Packing a lunch you’re excited about doesn’t require coming up with a whole new menu. Simple, new twists on staples such as peanut butter and jelly and mac and cheese are all you need to spruce up your midday meal. Make lunch the best meal of the day with 8 reimagined recipes for lunchtime classics.
Ants on a Log 2.0
Let your creativity shine with Food Network’s creative combinations for reinvented ants on a log. Celery, peanut butter, and raisins are a great team, but why stop there? Cream cheese, guacamole, hummus, pimento cheese, and cookie butter are just a few ways to add a whole new layer of flavor to this age-old lunchtime staple.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Tacos
In this recipe from Home Made Interest, turn a slice of bread into a makeshift tortilla, spread on some peanut butter and your favorite jam, and add some fresh berries for a seriously upgraded PB&J!
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
This recipe from Cookie + Kate uses roasted butternut squash to add a healthy dose of fiber and vitamins A and C into everyone’s favorite mac and cheese. This one-pot vegetarian meal yields eight servings and can be made ahead and frozen.
Sandwich on a Stick
Let’s face it: traditional sandwiches can get pretty boring. Sometimes, all it takes to get your mouth watering is to prep everything that goes in a sandwich in a different way. In this recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod, individual elements like bread cubes, cheese, turkey, pepperoni, fruit, veggies, and even lettuce are all stacked neatly on a stick to make for an aesthetically appealing lunch that will hit the spot.
Brie-Stuffed Strawberries
This fabulous fruit concoction from Amanda’s Cookin’ will be an instant hit. Whipped brie cheese mixed with basil and chives stuffed into a juicy strawberry? Whoa! Drizzle the berries with some rich balsamic vinegar for an added layer of sophistication. These are so good you might want them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Homemade (Healthy) Fruit Gummies
Every kid loves gummies, but let’s be honest: they’re a guilty pleasure for adults, too! This healthier, homemade gummy recipe from My Kids Lick the Bowl uses fruit (in any form) and gelatin to make a tasty treat that will liven up everyone’s lunchbox. Pick up a few silicone molds to make a variety of fun shapes.
Pizza Roll-Ups
Kids and adults will love these easy, make-ahead pizza rolls from The Recipe Rebel. Start with a mix of cream cheese and pizza sauce, then add cheese, pepperoni, and any veggies you want for a quick, filling meal that will satisfy all your cravings.
Dilly Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Using chickpeas instead of chicken takes a classic lunchtime favorite – chicken salad – to star status. This vegetarian version from Taste of Home is loaded with flavor thanks to onion, celery, dill, Dijon mustard, paprika, and a little red wine vinegar.
Leave a Reply