Last Updated on February 19, 2021
It’s almost spring break, and for many families out there, that means a week of everyone at home. But you don’t have to go somewhere exotic to transform your time off into a vacation. Use these lunch ideas to add some excitement to your week off.
Easy Homemade Pizza
Part of the fun of eating out is choosing from all the menu options. You can recreate this experience for your kids by turning your home into a pizza kitchen, and it doesn’t have to be labor intensive. Start with a low-effort homemade pizza dough recipe, then assemble your ingredients. Here’s a list of options to get you started:
| Sauces | Meats | Toppings | Cheese |
| Tomato sauce | Grilled chicken | Red/green peppers | Mozzarella |
| BBQ sauce | Bacon | Onions | Provolone |
| Pesto | Pepperoni | Olives | Parmesan |
| Olive oil and oregano | Sausage | Mushrooms | Blue cheese |
Substitute in your family’s favorite ingredients, make the pizzas together, then bake at 450°F for 15–20 minutes. If you need more inspiration, you can kick it up a notch by making the pizza on the grill. Whichever route you choose, your vacation lunch will feel new and fresh, even if the scenery hasn’t changed.
Triple Decker BLT
Sandwiches get more exciting the higher you stack the ingredients. Triple, even quadruple, decker sandwiches can turn this lunch staple into a novelty. Stick with the classic BLT, or try a different take on the club sandwich. A quick purchase of deli toothpicks will help keep the sandwiches together, and make you feel like you’ve entered a bona fide downtown deli.
Chicken Fingers with Dipping Sauces
The best part about chicken fingers is what you dip them into. Start with these quick and easy baked chicken tenders, and let the kids decide which dipping sauce is best. You can include staples like ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce, and then add to the variety with these delicious sauce recipes—honey mustard, chipotle aioli, or creamy ranch.
Ski-Slope Chili with the Works
Nothing makes you feel like you just tore up the slopes more than a bowl of steaming hot chili with the works. Choose from one our favorite chili recipes—turkey chili, beef and kidney bean chili, or insta chili—and then top with cheese, sour cream, chives, and crackers.
Even though your family may be home this spring break, you still have plenty of options to keep the fun going. Switch up your daily routine by picking out your favorite lunch ideas from our list and getting the kids involved. With just a few ingredients, you’ll turn your time off into a staycation you won’t soon forget.
