3 Easy Go-to Lunches

Before quarantine, my mom would pack my lunch for school every day. But now that I’m home and my parents are working all day, I’m left to figure out my lunch! I actually really like making my own lunch because it allows me to eat healthier, and I can explore and create easy recipes! Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Toaster Pizza

This recipe has a ton of variations, so you can add and subtract ingredients to your liking!

Ingredients:

Bread or an English Muffin (or even a bagel if you’re feeling fancy)

Sauce of choice (tomato pesto is my fav)

Toppings! (I use mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, with pepperoni, prosciutto, or ground beef if we have any already cooked)

Disclaimer: Don’t use a pop-up toaster for this recipe, instead use a toaster oven

Directions:

Toast your bread or English Muffin so that it is just a little golden and crisp on top

Add your sauce and toppings

Toast again until the cheese is ooey and gooey

Let cool for a few minutes so that it doesn’t burn your mouth

And that’s it! A simple and delicious pizza recipe — and it takes less than 10 minutes to make!

2. Microwave Mac-n-Cheese

Now, this recipe isn’t mine, but I loved it so much and make it so often that I just had to share it! I don’t follow it exactly (mostly because I don’t feel like measuring ingredients). This recipe is from www.justmicrowaveit.com, so if you’re looking for more easy microwave recipes, this is definitely the place to go!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mini pasta shells (or elbow pasta — really any small pasta is fine)

3/4 cup water

1/2 tablespoon salted butter

1 1/2 teaspoons milk

A big handful of shredded cheese (my hands are pretty small compared to normal-sized adult hands, so use that information as you wish) I like to use a mix of sharp orange cheddar and Monterey Jack

Directions:

Put the pasta and water in a mug and microwave on high for 4 minutes (it will boil over because it’s in a mug), then drain the pasta

Stir the butter in, then add about half of the cheese when the butter has melted

Mix in the milk and add the rest of the cheese

Microwave on high again for 45 seconds

Stir and let cool for a few minutes

This is the perfect size for lunch and is so easy to make! When school was virtual, I would make this for lunch almost every day! I think I’m a bit obsessed with this recipe… whoops!!!

3. Sandwich Italiano!

I love making this sandwich because I use greens from my garden! It is the perfect light summer sandwich and makes me feel healthy whenever I eat it! I like to eat it with a nectarine as a side, with lemonade or water to give that perfect healthy-summer vibe!

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread

A handful of fresh arugula (salad greens would also work)

2 slices of prosciutto

Mayonnaise

A few tomato slices (I don’t like tomatoes so I don’t put them in my sandwich but my parents love it)

Parmesan cheese (if you’re feeling fancy)

Directions:

Put a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread

Layer the arugula on a slice of the bread

Rip up the prosciutto and pile it on the arugula

Add the tomatoes (if you like them)

Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top!

Put the other slice of bread on top, mayo side down

All done! This is one of my favorite sandwiches to make because it is so easy, and I get my greens in!

These are some of my favorite lunch recipes — and it’s a plus that they’re easy and quick to make! Tell me what you think of these recipes in the comments! Have a great day (and a tasty lunch)!