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Home » Recipes » Lunch » 3 Ways with Pasta for the School Lunchbox
August 15, 2012

3 Ways with Pasta for the School Lunchbox

From the Kitchen of Katie Kick

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School starts TOMORROW for us.

That means I have to start packing lunchboxes again.

The kids are so excited.

We’ve been so busy this past week making sure lunchboxes, backpacks, school clothes and supplies are all ready and organized.

Logan found out that one of his friends that he made this summer will be in his class.

They both have peanut allergies so it is a relief to know that Logan will always have a buddy in his class going though the same thing.

And they’re both named Logan.

How fun is that?

3 ways with pasta for the school lunchbox

We’ve really been cracking down on Logan’s picky eating habits this past year and I think that is going to help us with our lunch time menu quite a bit.

A year ago Logan was quite limited in what he would eat in his lunchbox at school.

Packing the lunchbox became a monotonous routine by the time the school year was over

Now he will eat lunch meat cut in strips or cubed on kebabs, more variety of cheeses, fruits, and vegetables, pasta, and more.

Pasta was a big one for me.

It frequents our dinner table regularly and it can so easily be varied depending on what ingredients are in season or on hand.

3 Ways with Pasta for the School Lunchbox

Pasta salads are great for lunchboxes.

You can easily use up the ingredients you have on hand in the fridge and make use of leftovers from previous meals or recipes.

When packing pasta dishes for the school lunch I prefer to go with cold options that don’t need to be heated up.

Some school lunch rooms have access to a microwave while others don’t.

I always make sure to include an ice pack in the lunchbox so nothing spoils by lunchtime.

Toss pasta with your child’s choice of vegetables, meats, cheese and a simple vinaigrette dressing for a tasty pasta salad lunch.

1. Asian Inspired Sesame Noodle Lunchbox

easy sesame noodle pasta salad lunch

Add in Ingredient Options:

  • Sugar Snap Peas
  • Shredded Carrots
  • Bell Pepper
  • Sliced Green Onions
  • Leftover shredded chicken
  • Sesame Seeds

Vinaigrette Flavors

If you have a favorite recipe or store-bought version of an Asian-inspired vinaigrette dressing, feel free to use that instead.

  • 1 part Sesame Oil
  • 1 part Rice Vinegar
  • 2 parts Soy Sauce
  • Spices, if desired: ginger, garlic, red pepper

2. Mexican Inspired Rotini Lunchbox

Add in Ingredient Options:

  • Cubed Colby Jack, Monterrey Jack, or Cheddar Cheese
  • Bell Pepper
  • Grape Tomatoes
  • Olives
  • Black Beans
  • Corn kernels
  • Leftover shredded chicken
  • Cilantro

Vinaigrette Flavors

If you have a favorite recipe or store-bought Mexican vinaigrette dressing, feel free to use that instead.

  • 2 parts Olive Oil
  • 1 part Lime Juice
  • Spices, if desired: Garlic, Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt and Pepper

3. Italian Inspired Penne Lunchbox

italian pasta salad for lunch

Add in Ingredient Options:

  • Mozzarella Balls, Cubed Mozzarella, or Shredded Parmesan
  • Bell Pepper
  • Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
  • Sun-dried Tomatoes
  • Cubed ham, turkey, pepperoni and/or salami strips
  • Chopped Fresh Spinach
  • Kidney Beans
  • Small broccoli florets
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Fresh Basil

Vinaigrette Flavors

If you have a favorite recipe or store-bought Italian vinaigrette dressing, feel free to use that instead.

  • 2 parts Olive Oil
  • 1 part White Balsamic Vinegar
  • Spices, if desired: Garlic, Oregano or Basil, Lemon Pepper, Salt and Pepper

More Back to School Food Ideas:

  • Going Beyond the Sandwich! 4 Lunchbox Snack Ideas for Back to School
  • Back to School: Snacks for After School
  • 5 Ways to Make Food More Fun For Kids
  • How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles for Easy Before School Breakfasts

What do your kids like to have packed in their lunchbox?


Tags

Pasta

Meet Katie Kick

My lifelong interest in cooking has shown me that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. I love trying new foods, discovering new places & things that help my family live the good life.

More About Katie
Updated: May 6, 2019

Reader Interactions

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  1. Skittle says

    January 26, 2014 at 8:25 PM

    Your kids are so lucky!!! My parents don’t have time to make me breakfast or lunch because they are a teacher and a radiographer. My lunch will be a lot more colorful and fun thanks to this!!! 😀

    Reply
  2. Jamie | My Baking Addiction says

    August 27, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    I think I want you to come pack MY back to school lunches. These options looks fantastic, Katie!

    Reply
  3. danielle says

    August 25, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    Good Morning! I love all the ideas and I wanted to let you know that I featured this today in my “What I Bookmarked This Week” post – stop by and check it out!

    Reply
  4. Tiffany says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    How happy I would be to see my students bring THIS instead of Lunchables!!! Love the ideas.

    Reply
  5. Sam D says

    August 20, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    Yum, this makes me hungry for lunch. I’m going to try these for my lunches!

    Reply
  6. Diane says

    August 17, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    Can someone please tell me how to easily save a recipe? I cannot figure out the option that forced me to sign into Yahoo and I do not use Facebook.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 23, 2012 at 12:58 PM

      How are you trying to save the recipe? You can log in to Ziplist here: http://goodlifeeats.ziplist.com/login?return_to=%2Frecipes%2Fbox using your account with any of the following: facebook, twitter, yahoo, windows live, google, linked in, or aol. Or you can create a new account for Ziplist here: http://goodlifeeats.ziplist.com/signup?return_to=%2Frecipes%2Fbox Ziplist allows you to create a virtual recipe box to save recipes from all over the web in one place. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

      Reply
  7. Emily says

    August 16, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    The Asian Sesame Noodles sound delicious!

    Reply
  8. Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says

    August 16, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    Such great ideas for lunches, Katie! So fresh and colorful!

    Reply
  9. Amanda says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    I sorta want you to make me all these for my lunches. They look GREAT!

    Reply
  10. Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    I like these for husband-lunch-packing duties too!

    Reply
  11. Deborah says

    August 15, 2012 at 8:15 AM

    I love this! I have 2 picky eaters, and although they aren’t in school yet, we still struggle iwth lunchtime. Definitely going to try these (because I know I’d love them, too!)

    Reply
  12. Ali @ Gimme Some Oven says

    August 15, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Your kids must have the BEST lunches! These all look so colorful and delicious!!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 15, 2012 at 10:25 AM

      I try…there are times they just want a sandwich or a bagel with fruit, veg, snack and a drink. BORING. We have been working hard to mix things up the last year or so. Food routine = bad. Trying new food = good. 🙂

      Reply

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Katie Kick from Good Life Eats in her kitchen

Meet Katie Kick

Hi, I’m Katie! Thank you so much for visiting my corner of the internet. I am passionate about cooking delicious and beautiful, yet accessible, food for my family and friends. I love tasting new foods, discovering new places and things that help my family live that good life.

More about Katie
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