Non-Sandwich Lunchbox Recipes

We’re all hoping for a school year that looks a little more ‘normal’, but that doesn’t mean your lunchbox has too! Leave the PB&J ingredients in the pantry and turn to these fun non-sandwich options to make lunch time more interesting.

From Pizza Muffins to Egg Bites, these lunch ideas are loaded with filling proteins, colorful veggies, and are just as good room temperature as they are hot. Grab your ingredients and everything else you need for the back-to-school season at your local Harris Teeter.

Pizza Muffins

Fans of deep-dish pizza, pepperoni, and cheese will LOVE these personal pizza muffins. Great hot out of the oven or at room temperature, these Pepperoni Pizza Muffins make a great lunchbox addition. Mix in chopped veggies with the cheese and pepperoni for a nutritious boost.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 Muffins

Ingredients:

  • 1 tube of refrigerated pizza dough
  • ¾ cup Harris Teeter Pizza Sauce
  • ¾ cup Harris Teeter Pepperoni
  • 1 cup Harris Teeter Shredded Mozzarella

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin well with cooking spray.
  2. Roll out the dough onto a cutting board and top with marinara, cheese and mozzarella to the edge.
  3. Cut in half down the middle (to create two squares), then roll each square into a log.
  4. Cut each log into six slices and place into the greased tins. Top with additional cheese and pepperoni if desired.
  5. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until puffed and golden, and crust is baked through. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before running a knife around the edges to take them out of the pan.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Easy to make and just as tasty even after a few days in the fridge, our Pesto Pasta Salad might be one of our favorite make-and-take lunches for school or work. Round out your meal with fresh fruit and sliced pepperoni.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. Harris Teeter Rotini pasta
  • 2 7oz. containers Harris Teeter Pesto
  • 12 ounces Harris Teeter Frozen Sweet Green Peas
  • 4 ounces Private Selection Crumbled Feta Cheese

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding frozen peas within the last two minutes of cooking.
  2. Drain pasta, then return to the pot. Add pesto and feta and stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Lunch Box Fried Rice

Veggies, pineapple, chicken, and plenty of rice make this a one dish meal perfect for school lunches. If you like it hot, be sure to drizzle a little sriracha on top. Chopsticks optional.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 Simple Truth Organic Cage Free Large Eggs, beaten
  • 12 oz. bag Harris Teeter Frozen Mixed Vegetables, thawed
  • 2 – 8.8 oz bags Simple Truth Organic Basmati 90-Second Rice
  • ½ cup chopped fresh pineapple
  • 2 cups chopped Harris Teeter Rotisserie Chicken
  • 2 Tbsp. Harris Teeter Less Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. HT Traders Toasted Sesame Oil

Directions:

  1. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Coat with cooking spray. Pour in the eggs and cook for 1 minute without stirring, then scramble until cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. Reheat the wok over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray. Add vegetables, chicken, and pineapple and cook until heated through. Add rice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Continue cooking until heated through.
  3. Remove from heat and serve or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Bacon and Veggie Egg Bites

These colorful egg bites make a great breakfast or lunch. Make a batch on the weekend and pack these Bacon & Veggie Egg Bites along with fresh fruit or veggies and nuts for a filling meal on-the-go.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 Egg Bites

Ingredients:

  • 1 dozen Simple Truth Organic Cage Free Large Eggs
  • 6 slices Harris Teeter Premium Cut Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • ¼ cup onion, diced
  • ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup Harris Teeter Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • ¼ cup Harris Teeter Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
  2. Whisk eggs in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Divide the egg mixture between the 12 cups.
  3. Sprinkle bacon, onion, bell peppers and cheese on top.
  4. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until set. Allow to cool completely before removing and serving or storing in the fridge until ready to serve.

Katie Harding is the publisher of Forks and Folly (Opens in a new tab or window) . A self-taught cook and die-hard foodie, Katie lives in Charlotte with her husband and three boys. Besides cooking and eating, she loves craft beers, running, and napping.