15 Quick Lunch Recipes Under 40 Mins The Kids Will Love
On the search for easy lunch recipes while the kids are home during the holidays? These ones aren't just speedy, but will get their thumbs up, too
By The Weekly -
If you prefer cooking at home (and knowing what goes into your food) as opposed to getting takeaway lunches or food deliveries, here are some speedy and easy recipes you can quickly whip up at home. And the kids will approve of them, too.
Taking baked potatoes to the next level, this no-frills French Canadian poutine recipe is at once simple, quick and packed with bags of fresh wholesome flavour. To save time, you can use rotisserie chicken from your nearest supermarket or grocer.
Cute cross-hatched egg wraps packed full of wombok, bean sprouts, chilli, beans and more are the next quick and low-carb recipe you need to achieve your healthy living goals. From protein and fibre to flavour and texture, this snack is also complete with a light, piquant and refreshing lemongrass dressing, then served with lime wedges, staying true to its Vietnamese-inspired character.
If your kiddos are spice lovers, try this easy kway teow dish for a respite from weekday takeaways. The mixture of minced pork, lemongrass, garlic and sambal oelek make for a fragrant base for the dish, to be conveniently soaked up by springy rice noodles.
You may use premade gnocchi to cut a corner, but your redeeming features of this dish shall be its sauce and homemade pesto. Make sure to use plum tomatoes for the perfect burst of sweetness, and you’ll be presented with a meal of seasonal veggies, cheese, potato gnocchi and more uniting in a tasty and well-melded sauce.
Like the classic Caprese salad? Now, give its fruitier permutation a try, elevated with the tart and sweet flavours of peach, and paired heartily with a side of smoky chicken skewers.
Fried chicken is always a hit with both kids and adults alike, and this one gets heartier, as well as extra crunch and fibre from wombok (Chinese cabbage) and warm toasted seeded bread. Rice vinegar also gives it that little bit of zing.
Trout is a great source of protein, niacin, vitamin B12, and omega 3 fatty acids. And this recipe for ocean trout gets plenty of flavours from soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and ginger.
With sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce coating chewy udon noodles and juicy chicken, it'll make for a child-pleasing dish that's budget-friendly, too. Julienned carrots and zucchini as well as choy sum brighten up the dish and add crunch.
The popular chicken satay gets an inventive twist with this satay chicken burger that uses chicken mince combined with curry paste. Teamed up with fluffy buns and refreshing cucumbers, it makes for a delightful and satisfying lunch burger.
Delicious dishes don't have to be complicated. Succulent prawns and pasta are the main components of this comforting dish, flavoured with garlic, parsley, capers, and a hint of lemons. Sliced chillies add a bit of heat, but you can adjust the spice levels to suit your family's preference.
Love all-day brunch options? Check out this savoury dish with bolognese sauce, chorizo beans, and eggs that brings to mind the Middle Eastern shakshuka.
You can adjust or omit the chilli flakes depending on how much heat you like.
This speedy and satisfying Prawn Pad Thai dish takes just under half an hour and a handful of ingredients.
In the mood for Korean? The flavours of juicy, marinated Korean beef and fresh greens, served with or atop a bowl of rice, will make for a hearty meal that hits the spot.
When you're short on time, store-bought pasta, like ravioli, can be a life-saver. But you can, however, take it to great heights with just a few extra ingredients.
If you're on the search for an appetiser or light lunch option, these Vietnamese-style rolls offer protein and have your veggie intake sorted. And you won't even have to cook the chicken — the recipe calls for barbequed chicken you can buy from deli counters at major supermarkets.
Plus, the burst of sweetness from the mango slices is sure to win over the kids.
This article was originally published on April 2, 2023, and updated on Nov 16, 2024.