Are you in need of new recipe ideas for the back-to-school season? We’ve got you covered. With this delicious batch of back-to-school meal ideas, the start of a new semester needn’t be a problem. From family breakfast recipes to lunchbox meal ideas and after-school dinners, we’ll show you how to make meals that everyone will love.
What’s more, these dishes are quick and easy to make. No stress, no hassle, and no time wasted. All they require is a simple set of Italian-inspired ingredients from Olivieri® and you’re nearly there. So, to begin, let’s look at some delicious treats for the little ones’ lunch boxes.
Lunchbox Meals
When the kids have been out of school for so many weeks, it’s easy to forget their lunchboxes need filling up as soon as September comes. Sure, making sandwiches springs to mind first, but how about treating them to something delicious during the week?
Gnocchi for Lunch
What else can be prepared in advance, tucked away, and eaten later in the day? To start with, there are these Skillet Gnocchi Antipasto Bites. Aside from being exceptionally tasty, they’re also simple and easily adaptable to even the fussiest of eaters. Just slide the ingredients of your choice onto the little wooden skewers or cocktail picks.
Here’s a gnocchi-inspired secret that will liven up the lunchbox: Gnocchi Pizza Bites. What do they bring to mealtime? The flavours of pizza but composed as a handheld snack. Just make sure you have a little plastic ramekin or container to store a few blobs of tomato sauce for dipping.
Gnocchi is so versatile, you can even use it to make a delicious little dessert. Whip up these Churro-Style Gnocchi Bites, tuck them away inside a container, and give the kids a lunchtime to look forward to.
Pasta for Lunch
Before we move on to take a look at breakfast ideas, this Confetti Pasta Salad deserves a mention. Why? Because it’s vibrant, nutritious, tasty, and can be served chilled, making it ideal for a lunch box item that will outclass any sandwich.
Tips for the Lunch Box
Family Breakfast Before The School Run
Before the school day begins, there’s always a nice opportunity to get the family together around the table where they can enjoy breakfast meal. Here are two dishes you can whip us with ease to keep everyone going for the hours ahead.
The first is this Breakfast Skillet Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Pesto. Made with our delicious Fresh Cheddar Bacon Skillet Gnocchi, the flavour combo will make everyone want to stay at the table for more. The way its flavours meld with those of pest and mushroom is mouthwatering.
Then there’s the meaty and hearty option that you may want to enjoy as a weekend, morning treat. This Loaded Bacon and Egg Breakfast Skillet Gnocchi is rich, tasty, and can also be enjoyed as a brunch. One thing for sure, after having it for breakfast, there will be no hungry bellies for a long time.
Afterschool Dinner
When the school day’s over and the little ones are back home, it’s only a matter of time before you hear, ‘What time are we having dinner?’. Not only is it another opportunity to get everyone around the table for some quality time, it’s also a chance to enjoy a highly satisfying meal.
Dinner with Filled Pasta
Filled pasta is incredibly convenient for dinnertime because it already has its own ingredients wrapped up inside the irresistible texture of fine-crafted pasta. For an unforgettable filled pasta meal, prepare this Cheese Tortellini with Chicken and Mushrooms and wow the whole family.
Here’s another filled pasta treat but with a richness that’s simply unmatchable. Our Braised Beef au jus Ravioli, Mushrooms, Maple Syrup and Québec Cheese Curds takes some of the tastiest Canadian ingredients out there and combine them with Old Wolrd textures and flavours of Italy for a delightful fusion dish.
Dinner with Linguine
Finally, let’s switch things up and delve into a stringed pasta dish, but it’s not spaghetti. It’s Linguine alla Chitarra with Leeks and Crispy Prosciutto. Spaghetti’s flatter and wider counterpart brings a next level of Italian elegance and sophistication to mealtime. Also, kids love twisting it around a fork and enjoying to flavours of the sauces it soaks up.