9 Favorite School Lunches
Updated: 04/06/2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
School is back in session, and we are serving up our nine favorite school lunches. Many of these recipes can be made ahead to save you time as you juggle school, meals, work, and more throughout the week. Of course, all of these recipes are delicious, and your kids will love them!
Crispy Chicken Bites (oven-baked recipe)
Crispy chicken bites are simple enough to make for a quick snack, and they freeze very well. A light coating of starch and spices makes them nice and crispy when baked. You'll love them!
View
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
This is the ultimate chicken quesadilla recipe. Loaded with saucy bbq chicken, lots of melty cheese, and Tex-Mex favorites like corn, black beans, and bell peppers, they are always a winner. You’ll love how quick and easy they are to make!
View
Vegetarian Chili Recipe (easy to make with lots of veggies)
This easy vegetarian chili recipe is our family's go-to, one-pot dinner. It's full of vegetables, made with pantry staple ingredients, and is so easy to make. It's a delicious vegan chili that everyone raves about!
View
Tuna Balls Salad Bowls Recipe
Canned tuna is all dressed up in this delicious, fresh, and light tuna salad bowl recipe. Wrapped up in panko and browned until golden, the tuna balls are perfect to sink your teeth into – they're crisp on the outside, yet juicy and tender inside. Lay them on a bed of salad and top it off with a simple remoulade salad dressing. It's perfect for work lunches, meal prep, or a delicious dinner.
View
Chicken Salad Recipe with Grapes and Almonds
This chicken salad is deliciously creamy, dotted with sweet red grapes, crunchy celery, and crisp almond slices. Serve on top of greens or tuck it into a sandwich.
View
Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Who said chicken nuggets are bad for you? These baked chicken nuggets skip the deep fryer and preservatives, giving you all the crispy, delicious flavor you love with a lighter twist. I created this recipe for my daughter, but now I’m having a full-on chicken nugget revival of my own.
View
Paleo Honey Garlic Chicken Fingers Recipe
Tender and succulent chicken is coated in a delicate, golden crust, then slathered in a simple, sticky honey garlic sauce that's an irresistible combination of savory and sweet! Paleo honey chicken is a true crowd-pleaser that the whole family will fall in love with!
View
One-Pot Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Pasta with peas and bacon is an easy and delicious pasta dinner recipe and a great way to use that bag of peas in your freezer. We make ours with yogurt, lots of peas, a squeeze of lemon, and just enough bacon so this recipe feels like a treat.
View
Hawaiian Hot Dogs Recipe
These delicious Hawaiian hot dogs with grilled pineapple and teriyaki mayo are the perfect summer meal. They're sweet, smoky, and as spicy as you want them to be. They're also easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes!
View
