28 Grandma-Approved Sides Perfect for a School Lunch

Read Time: 12 mins

28 Grandma-Approved Sides Perfect for a School Lunch2/28 Skillet Mac and Cheese 96 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 600 calories, 37g fat (23g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 1185mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g

protein. 3/28 Slow-Cooker Applesauce 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooked Applesauce Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 12 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My sweet and chunky applesauce is a perfect snack or side dish with your favorite entree. Because it’s prepared in the slow cooker, you can fix it and forget it before you and the family head out for some fun. —Susanne Wasson, Montgomery, New York Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 105 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 112mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (20g sugars,

2g fiber), 0 protein

2g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 4/28 Rainbow Fruit Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 123 calories, 7g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate

(10g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein

(10g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 5/28 Grape Salad 169 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Grape Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy grape salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 131 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 6/28 Marinated Three Bean Salad 9 Reviews Marinated Three Bean Salad Recipe

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Fresh herbs and cayenne pepper provide the fantastic flavor in this marinated salad featuring fresh veggies and canned beans. —Carol Tucker, Wooster, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 184 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 8g protein. 7/28 Pizza Salad 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A fun summer dish, this is a different salad that

tastes as good as it looks

tastes as good as it looks. I love to take it to parties—the wonderful zesty flavor really complements a barbecue! —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 362 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 489mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein. 8/28 Mac and Cheese Bites 21 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat.

To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini mac and cheese bites

To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 91 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 9/28 Pea Salad with Bacon 47 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JULIA HARTBECK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 10 min Servings 6 servings. Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband absolutely loves peas. My middle son isn’t the biggest fan, but he loves bacon. So I decided to combine the two, and it was perfect!

This salad is an awesome side dish, especially for barbecues

This salad is an awesome side dish, especially for barbecues. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 218 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 547mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein. 10/28 Homemade Potato Chips 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Potato Chips Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of

12/28 Macaroni Coleslaw

Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 176 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 703mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. 11/28 Cherry Waldorf Salad 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We combine apples with tart cherries and dried cranberries to give an autumn twist to classic Waldorf salad. —Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 181 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. 12/28 Macaroni Coleslaw

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat

194 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Macaroni Coleslaw Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My friend Peggy brought this coleslaw to one of our picnics, and everyone liked it so much, we all had to have the recipe. —Sandra Matteson, Westhope, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 150 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 286mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 13/28 Tangy Baked Seven Beans 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste

of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 18 servings (3/4 cup each)

of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 18 servings (3/4 cup each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone needs a go-to side dish for school events, picnics and potlucks. Here’s mine. Freeze leftovers for future outings. —Rod Lundwall, Tooele, Utah Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 369 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 1126mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 9g fiber), 13g protein. 14/28 Black-Eyed Pea Tomato Salad 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black-Eyed Pea Tomato Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

This black-eyed pea salad was one of her specialties

Creator: Spending time in the kitchen with my late aunt was so much fun because she was an amazing cook and teacher. This black-eyed pea salad was one of her specialties. It is easy to make and is a nice alternative to pasta or potato salad. Add cooked cubed chicken breast to make it a meal on its own. —Patricia Ness, La Mesa, California Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 242 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 602mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat. 15/28 Summer Orzo Salad 11 Reviews Test

Kitchen Approved Summer Orzo Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 291 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 501mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein.

Their crisp freshness adds so much to a favorite dish

16/28 Cranberry Waldorf Gelatin 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry Waldorf Gelatin Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We enjoy this easy-to-make salad in the fall when apples are in season. Their crisp freshness adds so much to a favorite dish. — Debbie Short, Carlisle, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 156 calories, 6g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 17/28 Citrus Fruit Salad Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Fresh pineapple with yogurt and pecans is a merry update of the classic ambrosia salad. We stir it up for breakfast, a snack or as a bright side. —Heather Rivers, Boise, ID Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 176 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 19mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. 18/28 Green Bean Salad 62 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Balsamic Green Bean Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings (3/4 cup each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Serve up

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

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