18 packable, nutritious lunches your kids will actually eat
Add a little protein into their school meal.
From The Times
September 7, 2025
An overhead image of a white bowl filled with creamy red-orange soup with lentils and tomatoes and specks of black pepper. A slice of crusty bread is on the side.
Kerri Brewer for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards.

Easy, nutritious recipes for back-to-school lunches

Children’s days are long and activity-filled, and they need food with staying power. Here are 18 nutritious, protein-packed meals that they’ll actually eat.

View the recipes.

New recipes, easy dinner ideas and smart kitchen tips from Melissa Clark, Sam Sifton and our New York Times Cooking editors.

Sign up for the Cooking newsletter

Feast on recipes and culinary inspiration from Sam Sifton, Melissa Clark and New York Times Cooking.

Get it in your inbox

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this message because you signed up for updates from The New York Times.

To stop receiving From The Times, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebookxinstagramwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018