need quick summer lunch ideas

[Pastamom]

It's only the beginning of July and already we are sick of the basic sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, etc.

I always forget to by things for lunches so that I have something on hand. Any ideas that I can have for grab and go. Lunch is usually pretty quick at our house so I'd like to have some things ready that I can "throw" on a plate and have something somewhat nice and even possibly creative...

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[malibuconlee]

Leftovers?

Not cheap, but frozen veggie burgers are quick.

 

[pixiewings71]

Salami and cheese with crackers.....that's what I had today

 

[Forevryoung]

My new favorite summer lunch is to buy different "dips" from Trader Joes (LOVE the tzatziki- garlic cucumber dip). Slice up some cucumbers, carrots (or buy baby carrots) and pita bread. I go to town dipping and it's a pretty filling lunch.

 

[aaarcher86]

Depending upon how old your kids are, Nickjr.com has a bunch of fun recipes.

Ants on a log - celery with cream cheese and raisins on top... fun stuff like that.

 

[Justsyd2]

Hummus, cheese, crackers, and grapes!

Tuna/Chicken Salad

Roast Beef Wraps

 

[disykat]

My favorite summer lunch that the kids also like is pita pizzas. I keep a squeeze bottle of pizza sauce and some grated cheese on hand and put it on a pita (not split) and put whatever veggies and/or meat I have handy on it. I usually just put the oven on hot and cook them while the oven is preheating. We each make our own.

Another favorite is quesadillas done on my George Forman. You could easily do it in a frying pan too. tortillas and cheese, sometimes with beans and/or meat. I also do them open faced under the broiler sometimes - pizza style.

 

[krcit]

I make cold pasta salad. Just corkscrew pasta, some veggies and bottled Italian dressing. I also make macaroni salad. 1 Lb of elbows, 6 hard boiled eggs chopped and mayo, salt, pepper and onion powder.

 

[Pastamom]

Thanks
Keep the ideas coming please!!!

 

[HeatherC]

Cold couscous salad? I use the Near East Chicken Flavored one. I make it the night before then add olive oil, fresh lemon juice, black olives, grape tomatoes and chopped cukes. Let it sit overnight in the fridge and you can grab it for lunch with some pita bread.

English Muffin Pizzas? Kids love these with pepperoni or grape tomatoes.


Cold fried chicken? I buy a box of the Banquest Skinless Fried Chicken...heat it up one night and put in fridge for snacks and lunch or quick dinner with salad.

Cold grilled vegges on pita from night before. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and a little balsamic vinegar. I like to add some feta cheese to it.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I buy boneless skinless chicken breast when they are on sale. Poach them 4 at a time and shred then when cooled. I use the shredded meat to make chicken taco's, taquitos, flautus, quesadillas or BBQ sammy's. You could also toss it in with some pasta hot or cold ot make chicken salad with it.

 

[SunnieRN]

Easy, cheap, but not the healthiest:

Pigs in a blanket

Corn Dogs

fruit salad with cheese slices

Stuffed eggs with carb of your choice

Stuffed potatoes (make them for a dinner side dish the night before, with enough for a leftover lunch)

Nachos

 

[pixiewings71]

I make quesadillas in the microwave, flour tortilla, grated cheese, fold it over and stick a toothpick in it to hold it closed and zap it for 30 seconds.

 

[Pastamom]

Thanks!!
I just picked up the Pillsbury sandwiches and salads magazine/cookbook at the grocery store. Lots of ideas in that that I can adapt also. I'll be ready for next week (hopefully)

 

[nomolos]

If you have rice the night before make extra -it doesnt take long to make a stir fried rice and you can add and leftover meat or even vegetables to it.

Do you own a gas grill? It only takes a minute or two to heat up and a frozen preformed burger or hot links can be ready in no time with minimal effort. Or grill some veggies up and put them in a pita

fruit salad or a "cold served" type of soup also makes a good summer lunch

depending on the ages of your children and how many you could have them cook on certain days of the week...amount of time and effort you would have to spend on this would depend on thier ages though (and prior skills learned in the kitchen)

Grill the sandwitches...or add bacon left over from breakfast (especially good with a cheese steak or roast beef sandwitch)

 

[esox]

I buy boneless skinless chicken breast when they are on sale. Poach them 4 at a time and shred then when cooled. I use the shredded meat to make chicken taco's, taquitos, flautus, quesadillas or BBQ sammy's. You could also toss it in with some pasta hot or cold ot make chicken salad with it.

great idea!!

 

[poohfriend77]

My friend just gave me a great idea for kids' lunches. She serves lunch in the muffin tins with 6 cups. She said she's not as overwhelmed by what to make, because it's a "formula," one fruit (grapes, berries, melon), one veggie (carrots, cucumbers, celery), one dip (ranch or hummus), a protein (cheese & crackers sandwich cut into strips, even nuggets or cut up hot dog), maybe yogurt, and a small treat. Her kids love it!

 

[Debbie]

So glad that this worry is past. Now, the 'kids' don't get UP until well past 2:00, so it would be a supper problem in our house. Luckily, they aren't hungry when DH and I eat, so it's become a non-issue at our house. HOWEVER, I am subscribing (by posting) to this thread, since I'd love some quick ideas for DH to make for me.
Like this!

I buy boneless skinless chicken breast when they are on sale. Poach them 4 at a time and shred then when cooled. I use the shredded meat to make chicken taco's, taquitos, flautus, quesadillas or BBQ sammy's. You could also toss it in with some pasta hot or cold ot make chicken salad with it.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

love that idea!!

Today DD12 is having slices of salami, salsa and tortilla chips and some rice DD9 & I had egg salad

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Just thought of something else that I had today....rice with refried beans in a tortilla. Quick because I used leftover rice!