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Here are 12 Toddler Lunch Ideas sure to please parents and kids alike. These fun, clever recipes make use of pantry and frozen items whenever possible but never sacrifice on taste.
From one mom of small children to another, the struggle is real! Feeding kids can be a chore, and it seems they are simultaneously always hungry and not interested in whatever you made.
As a follow-up to my wildly popular 10 Toddler Breakfast Ideas post, here are 12 Toddler Lunches to keep you inspired and your toddler happy. Focusing on whole foods in their most convenient form whenever possible, these recipes feature pantry staples like canned chicken, frozen veggies, and pasta.
Every meal option also has a fresh and healthy side dish that can easily be swapped out for something else you already have on hand. This is inspiration, not a prescription. Here’s to full bellies and happy babies!
Table of Contents
- 1. Microwavable Macaroni and Cheese
- 2. Chicken Noodle Soup
- 3. Bean and Cheese Burrito
- 4. English Muffin Pizza
- 5. Franks and Beans
- 6. Turkey Roll Up
- 7. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
- 8. Grilled Ham and Cheese
- 9. Picnic Pasta Salad
- 10. Cheese and Fruit plate
- 11. Chicken Salad on Crackers
- 12. Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter
- 12 Toddler Lunch Ideas Recipe
1. Microwavable Macaroni and Cheese
- In a small, deep, microwave-safe bowl, add ½ cup water and ½ cup pasta and stir to combine. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes, watching to ensure the water doesn’t boil over.
- Using oven mitts or a kitchen towel, remove bowl from microwave. Stir pasta and continue microwaving in 2-minute increments until pasta is tender, about 4 to 8 minutes longer. If all water is absorbed, stir in an additional 1-2 tablespoons water (my pasta took 6 minutes and 1 extra tablespoon water).
- Using oven mitts or a kitchen towel, remove bowl from microwave. Stir in ¼ cup milk and ½ cup cheese and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until cheese is melted and a creamy sauce forms, 1 to 1 ½ minutes total. Season to taste with salt.
- Yield: 1 cup
- Serving suggestion: Serve with frozen peas and carrots, cooked according to package directions.
2. Chicken Noodle Soup
- In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups chicken broth to boil. Stir in heaping ½ cup egg noodles and 1 rib celery, sliced (about ¼ cup) and cook until noodles are tender, 8 to 9 minutes.
- Stir in 5 ounces canned chicken (or ½ cup leftover chicken) and ½ cup frozen peas and carrots. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and season to taste with salt.
- Yield: 2 cups
- Serving suggestion: Serve with oyster crackers and fresh berries.
3. Bean and Cheese Burrito
- Lay one 8-inch tortilla flat on a plate or cutting board. Spread 2 tablespoons refried beans down the middle of the tortilla, then top with 2 tablespoons shredded cheese.
- Roll the burrito tightly by folding the sides over the filling, then rolling from the bottom up. Place the burrito seam-side down on a plate and microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Cut in half and cool.
- Yield: 1 burrito
- Serving suggestion: Serve with tortilla chips, salsa, and guacamole.
4. English Muffin Pizza
- Toast both halves of the English muffin in a toaster. Spread 1 tablespoon marinara sauce on each muffin half (2 tablespoons total) and top each half with 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese (2 tablespoons total).
- Microwave on full power until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Let stand 1 minute before serving.
- Yield: 2 muffin halves
- Serving suggestion: Serve with sliced olives.
5. Franks and Beans
- On a small plate, add 3 cocktail wieners and 2 tablespoons baked beans.
- Microwave on full power for 30 seconds, remove from microwave, and stir the beans. Let stand 1 minute before serving.
- Yield: 1 serving
- Serving suggestion: Serve with quartered grapes. You can serve the sausages and beans mixed together or served separately, with ketchup on the side for dipping.
6. Turkey Roll Up
- Lay one 8-inch tortilla on a flat surface and spread with 1 tablespoon ranch dressing.
- In the middle of the tortilla, layer 2 ounces turkey, 1 slice cheddar cheese (cut in half), 1 lettuce leaf, and 4 thin tomato slices. Roll tightly, then cut into 4 pieces.
- Yield: 1 roll up
- Serving suggestion: Serve with mandarin orange slices (maybe your young one can even peel it herself).
7. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
- In the bottom of a small bowl or cup, add ¼ cup yogurt (or use the individual cup the yogurt came in).
- Top with 1 tablespoon granola, 1 strawberry (quartered), and 1 tablespoon blueberries.
- Yield: 1 parfait
- Serving suggestion: Serve with extra fruit on the side.
8. Grilled Ham and Cheese
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Butter one slice of bread on one side, cut in half, and lay both pieces butter-side down in the skillet. Add one half of the slice of cheese to each piece of bread. Top one side of the sandwich two pieces of deli ham.
