24 Back-to-School Lunches

Back-to-School Lunches

Devilled Egg Salad Sandwiches
Devilled eggs always appear to be the first things eaten at picnics. Packing all of that zesty flavour between two slices of bread is sure to bring new life to the ordinary egg salad sandwich. Blot the cucumber with paper towels to absorb moisture.

Back-to-School Lunches

Smoked Ham, Brie and Cranberry Sandwiches    
The cranberry sauce or onion marmalade in this sandwich definitely makes it one for the adults. For a more kid-friendly lunch, use a fruit spread instead. 

Back-to-School Lunches

Fruity Tuna Salad Pitas
The typical tuna salad sandwich has kids and adults begging for a change. With this sandwich's addition of fresh dill, dried fruit and cheese, tuna salad now has a little something for everyone.

Back-to-School Lunches

Tofu Salad Sandwiches
This creamy filling looks just like egg salad and bursts with fresh dill and pickle flavours. It keeps well, so you can double it to have leftovers for easy lunches. If you like, add alfalfa sprouts when layering the sandwiches.

Back-to-School Lunches

Egg, Bacon and Cucumber Sandwich
This breakfast-inspired sandwich goes well with a handful of cherry tomatoes. If your little one is adventurous, try adding chopped fresh chives to the egg. Pack the cucumbers separately to keep the bread from getting soggy.

Back-to-School Lunches

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus on Tortilla
Hummus takes a twist with the addition of roasted red pepper. Spread it on a tortilla for a sandwich as shown or pack it as a dip for carrots, celery and toasted pita triangles.

Back-to-School Lunches

Black Bean Chili with Corn
Eat this right from the vacuum bottle. Or send along a whole wheat tortilla, shredded cheese and lettuce (wrapped separately) to create lunchtime burritos right on the spot. To reheat it before filling the container, microwave at medium-high (70%) for 4 minutes.

Back-to-School Lunches

Chicken Meatball Soup with Pasta
Here’s a tip for lunch packers. Pour boiling water into a vacuum bottle (Thermos), let warm for 5 minutes while you reheat the soup, then drain and fill with hot soup.

Back-to-School Lunches

Rice Bowl with Tofu
Chinese food is not only delicious for dinner but also for an appetizing lunch. Be sure to pack with ice packs in a thermal bag.

Back-to-School Lunches

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Caper Mayo
Nutritious and easy to make, this bistro-inspired sandwich is made with ingredients you already have on-hand: chicken breast, lettuce and tomato. Paired with a fresh, crusty baguette, it's perfect for lunch or dinner.

Back-to-School Lunches

Mini Turkey Meatball Soup
In the morning, pack the soup in an insulated container so it stays warm until lunch. Serve with carrot and celery sticks, a few crackers and a piece of fruit. You can easily double this recipe (to use up a whole package of ground turkey) and serve it for dinner.

Back-to-School Lunches

Chicken, Broccoli and Bocconcini Pasta Salad
Make this pasta salad for the whole family—the kids will love the mild dressing and round bocconcini cheese, while the adults will appreciate it as a light alternative to a sandwich. Serve with sweet red and yellow pepper strips and some fruit.

Back-to-School Lunches

Bacon and Egg Mini Pita Pockets
Make lunchtime fun with bite-size pitas. Figure on two to three pita pockets per child aged six to nine. For older children and teens, use regular-size pitas and add lettuce, tomatoes and sprouts.

Back-to-School Lunches

English Muffin Pizzas
This easy lunch also doubles as an after-school snack. Let the kids dictate the toppings. Try switching the cheese to smoked provolone, Cheddar or Fontina.

Back-to-School Lunches

Ham and Cheese Mini Muffins
Moist, savoury mini muffins are the perfect bite-size addition to lunch for kids who love little snacks. To satisfy your finger-food lover, load up a lunch box with two or three muffins, some sliced veggies, grapes and hummus.

Back-to-School Lunches

Roast Pork and Apple Roll-Ups
Pork and apple is a classic combo— one that kids are especially fond of. Ask for roast pork loin at the deli counter it's less salty than ham and has a mild smoky flavour. Round out this lunch with yogurt and some fresh berries.

Back-to-School Lunches

Not-So-Sloppy Joes
This tidy version of a sloppy joe is perfect for small hands. Serve the extra sauce on the side for dipping. Kids with bigger appetites will want to eat two!

Back-to-School Lunches

Chickpea Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing
Bring this protein-packed salad to work or school in a well-sealed container in a thermal lunch bag. Give it a shake just before opening to redistribute the creamy dressing.

Back-to-School Lunches

Chicken and Peach Cobb Salad
Whether grilled, pan-fried or roasted, leftover chicken makes a fantastic, protein-rich salad starter. Fresh peaches add a nice touch of sweetness to this dish, but you can omit them if they aren't in season.

Back-to-School Lunches

Marinated White Bean and Vegetable Salad
Leftover beans and jarred red peppers allow this salad to come together in a matter of minutes. To customize this recipe throughout the week, add leftover grilled or roasted veggies such as mushrooms, onions and eggplant, depending on what you have on hand. Just be sure to add any green vegetables at the last minute to preserve their colour.

Back-to-School Lunches

Wheat Berry and Chickpea Salad with Garam Masala Dressing
Wheat berries are whole, unprocessed wheat kernels that have a pleasant bite when cooked and make a hearty side dish or light lunch. To save prep time, cook the wheat berries in advance and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Back-to-School Lunches

Curried Lentil Dip
Pack some of this dip with a selection of sliced veggies and your favourite gluten free crackers or flatbreads for a satisfying (and nutritious) lunch or snack. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Back-to-School Lunches

Tomato and Chickpea Salad
This salad is a great make-ahead lunch. If you don't like the texture of refrigerated tomatoes (they get mealy), set them aside until you're ready to eat. This mixture also makes the ideal filling for a pita or wrap.

Back-to-School Lunches

Barbecue Chicken Sandwich with Coleslaw
Save time by roasting a large chicken for dinner and saving leftovers for sandwiches. Package the coleslaw separately to add at lunchtime.