Back-to-School Lunch Ideas for Kids Who Protest Sandwiches

Make it a family affair! With minimal ingredients and a quick prep time, this oh-so-delicious pasta salad recipe is the perfect way to inspire kids to help you make dinner and pack the leftovers as lunch for the next day. The more involved they are in meal planning, the more likely they are to eat (and enjoy!) the finished product.

Who can say no to lasagna, in any form? Although not as quick as opening a can of soup, this homemade version includes plump meatballs, grated cheese and tastes just like pizza. Prep the dish the night before, then reheat and fill a Thermos for your kiddos to take to school.

Parents sometimes have to get a little creative. These sliced and diced “sandwiches” are a sly, deconstructed take on the lunchtime staple. With completely customizable ingredients – not to mention the fun food-on-a-stick aspect – kids won’t even notice they’re eating a variation on the traditional sandwich.

Spruce up your kids’ lunch with these adorable, bite-sized nests that bring together a variety of flavours your little ones will love.

There’s no need to wait for Taco Tuesday for your family to indulge in this DIY lunch. Pack all the essentials with some quickie homemade guacamole and salsa before sending your kid off to school. We guarantee they’ll be the envy of all their classmates that day.

These crunchy chicken fingers are the answer to the eternal question, “What’s for lunch?” The secret ingredient to its incredible texture and mouth-watering taste? You can thank the sweetened cereal breading.

These adorable bite-size quiches make for a fun lunchbox surprise and the perfect mid-day meal for little fingers. Don’t forget to add a dollop of ketchup for the kid who can never get enough of the condiment.

What kid doesn’t love pizza? Make weeknights less hectic by prepping these mini pizzas in advance and freezing them for an easy-to-grab solution to last-minute lunches. No need to thaw; just add your favourite toppings and bake.

Ready in less than 30 minutes, these waffled quesadillas will be a huge hit with the kids in your life. Swap out any ingredients they don’t like for something else they love.