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Check out these school lunch ideas for high schoolers. They’re the perfect combination of flavorful and filling to help keep them going through the day.

A close-up of a BLT sandwich, featuring toasted bread, layers of bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cheese, secured with a toothpick. Perfect for school lunch ideas for high schoolers, the sandwich is served on a plate with leafy greens and potato chips.
School Lunch Ideas for High Schoolers. Photo Credit: Shaken Together Life

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High school is rough and busy! Worrying about what to eat shouldn’t be on that list of things to do. These school lunch ideas for high schoolers will help make sure they are fed, full, and able to get the rest of the day done.

This collection of lunch ideas includes everything from cold sandwiches to meals they can reheat if they have the ability to do so!

Jollof Rice

A bowl of spicy meatball biryani with a bay leaf, wrapped in a blue and white cloth on a white surface.
Jollof Rice. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

This rice is an authentic Nigerian recipe that’s packed with flavor. Your high schooler can reheat the leftovers for lunch and enjoy a filling dish.

Get The Recipe: Jollof Rice

Easy One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

step 6 chicken egg roll in a bowl
Easy One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Ready to eat in just 15 minutes, this easy one skillet chicken egg roll in a bowl can be made ahead of time and they can reheat it over lunch.

Get The Recipe: Easy One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Slow Cooker Hoppin John

How To Store Slow Cooker Hoppin John
Slow Cooker Hoppin John. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Loaded with smoked sausage, veggies, and rice, this can be made in the slow cooker and eaten throughout the week for lunch.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoppin John

Easy Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

step 5b turkey bacon ranch sliders
Easy Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Sliders are always a fun lunch idea, no matter what age you are, and these turkey bacon ranch sliders are easy to make and tasty.

Get The Recipe: Easy Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

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Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Another hearty dinner idea that can be made ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and reheated for lunch. This slow cooker beef stew is filling and flavorful.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice

family reunion food ideas
AUTHENTIC NIGERIAN FRIED RICE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Fried rice is a versatile and flavorful dish that is easy to make and can be reheated when ready to eat. The rice and veggies will be a delicious lunch for your high schooler to enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice

Shrimp Sushi Bowl

SHRIMP SUSHI BOWN BY FOOD PLUS WORDS
SHRIMP SUSHI BOWL. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Use precooked crunchy shrimp and a mix of veggies and spices to create a filling sushi shrimp bowl. It’s an easy to make lunch they’ll enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Sushi Bowl

Instant Pot Chicken Bites

Crispy fried chicken nuggets served on a white plate.
INSTANT POT CHICKEN BITES. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Chicken bites can be enjoyed on their own or your high schooler can add them to salads or other dishes they enjoy eating for lunch.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites

The Best Damn Chili Recipe

step 11 best damn chili recipe
The Best Damn Chili Recipe. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Chili is one of those hearty meals that we can enjoy any time of the year. Save any leftovers or make it ahead of time for them to reheat and eat at lunch.

Get The Recipe: The Best Damn Chili Recipe

Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle

What To Serve With Tiktok Ramen Noodles
Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Ramen is a popular food for kids of all ages and this easy copycat recipe is delicious. It can be customized in a variety of different ways too!

Get The Recipe: Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle

Big Mac Smash Tacos

lunch ideas for coworkers
BIG MAC TACOS. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Instead of spending money at the fast food joint, these tacos take the Big Mac sandwich to a whole new level. They’ll love these Big Mac smash tacos.

Get The Recipe: Big Mac Smash Tacos

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The Best Nigerian Chicken Stew

NIGERIAN CHICKEN STEW BY FOOD PLUS WORDS
NIGERIAN CHICKEN STEW. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

One of the best things about stew is that it’s even better the next day so it’s the perfect meal to make ahead of time and then reheated when ready to eat. This chicken stew brings in some delicious Nigerian flavors.

Get The Recipe: The Best Nigerian Chicken Stew

Easy Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup

spring soup recipes
VEGAN TOMATO SOUP. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

You can’t go wrong with a warming bowl of tomato soup for lunch. This soup takes the traditional tomato soup and make it vegan for a delicious weekday lunch.

Get The Recipe: Easy Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup

Best Vegan Tacos

Mexican tacos on a white plate.
VEGAN TACOS. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Made with plant-based ingredients instead of meat, these tacos are delicious and easy to make. Lentils are used to make these filling tacos and you can make the filling ahead of time.

Get The Recipe: Best Vegan Tacos

Vegan Stir Fry

date night dinners
VEGAN STIR FRY. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

A tasty stir fry is always a great idea for lunch. They can reheat the stir fry over their lunch period for a flavorful meal.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Stir Fry

Hummus Toast

family reunion food ideas
HUMMUS TOAST. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Packed with flavor and healthy, hummus toast can make a delicious and filling lunch idea for high schoolers. They can add their favorite toppings such as hummus, avocados, and other fresh vegetables.

Get The Recipe: Hummus Toast

Avocado Bagel Sandwich

quick summer meals
5-MINUTE AVOCADO BAGEL SANDWICH. PHOTO CREDIT: THE FRUITY JEM.

Only 5 minutes are needed to make this avocado sandwich and it’s a tasty lunch that’s not only packed with flavor, but also protein.

