41 School Lunch Ideas That Deserve an A++

Make-ahead sandwiches, thermos-ready soups, big-batch recipes, and more easy school lunches for busy weekdays.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Sean DooleyPacking school lunches five days a week is the ultimate test of emotional resilience. You think you have a great idea; you send the kiddos off to the bus stop…and the sandwich comes back half-eaten—or worse, traded for a Twinkie. Luckily, we have a batch of school lunch ideas that won’t leave you resorting to too many packets of Goldfish crackers and fruit gummies. Think make-ahead quesadillas, cold noodles, freezer-friendly handhelds, and plenty of snacks and treats to round out the lunchbox.Some, like our miso-spiked take on PB&J and canned-tuna onigiri, take familiar lunch staples in a new direction. Others, including Jamaican beef patties and chicken quesadillas, can be prepped ahead so weekday mornings require little more than packing and going. Whether you’re looking for kids’ lunch ideas that can be eaten cold, leftovers that travel well, or something besides another sandwich, you’ve got options below.Sandwiches, wraps, and handheld school lunchesPasta, noodles, salads, and rice bowlsMake-ahead and thermos lunchesSchool lunch snacks and treatsPhotograph by Isa ZapataCucumber Sandwich With Green ChutneyWhipped cream cheese and crisp cucumber mellow the punchy cilantro-jalapeño chutney in this five-minute school lunch idea. Make the chutney up to three days ahead for faster morning assembly.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Alexandra MassillonCrispy Chicken QuesadillasTaco-spiced chicken, peppers, onion, cilantro, and plenty of cheese make these crispy quesadillas an easy crowd-pleaser. Prep the filling up to two days ahead to streamline busy mornings.Pecan-Miso Butter and Jelly SandwichesRed or white miso gives homemade pecan butter a salty-savory edge in this not-your-average PB&J. Make the nut butter ahead for faster sandwich assembly on school mornings.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Suzie MyersSpicy Tuna Mayo OnigiriTurn a pot of rice and a can of tuna into savory, hand-held rice balls seasoned with furikake. Kids can even help shape the onigiri before they go into the lunchbox.Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Yekaterina BoystovaJamaican Beef PattiesThese flaky, spiced beef patties are freezer-friendly and easy to transport. Make a batch over the weekend, enjoy some immediately, and freeze the rest for future lunches.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Sean DooleyKale and Cheddar GözlemeThese cheese-and-kale-stuffed Turkish flatbreads are delicious straight from the skillet, but here’s the lunchbox magic: They’re also great eaten cold the next day.Veggie Club SandwichThis towering vegetarian club layers thinly sliced crunchy vegetables, sharp cheddar, hummus, and punchy giardiniera mayo between three slices of bread for a seriously substantial sandwich.Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Christina AllenSamosa-dillas With Cucumber SaladSkip the handmade dough and deep-frying: Spiced potatoes and peas are folded into whole-wheat tortillas with cheese, then griddled until crisp. Cut into wedges for an easy handheld lunch.Photo by TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH, Food Styling by Susie TheodorouGreens-and-Beans SandwichesCreamy smashed canned beans, crunchy cucumbers, thick slabs of feta, and hearty rye make this vegetarian sandwich substantial enough for lunch. The sturdy bread helps everything survive the trip.Photograph by Peden + Munk, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen, Prop Styling by Ceci GarciaPaneer Kathi RollsLarge tortillas stand in for harder-to-find roti in these wraps stuffed with seared paneer, onions, and peppers swathed in spiced yogurt. Wrap them in parchment, then foil, to keep all the goodness tucked inside.Photo by Laura Murray, styling by Rick MartinezShingaras With Cauliflower and Potato FillingThese Bangladeshi samosas tuck a warmly spiced cauliflower-and-potato filling into a crisp pastry shell. Pack a couple with chutney on the side for a substantial handheld lunch.Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie TheodorouFried Bologna SandwichCrisp-edged bologna, crunchy lettuce, pickles, and tangy mustard-mayo make this old-school sandwich worth revisiting. Cutting slits in the bologna before frying keeps every slice flat and evenly browned.Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina BoytsovaBreakfast Burrito to GoA uniform layer of fluffy eggs makes this burrito particularly easy to roll and eat. Fill it with melty cheese, avocado, and as much—or as little—hot sauce as your kid likes.Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie TheodorouEasy Peanut NoodlesThese slurpable noodles turn pantry staples—peanut butter, dried noodles, soy sauce, and vinegar—into a quick, satisfying lunch. If your school is peanut-free, swap in sunflower butter or chickpea butter.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Emma RingnessOlive Bar Pasta SaladRaid the supermarket olive bar for this endlessly customizable pasta salad loaded with mozzarella and marinated vegetables. Make it ahead—the flavors only get better as it sits.Alex LauBroccoli Pesto PastaBroccoli gets blended right into the cheesy pesto coating this pasta, adding sweetness and body along with plenty of bright green color. Pack leftovers for an easy next-day lunch.Photograph by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Emilie FosnochtGreen Bean and Farro Picnic SaladThis hearty combination of farro, white beans, crisp green beans, mozzarella, and pickled peppers was made for traveling. Even better, the dressed beans can marinate overnight.