mykidsrmyjoy Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 I need some fresh inspiration for lunch ideas. I love to cook but feel like so much of my day is spent in the kitchen. I normally make a full breakfast every morning and almost always cook supper except for Wed. which is leftovers night. I prefer healthy cooking and eating and try to avoid most processed foods. Throw 5 kids ages 8,6, 4,3, and 1 into the mix and it gets rather complicated! We're all tired of sandwiches but what is faster or at least as fast as that? I need something that takes about 15 min. to prep and about the same amount of time to cleanup. I'm not opposed to doing some prep work the night before. Any ideas? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 When mine were littles, I made couscous with beans/veggies/Parmesan for lunch. Pinwheel sandwiches - a wrap with cream cheese and whatever toppings. Roll and cut. We do nachos - load up a sheet pan with nachos, beans and cheese, then melt in oven. Serve with salsa, sour cream, lettuce, tomato. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 you could make up soups ahead (in the crock pot even) pasta salad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 leftovers! This is our go-to lunch staple. hot dogs pb (or other nut butter) on apples or bananas or celery fruit salad and full fat yogurt or cottage cheese homemade pizza - pre make crust or use good store bought or any flatbread veggies and hummus rice and beans, topped with cheese - make ahead cheese and crackers bagels pasta and pesto (add chx if you like) egg salad baked potatoes with toppings (longer cook time, but not hands-on) meatballs kielbasa and potato skillet (leftover ones you baked before) lentils with a cooked grain tuna or chx salad bread, cheese and olives quiche - make ahead omelettes (on days with no eggs for b'fast) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) Well I tend to do really simple lunches - salami or leftover meat, crackers, cheese, sugar snap peas, cottage cheese, tangerines, nuts, etc. I pick four of those and plate them. Sometimes I'll get fancy and nuke a veggie or make a burrito. It's really not hard at all, I just autopilot breakfasts and lunches with the same basic rotation and only do any creativeness or more involved new planning for dinner. Sometimes the toddler does need a different item because they can't chew it or aren't get acclimated to the food enough to not pitch a fit, but that typical of the 1-2 year old set. Edited June 2, 2017 by Arctic Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Some of DS's lunch favorites: Quesadillas Sesame noodles: whole wheat pasta (rotini, elbows or something similar), lots of chopped up veggies like carrots, cucumbers, snow peas, celery, Annies Asian sesame dressing. Add cooked tofu or chicken. Couscous or quinoa with chopped up veggies and feta topped with raspberry vinegarette or similar. mini bagel pizzas - mini bagels, lightly toasted, topped with sauce, cheese and toppings, cook in the toaster oven for 5 more min to melt the cheese 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um_2_4 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 When all 4 were little, so like 1.5,1.5, 4, 6, I used to do mini buffets. I kept things ready in the fridge/pantry. I would rotate: cut up cheese sticks cut up left over chicken fruits baby tomatoes cucumbers what ever finger foods I had leftover some sort of cracker or bread squares or tortilla triangles apple slices etc. I would use those silicone muffin cups in a tupperware (the long, wide ones) for each to fill up. And the nice thing was I could cover whatever was left and add to it for the next day if needed. I should go back to that, they all loved those lunches. (now I would need bigger servings obviously :lol: at 7,7,11,14!!!) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Lately we've been doing what we call "deconstructed salads," or a large platter of separate things that could reasonably go together to make a salad. Diced meats, cheeses, berries, sliced fruit, tons of veggies. People who want a healthy salad get their healthy salad, kids who flip out over mixed foods can keep it separate on their plate, the veggie eaters get their veggies, picky eaters can pick but still get a healthy, well-rounded spread. Everyone is happy. The best part is that it lasts for a few meals! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTRMom Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Bean burritos, quesadillas, pasta with cheese, rice and beans Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Great post. I only have 3 little ones, but having the same lunch dilemma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykidsrmyjoy Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 Thank you all so much! So many great ideas here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Frozen ravioloi or tortelinni heats up quickly in boiling water, isn't a big mess, and kids love it. Sauce from a jar or just butter and parmesan cheese on top, and it's lunch :) Fruit for dessert or on the side. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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