If you're like me, I often "sweat the small stuff," at least when it comes to my kids. One thing I find myself often fretting about is the fact that they open a lunch box to a different variety of SANDWICH most days! So I'm always looking for creative ways to surprise them with something other than a different type of meat and cheese between two slices of bread (or on a good day, I'll even switch it up and use different types of breads and rolls and on a really good day, I'll create a special type of sandwich dressing other than the good ole' mayo and mustard)! :)
So here's one I thought of after seeing the picture on a box of pasta I recently purchased that doesn't need to be kept hot or be heated up and is just as easy to pack in a sandwich container as, well...a sandwich! :) And I think it's pretty kid friendly since most kids like pasta, pepperoni, and cheese. And it's pretty budget friendly too which makes this an all around Walking In Victory Lunch Box idea!!
Here's what you'll need:
*1 box of Garden Rotini (you can use any pasta, but this tri-color makes it fun for the kiddos)
*Balsamic Vinaigrette or Italian Dressing (maybe 1/2 of the bottle - I just squirt it til it looks like all is coated)
Then you can basically throw in whatever YOUR kids like from here, but here are some ideas:
*Pepperoni
*Cheese (whatever you have on hand - I like to cut Monterrey Jack into cubes, but have also used shredded Mozzarella - the white cheeses make for nice presentation - it's important, I'm serious! :)
*Cherry or Grape Tomatoes (sliced in 1/2 for the kiddos to prevent choking hazard - or for a cheaper route, chop up regular slicing tomatoes).
*Black Olives (I know, most kids don't like em' but mine LOVE em)! :)
*Green Peppers (Chopped) - (I leave this out for the kid version, although some kids like them - when I make this as a side dish for adults though, I include the peppers).
That's basically it! Boil and drain the pasta according to the package directions. If making last minute, rinse pasta with cold water and ice cubes when draining to chill. Add all the other ingredients and toss together! Easy as pie! Easy, as budget friendly, if not more so than the expense in deli meat and cheese, and nutritious (Pasta from the bread group, Pepperoni and Cheese - Meat Group, & Tomatoes & Green Peppers - Veggie Group). Throw it in a plastic storage container with a lid (make sure it's sealed tightly so the dressing doesn't leak in their lunchbox - I re-use those Hillshire Farm Deli Meat Plastic Glad Storage Containers - the clear containers with the red tops - save those!! Put em in the dishwasher after the meat is gone and save them for great storage containers that store easily since they all stack inside one another)! :) There's another Walking In Victory bonus idea! :)
So here's one I thought of after seeing the picture on a box of pasta I recently purchased that doesn't need to be kept hot or be heated up and is just as easy to pack in a sandwich container as, well...a sandwich! :) And I think it's pretty kid friendly since most kids like pasta, pepperoni, and cheese. And it's pretty budget friendly too which makes this an all around Walking In Victory Lunch Box idea!!
Here's what you'll need:
*1 box of Garden Rotini (you can use any pasta, but this tri-color makes it fun for the kiddos)
*Balsamic Vinaigrette or Italian Dressing (maybe 1/2 of the bottle - I just squirt it til it looks like all is coated)
Then you can basically throw in whatever YOUR kids like from here, but here are some ideas:
*Pepperoni
*Cheese (whatever you have on hand - I like to cut Monterrey Jack into cubes, but have also used shredded Mozzarella - the white cheeses make for nice presentation - it's important, I'm serious! :)
*Cherry or Grape Tomatoes (sliced in 1/2 for the kiddos to prevent choking hazard - or for a cheaper route, chop up regular slicing tomatoes).
*Black Olives (I know, most kids don't like em' but mine LOVE em)! :)
*Green Peppers (Chopped) - (I leave this out for the kid version, although some kids like them - when I make this as a side dish for adults though, I include the peppers).
That's basically it! Boil and drain the pasta according to the package directions. If making last minute, rinse pasta with cold water and ice cubes when draining to chill. Add all the other ingredients and toss together! Easy as pie! Easy, as budget friendly, if not more so than the expense in deli meat and cheese, and nutritious (Pasta from the bread group, Pepperoni and Cheese - Meat Group, & Tomatoes & Green Peppers - Veggie Group). Throw it in a plastic storage container with a lid (make sure it's sealed tightly so the dressing doesn't leak in their lunchbox - I re-use those Hillshire Farm Deli Meat Plastic Glad Storage Containers - the clear containers with the red tops - save those!! Put em in the dishwasher after the meat is gone and save them for great storage containers that store easily since they all stack inside one another)! :) There's another Walking In Victory bonus idea! :)
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