- Toast the bread slices until golden brown and the cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a spatula or turner, lift one side of the sandwich and place on top of the other. Gently press down with the spatula until the two sides of cheese adhere. Transfer to a plate and let stand 1 minute. Cut in half to serve.
- Yield: ½ sandwich
- Serving suggestion: Serve with baby pickles (Milwaukee’s Baby Dill Pickles are my favorite, if you can find them).
9. Picnic Pasta Salad
- Bring 2 quarts water to boil. Add ½ cup small pasta and cooking according to package directions, about 8 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water.
- In a medium bowl, add cooled pasta, ½ small tomato (finely chopped, about ¼ cup), ¼ cup frozen vegetables such as corn or peas (thawed), and 2 tablespoons finely chopped cooked bacon (2 slices). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons ranch dressing and toss to combine.
- Yield: 1 ½ cups
- Serving suggestion: Complete your picnic spread with chunks of fresh watermelon.
10. Cheese and Fruit plate
- Cut 1 slice cheddar cheese into quarters and set on a plate. Add 8 crackers and 4 thin apple slices.
- Serve with 1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter (or other nut butter) on the side.
- Yield: 1 serving
- Serving suggestion: Choose your child’s favorite crackers such as Wheat Thins, Triscuits, Townhouse Crackers, or Club Crackers. Add a handful of raisins if desired.
11. Chicken Salad on Crackers
- In a small bowl, add 1 (5-ounce) can chicken, drained and flaked, 1 rib celery (thinly sliced, about ¼ cup), ¼ cup grapes (quartered), and ¼ cup mayonnaise.
- Stir well to combine. Serve with Ritz Crackers.
- Yield: 1 cup
- Serving suggestion: Serve with applesauce.
12. Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter
- Lay rice cake on a flat surface. Top with 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
- Layer with banana slices from 1 banana.
- Yield: 1 rice cake
- Serving suggestion: Serve with a side of cottage cheese.
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12 Toddler Lunch Ideas
Ingredients
1. Microwavable macaroni and cheese (Yield: 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup elbow macaroni or other small pasta
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt to taste
2. Chicken noodle soup (Yield: 2 cups)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup egg noodles (heaping)
- 1 rib celery thinly sliced (about ¼ cup)
- 1 (5 ounce) can chicken drained and flaked, or ½ cup leftover chicken
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
- Salt to taste
- Oyster crackers for serving
3. Bean and cheese burrito (Yield: 1 burrito)
- 1 8-inch flour tortilla
- 2 tablespoons refried beans
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
- Salsa on the side, for serving
4. English muffin pizza (Yield: 2 muffin halves)
- 1 English muffin split
- 2 tablespoons marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
5. Franks and beans (Yield: 1 serving)
- 3 cocktail wieners
- 2 tablespoons baked beans
- Ketchup on the side, for serving
6. Turkey roll up (Yield: 1 roll up)
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing
- 1 8-inch flour tortilla
- 2 ounces deli turkey thinly sliced
- 1 slice cheddar cheese cut in half
- 1 lettuce leaf
- 4 thin slices Roma tomatoes
7. Fruit and yogurt parfait (Yield: 1 parfait)
- 1/4 cup yogurt
- 1 tablespoon granola
- 1 strawberry quartered
- 1 tablespoon blueberries
8. Grilled ham and cheese sandwich (Yield: ½ sandwich)
- 1 tablespoon butter softened
- 1 slice bread
- 1 slice American cheese cut in half
- 2 thin slices deli ham
9. Picnic pasta salad (Yield: 1 ½ cups)
- 1/2 cup small pasta
- 1/2 small tomato finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
- 1/4 cup frozen vegetables such as corn or peas, thawed
- 2 tablespoons cooked bacon finely chopped (2 slices)
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
10. Cheese and fruit plate (Yield: 1 serving)
- 1 (1 ounce) slice cheddar cheese
- 8 Wheat Thins or other crackers
- 4 thin apple slices
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter
11. Chicken salad on crackers (Yield: 1 cup)
- 1 (5 ounce) can chicken drained and flaked
- 1 rib celery thinly sliced (about ¼ cup)
- 1/4 cup grapes quartered
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Ritz crackers for serving
12. Rice cakes with peanut butter (Yield: 1 rice cake)
- 1 rice cake
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 banana sliced
Instructions
1. Microwavable macaroni and cheese (Yield: 1 cup)
- In a small, deep, microwave-safe bowl, add ½ cup water and ½ cup pasta and stir to combine. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes, watching to ensure the water doesn't boil over.
- Using oven mitts or a kitchen towel, remove bowl from microwave. Stir pasta and continue microwaving in 2-minute increments until pasta is tender, about 4 to 8 minutes longer. If all water is absorbed, stir in an additional 1-2 tablespoons water (my pasta took 6 minutes and 1 extra tablespoon water).
