Our Top 15 Kid-Approved School Food Recipes — and How to Make Them at Home
November 19, 2024 | By
To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we’ve picked 15 of our top recipes that were created in school kitchens, tested in cafeterias, and kid-approved.
Plus, we’re including tips on how parents can make these all-time student favorites at home!
Beef Nachos
Beef Nachos may be one of the most common school food menu items; however, they are traditionally made with precooked beef and neon-colored canned cheese sauce. Our recipe blends beans with high-quality ground beef and is seasoned to perfection. Our easy housemade cheese sauce utilizes only five ingredients and will elevate this menu item to not only one of the highest quality but to one of the tastiest and most favored!
Make at home: This recipe is perfect for movie night at home! Add tortilla chips, beans, taco meat, and cheese sauce to a sheet pan and finish off with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. The whole family will enjoy this restaurant classic at home.
Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
This warming breakfast can be prepared the day before and baked the next morning to save your staff time and fill your school kitchen with the inviting scent of oatmeal and blueberries.
Make at home: Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day! Our recipe is a great addition to your weekly home meal prep for a healthy, quick morning meal you and the family can eat on the go.
Three Sisters Stew
Our Three Sisters Stew is an Indigenous recipe that combines beans, corn, and squash with tomatoes for a warm way to comfort on chilly days. Culturally relevant recipes like this are a great way to educate school-aged kids about their heritage through food.
Make at home: Try this seasonal recipe at home as a great way to utilize end-of-the season produce. Nothing is quite as comforting as a big pot of soup simmering on the stovetop, and the leftovers will taste even better!
Mac and Cheese
What kid (or adult) doesn’t love mac and cheese? Commonly thought of as something that comes in a blue box, our homemade recipe combines our easy-to-make cheese sauce with whole-grain elbow pasta for a creamy and delicious wholesome menu item.
Make at home: Our recipe is a traditional take on a classic recipe that can easily be made for an easy weeknight dinner. Try adding broccoli, butternut squash, or green chilies to customize to your family’s taste. Accompany with a green salad for a healthy home-cooked family meal.
Apple Cinnamon Sheet Pancakes
Sheet pan recipes have been quite the rage for the past few years, but we like them at school just as well for their sheer ease and time saved. This recipe provides the same taste and familiarity as traditional pancakes but is made in half the time. Kids love the flavor of cinnamon and apples, and the smell will draw students into the cafeteria.
Make at home: Here is a quick way to bake pancakes at home. Our sheet pan pancake recipe is a time saver and a seasonal fall classic. An added bonus is that these freeze well, too! Pair with a drizzle of local maple syrup or honey for a sweet finish.
Kale and Apple Salad
Looking for a new way to try kale? Look no further than this farm-to-school seasonal recipe, which combines kale, apples, and dried cranberries tossed in an apple cider-based dressing. This healthy recipe is best enjoyed throughout the autumn.
Make at home: This recipe is easily made at home with little change. Try it as a way to introduce kids to kale. The sweetness of apples and cranberries is a great accompaniment to the kale.
Breakfast Energy Bites
This breakfast ‘cookie’ is a great way to get kids to eat breakfast! The hearty ingredients will fuel a young mind for a day of learning. They are easy to make and store well. Get ahead with this recipe to save time on busy mornings.
Make at home: Need a quick way to keep that energy up? Whether you need a new breakfast item to grab as you’re running out the door or a snack to help keep you fueled on the trails, our healthy Breakfast Energy Bites are a great addition to your recipe collection.
French Toast Casserole
French toast sticks appear on most school food menus. These are mostly high in sugar and full of preservatives. Our French Toast Casserole takes the flavor and concept of French Toast and bakes it in a casserole for a much more wholesome and healthy menu item. Sweet enough on its own, this recipe doesn’t even need maple syrup!
Make at home: This is the perfect addition to a cozy weekend at home. Prepare the casserole the night before and bake it off in the morning. The sweet smell of cinnamon and custard will bring anyone out of bed!
Chicken Pozole w/ Tortilla Chips
Pozole is a traditional Mexican stew. Many kids are familiar with this and get excited when they see it on the school menu. Our recipe is easy to make using canned tomatillos and hominy for a speed-scratch version. The bonus is that kids love tortilla chips to dip in the soup, which counts as a grain!
Make at home: Our version of pozole is easy to make at home, slightly spicy, and a true comfort food to warm you from within! Top yours the traditional way with shredded onion, cabbage, radish, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Hashbrown and Egg Casserole
This is an easy-to-make vegetarian breakfast packed full of protein. Whip this up the day before and bake it off fresh the morning of to save time. This breakfast casserole will keep kids full for hours.
Make at home: This is a healthy, easy, and inexpensive recipe to try at home. Whether you are hosting a brunch for friends or having breakfast for dinner, this high-protein recipe will be sure to please everyone! Bonus because it is easy to mix up beforehand and bake off in about 30 minutes.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Kids love the tangy taste of BBQ sauce! This is a simple recipe that can be made a day or two ahead. Slow cook the pork in your kitchen while you work on other items. Once slightly cooled, you can shred the meat and toss it with a BBQ sauce of your choice. Simple!
Make at home: This is an easy recipe for any time of year. You can slow-cook the pork in a low oven, a smoker, or even a crockpot. Slow cooking creates a juicy and tender product.
Banh Mi
Banh mi’s have been quite the culinary trend over the past few years. This version is school food-approved and beloved by older kids who recognize the name. The quick-pickled vegetables and using precooked chicken is a fast way to get on board with this Vietnamese trend.
Make at home: Our recipe is an easy way to start making these sandwiches at home. Purchase full-size baguettes, and one sandwich will feed the whole family.
Amazing Tofu Lo Mein
Kids love anything with noodles, and this recipe uses spaghetti tossed with a light sauce, vegetables, and tofu. It can be a great way to get the students on board with plant-forward eating.
Make at home: Interested in eating more plant-based at home? Try this recipe for a classic Asian dish with protein from tofu. Try adding more veggies for an extra health boost, or finish with some Thai peppers for some added heat.
Baked Beef and Sausage Penne
This Italian classic is a great way to feed a crowd! Penne pasta, meat, and cheeses tossed with tomato sauce and baked in the oven. The smell of this dish baking in the oven will draw even the pickiest kids into the cafeteria.
Make at home: This recipe will make your whole house smell inviting. Whether you’re cooking for friends or family, this hearty recipe will fill everyone up.
Beef Chili
Beef chili is a menu item everyone will be familiar with. It’s also a great way to start scratch cooking in your kitchen. Make this ahead of time or on the day of service for a combination of beef, beans, spices, and tomatoes simmered to perfection.
Make at home: Looking for a perfect accompaniment for Sunday football? This beef chili recipe is easy to make, won’t take too long, and has great flavor. For a fun idea, create a topping bar to go along with this dish so that everyone can personalize their bowl.
Help power work like this by donating today! This year marks the Chef Ann Foundation’s 15th anniversary. Will you make a one-time or monthly donation of $15 to power this work for 15 more years?
Help power work like this by donating today! This year marks the Chef Ann Foundation’s 15th anniversary. Will you make a one-time or monthly donation of $15 to power this work for 15 more years?
