Remember when lunch was... fun? For most adults, lunch is usually an uninspired salad or a sad deli sandwich, but it doesn't have to be that way! We may not get recess anymore, but these nostalgic school lunch recipes will help restore some excitement to your midday meal.
28 Classic School Lunch Recipes That Will Bring You Back to Your Childhood
Updated on Sep. 11, 2024
Cheesy Pizza Rolls
The cast-iron skillet browns these delicious rolls to perfection. My family can’t get enough. Use whatever pizza toppings your family likes best. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas
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3/28
Arts and Crackers
Total Time
25 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A bit of fun with some cookie cutters and a tasty fruit topping transform simple cheese and crackers into a treat kids will love. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cracker with cheese and topping: 42 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 54mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 starch.
4/28
Sausage French Bread Pizza
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I never seem to have pizza dough on hand, but that doesn’t stop our family from enjoying pizza. We top crusty French bread with creamy Alfredo sauce, sausage and veggies. It’s great to serve at a party for children or teens. —Cherie Sweet, Evansville, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 406 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 1038mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
5/28
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 389 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
6/28
Homemade Corn Dogs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Prepare corn dogs at home just like you'd get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 corn dog: 316 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 588mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
7/28
Pepperoni Pizza Baked Potatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These tasty taters were a spur-of-the-moment recipe I created from leftovers! It's a true mash-up meal that combines two dinnertime favorites into one super-fun meal. —Dawn E. Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 baked potato with toppings: 311 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 515mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat.
8/28
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Roll your burgers, cheese and taters all into one. It's the perfect dish to use to bribe your kids; homework, chores, piano practice—consider them done when this is the reward! —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 479 calories, 31g fat (12g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1144mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
9/28
Homemade Fish Sticks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a nutritionist and needed a healthy fish fix. Moist inside and crunchy outside, these are amazing with oven fries or roasted veggies and low-fat homemade tartar sauce. —Jennifer Rowland, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 278 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
10/28
Pizza Joes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These Italian-style sloppy joes are an easy twist on the classic. The meat can be prepared early and kept warm until it's time to eat. —Joanne Schlabach, Shreve, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 320 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 594mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
11/28
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The slow cooker not only makes this an easy meal, it keeps the pork tender, saucy and loaded with flavor. —Beki Kosydar-Krantz, Mayfield, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 402 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1181mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.
12/28
Chewy Honey Granola Bars
Total Time
25 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 178 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
13/28
Baked Spaghetti
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 526 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 881mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
14/28
Chicken Potpie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 potpies (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 475 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 768mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
15/28
Meat Loaf Muffins
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Serve these tangy meat loaf muffins for dinner or slice them up for a take-along sandwich lunch. They're just as flavorful after freezing. —Cheryl Norwood, Canton, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
2 mini meat loaves: 260 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
16/28
Meatball Stroganoff
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe has fed not only my own family, but many neighborhood kids! They come running when I make this supper. It's one of those things you throw together after work on a busy day because you know it works. —Julie May, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 717 calories, 57g fat (30g saturated fat), 172mg cholesterol, 1291mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
17/28
Lunch Box Pizzas
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it's no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there's no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 94 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
18/28
Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
19/28
Peanut Butter Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom got this peanut butter dip recipe from a neighbor years ago. She always made it for us kids in the fall when apples were in season. Now I make it for my children. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons (calculated without apples): 126 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
20/28
Sloppy Joe Pasta
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Since I found this quick-to-fix recipe a few years ago, it's become a regular part of my menu plans. Everyone loves the combination of sloppy joe ingredients, shell pasta and cheddar cheese. —Lynne Leih, Idyllwild, California
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 291 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 904mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.
21/28
Crescent Roll Hot Dogs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Not only do my grandchildren love these cheese-filled hot dogs, they enjoy helping put the meal together, too. It's the perfect solution when you need a last-minute lunch. —Lyletta Searle, Morgan, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 325 calories, 25g fat (10g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 797mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 11g protein.
22/28
Parmesan Fish Sticks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted a healthier approach to fish sticks and developed a baked tilapia with a slightly peppery bite. My husband and sons love the crispy coating. —Candy Summerhill, Alexander, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 281 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 154mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
23/28
Cheese Fries
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 129 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
24/28
Chilled Fruit Cups
Total Time
10 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshing frozen salad is easy to assemble ahead and serve to a group at breakfast - or any time of day. It's a convenient and colorful addition to a holiday buffet. —Andrea Hawthorne, Mozeman, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 141 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
25/28
Waffle Sandwich
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love the sweet, smoky flavor of these morning sandwiches. I use store-bought frozen waffles to save time, but have at it if you want to put your waffle maker to good use. —Kelly Reynolds, Urbana, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich (calculated without syrup): 511 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1163mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
26/28
Meatball Alphabet Soup
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Bite-sized meatballs made from ground turkey perk up this fun alphabet soup. A variety of vegetables are mixed in a rich tomato broth seasoned with herbs to make this delicious, wholesome soup. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 192 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 742mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
27/28
Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 229 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 556mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
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