Does planning, cooking, and packing kids’ lunches + snacks feel like a part-time (or full-time) job? We feel you, and we’re here to help. This 15-minute lunch (+ 15 minute snack) is the perfect make-ahead lunchbox time-saver: a kid-approved saucy meatball and rice bowl complete with cucumber, orange slices, and grapes—to stay or to go! But that’s not all—it’ll be snack time before you know it! Serve up buttery cinnamon-sugar pretzel bites with a peachy yogurt dipping sauce. That’s right: We’re thinking outside the lunchbox (so you don’t have to!).
This recipe is designed to provide lunch and snack components for multiple days. For each lunch and snack meal, 3 servings and 6 servings are provided for a 2 person and 4 person box respectively. Nutrition information under the Nutrition Values section below is for the lunch portion. The following nutrition information is for 1 serving of the snack meal: Calories: 290, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 20 mg, Sodium: 330 mg, Carbohydrates: 40g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 12g, Protein: 5g.
Download the nutrition labels to see final nutrition information for both lunch and snack components.
Does planning, cooking, and packing kids’ lunches + snacks feel like a part-time (or full-time) job? We feel you, and we’re here to help. This 15-minute lunch (+ 15 minute snack) is the perfect make-ahead lunchbox time-saver: a kid-approved saucy meatball and rice bowl complete with cucumber, orange slices, and grapes—to stay or to go! But that’s not all—it’ll be snack time before you know it! Serve up buttery cinnamon-sugar pretzel bites with a peachy yogurt dipping sauce. That’s right: We’re thinking outside the lunchbox (so you don’t have to!).
This recipe is designed to provide lunch and snack components for multiple days. For each lunch and snack meal, 3 servings and 6 servings are provided for a 2 person and 4 person box respectively. Nutrition information under the Nutrition Values section below is for the lunch portion. The following nutrition information is for 1 serving of the snack meal: Calories: 290, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 20 mg, Sodium: 330 mg, Carbohydrates: 40g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 12g, Protein: 5g.
Download the nutrition labels to see final nutrition information for both lunch and snack components.
• Wash and dry produce.
• Thinly slice cucumber into rounds. Halve orange; slice crosswise into ½-inch-thick half-moons. Halve grapes if desired.
• Halve meatballs. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large, preferably nonstick, pan over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until warmed through and lightly browned, 4-5 minutes.
• Drizzle sweet soy glaze over meatballs; stir to coat. Cook until sauce is warmed through, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
• While meatballs cook, massage rice in package to break up grains; snip to partially open. Microwave for 90 seconds. Add 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 6 servings). Fluff with a fork until butter melts; season with salt and pepper.
• To serve: Divide rice between plates; top with saucy meatballs and serve with cucumber rounds, orange slices, and grapes on the side.
• To stash: Let meatballs and rice cool completely. Refrigerate meatballs, rice, cucumber rounds, orange slices, and grapes in separate containers and pack as desired for lunch!
• Adjust rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. • Place 2 TBSP butter (4 TBSP for 6 servings) in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until butter melts, 30-45 seconds. Add 2 tsp sugar (3 tsp for 6) and ½ tsp cinnamon (¾ tsp for 6) to same bowl; whisk to combine. • Add pretzel bites to bowl with cinnamon-sugar butter; toss to evenly coat.
• Spread out coated pretzel bites in a single layer on a baking sheet (drizzle any remaining cinnamon-sugar butter over top). Bake on middle rack until lightly glazed and warmed through, 6-8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together yogurt and jam until combined.
• Serve cinnamon-sugar pretzel bites with peachy yogurt dipper.
• To store: Keep pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigerate peachy yogurt dipper in a separate airtight container.
Servings 2
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
