45 Back-to-School Lunch Ideas

Read Time: 19 mins

45 Back-to-School Lunch Ideas2/45 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, Taste of Home Deputy Editor 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. 3/45 Muffin-Tin Tamale Cakes 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings

These muffin tamales have all of the flavor of tamales without the fuss

2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We needed snack inspiration beyond peanut butter and jelly. These muffin tamales have all of the flavor of tamales without the fuss. Pair with skewered fruit. —Suzanne Clark, Phoenix, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 muffin: 137 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 313mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat. 4/45 Pizza Puffs 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: What’s more fun than a pizza puff? Skip the

kind sold in the frozen aisle and try this homemade version

kind sold in the frozen aisle and try this homemade version. You can substitute any meat or vegetable for the pepperoni and any cheese for the mozzarella. —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 pizza puff: 120 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 189mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 5/45 Meatball Alphabet Soup 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 55 min Servings 9 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Bite-sized meatballs made from ground turkey perk up this fun alphabet soup. A variety of vegetables

are mixed in a rich tomato broth seasoned with herbs

are mixed in a rich tomato broth seasoned with herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 192 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 742mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein. 6/45 Slow-Cooked Chicken Caesar Wraps 6 Reviews Total Time 3 hours 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first made these slow-cooker chicken Caesar wraps for our daughter, who loves Caesar salads, then later for our extended family on vacation. It’s such an easy meal—perfect for days when you’d rather be outside than inside cooking all

day. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 472 calories, 25g fat (5g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 795mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. 7/45 Chicken Strips 30 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fried Chicken Strips Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I recently made this recipe of Mom’s for my in-laws and they told me it was the “best fried chicken ever.” Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated.

Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce

Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked chicken: 388 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. 8/45 Toasted Chicken Salad Sandwiches 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Toasted Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love chicken salad sandwiches. For this recipe, I use a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket and toss it with avocado oil mayonnaise, capers and

My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time

dill relish, then layer it on crusty bread with sliced radishes and butter lettuce. You can vary the flavor by adding herbs or some finely diced roasted red peppers. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 249 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 507mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein. 9/45 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

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 lean meat

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. 10/45 Turkey Pinwheels 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Pinwheels Recipe photo by Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Need an awesome snack for game day? My kids love these easy four-ingredient turkey pinwheels. Go ahead and make them the day

before—they won’t get soggy!

before—they won’t get soggy! —Amy Van Hemert, Ottumwa, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 pinwheel: 51 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 144mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 11/45 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. 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

13g protein. 12/45 Beefy Swiss Bundles 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Kids and adults alike will devour these comforting, yet special, pockets. With creamy mashed potatoes, gooey cheese and flavorful seasonings, what’s not to love? —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 bundle: 679 calories, 38g fat (16g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 865mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 36g protein. 13/45 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

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. —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. 14/45 Mini Grilled Cheese 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re looking for a fantastic make-ahead snack, try these miniature grilled

cheese sandwiches

cheese sandwiches. They’re nice to have in the freezer for lunch with soup or a salad. My family loves to nibble on them anytime. —Anita Curtis, Camarillo, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 77 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 168mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 15/45 Creamy Skillet Noodles with Peas 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times.

—Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 329 calories, 31g fat (8g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 757mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein. 16/45 Turkey, Gouda & Apple Tea Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Turkey, Gouda & Apple Tea Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cut into triangles or quarters, these fun mini sandwiches are a tasty addition to an afternoon tea gathering. The cranberry mayo lends an original flavor twist, and the apples give them a sweet-tart crunch. —Taste

—Patricia Nieh,

of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 tea sandwich: 59 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 17/45 Chicken & Bacon Roll-Ups 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken & Bacon Roll-Ups Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My children like these roll-ups so much that they ask for them every day for lunch during the summer. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey breast, this is a delicious way to use it up. —Patricia Nieh,

Portola Valley, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 43 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 18/45 Mini Mediterranean Pizza 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 19 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was on a mini-pizza kick and had already served up Mexican and Italian variations, so I opted to try for a Mediterranean version and came up with these. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 pizza: 287 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 47mg

💡 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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