Three Easy School Lunches to Switch Things Up

The master-planned community at Stepping Stone™ provides excellence in all areas, including education. No matter which Douglas County school your kids are heading to — Prairie Crossing or Chaparral — keep lunchtime fresh and exciting in the new year with these simple switch-ups to your usual routine. The best part? They can all be made ahead of time in your gorgeous Crescendo kitchen! Heat them in the morning, wrap in foil, and throw in a lunchbox — read on for a few quick recipes that are sure to make your little one’s smile.
 
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Do we love pizza rolls more than cinnamon rolls? It’s tough to decide, but the edge may have to go to the savory variety when it comes to satisfying school lunches! Pinwheel your chosen toppings inside dough, then top with cheese and bake. Pepperoni pizza rolls can be made completely from scratch or you can save time with pre-made dough. For an extra nutrient punch, fold a little chopped spinach into the sauce. They’ll never even notice they’re secretly eating their veggies!

Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Forget the bento box and instead pack proteins, veggies, and fiber into one handheld meal. These baked chicken quesadillas make a perfect lunch for on-the-go kids: They include both red and green peppers as well as onions, cheese, and nicely-grilled chicken. As an alternative, wrap the fixings into a burrito — you can still bake them to make sure the cheese is melted. Send with an orange or a handful of grapes for a sweet and healthy treat to cut through the richness of the Mexican-inspired main course.

Cream Cheese Plus
Give peanut butter a break and find a new riff on a classic favorite: the cream cheese sandwich.
Traditionally served with cucumber on plain white bread, you can kick up the nutritional value by using whole wheat bread — then add a little bit of mint to punch up the flavor. Layer sliced tomatoes between cream cheese on pumpernickel bread or go simple-but-delicious with cream cheese and apricot jam on seeded bread for a sweeter take.

To make any of these lunches ahead of time, spread the ingredients out on your spacious kitchen island and let everyone choose the specific fillings they’ll want to eat in the days to come. Shea Homes® intentionally incorporates design elements that make living simpler and family time more rewarding. Contact us today to request a tour and discover which of our five contemporary three-story floor plans is right for your new home!