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Christine KeelyNo-Mayo Tuna SaladCreamy avocado stands in for mayo in this punchy tuna salad. Pack it between slices of bread or alongside crackers and crunchy vegetables for an easy snack-box lunch.Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Anna BillingskogMake-Ahead Broccoli and Quinoa SaladBroccoli is the make-ahead hero here: Unlike delicate leafy greens, it stays crisp after dressing. Toss it with quinoa, herbs, pistachios, and feta for a hearty packed lunch.Alex LauCarla's Tomato SoupBreak out the thermos for this silky tomato soup, which gets extra richness from cream and butter. Pack some cheese roll-ups or crackers alongside for dunking.Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Gerri WilliamsLentil Soup With Greens and RiceFrench green lentils, basmati rice, spinach, and plenty of herbs make this vegetarian soup substantial enough for lunch. Ladle it into a preheated thermos to keep it hot until noon.Photo by Chelsie Craig, styling by Molly BazUse-It-Up FrittataYesterday’s roasted vegetables, cooked grains, and stray bits of cheese become tomorrow’s lunch in this flexible frittata. Slice it into wedges for easy packing and eating.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart, Prop Styling by Gerri WilliamsSheet-Pan Pepperoni PastaPepperoni, tomato, mozzarella, and oregano give this crispy-edged sheet-pan pasta serious pizza energy. Make it for dinner, then pack leftover portions for lunch later in the week.Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Mieko TakahashiBuffalo Chicken Mac and CheeseThis big-batch mac combines shredded chicken, plenty of cheese, and tangy Buffalo sauce in one bubbly casserole. Assemble it a day ahead, then bake and portion the leftovers into lunches throughout the week.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De LucaBBQ Mushroom PizzaMozzarella, Gouda, mushrooms, and tangy barbecue sauce make this homemade pizza plenty flavorful even when it isn’t piping hot. Pack leftover slices for a very easy next-day lunch.PHOTO BY CHELSIE CRAIG, FOOD STYLING BY ANNA BILLINGSKOGSheet Pan Chicken Meatballs With Tomatoes and ChickpeasMake these harissa-spiked chicken meatballs for dinner, then pack the leftovers with roasted tomatoes and chickpeas for lunch. Add pita on the side to scoop up all the saucy bits.Photo by Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling Micah Marie MortonFalafelCilantro, parsley, onion, garlic, and jalapeño make these falafel especially vibrant. Tuck a few into a lunchbox with pita, crunchy vegetables, and your kid’s favorite dipping sauce.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko TakahashiCrispy Baked Tofu NuggetsCornstarch and nutritional yeast give these baked tofu nuggets their crisp coating and savory flavor. Pack them with barbecue sauce or ketchup for dipping alongside a pile of crunchy vegetables.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna SemanCheese-Cracker-Crusted ChickenCheez-It crumbs give these chicken cutlets an extra-savory, extra-crunchy coating. Slice them into strips for finger food, or tuck a whole cutlet into a sandwich for a more substantial lunch.Alex LauTofu Summer RollsThis recipe is endlessly adaptable: Use any leftover protein or shred a rotisserie chicken in place of the tofu, and add in whatever crunchy vegetables you’ve got in the produce drawer. Pack the dipping sauce separately to keep lunch neat and easy.Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano. Prop Styling by Maeve Sheridan and Molly LongwellFully Loaded Carrot MuffinsGrated carrots, applesauce, and golden raisins make these hearty muffins useful well beyond breakfast. Bake a dozen and stash extras for grab-and-go snacks and lunchbox treats; omit the nuts and seeds if needed.Photograph by Andrew B. Myers, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Emma RingnessFeta and Sun-Dried Tomato DipThis five-minute dip can anchor an entire snack-box lunch. Pack it with crackers and crunchy vegetables, or spread it onto a turkey or cheese sandwich.Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura RegeTuscan Kale ChipsLow-and-slow baking turns olive-oil-coated kale leaves light and crisp. Pack a handful alongside a favorite sandwich or wrap when the lunchbox could use something crunchy.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De LucaSpiced Marshmallow Popcorn BarsThink crispy rice treats, but made with popcorn: These chewy, marshmallow-bound bars get extra warmth from cinnamon and cardamom. Cut them into squares for an easy lunchbox treat. You know, for the kids…Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon2-Ingredient Chocolate MousseSilken tofu and melted chocolate chips are all you need for these lightning-fast DIY pudding cups. Portion the mousse into small lidded jars and refrigerate overnight for easy packing.Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie StrangioStrawberry Doughnut MuffinsFreeze-dried strawberries give these tender muffins concentrated berry flavor, while a spoonful of thick strawberry jam creates a sweet surprise in the middle. Pack one as a lunchbox treat.Solving the cafeteria conundrum.Joe joined the Bon Appétit team in 2022 after climbing the editorial ranks for a few years at Condé Nast’s other food publication, Epicurious. As the senior SEO editor, he works to make sure Google loves all of BA’s cooking stories just as much as you do. Look for his ... Read More