27 Healthy School Lunch Ideas

Read Time: 12 mins

27 Healthy School Lunch Ideas2/27 Peanut Butter, Honey & Pear Open-Faced Sandwiches 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter, Honey & Pear Open-Faced Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I work a 12-hour night shift at a hospital, and when I come home in the morning, I don’t want to cook a big breakfast. I love these sandwiches because they’re versatile; sometimes I use apples instead of pears and different cheeses, such as Brie or grated Parmesan. —L.J.Washington, Carpinteria, California Nutrition Facts: 1 open-faced sandwich:

Not only was this version unbelievably

268 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 446mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein. 3/27 Avocado Egg Salad Toast 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Avocado Egg Salad Toast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had a surplus of avocados after purchasing too many for an event. A few days later, I was making egg salad sandwiches for lunch and had the fantastic idea to use avocado to bind it together instead of traditional mayo. Not only was this version unbelievably

Just stand back and watch these sandwiches

delicious but the healthy fats in the avocado make this a much better option than the traditional mayo-laden version. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 367 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 280mg cholesterol, 671mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein. 4/27 Pear Waldorf Pitas 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pear Waldorf Pitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 20 mini pitas halves Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a guaranteed table brightener for a shower, luncheon or party. Just stand back and watch these sandwiches

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch

vanish. For an eye-catching presentation, I tuck each one into a colorful folded napkin. —Roxann Parker, Dover, Delaware Nutrition Facts: 1 pita half: 67 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch. 5/27 Turkey Ranch Wraps 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a cool idea that’s ready to gobble up in no time. It’s a terrific use for deli turkey. Just add lettuce, tomato, green pepper, shredded cheese and ranch dressing for

a flavorful blend

a flavorful blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 403 calories, 25g fat (9g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 601mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. 6/27 Fruited Turkey Wraps 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fruited Turkey Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This colorful wrap tastes great and is so good for you. It’s packed with lean protein, fruit and veggies and wrapped in whole-grain goodness! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 332 calories, 5g fat

I multiply it for brunches, potlucks, even tailgates

(0 saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 845mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein. 7/27 Strawberry Pasta Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli Sheldon For Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Bow tie pasta with strawberries makes a refreshing salad, especially with a little chopped mint. I multiply it for brunches, potlucks, even tailgates. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup (calculated without coconut): 153 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:

1 starch, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit

1 starch, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit. 8/27 Berry Turkey Sandwich 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Berry Turkey Sandwich Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sliced fresh strawberries, Swiss cheese and a nutty cream cheese spread make this turkey sandwich different. Try it on whole wheat, oatmeal or sunflower seed bread. It’s tasty and easy to put together. —Edward Meyer of Arnold, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 319 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 847mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic

Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat

Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 9/27 Sesame Chicken Noodle Salad 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sesame Chicken Noodle Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my go-to recipe when I have no time. It’s quick, easy and you can use almost anything from the fridge. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 519 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 631mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 10g fiber), 35g protein. 10/27 Pesto Egg Salad Sandwiches 12 Reviews Test Kitchen

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1-1/2 starch

Approved Pesto Egg Salad Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a casual springtime meal with a twist, boil up some eggs and dinner will be done presto. —Tenley Haraldson, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 285 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 217mg cholesterol, 811mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1-1/2 starch. 11/27 Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 16 pinwheels Go to

The recipe is easy to increase as needed

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it’s really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 60 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 12/27 Turkey Taco Salad

My husband and I love it now

12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I discovered this taco salad while I was on a health kick. My husband and I love it now. When I served it at a family birthday party, everyone eagerly asked for the recipe. —Angela Matson, Amboy, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 cup turkey mixture with 2 cups romaine (calculated without optional toppings): 275 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 525mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1-1/2 starch. 13/27 Lunch Box

Suddenly spinach is too pretty to refuse

Chicken Wrap Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 10 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This lunchbox-friendly wrap is a tasty way to use leftover chicken and get kids to eat more veggies. Using colorful, thin strips of vegetables adds visual interest when the wrap is cut into slices. Suddenly spinach is too pretty to refuse. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 324 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 441mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 14/27

Tangy cranberries and crunchy celery pep up the chicken

15/27 Cranberry Chicken Salad 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry-Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I made these simple yet special cranberry walnut chicken salad sandwiches for a birthday party. Tangy cranberries and crunchy celery pep up the chicken. Leftover turkey works well too. —Shannon Tucker, Land O’ Lakes, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 411 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 469mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 20g protein. 16/27 Waldorf Turkey Pitas 2 Reviews

This recipe is quick, easy and healthy, making it perfect for my lifestyle

Test Kitchen Approved Waldorf Turkey Pitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Living in New York City means not having a lot of time to prepare meals. This recipe is quick, easy and healthy, making it perfect for my lifestyle. —Kevin Sobotka, Staten Island, New York Nutrition Facts: 2 filled pita halves: 363 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 626mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 7g fiber), 30g protein. 17/27 Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up Recipe

Everyone at work wants to know how to make it

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 235 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 415mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g

💡 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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