April is an easier month for us in terms of school lunch boxes. We have school holidays and public holidays so not so many to worry about!
As much as I love cooking I use the school holidays as a break from baking for school lunch boxes. I will cook on a more ad hoc basis during the week and often for when we have friends over.
I find having a break from the weekly lunch box cook up allows me to come back motivated and try new things.
Weekly prep ideas
During school terms on a weekend the minimum I like to prepare for the kids is:
- one savoury item for the lunch boxes
- one sweet item for the lunch boxes
I tend to a lot more cooking on the weekends to set myself up for the week. If you are interested in reading more about my weekly food prep process head here – My weekly food prep process.
Otherwise here are some simple recipes for a sweet and savoury combo you might like to try for a weekend school lunch box prep:
Anzac biscuits – a simple recipe using Rice Malt Syrup instead of golden syrup and sugar.
Egg muffins – this is the perfect recipe to use up veggies and meat you have left over in the fridge. They are gluten and dairy free.
Choc sunflower seed balls – gluten free and refined sugar free, these tasty choc sunflower seed balls make a perfect addition to the school lunch box.
Lunch Box Egg and Bacon Muffins – easy to make in bulk, freeze well and the kids love them!
Homemade pita chips – homemade pita chips make a great lunchbox snack for the kids. A coat of coconut oil and a sprinkling of herbs, gives them great flavour.
Mini Lasagnes – mini anything is just a little bit cuter! These lasagnes are easier for kids to take in the lunch box.
Our weekly menu plans for March
Simple and family friendly is the key for our family menu plans!
Day | Week Commencing 3rd April |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon |   | Baked penne pasta Pumpkin soup |
|
| Tue |  | Slow cooker beef stroganoff | |
| Wed |  | Slow cooker roast beef | |
| Thu |  | Chicken, cashew and ginger stir fry | |
| Fri |  | Pan Fried Fish and Salad | |
| Sat |  | Sweet chilli chicken wraps | |
| Sun |  | Marinated steak and garlic mash | |
| Shopping List |  | Shepherd's pie Green veggies |
|
| Tue |  | Zucchini and Spaghetti Bolognese | |
| Wed |  | Easy Roast Chicken With Stuffing | |
| Thu |  | Fried rice Pumpkin soup |
|
| Fri |  | Dukkah crusted salmon with crunchy potatoes and garlic spinach | |
| Sat |  | Sweet chilli chicken Homemade Tacos | |
| Sun |  a> | Lamb chops and vegetables | |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 170410 | ||
Day | Week Commencing 17th April |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Mexibake |
| Tue |  | Slow Cooker Satay |
| Wed |   | Slow cooker shredded beef and rocket salad Sweet potato gratin |
| Thu | Pasta Carbonara | Fried rice |
| Fri |  | Sausage and Salad |
| Sat | Weekly menu plan shopping list 170417 | |
Day | Week Commencing 24th April |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Chicken schnitzel and vegetables |
| Tue |  | Slow cooker chicken tacos |
| Wed |  | Honey roasted lamb shoulder |
| Thu |  | Chicken Wings, Baked Potatoes and Corn |
| Fri | | Zucchini and Spaghetti Bolognese |
| Sat | | Sweet chilli chicken Homemade Tacos |
| Sun | a> | Lamb chops and vegetables |
| Shopping List | Weekly menu plan shopping list 170424 | |
More family friendly recipes
If you are looking for further recipe inspiration, check out my complete list of Family Friendly Recipes.