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6 Simple Lunch Ideas for the New School Year

It’s back-to-school season. And to make life a bit easier for parents packing lunches for the whole family across 180 days of the school year, we’ve developed these six versatile recipes. They taste just as good warm as they do cold, can be made ahead the night before, and are perfect for packing in an insulated container. To your lunchboxes!

1. Gnocchi Salad with Broccoli and Cheddar

This quick and easy salad tastes even better the next day. It features gnocchi mixed with broccoli, cheddar, olives and chives. Serve it with a light dressing and finely chopped red onion for a lovely touch of brightness. It’s a versatile dish that doubles as the perfect weeknight meal.

2. Turkey Wrap Pinwheels with Bacon and Cream Cheese

Sandwich wraps are a practical lunchbox staple. In this version, we’ve packed a tortilla with crisp lettuce, sliced turkey breast, crunchy vegetables and bacon. Roll each tortilla tightly and then slice into pinwheels, securing each piece with a toothpick garnished with a cherry tomato or cornichon. It’s lunch served with style!

3. Hearty Lentil, Chickpea and Vegetable Soup

This cozy recipe is the ultimate go-to for a weeknight dinner or reheated lunch the next day. Simply sauté the zucchini and bell pepper with some spices, and then pour in the broth and legumes and let everything simmer. Once the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened, stir in some fresh spinach. Top with canned tuna to round out this delicious, practical and nourishing soup.

4. Salmon with Mustard and Dill

If you’d like to mix up your weekly menu with a family-friendly fish dish, try this easy salmon recipe. Coat the fillets in a mustard-mayonnaise glaze before baking until tender. Garnish with fresh dill and serve over a bed of lettuce leaves along with a crisp cucumber salad. It’s simple, tasty and tailor-made for busy evenings.

5. Ginger Pork Stir-Fry with Sesame Coleslaw

To make this pork stir-fry, start by quickly searing thinly sliced fondue meat with onions. Toss the pork in a ginger-infused Asian-style sauce, which also doubles as a dressing for the crunchy cabbage slaw. Serve with rice and pickled ginger for a tasty weeknight dinner that makes great lunch leftovers the next day.

6. Kale Salad with Chicken and Pears

There’s nothing quite like a hearty salad to brighten up a weeknight menu. This loaded version features bulgur, chicken and kale, along with pears tossed in a lemony oil to keep them looking fresh. Dried cranberries, almonds and mint add a crunchy and refreshing finish to a recipe that packs wonderfully for lunch the next day.

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