Macaroni and Cheese with Tomatoes

More About This Recipe

• Uh-oh. No lunch meat. Don't panic. Here are great ideas for empty lunchboxes everywhere!
  
  It’s 6:30 am and I’m groggily making a cup of coffee while toasting some bread for my son’s breakfast.  Freshly washed grapes are already waiting on his plate. It’s total auto-pilot for me until I get a few sips of that first cup of coffee.
  
  Finally, Will’s eating and I’ve had about half of my coffee. Time to make his lunch for school. Bread? Check. Mayo? Check. But there’s one problem: When I open the fridge I discover that we’re out of lunch meat. Just. Great.
  
  Can you say mom fail?
  
  Fortunately, I am totally prepared with a cache of lunch-box alternatives for when I forget to buy the ham and cheese:
  
  1. Leftovers
  
  Got pasta? My son adores when I pack up leftover pasta for his school lunch. I simply heat it up and then pack it into his thermos container … and it’s still warm at lunch time. Or, leftovers like chicken breast can be chopped and put in there with lettuce and veggies for a quickie salad (pack the dressing separately). And another option: A different kind of sandwich -- maybe with thinly sliced apples and pears on bread with peanut butter. Be creative!
  
  2. Soup and Crackers
  
  My son is a huge soup fan – particularly anything with a chicken base and noodles. And heating that up in the morning is a swift fix. I just pack it up into his thermos and include a resealable container with crackers. (I recently introduced him to the magic of cheddar fish crackers in soup – he’s a big fan). Try any of the Progresso soups for a super quick lunchbox packer.
  
  3. A Little of This and That
  
  Some slices of cheese, some slices of pepperoni, some crackers, some veggies … this mix and match lunch is one of Will’s favorites. He gets to make mini cracker sandwiches with whatever he likes, and I know that he’s got a good meal there. Score.
  
  4. Yogurt and …
  
  We’ve always got yogurt in our fridge. It’s a great source of calcium and other nutrients. And in a pinch, it’s a great start to a healthy lunch box. I always include diced fruit (like strawberries) or chocolate chips or granola for my son to mix in, along with two sides.
  
  5. Quickie Macaroni and Cheese (featured recipe, below)
  
  It takes a mere 20 minutes to whip up Macaroni and Cheese with Tomatoes, and some mornings, I do. It’s a favorite for my son – and my daughter can eat it at lunch too. Heck, my husband can even pack some for his lunch. Mom win.
  
  More Lunchbox Ideas
  
  For more lunchable inspiration, check out these recipes:
  
  Pizza Dumbbell Lunch Combo Recipe
  Chunky Pizza Soup Recipe
  PBJ Sushi Recipe
  Peanutty Apple Sandwiches Recipe
  Kid-Pleasin' Chili Recipe
  Totable Pizza Tacos Recipe
  Mixed Up Garden Snacks Recipe
  
  Sarah W. Caron (aka scaron) is a food writer, editor and blogger who writes about family-friendly foods and raising a healthy family at Sarah’s Cucina Bella.
  
  What do you pack for your kids when you forget the deli meats?