Break out of your white-or-wheat sandwich routine with these filling, fun and easy-to-pack lunches from Food Network Kitchen. Each lunchbox includes a main recipe, plus all the tasty extras to round out a complete lunch.
Rice Bowl with Veggie Flowers and Hoisin
Taking the time to cut out fun shapes from your bell peppers just might entice your kids to eat more vegetables. If you don't have the time, then simply cut the vegetables into squares or bite-size sticks. Pack the rice bowl with half an orange (wedged and tossed with ground cinnamon), 6 to 8 edamame pods, 2 squares of chocolate and sesame sticks on the side for topping.
These creamy and crunchy stuffed peppers are perfect for a packed lunch. Use scallion instead of parsley or deli turkey instead of ham for a variation. Pack them with 1/2 cup carrot ribbons tossed with raisins, 5 to 6 whole-grain chips and a "reconstructed" small apple. Use an apple divider and don’t completely push it all the way through the apple — that way it’ll still be intact and the apple slices can just be snapped off. Then fill with peanut butter and band it together with a rubber band or wrap tightly in plastic wrap for storage.
Nope, we didn't forget the butter. These cream-based biscuits are light and airy and super easy to make. Pack the biscuit sandwich with 2 watermelon-and-grape skewers, 3 corn-on-the-cob coins (cut in 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick rounds) and 1 hard-boiled egg, halved and sprinkled with paprika.
This is the quick and lunch-friendly version of lasagna. Try tucking in a couple of pieces of pepperoni for an easy variation. And be sure to cook an extra noodle in case one tears! Pack them with 1 green bean bundle (6 to 7 blanched beans tied together with a blanched chive or scallion green), 1 bocconcini-and-olive skewer and 3 strawberries, halved.
A flavorful veggie-packed sauce is the star of this lunch-friendly recipe. It could easily be served with fish or even as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders. Pack the noodles with 5 to 6 pineapple chunks tossed in toasted coconut, 5 cucumber roll-ups (thinly sliced and rolled up into cylinders), and 7 to 8 roasted cashews.
