Looking for some speedy family lunch ideas in between errands, work, school pick-up, and after-school runs? Just arrived home with ravenous kids? From tortilla pizzas, to ten minute soups, here are 12 Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas Hungry Kids (and Parents) will Love.

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12 Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas Hungry Kids (and Parents) will Love

#1. Bacon Lettuce Tomato & Avocado (BLTA) Wraps

Liven up a classic BLT by adding avocado, which is super good for you and full of essential fats for growing brains. These would also be perfect for lunch boxes.

Mash an avocado with lemon juice, then spread on a whole wheat or wholegrain wrap. Top with crumbled bacon, chopped tomatoes, and thinly sliced romaine lettuce. Roll up and wrap to secure.

Here are some more delicious bacon recipes to try.

#2. Frittata

Frittata is a great way to get lots of vegetables into kids. I chop up tomatoes, ham and onions (which they like) really finely, with some other vegetables like courgette and mushrooms that they don’t like that much, and toss them all together in the egg.

We like this recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

You might also enjoy reading: 100 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas Kids will Love

#3. Macaroni Cheese

What child does not like cheese and pasta? This Easy Peasy Macaroni Cheese(y) recipe is a firm favourite in our house and we always make extra for the next day.

It can be eaten hot or cold, and is a great lunch time filler for little tummies, and busy parents.

#4. Quick Fried Rice

Quick Fried Rice is a great way to get some vegetables into the kids, and a great standby for a quick lunch or midweek supper. For convenience and speed, use cooked brown rice, which you could have as leftovers from dinner, or cook some up earlier in day.

This is recipe #5 on our 9 Fresh New Ideas for Kids Lunches to Inspire You, where you will find lots more ideas.

#5. Tortilla Pizzas

Tortilla Pizzas are a quick and healthy alternative to shop bought pizza.

Ingredients

• Wholewheat flour Tortillas
• Sundried tomato paste
• Toppings: ham, mushrooms, spring onions, olives, sliced Jalapeno peppers, regular peppers or any other topping your kids enjoy
• Grated cheddar cheese and/or mozzarella or feta

Method

• Lay your tortilla on a baking sheet.
• Spread a thin layer of sundried tomato paste on top.
• Add your favourite toppings.
• Sprinkle with grated cheddar or torn/grated mozzarella or cubes of Feta cheese.
• Place in a hot oven 180C and bake until the cheese is melted.

You might also enjoy reading: Quick & Easy Pizza Dough

#6. Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

I like this really simple lunch idea from myfridgefood. A few tomatoes, cheese, fresh basil or oregano and some seasoning is all you need to serve up this tasty lunch in no time.

This recipe can also be served cold the following day for lunch, or would also be perfect in school lunch boxes.

You might also enjoy reading: Chorizo and Chicken Quesadillas – Perfect for Lunch or Dinner!

#7. Cheesy Beans on Toast

Beans on toast is a stalwart lunch in our house, and loved by the kids and adults alike. It really is such a simple wholesome meal to produce, and provides you with protein, fibre and wholegrains, showing that convenience is not always bad.

For an added twist, melt some cheddar cheese on the toast before topping with the baked beans! Yummy!

You might also enjoy reading: 10 Healthy Snacks Teens Can Quickly Prepare

#8. Eggs

Egg dishes are so versatile, quick to prepare and make a great option for any mealtime. Poached eggs and scrambled eggs are cooked in a few minutes, and when served on wholegrain toast, are the perfect quick and healthy lunch option.

For an added twist, add smoked salmon to your scrambled eggs.

You might also enjoy reading: Quick & Healthy Breakfast Ideas that Aren’t Porridge

#9. Pasta with Bacon, Peas & Cream

This Pasta with Bacon, Peas and Cream recipe is adapted from the one in Feast by Nigella Lawson. It’s a super speedy one to cook up when you’re short of time and hungry kids are clamouring.

This recipe works well with either leftover ham/bacon from dinner, or some bacon freshly cooked up.

You might also enjoy reading: 9 Simple Pasta Recipes for Kids

#10. The 10 Minute Soup

Soups are great but can take a little longer to produce if the kids are hungry. This 10 Minute Tomato Soup from foodnetwork.co.uk is perfect for busy parents. And it really is simple to make too, blending tinned tomatoes, celery and stock, and then just heating in the microwave.

We also liked this 10 minute no-fuss Minestrone Soup from Stone Soup Virtual Cookery School, using cannellini beans. You could also add some pasta to this recipe too.

You might also enjoy reading: 16 Splendid Soup Recipes Kids Love

#11. Sour Cream & Chive Potato Cakes

These Sour Cream and Chive Potato Cakes can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for lunch, but they are also quick to produce fresh at lunchtime.

Try adding some finely diced smoked salmon (or any smoked fish) to the potato mixture. Fresh chopped parsley or dill substituted for or added to the chives would also be good.

You might also enjoy reading: 12 Easy Healthy Lunch Ideas Your Kids will Love

#12. Fresh Vegetables with Quick Dips

Dips are so versatile and a fun way for kids to enjoy their vegetable sticks – choose from a variety of sugar snaps, carrots, peppers, cucumbers and celery. Dip recipes would also work great with pitta toast triangles, breadsticks or as sandwich fillers.

Here are some recipes you could try:

• Broad Bean Hummus
• Quick and Easy Hummus
• Quick and Easy Pesto
• Vegan Kale Pesto
• Guacamole
• Fish Dip with Smoked Mackerel Fillets
• White Bean dip – blend a tin of cannelloni beans, garlic clove, chopped mint, chopped chives, chopped thyme with some olive oil.

You might also enjoy reading: 8 Healthy Snacks So Good the Kids Will Want More

Over to you! Let us know your tasty and quick easy lunch ideas in the comments below.