25 School Lunch Ideas That Even the Pickiest Eater Will Love

Read Time: 10 mins

25 School Lunch Ideas That Even the Pickiest Eater Will Love2/25 Cheesy Pepperoni Buns 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheesy Pepperoni Buns Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A pizza version of the sloppy joe, this hot and melty open-faced sandwich is a surefire kid pleaser. Adults love it, too! —Tanya Belt, Newcomerstown, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 2 open-faced sandwiches: 280 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 612mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. 3/25 Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich 1

Review Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tart, sweet and crunchy, these open-faced sammies are a perfect after-school (or after-work) snack. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 open-faced sandwich: 220 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 212mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. 4/25 Mini Burgers with the Works 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe

They’re delicious

Creator: I started preparing these mini burgers several years ago as a creative way to use up bread crusts accumulating in my freezer. They’re delicious. —Linda Lane, Bennington, Vermont Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 68 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 153mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 5/25 Chicken Nuggets 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The

seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches

seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken: 214 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch. 6/25 Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta 71 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are

If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version

also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 389 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 7/25 Chicken Noodle Soup 178 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 10 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My first Wisconsin winter was so

cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup

cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 239 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 1176mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein. 8/25 PBJ on a Stick 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 10 min Servings 4 skewers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Take the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich

on the go with these skewers

on the go with these skewers. They also make easy snacks. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 skewers: 415 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 368mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein. 9/25 Quick Taco Wraps 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was running late one night, so I shopped in my own fridge and came up with ingredients that became taco wraps. Everybody at the table was a happy camper. —Katie Mitschelen, La Porte, Indiana Nutrition

This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish

Facts: 1 wrap: 533 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 1538mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 8g fiber), 14g protein. 10/25 Crockpot Mac and Cheese 65 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t ask for a second helping. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 502 calories, 28g fat (18g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate

(7g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein

(7g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. 11/25 Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 5 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that as good as the pitas taste, they’re good for them too.—Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 1 pita half: 324 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 6g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 lean meat. 12/25 Upside-Down Frito Pie 3 Reviews

Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Using ground turkey is a smart way to lighten this hearty family pleaser! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 524 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 1662mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 41g protein. 13/25 Lunch Box Pizzas 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lunch Box Pizzas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When you have these fun-to-make

mini pizzas, it’s no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy

mini pizzas, it’s no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there’s no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 94 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 14/25 Mama Mia Meatball Taquitos 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love lasagna, but it takes too long on weeknights. My solution: meatball taquitos. My kids get the flavors they want,

and I get a meal on the table in a hurry

and I get a meal on the table in a hurry. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 taquitos: 617 calories, 28g fat (11g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 1069mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 15/25 Macaroni and Cheese Soup 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 20 servings (5 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have worked in the food service industry for too many years to count and have made this one-of-a-kind soup at many different jobs. It’s always been a big hit. —Emma Head,

Sunrise Beach, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 261 calories, 17g fat (11g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 619mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. 16/25 17/25 Ham ‘n’ Swiss Envelopes 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ham ‘n’ Swiss Envelopes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These clever envelopes will make people eager to look inside. The hot pockets shaped with refrigerated dough are stuffed with a delicious ham and cheese filling. —Tammy Burgess, Loveland, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 603 calories, 36g fat (8g

18/25 Easy Turkey Noodle Soup 2

saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1272mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 21g protein. 18/25 Easy Turkey Noodle Soup 2 Reviews Easy Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Rich, homemade taste that’s easy on the budget makes this chunky soup a family favorite. We enjoy it with hot bread in winter and with salad in summer. —Elaine Bickford, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 388 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 1106mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3

protein. 19/25 Cheeseburger Macaroni 32 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cheeseburger macaroni is the ultimate simple and fulfilling dinner that uses items I typically have in my cupboard. It’s so easy to prepare and cooking all in one skillet makes it a snap for clean up. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 338 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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