Originally Posted by
twowhat?
Lunch IS a struggle! My kids don't buy the hot lunch - they simply don't want to because it cuts into eating time and they are starving by lunchtime and want to eat and not wait in a line and then only have 5 min to eat. Here's stuff I pack:
In thermos:
Mac and cheese
Pasta and cheese (DD especially loves a fun pasta shape lightly tossed with olive oil - spirals or whatever - and a separate container of just shredded cheese and eats that. Gag.)
Butter pasta (again, a fun pasta shape lightly tossed with butter, and a separate container of parmesan cheese)
Dinner leftovers, sometimes (e.g. rice with broccoli chicken, meat loaf and mashed potatoes, chicken & spinach pasta, curry chicken, spaghetti, etc)
Potato soup, with a small separate container of sour cream at the bottom, green onion (middle layer) and shredded cheese (top layer). Bacon if we have it. I know you said no soup but my kids don't usually take soup either but will take potato soup because it's so hearty and thick.
Potstickers (DD1 loves)
Baked potato - hot potatoes and butter in thermos. Pack separate container of toppings (layer sour cream, green onion, cheese like above). Bacon if we have it.
Not in thermos:
Ramen. Yep - Ramen. Make it dry/cold so that it doesn't get soggy (cook without seasoning, drain, cool with cold water, drain very well, sprinkle seasoning on top of dry noodles).
Crackers and cheese. You can vary this - different kinds of salami, cheddar, swiss, etc. DD1 loves Brie and crackers.
Snack lunch: String cheese, veggies & hummus, fruit, yogurt, Luna bar.
Tortilla roll-up: mayo, cheese, lunch meat, lettuce wrapped in a fresh tortilla. Even I like these and we pack them for picnic lunches.
Sushi: sometimes I'll buy sushi and let them bring it for lunch as a special treat.
Grilled cheese: this actually holds up OK at room temp but has to be made fresh in the morning and let cool before wrapping in parchment, then foil.
Following, as I always love more packed lunch ideas.