The school year has started for many families, which means the kids are headed back to class after a lengthy, much-needed summer vacation. While parents may find themselves relieved that they no longer have to keep the kids occupied during the day, the start of a new school year is a busy, bustling time for everyone. When school season comes around, parents face the challenge of making sure the kids are well fed for lunch. Packing your kids a delicious, healthy and filling lunch is one of the many challenges and you don’t want them binging on the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the entire year. If the kids are craving for a little more pizzazz in their school lunches this year, there are simple ways to get the job done while making sure they’re getting all their energy and nutrients from what they eat.
The recipes we’ve selected in our Back to School Recipe Roundup are wholesome, comforting and most importantly, appealing to kids. From easy lunches like healthy wraps to after school snacks like crunchy granola bars, this roundup is all about keeping the dishes kid-friendly and parent-approved. For other back to school eats the kids can snack on during break time or after school, we also offer pre-packaged items such as Clean Snax, Mountain Trail Snack Mix and Tropical Fruit and Nut Snack Mix. If you’d like to purchase any of these items, you may do so by calling us at 800-588-0151 or emailing hotline@melissas.com.
If you want to give your kids a healthy change from the usual sandwiches, our simple Chicken and Vegetable wrap is sure to be a hit. This recipe has the best of both worlds–homemade baked, flavorful chicken as comfort food and fresh organic leaf lettuce and organic tomatoes for wellness and nutrition. Serve them on whole-wheat tortillas with a little bit of rice noodles for a fun twist. The result–a quick, inexpensive and kid-friendly lunch that’s perfect for busy parents who are constantly on the go.
Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches
We can probably bet that most kids won’t be complaining on BLT-day. When it comes to a kid-approved lunch, sometimes, simple is better. And what could be a better combination than crispy smoked bacon, crunchy organic iceberg lettuce and sweet Baby Heirloom Tomatoes? Our tasty version of this beloved favorite gets its special touch from a little extra help from a classic Caesar dressing. However, you can add whatever dressing or mayo your kids prefer. After all, there’s no wrong way to put together a BLT!
Homemade soup can be make an incredibly comforting lunch for the little ones. A thermos will keep your kid’s soup warm for up to seven hours and ready to enjoy by the time lunchtime rolls around. Our versatile Baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes have a delicious, buttery flavor and creamy texture that’s simply exquisite in soups. That’s why we created the ultimate potato soup using these lovely, little spuds. While this soup makes an excellent suppertime treat, the leftovers are also great for lunch the next day!
Tomato Grilled Corn and Fresh Fava Bean Soup
One way to amp up the healthiness in your classic tomato soup recipe is with fresh Fava Beans. If you’re having trouble getting the kids to eat their beans, then sneaking it into a scrumptious tomato soup is the answer. After all, isn’t tomato soup the quintessential comfort food? This soup is loaded with tons of flavor from our Perfect Sweet Onions, Yukon Gold Potatoes, sweet corn and our Peeled and Steamed Fava Beans.
Kids are notorious for being picky eaters. Why, getting them to eat their vegetables in place of their beloved mac n’cheese is an uphill battle. However, the secret is to make them forget they’re eating vegetables, which can be found in a simple pasta salad. Easy enough to tweak to your child’s tastes, pasta salad can be made with so many different ingredients such as organic bell peppers and olives. And there’s no need to worry if there’s no microwave available at school; pasta salad is one of those things that taste delicious served cold.
For after school snacks, swap the junk food out and replace it with fresh, healthy choices such as hummus. While you can buy prepackaged hummus at the grocery store, it’s actually quite easy to master your own hummus recipe at home. This Middle Eastern dip is made with our Peeled and Steamed Garbanzo Beans, also known as chickpeas, and is flavored with Fire Roasted Sweet Red Bell Peppers. For dipping options, choose fresh, crunchy vegetables such as Sweet Baby Carrots, Jicama, and Organic Sno Peas.
Chewy and crunchy granola bars, what more could a kid ask for in an after school snack? While a box of them could set you back $4 at the grocery store, making your own at home is quite simple and allows for you to control what goes into them. Our Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars are just pure oats, cashews and raisins that are sweetened with honey and brown sugar. As a fun, little project for the kids, you can make these granola bars together and have them snack on them all throughout the week.
Chocolate Chip, Cranberry and Soy Nut Cookies
Which kid doesn’t love cookies after a long day at school? There’s nothing like coming home to find the warm smell of freshly baked cookies wafting from the kitchen. Chocolate chip cookies are one of those recipes that are easily tweaked. Our fruity twist on this popular cookie classic uses dried cranberries for their tartness, roasted soy nuts and for their sweet and savory flavor. These cookies are the ultimate after school treat that’s made only better with a glass of cold milk on the side.
What are your kids’ favorite back to school lunch recipes? What are some other ideas for kids to enjoy during the school year?