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Modified: Jan 31, 2022 | Categories: Recipes

Healthy School Lunch Ideas

Written by Anna Pashkova, MS, RDN, LD, ACSM-EP / Reviewed by Chef Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD, FAND

It’s that time of year again to think about healthy school lunch ideas for kids and adults – whether that’s portable or at-home options (either way it's wise to pack lunches and snacks ahead of time!).

Here is my round up of my favorite healthy school lunches!

A white pot filled with Brussels pasta.

What makes a healthy school lunch?

When I'm crafting recipes that are lunch box friendly, I think of things that will reheat well, are no-cook (meaning they also don't need to be heated up) and they provide nourishment for growing bodies. Things like pasta salads, roll-ups, sandwiches and egg bites can easily fit in a lunch or bento box.

Then, I fill the rest of the box up with fruits and veggies and easy items that have protein, like string cheese or yogurt. Crackers are also a great thing to toss into a lunch box.

So, I've compiled several lunch box-friendly main dishes, sides and snacks that'll keep the kids full and satisfied - and they're delicious, too!

P.S. Even the adults will love these!

PIN THESE RECIPES FOR LATER!

Featured Back-to-School Recipes

Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets

This recipe for crunchy and tender chicken nuggets will absolutely please kids of any age and adults alike. Serve it with a 2-ingredient honey mustard, any favorite sauce or just by themselves!

They make a great snack or entree and can easily be reheated under the broiler.

Chicken nuggets as a healthy back-to-school recipe idea

Chorizo & Hash Brown Egg Muffins

For rushed mornings, make these quick and simple chorizo & hash brown egg muffins ahead of time and have them ready to eat for the entire week. They can be either frozen or refrigerated.

Tasty, satisfying and filled with protein, these egg muffins will make you look forward to mornings!

Chorizo & Hash Brown Egg Muffins on plates (a great back to school recipe idea)

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

If you’re looking for the world’s brightest and most flavorful pasta salad – you’ve found it! This is broccoli pesto pasta.

We combined tender broccoli pesto (yes, you can make pesto with broccoli!) with fresh Parmesan and parsley for a mixture that elevates the pasta to out-of-this-world deliciousness.

A white bowl filled with broccoli pesto pasta.

Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

These mini muffins are perfect to pack in a lunch pail for lunch or a snack! They're tender muffins made with whole grain flour, Greek yogurt and mini dark chocolate chips. The kids AND adults will love them!

Mini muffins in a basket as a healthy back-to-school recipe idea

Rainbow Veggie Pinwheels

These Rainbow Veggie Pinwheels are made with a special spread that has broccoli, carrots, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, Dijon mustard and spices.

You could even throw in a dab of horseradish if you want some zing (but totally okay to leave it out if the kids don’t like it)! Paired with honey smoked ham and muenster cheese, these pinwheels will be gone in no-time!

Mini snack plates on white marble backdrop (one of the back-to-school healthy recipes)

Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese Cups

These mac and cheese cups are made with whole grain pasta, a creamy and light cheese sauce and they have roasted veggies mixed in.

They are made in a muffin tin so each little cup is perfect to pack for lunch!

A healthy back-to-school recipe of veggie mac and cheese cups in a muffin tin.

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Chocolate-dipped peanut butter cereal bars: simple 6-ingredient cereal bars with wholesome ingredients, like peanut butter, honey, coconut oil and Cheerios dipped in dark chocolate.

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

I think you’ll fall in love with this apple walnut chicken salad.

It’s basically waldorf chicken salad with rotisserie chicken, celery, grapes, honeycrisp apples and walnuts tossed in a creamy yogurt dressing. It’ll be your new favorite, I’m sure of it.

White plates with chicken salad on a marble backdrop.

Oat, Coconut & Walnut Bars

These homemade granola bars are made with oats, coconut, walnuts and either dates, figs or prunes to add sweetness and hold everything together.

Make a double batch and freeze some to have as snacks, anytime!

Oat, Coconut & Walnut Bars stacked.

Broccoli Cheese Egg Muffins

Broccoli cheese egg muffins are the ultimate make-ahead breakfast. They are packed with protein and fiber and vitamins and minerals. They're easy to make and are absolutely delicious.

Skip the Starbucks line and make these instead!

A broccoli cheese egg muffin on a white marble backdrop.

Blueberry Date Muffins

I love a good whole grain muffin, and these blueberry ones are SO good! They are chopped dates mixed in to add sweetness and texture.

This is the last blueberry muffin recipe you'll ever need!

Blueberry Date Muffins in a bowl

Soft Batch Breakfast Cookies

These scrumptious oat and yogurt cookies are the perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack. You can mix in whatever you want, whether it be dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, banana or jam!

Anything goes with these soft, chewy cookies.

Soft breakfast cookies stacked on top of one another

Ham Roll-Ups

I love a good no-cook lunch or snack, and these ham roll ups with a cream cheese spread, sliced provolone, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and olives are packed with flavor and nutrition.

Side shot of antipasto roll-ups stacked on top of each other

Ramen Noodle Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

Today we’re making an inspired dish I like to call ramen noodle salad with orange sesame dressing. It’s loaded with red cabbage, carrots, edamame and chicken and is just packed with flavor. It’ll be your new favorite salad, for sure!

Overhead shot of Chinese chicken salad in a white bowl

Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad

This is caprese pesto pasta salad.

I cannot think of a better combo for a spring or summer dish than spinach basil pesto, bright, juicy cherry tomatoes and squeaky fresh mozzarella. All tossed with al dente pasta.

You’re going to love it!

Caprese Pasta Salad in a white bowl (perfect for a healthy back-to-school idea)

Green Bean Potato Salad

ve made several versions of potato salad over the years (there are SO many fun options!), and this green bean potato salad is a riff off your standard mayo potato salad with an “upgraded” dressing and some additional veggies and herbs. It’s literally going to give us life this summer.

Green bean potato salad in a white bowl
PIN THESE RECIPES FOR LATER!

Healthy Back-to-School Recipe Ideas from Around the Web

Check out these other amazing kid-friendly recipes that are perfect for back-to-school from other dietitian bloggers:

  • Veggie Nuggets from Real Mom Nutrition
  • Kid Friendly Lunch Box Salad from Mom's Kitchen Handbook
  • Italian Pizza Bites from Kroll's Korner
  • Blueberry Coconut Energy Balls from Make Healthy Easy
  • No Added Sugar PB&J Baked Oatmeal Bars from Lively Table
  • Fresh & Easy Quinoa Tabbouleh from E.A. Stewart Spicy RD Nutrition
  • Hummus Vegetable Wrap from Triad to Wellness
  • Kid-Friendly Bean Pasta from Jessica Spiro Nutrition

Hope you enjoy these healthy back-to-school recipes and walk away with a few go-to favorites for the year ahead!


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Spicy Refrigerator Pickles »

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hi, i’m julie!

chef, registered dietitian & mom
passionate about simple, healthy cooking

*formerly the gourmet RD*

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