lay a few sliced of turkey on top, then cheese. Roll the tortilla into a cylindar shape, tehn slice it into 1 inch pieces.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
Total cost:
- Flour tortilla- $0.24
- 4 Turkey slices( 2 oz) – $1.00
- Sliced cheese (2 oz)- $0.64
- Cream cheese (2 oz)- $0.20
- Cucumber (4 oz)- $0.76
- Baby carrots (2 oz)- $0.24
- Blackberries (2 oz)- $0.90
- Yogurt covered cranberries (2 oz)- $0.54
$4.52 total
Tuesday- Cheese quesadillas
Cheese quesadillas
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 flour tortilla
- 2 oz shredded cheese
Additional snacks
- 2 oz broccoli florets
- 2 oz baby carrots
- 1 oz raspberries
- 1 oz chocolate bunny crackers
Instructions
- Make the cheese quesadilla. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Lay the tortilla flat in the butter, then sprinkle the cheese over half. Fold the tortilla in half and allow it to crisp on each side, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and slice into small wedges.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
Total cost:
- Flour tortilla- $0.24
- Shredded cheese (2 oz)- $0.64
- Broccoli florets (2 oz)- $0.42
- Baby carrots (2 oz)- $0.24
- Raspberries (1 oz)- $0.49
- Chocolate bunny crackers (1 oz)- $0.34
$2.37 total
Wednesday- Strawberry cream cheese tacos
Strawberry Cream Cheese Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 flour tortilla
- 1 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 oz honey
- 1/8 tps ground cinnamon
- 2 oz strawberries sliced thin
Additional snacks
- 2 oz snack peppers
- 1 oz snap peas
- 1 oz chocolate bunny crackers
Instructions
- Make the strawberry cream cheese tacos. In a small bowl, combine and mix the cream cheese, honey, and cinnamon. Smear the cream cheese mixture over the flour tortilla. Add the sliced strawberries to 1/2 of the tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half, then slice into wedges.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
Total cost:
- Flour tortilla- $0.24
- Cream cheese (1 oz)- $0.32
- Honey (1/2 oz)- $0.28
- Strawberries (2 oz)- $0.36
- Snack peppers (1 oz)- $0.32
- Chocolate bunny crackers (1 oz)- $0.34
$3.42 total
Thursday- Buttered cheesy pasta
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay in touch! I love to see your creations! Tag me at #SeaSaltSavorings to show me what you’ve made!
Buttered Cheesy Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pasta (any kind)
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 1 oz parmesan cheese
Additional snacks
- 1 kiwi sliced
- 5 oz green grapes
- 1 oz cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Make the buttered cheesy pasta. Bring salted water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Once the water is rapidly boiling, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, then toss back in the pan. Add butter and stir until the butter has melted and is incorporated. Sprinkle cheese over the pasta and plate.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
Total cost
- Pasta (1/2 cup)- $0.32
- Butter (1 tbsp)- $0.18
- Shredded parmesan cheese (1 oz)- $0.37
- Kiwi (1 whole)- $0.48
- Green grapes (5 oz)- $0.37
- Cherry tomatoes (1 oz)- $0.32
$2.32 total
Friday- Charcuterie board
Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 oz Cracker Barrel cheese cubes
- 1 oz crackers
- 5 oz green grapes
- 1 oz raspberries
Instructions
- Assemble the cheese and crackers next to each other. Place the fruits next to the cheese and crackers.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
Total cost
- Cracker Barrel cheese cubes (2 oz)- $1.08
- Crackers (1 oz)- $0.30
- Green grapes (5 oz)- $0.67
- Raspberries (1 oz)- $0.49
$2.54 total
More quick and easy lunch ideas everyone can enjoy
- Chicken teriyaki rice bowls are put together in under 30 minutes and use a simple to make homemade teriyaki sauce that adds the perfect tang! These bowls are perfect for busy weekday family meals!
- Italian lemon orzo salad is made with juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, orzo pasta, and more! This is a perfect 15-minute meal!
- Caprese stuffed avocados are loaded with mozzarella pearls, fresh tomatoes, and basil. The balsamic drizzle brings all the delicious ingredients together for a nice and easy snack!
- Vegetarian tostadas with refried beans is an easy 10 minute meal that is healthy, delicious, and filling.
- This creamy Copy Cat Panera Bread Baja Macaroni and Cheese is exploding with flavor! With garlic-lime seared chicken, fresh pico de gallo, and extra cheese macaroni, this dish is a hit!