Get The Recipe: Avocado Bagel Sandwich

Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken

Two bowls of pasta salad with spiral noodles, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and cheese, garnished with parsley. A bottle of green dressing and a lemon are placed beside the bowls. Perfect school lunch ideas for high schoolers seeking a tasty and nutritious meal.
Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken. Photo Credit: Heavenly Spiced

Packed with protein, this pasta salad with chicken is filling, easy to make ahead of time, and loaded with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken

Tomato Sandwich

A close-up of a vegetable sandwich with layers of cucumber, tomato, sprouts, and a green spread between slices of white bread, held together by a wooden skewer—perfect for school lunch ideas for high schoolers.
Tomato Sandwich. Photo Credit: Healing Tomato

A simple sandwich that’s made up of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. It only takes 10 minute to make and they’ll love the refreshing taste the sandwich has.

Get The Recipe: Tomato Sandwich

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

A plate filled with a dish of rice, sliced sausage, red bell peppers, green peppers, and shredded chicken—a perfect school lunch idea for high schoolers—with a fork partially visible.
Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya. Photo Credit: The Copper Table

Chicken and sausage come together with a mix of flavorful sauces and rice to make this filling lunch. It can be stored in the fridge and reheated when ready to eat.

Get The Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Hook and Ladder Firehouse Subs Copycat Recipe

Close-up of a deli sandwich with layers of ham, lettuce, tomato, onions, and melted cheese in a toasted bun—perfect school lunch idea for high schoolers.
Hook and Ladder Firehouse Subs Copycat Recipe. Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

It’s easy to recreate a popular sub sandwich at home and this is one of those flavorful meaty sandwiches they will love. It can be toasted or not toasted depending on their preference.

Get The Recipe: Hook and Ladder Firehouse Subs Copycat Recipe

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Chicken Club Sandwich

Close-up of a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich on toasted white bread, secured with a wooden skewer, served on a white plate with potato chips in the background—perfect for school lunch ideas for high schoolers.
Chicken Club Sandwich. Photo Credit: Shaken Together Life

Loaded with flavor, this chicken club sandwich is sure to be a tasty lunch your high schooler can enjoy with their favorite chips or side.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Club Sandwich

Grape & Pecan Chicken Salad

A perfect school lunch idea for high schoolers: a sandwich made with a bun, filled with chicken salad mixed with mayonnaise, diced red grapes, and pecans. Sliced apples add a fresh touch on the plate in the background.
Grape & Pecan Chicken Salad. Photo Credit: The Happier Homemaker

Let the kids make a flavorful chicken salad sandwich for lunch. This salad is made with loads of chicken, sliced grapes, and chopped pecans for a flavorful meal.

Get The Recipe: Grape & Pecan Chicken Salad

Instant Pot BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Two barbecue beef sandwiches with sauce on a white plate, accompanied by potato chips in the background.
Instant Pot BBQ Pork Tenderloin. Photo Credit: Kim Schob

Make pork tenderloin in the instant pot and then let your high schooler eat the leftovers for lunch. They can reheat the tenderloin slices and add barbecue sauce for filling sandwiches.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap

Close-up of a spinach wrap sandwich filled with diced chicken, lettuce, and tomatoes, with slices of apple and carrot sticks in the background—perfect school lunch ideas for high schoolers.
Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap. Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes

Wraps are a healthy lunch idea that kids can make. This one includes a good helping of chicken, lettuce, and tomatoes that are flavored with a creamy buttermilk ranch.

Get The Recipe: Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap

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These school lunch ideas for high schoolers are easy to make, filling, and loaded with flavor. Whether they can eat at home, heat up leftovers, or need a cold sandwich to fill them up, this collection has it all.

25 School Lunch Ideas For Picky Eaters

A plate with four calzones surrounding a bowl of marinara sauce, a striped napkin, and a gold spoon on the side—perfect school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters. Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester

There’s something for everyone on this list of school lunch ideas for picky eaters. No matter how picky they are, you are sure to find something in this collection of ideas!

Read it here: 25 School Lunch Ideas For Picky Eaters

25 Kids Lunch Ideas That Aren’t Boring

Two halves of a wrap featuring lettuce, sliced turkey, diced tomatoes, peppers, and a light spread are placed on parchment paper with carrot sticks beside them—perfect for kids' lunch ideas.
Kids Lunch Ideas. Photo Credit: Budget Delicious

Need to come up with some kids lunch ideas that they will actually eat and will get them excited for lunch? These lunch ideas are easy to make, creative, and so tasty kids will ask for more.

Read it here: 25 Kids Lunch Ideas That Aren’t Boring

25 Healthy Preschool Lunch Ideas Your Little One Will Love

Two pieces of toast with peanut butter, banana slices, strawberries, and small chocolate chips arranged to resemble owls, served on a blue plate—perfect preschool lunch ideas!
Preschool Lunch Ideas. Photo Credit: On My Kids Plate

These preschool lunch ideas are a healthy meal they can enjoy as they take a break from all the learning and information they are soaking up and recharge for the rest of the day.

Read it here: 25 Healthy Preschool Lunch Ideas Your Little One Will Love

Interested in more recipe ideas? You’ll love these related recipes:

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