- Using oven mitts or a kitchen towel, remove bowl from microwave. Stir in ¼ cup milk and ½ cup cheese and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until cheese is melted and a creamy sauce forms, 1 to 1 ½ minutes total. Season to taste with salt.
2. Chicken noodle soup (Yield: 2 cups)
- In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups chicken broth to boil. Stir in heaping ½ cup egg noodles and 1 rib celery, sliced (about ¼ cup) and cook until noodles are tender, 8 to 9 minutes.
- Stir in 5 ounces canned chicken (or ½ cup leftover chicken) and ½ cup frozen peas and carrots. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and season to taste with salt. Serve with oyster crackers.
3. Bean and cheese burrito (Yield: 1 burrito)
- Lay one 8-inch tortilla flat on a plate or cutting board. Spread 2 tablespoons refried beans down the middle of the tortilla, then top with 2 tablespoons shredded cheese.
- Roll the burrito tightly by folding the sides over the filling, then rolling from the bottom up. Place the burrito seam-side down on a plate and microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Cut in half, cool, and serve with salsa on the side.
4. English muffin pizza (Yield: 2 muffin halves)
- Toast both halves of the English muffin in a toaster. Spread 1 tablespoon marinara sauce on each muffin half (2 tablespoons total) and top each half with 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese (2 tablespoons total).
- Microwave on full power until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Let stand 1 minute before serving.
5. Franks and beans (Yield: 1 serving)
- On a small plate, add 3 cocktail wieners and 2 tablespoons baked beans. Microwave on full power for 30 seconds, remove from microwave, and stir the beans. Let stand 1 minute, then serve with ketchup on the side.
6. Turkey roll up (Yield: 1 roll up)
- Lay one 8-inch tortilla on a flat surface and spread with 1 tablespoon ranch dressing. In the middle of the tortilla, layer 2 ounces turkey, 1 slice cheddar cheese (cut in half), 1 lettuce leaf, and 4 thin tomato slices. Roll tightly, then cut into 4 pieces.
7. Fruit and yogurt parfait (Yield: 1 parfait)
- In the bottom of a small bowl or cup, add ¼ cup yogurt (or use the individual cup the yogurt came in). Top with 1 tablespoon granola, 1 strawberry (quartered), and 1 tablespoon blueberries.
8. Grilled ham and cheese sandwich (Yield: ½ sandwich)
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Butter one slice of bread on one side, cut in half, and lay both pieces butter-side down in the skillet. Add one half of the slice of cheese to each piece of bread. Top one side of the sandwich two pieces of deli ham.
- Toast the bread slices until golden brown and the cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a spatula or turner, lift one side of the sandwich and place on top of the other. Gently press down with the spatula until the two sides of cheese adhere. Transfer to a plate and let stand 1 minute. Cut in half to serve.
9. Picnic pasta salad (Yield: 1 ½ cups)
- Bring 2 quarts water to boil. Add ½ cup small pasta and cooking according to package directions, about 8 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water.
- In a medium bowl, add cooled pasta, ½ small tomato (finely chopped, about ¼ cup), ¼ cup frozen vegetables such as corn or peas (thawed), and 2 tablespoons finely chopped cooked bacon (2 slices). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons ranch dressing and toss to combine.
10. Cheese and fruit plate (Yield: 1 serving)
- Cut 1 slice cheddar cheese into quarters and set on a plate. Add 8 Wheat Thins crackers and 4 thin apple slices. Serve with 1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter on the side.
11. Chicken salad on crackers (Yield: 1 cup)
- In a small bowl, add 1 (5 ounce) can chicken, drained and flaked, 1 rib celery (thinly sliced, about ¼ cup), ¼ cup grapes (quartered), and ¼ cup mayonnaise. Stir well to combine. Serve with Ritz crackers.
12. Rice cakes with peanut butter (Yield: 1 rice cake)
- Lay rice cake on a flat surface. Top with 1 tablespoon peanut butter and layer with banana slices from 1 banana.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
Thanks for the great ideas.
I would add applesauce and cottage cheese in this mix with veggies, crackers or cheese.
Hi Mary, you’re so welcome! Sounds great! – Meggan
Hi Meggan,
The suggestions for Breakfast and Lunch Ideas for Toddler’s are GREAT!!! My husband and I have Great Grandchildren and these suggestions are wonderful for my husband and I who are in our 70’s and 80’s as well as our Great Grandchildren who we visit as often as we can , which we wish was more often. Thank You GREATLY for these suggestions.
Many Happy Hearts to you,
Hi Priscilla, I’m so happy you love them! It makes me so happy to hear that you and your husband have great-grandchildren! How wonderful to spend time with them! You are so welcome. Take care! – Meggan
Great Ideas!!! I babysit my 2.5 yr old picky eater grandson after daycare and he comes home HUNGRY. This assortment of meal suggestions is just what I need to put together fast healthy dinners for him. Thank you.
Hi Sandra, you’re so welcome! I hope you find them easy to make and that he loves them! – Meggan