Time to switch up the pb&j! 5 ingredients (that you probably already have) is all it takes to pull together this Easy BBQ Meatball Bento Box Lunch!
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I’m well on my way to sharing as many bento box lunches as I can with you! Not because I don’t think you can’t figure them out on your own (and it’s even easier if you have my list of 100+ healthy school lunchbox ideas!) but because it can be helpful to see them visually!
I’ve talked endlessly about my love for bento box lunches. The lunch bot containers (affiliate) clean up nicely, they are sturdy and durable, environmentally-friendly, and best of all? They basically tell you what to pack. You have four or five spots/components that need to be filled!
The four components to packing a healthy school lunchbox are:
- Main/Protein: sandwiches, quesadillas, tuna salad, meatballs, etc.
- Vegetable: raw, roasted, sautéed – there are so many vegetables that you can easily pack, but don’t be afraid to include leftovers like roasted vegetables. Always keep it tasty and add dips like hummus, ranch, easy greek yogurt dill dip, or guacamole.
- Fruit: keep this component simple with fresh fruits that are ready-to-eat (berries, apples, etc.) and always have a few applesauce pouches and raisins on hand for rushed mornings.
- Fun/Starch: this can be bagel or pita chips, trail mix with chocolate, a small cookie, chips…anything! If you have a main/protein component like meatballs, I like to include a starch on the side, preferably a whole grain one.
If you’re thinking that meatballs in a lunchbox sound a bit strange, let me convince you. They fall under the protein/main component, which can sometimes be the hardest component to come up with. Not only that, but they are easy-to-make, and easier to buy, and just something fun and new for lunch!
What Kind of Meatballs to Use in an Easy BBQ Meatball Bento Box Lunch
Make your own, buy them pre-made, whatever works best for you. When I have time I like to make these 6 Ingredient Baked Turkey Quinoa Meatballs and when I don’t have the time? I buy a turkey or beef frozen meatballs. I feel like this is worth saying: Buying pre-made meatballs is nothing to feel bad about. I’m sure you have other things to stress about, meatballs shouldn’t be it!
How to Serve the Meatballs in an Easy BBQ Meatball Bento Box Lunch
You have a few options for how to serve them: you can heat them in the morning and store them in a thermos to stay warm or to serve them cooked, but refrigerated so they are cold.
Lastly, switch up the dipping sauce options! You can use bbq sauce, ketchup, marinara, peanut sauce…anything!
PrintEasy BBQ Meatball Bento Box Lunch – 5 Ingredients
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Description
Time to switch up the pb&j! 5 ingredients (that you probably already have) is all it takes to pull together this Easy BBQ Meatball Bento Box Lunch!
Ingredients
- 1 serving meatballs
- bbq dipping sauce for meatballs
- carrot and celery sticks
- apple
- trail mix with chocolate
Instructions
- Heat meatballs according to package instructions. Store in thermos to keep warm or refrigerate until it’s time to eat.
- Pack remaining meal components in your bento box.
Notes
- Other sauce ideas: bbq sauce, ketchup, peanut sauce, guacamole, ranch dressing, curry sauce
Tools + Tips for Easy BBQ Meatball Bento Box
There are only a few items that I use on a daily basis for packing healthy school lunchboxes. (And just lots of yummy and nutritious food.) *links below are affiliates, which mean I make a small commission with no extra charge to you
- Stainless Steel Bento Boxes by LunchBots: We have a few of these (trio II and cinco) and I love them SO SO much! I like the smaller size for kids and the trio II has room for main, vegetable, fruit, and then a little spot for the fun/treat component! For larger kids and adults, the cinco is a great size. I use the leak proof condiment containers for dips and sauces.
- Reusable Silicone Muffin Liners: These are great for keeping things separate within the bento box. I’ll put things like trail mix or crackers in the muffin liner, then squeeze it in the biggest bento section. They also work great for baking whole wheat blender muffins and egg cups!
- Water bottles: I serve water at lunch time, but there is never a time that we are without a water bottle! I love Contigo Kids Autospout and Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Sippy Cups.
Other Easy and Healthy Bento Box Lunch Ideas
Easy Quesadilla Bento Box: An entire lunch with only 6 ingredients? Yes or yes. Filling and nutritious, too!
Easy Tuna Snack Plate Lunch: Looking for a nutritious lunch to pack for school or work? Look no further. Be sure to serve it with the endive leaves, they are such perfect scoopers!
Easy Curried Tuna Snack Plate Lunch: After you make the classic tuna salad snack plate, you’ve got to try this one!
Starbucks Protein Protein Box: Take this easy breakfast or lunch on-the-go!
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