BACK TO SCHOOL! WEEKLY SCHOOL LUNCHBOX IDEAS - Week 5

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RECIPES:
Monday: Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
8 oz elbow pasta
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
3 cups shredded medium or sharp cheddar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp seasoned salt, optional
1/2 tsp dry mustard, optional
1/4 cup grated parmesan
Instructions:
Into some salted boiling water, cook your pasta al dente then drain.
Into a skillet on medium heat, melt the butter then sprinkle in the all-purpose flour. Whisk for a minute then slowly add the milk. Continue whisking until there are no more lumps and mixture has slightly thickened about 5 minutes or so. Lower the heat if it starts to simmer. Add the shredded cheese one handful at a time and whisk until it melts before adding more. Add the seasoning and stir, adjust seasoning to your liking. Add the pasta and grated parmesan, stir to combine.

Tuesday: Seasoned ground beef for tacos
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb lean ground beef
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp cumin
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup beef broth or water
Instructions:
Into a skillet, add the olive oil and sautee the diced onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and break it apart as it cooks. Once beef is no longer pink, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the seasoning and tomato paste, stir an cook for 3 minutes until the tomato paste has slightly darkened in color. Add the broth and let simmer on low for a few minutes, add more if it seems too dry.

Wednesday: Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients:
For the chicken:
4 boneless skinless thighs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
3 Tablespoons corn starch
For the sauce:
1/4 cup frying oil
6 garlic cloves
1 Tablespoon ginger paste or fresh minced ginger
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, optional
Instructions:
For the chicken: cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and place into a bowl. Add the salt, garlic powder, white pepper and cornstarch. Toss and set aside. Add oil into a skillet and heat on medium high, add the chicken pieces in one layer and cook for 4 minutes, if its stuck to the skillet after 4 minutes, reduce heat slightly and cook for another minute. Flip then cook for 4 more minutes or until cooked completely. Transfer to a plate and discard all but 1 Tablespoon of the oil. Add the garlic and ginger, cook for a few minutes. Add the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and dark soy sauce if using. Stir and let simmer until slightly thickened then add the chicken back into the skillet. Toss until evenly coated. Serve with rice.

Thursday: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pasta and Broccoli
Ingredients
For the shrimp
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

8 oz pasta of choice
8 oz broccoli florets
1 head garlic, minced
6 Tablespoons butter, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning, optional
Pasta water, as needed

Instructions:
For the shrimp: toss ingredients together and set aside.
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente and add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Save 1 cup of pasta water before draining, this is important. Into a skillet, melt 4 Tablespoons of butter and cook the garlic for a few minutes. Add the shrimp and add the seasoning. Add 1/4 cup pasta water and let simmer for a minute. Add the pasta and broccoli along with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter, toss together, add more pasta water if necessary.

Friday: Home Fries with Sausage
Ingredients
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
13 oz turkey kielbasa, or any sausage of choice cut into 1 inch thick rounds
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup bell peppers, cut to your liking
1 tsp seasoned salt or regular salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions:
Place the peeled and diced potatoes into a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 4-5 minutes until it is fork tender but still firm.
Into a skillet, sear the sausage just to give it color, if you are using turkey kielbasa you may need to add oil or in my case, leftover bacon grease. After a few minutes remove from skillet and add the butter. Add the potatoes in a single layer if possible and let cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Toss and add the bell peppers. Cook for a few more minutes until it has reached your desired crispiness. Add the sausage back into the skillet and cook until warmed through.

[orlyshiner]

it means so much for you to do this even if they're unable to realize it now. having a comforting home cooked meal during the school day is so thoughtful and im sure it brings them so much joy.

[crystalann]

You are a Super Woman of a Mother!!!!
I Enjoy your Videos so Much.
Thank you 🙏🏽

[kasework]

She’s back 🥰 these might be lunchbox ideas for the kiddos but I’ll eat these lunches myself as an adult! Yum 😋

[ssri]

Literally when I run out of ideas and get frustrated, I come here and you are my oasis.

[feriaparker]

I was just looking for video suggestions for back to school lunch! This is great

[thehauntedmansionfan]

I have to admit that I'm looking for lunch ideas for me. 😁 My kids are 26 and 22. 😆😆😊

[ItsAshaMac]

Most realistic and attainable week of lunches on the internet! Thank you!

[oshinsims]

You’re a lifesaver, I need some refreshing ideas this year - thank you 💞 I would love to see your grocery shopping trips - how do you plan for the week ?

[MoneyPlaysEveryDay]

There's something very calming about your videos.

[_vrocks]

New subscriber. I love the simplicity of the meals and the video. No extra long talks (even though sometimes I do enjoy it) just showing how you prep your kiddos meals. I need all the ideas I can get. Thank you!

[MK-gyug]

I love your videos so much! Can watch you all day because you’re so clean, organized and give me great cooking ideas for my kids! Thank you!!💕💕💜

[apocketfullofsunshine]

I still love when she says bye at the end. 😊😊

[momgamercooks]

Love this, back to school for my son next week. Although he is on a gluten free diet, your videos bring me so much inspiration. Love from Scotland xxx

[LifeWithMrsB]

Yum! My kids are homeschooled so don’t really need lunch box ideas, but always need new ideas for meals :)

[AnaH]

Whoa, good for you for actually cooking for your kids everyday (and getting up early enough to do all that lol). I do the standard lunch foods for mine and don’t see this happening everyday but you’ve inspired me to step my game up. 😊

[nicoleriaz]

I was just struggling with meal ideas for my 4 year old. He would absolutely love all of these! 😍

[latoyal.]

I really enjoy your videos.It gives me more recipes to make for my kids lunch. Thank you! 🩷

[mollyjones-kerchner]

Love this video! I love your ideas because they aren't just a sandwich or something basic lol. I am that extra mom that does stuff like this, too. :) MORE LUNCH VIDEOS PLEASE.

[sheniquathompson]

Thanks so much. I needed some new lunch ideals. My boys are super picky eaters (3) and (5). This helps alot❤

[arielts]

Always appreciate the inspo! I usually feel limited by the usual lunchbox and containers. I am definitely investing in these thermos and bento containers you linked! Thank you!