5 School Lunch Ideas That Are Easy To Make And Good For Your Kid

Make the transition from summer to back-to-school seamless with Kroger® products that make lunch prep for the kids a breeze.

1. Waffle PB&J Sandwich Stack

Pairing Kroger® Multigrain Waffles with a favorite nut or seed butter and strawberries puts a healthy spin on the peanut butter & jelly that the kids will love.

INGREDIENTS

Kroger® Multigrain Waffles

1 pint of strawberries

2 tablespoons Kroger® Peanut Butter & Nut Butters OR Allergen-Free Sunflower Butter

Bento box pairing:

Kroger® Applesauce Pouches

Grapes

DIRECTIONS

Start by preparing one waffle based on package directions. Cut waffles into four triangles to act as our sandwich bread. Spread peanut butter or your favorite nut or seed butter on two of the cut waffles. Cut strawberries in half and place on top of the peanut butter. Place the other side of the waffle on top to construct the sandwich and place in one of the bento box compartments.

2. Kid-Pleaser Fruit Dipper

In this fruit-centered meal, kids can dip their favorite fruits into Kroger® Strawberry Fruit on the Bottom Greek Lowfat Yogurt Cups.

INGREDIENTS

Kroger® Strawberry Fruit on the Bottom Greek Lowfat Yogurt Cups

Various fruits: strawberries, oranges, pineapples, grapes, blueberries

Kid-Safe skewers

Bento box pairing:

Hummus

Kroger® Baby Carrots

DIRECTIONS

Cut fruit into bite-size pieces and place onto a kid-safe skewer and place into the bento box. Place Kroger® Strawberry Fruit on the Bottom Greek Lowfat Yogurt Cup in bento box along with hummus and baby carrots as our bento box pairing.

3. BLT Roll-Ups

Roll up a classic into an easy-to-pack tortilla using Kroger® Tortillas.

INGREDIENTS

Kroger® Tortillas

Romaine lettuce or any large leaf lettuce

Bacon or turkey bacon

Plum roma tomatoes, diced

Kroger® Buttermilk Fields Ranch Dressing

Bento box pairing:

Kroger® Fruit Snacks

Celery cut into bite-size pieces

DIRECTIONS

Cook bacon or turkey bacon according to package instructions. Slightly less crispy bacon allows for easier rolling.

Lay tortilla out on cutting board and spread a thin layer of ranch dressing on one side of the tortilla. Across the center of the tortilla, lay out lettuce from one edge of the tortilla to the other. On top of the lettuce, add the diced tomatoes. On top of the tomatoes, add our pieces of bacon. Roll up tortilla and cut into 2-inch pieces to fit in our bento box.

4. Kid’s Charcuterie

Make the favorite charcuterie board kid-friendly and time-friendly with Kroger® Snack Medleys.

INGREDIENTS

Kroger® Cheddar Cheese Cranberry & Cashew Snack Medleys

Bento box pairing:

Sliced cucumbers

Kroger® Sliced Apples

Turkey deli meat

Hummus

DIRECTIONS

Slice cucumber into ¼-inch slices and place in bento box with Kroger® Sliced Apples. Add all items into bento box for easy dipping and eating.

5. Pretty Pasta Salad

Cook the rainbow with this colorful pasta salad using Kroger® Veggie Pasta.

INGREDIENTS

Kroger® Veggie Pasta

½ cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

½ cup broccoli florets, cut into small pieces

½ cup cucumbers, cut into small pieces

½ cup Kroger® Baby Carrots, cut into small pieces

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Bento box pairing:

Kroger® Snacking Cheeses (String Cheese)

Kroger® Fruit Snacks

DIRECTIONS

Cook pasta to package instructions. Cut all vegetables into their pasta salad sizes. In a large bowl, add cooked Kroger® Veggie Pasta, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, cucumbers, Kroger® Baby Carrots, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Stir until combined and add salt and pepper to taste. Spoon up serving into bento box.

Photographs by Jon Premosch / Header illustrated by Victoria Reyes © BuzzFeed

Give your kid the best, even when you’re squeezed for time with Kroger® products for back-to-school.