recipes by
@babyfoode
easy
23 months
LUNCH IDEAS
By midday, active toddlers are ready for a balanced meal. Offering quality protein, vegetables and/or fruit, as well as some whole grains will give them the energy and nutrients they need. For lunch, thinking outside the sandwich-box can sometimes be tough. Fun ideas include breakfast-for-lunch, leftovers from dinner, or some of the easy recipes below:
Mini Bagel Pizzas with Pepper “Sprinkles”
Turkey, Carrot & Hummus Roll-Ups
Makes 2 Servings / 12+ Months
Makes 2 servings of 3 roll-ups / 12+ Months
These easy-peasy pizzas come with a fun surprise - bell pepper “sprinkles”. Toddlers will love adding these bright and colorful veggie sprinkles onto their lunch pizzas.
What you'll need: 2 mini whole grain bagels, cut in half
What you'll need: 1 large whole grain tortilla
1/3 cup marinara sauce
2 tablespoons hummus, plain
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup of chopped peppers - red, yellow, orange and/or green
How to make it:
1
These roll-ups are great in packed lunches - for all of those park playdates, outdoor adventures or school lunches.
Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Place tin foil on a baking sheet for easy clean up.
2
Top each half of a bagel with the marinara sauce, spreading all the way to the edge. Top with roughly 2 tbsp of mozzarella. Sprinkle on the peppers.
3
Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool and serve.
3-4 slices of turkey deli meat
How to make it: the tortilla on a cutting board. 1 Place Spread the hummus over the entire surface of the tortilla.
2
On the bottom 2/3 of the tortilla, sprinkle the carrots. Pat down to make them stick in the hummus. Lay the turkey over the carrots but avoid the top 1/3 of the tortilla.
3
Starting with the bottom of the tortilla, tightly roll all the way to the top. The top 1/3 section of hummus will act like glue to help the tortilla stay in place.
4
Cut in 1-inch sections.
This tip is from our Happy Mama Mentor Allison, RD, CBS and mom to Lindsey & Jessica Also available to chat at: happyfamilyorganics/chat
TORTELLINI ON-A-STICK with marinara dipping sauce
Your toddler will flip-out with excitement when you serve them their lunch on-a-stick! This easy lunch is made with leftover tortellini and any chopped veggies your toddler prefers.
Makes 1 Serving / 12+ Months
What you'll need: 1/2 cup whole grain tortellini, cooked and cooled 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup black olives 1/4 cup mushrooms, quartered 1/2 cup marinara sauce 6-8 wooden skewers
How to make it: 1
Cut cherry tomatoes and black olives in half, if needed.
2
Take a wooden skewer and thread on all the ingredients in any order you prefer.
3
Heat the marinara sauce up in microwave for 30 seconds or in a small pot on the stove.
4
Pour the dipping sauce in a kid-friendly bowl to serve along with the tortellini sticks.
Wooden Skewer
You can use any wooden skewer you have on hand, but make sure to cut the pointy end off before serving. Wooden coffee stir sticks work well.
Time-Saving Tip
You can use leftover tortellini in this recipe to save on prep-time.
Veggies Feel free to use any veggies that your toddler loves in this recipe - chunks of peppers, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, etc.