Frugal Kid-Friendly Lunches

If it is lunchtime at your house and you are sick of the same old lunches, here are some kid friendly ideas that will not hurt your pocketbook.

Peanut butter and banana rollup

2x 8-inch flour tortillas

2 bananas

Peanut butter, creamy or crunchy

Spread peanut butter on a flour tortilla. Place a peeled banana in the center and roll up. Cut in half if desired. This recipe makes 2. Enjoy!

Grilled peanut butter and jelly

Instead of the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich, try grilling it instead! Lightly butter one side of two slices of bread and put peanut butter on one slice and jelly on the other. Grill until light brown.

Chicken noodle soup

Buying the cans of Campbell's condensed chicken noodle soup, especially in the different character shapes can be very expensive. They are usually $1.20 each can. An alternative is to buy the store brand for usually $.75 or less per can. An other option is to buy the Campbell's soups when they are on sale and you have a coupon that many stores will double for additional savings. Yet another option is to make your own! Here's a fun recipe. It makes a lot but can easily be frozen in whatever size portions your family needs.

1 box alphabet shaped pasta

2 cans chicken broth

1 large carrot

2 stalks celery

1 large, boneless chicken breast

Salt & pepper

Boil the chicken breast, allow cooling. Then shred or cube. Dice vegetables. In a medium saucepan, add chicken broth, cooked chicken and diced vegetables. Bring to a boil. Add desired amount of pasta. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the pasta is tender. Add salt & pepper if desired. This can be stretched into more soup by adding additional water and pasta to the saucepan. This is especially fun for those children just learning to recognize their letters as they can search for them in their soup! Serve with crackers.

Chicken nuggets

Most kids love chicken nuggets. Occasionally we will buy them when the frozen packages are $1 on sale. Otherwise, a healthier and less expensive way is to make them at home.

1 large, boneless chicken breast

1 slice of stale bread

1 egg

Cut the chicken breast into desired shapes. Toast the bread, and then blend until fine. Set aside. Beat the egg in a small bowl. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg, then into the homemade breadcrumbs. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, until cooked through.

Serve with ketchup, honey, barbeque sauce or ranch dressing if desired.