12 Toddler Lunch Ideas
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.
Servings 1 or 2 servings per recipe
Calories 251kcal
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 1/4 cup)
- 1 (5 ounce) can chicken drained and flaked, or 1/2 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: 1/2 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 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup small pasta
- 1/2 small tomato finely chopped (about 1/4 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 1/4 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 1/2 cup water and 1/2 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 1/4 cup milk and 1/2 cup cheese and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until cheese is melted and a creamy sauce forms, 1 to 1 1/2 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 1/2 cup egg noodles and 1 rib celery, sliced (about 1/4 cup) and cook until noodles are tender, 8 to 9 minutes.
- Stir in 5 ounces canned chicken (or 1/2 cup leftover chicken) and 1/2 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 1/4 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: 1/2 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 1/2 cups)
- Bring 2 quarts water to boil. Add 1/2 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, 1/2 small tomato (finely chopped, about 1/4 cup), 1/4 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 1/4 cup), 1/4 cup grapes (quartered), and 1/4 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.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1141IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 1mg