10 Healthy School Lunches Your Kids Will Actually Eat

10 Healthy School Lunches Your Kids Will Actually Eat

Do you ever find yourself scrambling to make your kids lunches, with the goal of something healthy, but all they want is a sandwich with the crust cut off? Give these a shot.

Quick list

Hey parents! We know that the struggle of diversifying your child's palate is.... well, it's really challenging.

How can they love something one day, but absolutely despise it the next? Why do they only want Kraft Dinner, sugary cereal, grilled cheese, or noodles absolutely drenched in butter?

As a parent, you want to be confident that the meals you send to school with your children, are not only nutritious, but also palette-pleasing.

It can be both frustrating and disheartening when you send your child off to school with a lunch packed with healthy food that you know will fuel them for the day, only to open that lunch box at the end of the day and see that they only picked at (or completely avoided) their main lunch and just ate their treats...

Chicken Quesadilla
Shredded Chicken Quesadillas

Shredded Chicken Quesadillas

These chicken quesadillas warm up nicely in a school microwave, but are also delicious straight from the lunch box and dipped in sour cream and salsa.

Filled with melted cheese, sweet peppers and flavourful, protein-rich chicken, these Shredded Chicken Quesadillas are packed with what your little one needs for a day of learning and fun.

Get the recipe.

Veggie Wraps
Veggie Wraps with a Jalapeño Dill Sauce

Veggie Wraps with a Jalapeño Dill Sauce

If your child likes a little flavour kick in their meals, we highly recommend these Veggie Wraps with a Jalapeño Dill Sauce. If they're not into the heat of jalapeños, you can remove it from the recipe, still being left with a delicious and light creamy dill sauce.

You can easily substitute the veggies in these wraps for ones your child prefers. We know it can be a challenge to get them interested in new fruits and veggies, so feel free to use what you know they already love.

Get the recipe.

Bowl Of Pad Thai
Crispy Tofu Curry Pad Thai

Crispy Tofu Curry Pad Thai

This school-safe (peanut-free) curry pad Thai is so easy to make, and a delicious lunch whether it be warmed in a microwave, sent in a thermos, or straight out of the fridge.

Your child will love these rice noodles soaked in a flavour-rich sauce, mixed together with delicious vegetables and crispy tofu (or another protein of your choice).

When you pack this Crispy Tofu Curry Pad Thai for your child's lunch, you can feel confident that they'll be getting the energy and nutrients they need for their schooling.

Get the recipe.

Chicken Shawarma Plate
Chicken Shawarma

Chicken Shawarma

This chicken shawarma recipe takes less than 45 minutes to make, and is a great option for multiple lunches for multiple kids, or a great simple dinner with lunchbox leftovers.

The diverse options for this Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma are endless; serve it with rice or pitas, or top your child's favourite fresh salad with it.

Delicious with a tahini drizzle or hummus dipping sauce, your kids will adore this fun and healthy lunch.

Get the recipe.

Sweet Potato Perogies
Sweet Potato Perogies

Sweet Potato Perogies

If your kids have a sweet-tooth, these naturally sweet, gluten-free perogies are the perfect lunch for them.

Easy to eat, these Sweet Potato Perogies are a light and satisfying option to give your kids the energy they need to get through a day of mental and physical exertion.

Put them in a thermos to stay warm, and just pack some sour cream, fresh green onions for the perfect topping.

If you've got a meat-loving child, you can also incorporate bacon or sausages into this recipe to make it a bit more filling.

Get the recipe.

Smoky Tempeh Ranch Wrap On Plate
Smoky Tempeh Ranch Wrap

Smoky Tempeh Ranch Wrap

Surprise your child with this flavour-filled vegan wrap.

Tempeh is an awesome plant-based protein, with a nutty flavour and firm texture, similar to meat.

Pack this Smokey Tempeh Ranch Wrap with your child's favourite veggies for extra enjoyment, or pack all the fixings deconstructed for a bit of lunch-time fun as they make their own.

Get the recipe.

Bowl Of Orzo Pasta
Creamy Orzo with Vegetables

Creamy Orzo with Vegetables

Make this simple one-pot recipe vegan, vegetarian, or with bone broth based on your families dietary preferences.

Loaded with veggies and protein any way you prepare it, this meal is full of what your child needs for a full day at school.

Perfect for the fast-approaching fall season, pack this Creamy Orzo and Vegetable up in a thermos or microwave safe container for a belly-warming and body-fuelling lunch for your little one.

Get the recipe.

Smoky Lentil Sloppy Joe Sandwich
Smoky Lentil Sloppy Joes

Smoky Lentil Sloppy Joes

Who doesn't love a Sloppy Joe? These timeless, and super simple to make sandwiches have been adored by kids for generations.

This healthy plant-based Sloppy Joe recipe honours the classic, messy sandwich you grew up eating, but in addition to being vegetarian, also provides some extra nutrients for your active child.

Be sure to pack extra napkins!

Get the recipe.

Braised Beef Tacos
Braised Beef Tacos

Braised Beef Tacos

Did you know that the Spanish word "taco," roughly translated, means "light lunch"?

Light or not, tacos are always a hit with the youngsters because they can be made in so many ways and are jam-packed with exciting flavours.

Our Braised Beef Tacos are full of health-promoting nutrients, proteins, and vitamins, perfect for your active and growing child.

Pack these yummy and exciting lunches up deconstructed with their favourite taco fillings and let their creativity flourish!

Get the recipe.

Lasagna
Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna

Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna

Perfect for a rainy or cool autumn day, pack this tasty pasta lunch in a thermos to stay warm until lunch time.

This saucy and veggie-packed Lasagna is sure to have your kids savouring their last bites and begging for more, so be prepared.

Our Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna is a great dish to make multiples of all at once and stick in the freezer for another day.

Get the recipe.

Each of these meals are great for meal-prepping a week's worth of lunches for however many children you have, and for you and your spouse.

We also highly recommend using that parental "work smart not hard" mentality to use these simple recipes when planning some delicious week-night dinners with lunch leftovers in mind.

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Erin Horrocks-PopeBorn and raised in Toronto, Erin is a dedicated freelance journalist, accomplished copywriter, and meticulous copyeditor. Beyond her bustling career, she's a devoted mother of four young kids who can't get enough of the mouthwatering recipes curated by Rily's culinary experts.
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