40 Back-to-School Lunches & Lunchbox Ideas
Easy, packable lunches for every school day
Melissa's Pick
The Best Compartment Lunch Containers
Whether you're packing sandwiches, wraps, or quesadillas, having the right container makes all the difference. These stackable divided boxes keep everything neat, fresh, and easy to grab — perfect for busy school mornings.
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Sandwiches, Wraps & Quesadillas
Turkey and Cheddar Pinwheels
Spread a large flour tortilla with a thin layer of cream cheese or mayonnaise. Add sliced turkey, cheddar and a little lettuce. Roll tightly, refrigerate for 15 minutes and slice into pinwheels.
Ham, Cheddar and Cucumber Sandwiches
Layer sliced ham, cheddar and thinly sliced cucumber between two pieces of bread with mayonnaise or softened butter. Cut into halves or smaller fingers for easy packing.
Chicken Caesar Wraps
Toss chopped cooked chicken and romaine lettuce with a small amount of Caesar dressing. Add grated Parmesan, roll everything tightly in a flour tortilla and cut in half.
Chicken Ranch Wraps
Spread ranch dressing lightly over a tortilla. Add cooked chicken, cheddar and shredded lettuce. Roll tightly and slice in half. Pack additional ranch separately for dipping, if desired.
Turkey Pesto Focaccia Sandwiches
Spread a thin layer of pesto over sliced focaccia. Add turkey, mozzarella or provolone, tomato and lettuce. Close the sandwich and cut it into a manageable lunch-sized portion.
Mini Italian Sub Sandwiches
Fill small buns with sliced ham, salami and provolone. Add lettuce and thinly sliced tomato. Spread the buns lightly with mayonnaise or Italian dressing, keeping the dressing away from the bread if preparing them the night before.
Chicken Quesadilla Wedges
Place chopped cooked chicken and grated cheddar over half of a flour tortilla. Fold it closed and cook in a lightly greased skillet until golden and the cheese has melted. Cool completely before slicing into wedges and packing with mild salsa.
Pizza Tortilla Roll-Ups
Spread a tortilla lightly with pizza sauce, leaving a border around the edge. Sprinkle with mozzarella and add thinly sliced pepperoni. Roll tightly, slice into rounds and serve cold, or warm briefly before packing in a thermos.
BLT Wraps
Spread mayonnaise over a tortilla, then add crisp cooked bacon, lettuce and thinly sliced tomato. Pat the tomato dry before adding it to prevent the wrap from becoming soggy. Roll tightly and cut in half.
Turkey, Cheddar and Veggie Wraps
Spread a tortilla with cream cheese or mayonnaise. Layer with turkey, cheddar, shredded lettuce and thin strips of cucumber or bell pepper. Roll tightly and slice into halves or pinwheels.
Packing tip
Allow quesadillas and other warm fillings to cool completely before placing them in a lunch container. This prevents condensation from making the bread or tortillas soggy. Keep lunches chilled with an ice pack until lunchtime.