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Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to freshen up school lunch ideas that will keep kids full and happy. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but there are also tons of new ideas to surprise your little ones with, too. Here, we’ve rounded up some quick and easy lunch recipes that are perfect for packing in your kid’s favorite lunchbox. There are sandwich recipes, of course, as well as cold lunches, comforting mac and cheese, and even a few healthy lunch ideas.
With five kids of her own, Ree Drummond has prepared her fair share of school lunches over the years, so it’s safe to say that she’s a bit of a pro when it comes to packing a lunch that kids, teenagers, or even picky eaters will love. For instance, Ree’s chicken quesadillas, pepperoni pizza rolls, and make-ahead sandwich roll ups are always a hit. When it comes to something sweet, we have nostalgic favorites like Rice Krispies treats and iced oatmeal cookies that you can try. Then, once school is let out, you’ll want to save our easy recipes for after-school snacks and weeknight dinners that the whole family will love.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This recipe combines two lunchtime favorites: pasta salad and chicken salad. The sweet grapes and crunchy celery really make this creamy dish pop.
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
Use up the rest of your summer tomatoes with this simple sandwich idea. It only takes 5 minutes to whip up!
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Mini Calzones
These bite-sized calzones are basically like mini pizza pockets! The sausage and cheese filling makes them perfect for dipping in marinara sauce.
Get the Mini Calzones recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Hungry teenagers will appreciate this buffalo chicken recipe. The spicy flavor of hot sauce is balanced out by crunchy veggies and ranch dressing.
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Wraps recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Pack a few of these cheesy pepperoni pizza rolls in your kid's lunchbox—and save a few for yourself, too!
Get Ree's Pepperoni Pizza Rolls recipe.
Cowboy Cookies
If you're a fan of chocolate chip cookies, these cowboy ones are sure to become your new favorite. They're moist, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips, nuts, coconut flakes, and oats.
Get the Cowboy Cookies recipe.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This creamy pasta salad is the perfect candidate for a make-ahead meal! Just be sure to keep the crispy bacon on the side until the morning before school.
Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Using an air fryer makes these crispy chicken tenders even easier to make. Just make sure you pack some honey-mustard, ranch, or whatever their favorite dipping sauce is to make the meal complete.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.
Individual Sausage Casseroles
We love these sausage and cheese egg bites because they're so versatile—serve them for breakfast before school, lunch, or even after school as a snack. You can even stash them in the freezer, too.
Get Ree's Individual Sausage Casseroles recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cereal Treats
Back-to-school season is also pumpkin season, so it only makes sense to break out this pumpkin spice recipe. It's a fun fall twist on a childhood classic.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Cereal Treats recipe.
Chicken Empanadas
Frozen empanada wrappers and leftover rotisserie chicken make these hand-held savory pastries easy to make during the week. They're easy for your kid to hold, too.
Get the Chicken Empanadas recipe.
Make-Ahead Sandwich Rolls
There are two different types of sandwich rolls to choose from with this recipe: turkey-ham with chipotle mayo or Reuben rolls with Thousand Island dressing. Then again, you can always make both!
Get Ree's Make-Ahead Sandwich Rolls recipe.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
It doesn't get easier than this mac and cheese made entirely in the Instant Pot. You don't even need to boil a separate pot of pasta water.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
Chicken Quesadillas
Ree says these quesadillas are "absolutely a go-to recipe!" They're simple, family-friendly, and fun to dress up with your favorite toppings, like salsa, sour cream, jalapeño slices, and more.
Get Ree's Chicken Quesadillas recipe.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
If anything will keep your kids full and satisfied, it's this easy turkey chili recipe. The hearty dish is loaded with lean ground turkey, beans, and veggies, too.
Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
From school bake sales to lunchboxes, these nostalgic cookies are always a hit, especially when covered in that classic, sweet icing.
Get the Iced Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
You can't go wrong with noodles, cheese, and ground beef! The comfort food favorite is easier to make from scratch than you might think, plus makes for great leftovers.
Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
Chickpea Salad
This delightfully fresh salad is loaded with crunchy veggies so you can feel good about sending it off to school with your kids.
Get the Chickpea Salad recipe.
Pretzel Dogs
Not only does the pretzel dough wrapped around these hot dogs make it easy to eat on the go, but it's also a salty, fun twist on regular hot dog buns.
Get the Pretzel Dogs recipe.
Zucchini Bread
This is an easy way to sneak a few extra veggies into your kid's lunchbox, and since the sweet slice of quick bread is loaded with chocolate chunks, the kiddos will be happy, too. It's a win-win!
Get the Zucchini Bread recipe.
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