Large Family Lunch Ideas

 Whether you pack lunch boxes or need lunch at home for your kiddos, I have some tips to save money and stretch food items:

* Visit your local food bank for pantry items 

-Do you know how much food our grocery stores waste and how many—not even expired items have to be mandated off of shelves? 

Great food bank items canned or packaged:

pasta, rice, beans, oats

canned beans or dry beans 

applesauce 

puddings 

granola bars 

chips 

*Stretch homemade lunches, even for lunchboxes 

1. Pastry and Crescent Dough Meals

make your own quick dough to shape over  hot dogs with cheese . 

Or 

Pre-packaged crescent roll dough

Wrap around meat, ground meat, chicken, lunchmeat, or cheese, or any combination 

Cook

Dessert Pastries:

Stuff dough or crescents with —

Chocolate Chips and Honey

Cream Cheese and Jam with Brown Sugar 

2. Hard-Boiled Eggs 

3. Fresh Produce with Ranch 

Raw Carrots, Snap Peas, Broccoli, and Tomatoes 

4. Corn Chips (Discount Brand in Large Bags)

5. Thermos Ideas 

Cauliflower Mac N Cheese or Regular Mac N Cheese- Kraft or Other Brand

Noodles with Garlic Salt and Butter 

Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar and Sliced Hot Dogs or ham 

Soup

Rice with Shredded Chicken and Sauce (Creamy Mushroom Soup or Ranch with Salsa)

Rice and Beans 

6. Snacks 

Homemade Trail Mix (Multigrain Cheerios and Popcorn Mixed in a Bag)

Granola Bars 

Muffins 

7. Fruits/Dairy 

Fresh Fruit 

Yogurts (Buy Cheap in Bulk)

Cheese Slices or String Cheese 

Boxed Milks and boxed juice