Lunchbox recipes your kids can make

Steak and veggie pitas

Serves 4

Leftover steak can be sliced into tasty strips and tucked into pitas along with thin slices of cheese and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups cooked diced or thinly sliced steak
• 1 cup thinly sliced red or yellow bell pepper
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, drained
• Handful of fresh spinach leaves
• 4 large whole grain pita pockets, split
• 4 tablespoons light mayonnaise made with olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey mustard
• 4 slices provolone

Directions:

1. Have your kids combine the steak, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes and spinach leaves in a large bowl.
2. Let them spread the insides of the pita pockets with mayonnaise and mustard.
3. Have your kids set a cheese slice in each pita and carefully stuff the pitas with the steak mixture.
4. Tightly wrap in plastic wrap or place in a reusable lunch bag or container.
5. Keep refrigerated until ready to pack.

Hummus wraps

Serves 4

If your kids can press the button on the food processor, they can make this easy and healthy lunchbox recipe. Pack a bag of grapes and candied walnuts to go along with the wrap.

Ingredients:

• 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed, drained
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 (8-inch) whole grain tortillas
• 4 lettuce leaves or a handful of fresh spinach leaves

Directions:

1. Have your kids place the beans, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor then blend on high until smooth.
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Give them a spatula and let them spread the hummus thickly on the tortillas.
4. Lay a lettuce leaf or a few spinach leaves on top of the hummus and teach them how to roll the tortillas, burrito-style.
5. Wraps can be placed seam-side down in a reusable sandwich bag or container.

Cold pasta salad

Serves 4

Corkscrew or bow-tie pasta can be dressed up in many kid-pleasing ways. On your pasta night, make extra and set it aside so your kids can toss it with vegetables, beans or leftover chicken and their favorite salad dressing.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked pasta
• 1-1/2 cups cooked diced chicken (or beans, as a vegetarian option)
• 1/2 cup sliced pitted olives
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs
• Salad dressing of their choice, to taste
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

Directions:

1. Set the ingredients out for the kids and give them 1 big bowl to mix all the ingredients together or give them each a bowl and let them pick and choose to make their salad.
2. Pack the salads in individual-sized lunch containers and keep refrigerated until ready to pack for school.

More kid-friendly recipes

Healthy kid-friendly breakfast recipes
Healthy dinner recipes the kids can make
Easy fruit tarts for the kids