This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Borden® Cheese. All opinions and text are my own.
Kids + Pizza = Happy
I don’t know about y’all, but my kid, like many kids, loves pizza. Big time. I’m pretty sure he would eat it for every single meal if I let him! 🙂 So, when thinking about back-to-school lunches, my mind goes to pizza-inspired lunches for him. As he gets older, he is starting to experiment more with different flavors and veggies (thank goodness – finally!) but I also need to keep the lunches simple enough for me and my husband to put together in the morning, yet still nutritious enough to keep him fueled all day long. 
Lunches for kids and parents
So today I am sharing TWO lunch ideas for kiddos. These are easily tailored to the tastes that your kids will love. These are also lunches that you can take to work for yourself (pepperoni smiley faces are optional). 😉 Included in both of these lunch ideas are Borden® Cheese shreds. Every slice, single and chunk of Borden® Cheese is pure, creamy goodness that transforms lunchtime into something memorable. It is also delicious and nutritious with calcium and protein packed into every shred, single, chunk or bite. Even if you just pop some Borden® Cheese String Cheese or Borden®Snack Bars – which just so happen to be a great source of calcium and protein – into their packed lunch, you can feel good knowing you packed some nutrition (and love) into their day. 🙂 
Kid-Friendly Pizza Pasta Salad
First up is this pizza pasta salad. I am using vegetable rotini noodles, a mix of Italian dressing and pizza sauce, pepperoni slices, and of course, the Borden® Cheese shreds. My son enjoys raw broccoli so I think I might throw some of that in there next time. You could also add in whatever veggies your child loves (olives, diced tomatoes, sliced mushrooms or diced green/red/yellow peppers). 
Ingredients:
1 (16 oz) box vegetable rotini
1 1/2 cups Italian dressing
1/2 cup pizza sauce
2 tsp. Italian seasoning (optional)
3 oz. sliced pepperoni, cut in half
2 cups Borden®Cheese Cheddar & Monterey Jack Shreds
1/2 cup Borden®Cheese Finely Shredded Aged Parmesan Shreds
Optional add-ins: diced green pepper, sliced mushrooms, diced tomato, broccoli florets
Directions:
Cook rotini according to package directions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water until cool. Place pasta into a large bowl.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together Italian dressing with pizza sauce and Italian seasoning.
Pour dressing mixture over cooled pasta. Stir well.
Then stir in pepperoni and Borden® Cheese shreds (and any other additional veggies you are using).
Cover with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator to cool for 2 hours before serving.
When it’s time to pack lunches, put some pasta salad in a lidded container. Pack some baby carrots and apple slices on the side. 
Don’t forget to pack a fork and a freezer pack to keep it cool until lunch time!
Homemade Pizza Lunchables
I like to use compartmental containers for this. You can also use small bowl containers with lids or those Bento boxes that are pretty popular these days. My son is older now and he eats a lot more so I have to send more food with him than I did when he was in elementary school. Borden® Cheese adds a good source of protein to this lunch, providing the necessary nutrition to get him through the day while delivering a great flavor I know he will eat. This larger-sized one is perfect for him. 
Ingredients:
sandwich thins (slims)
pizza sauce
Borden®Cheese Triple Cheddar Shreds
pepperoni slices
compartment lunch container
spoon
freezer pack
Directions:
Place Borden®Cheese Triple Cheddar Shreds in one of the compartments and pizza sauce in another. Then open up the sandwich slims and place them in the third compartment. I cut out some of the pepperoni slices to make a face. I used some of the Borden® Cheese shreds to make the eyes for the smiley face. My son is almost 12 years old and he still loves lunches like this! 
Don’t forget to include a spoon and a freezer pack (to keep it cool until lunch time). 🙂 I like to pick up a few disposable spoons for school lunches. So if they accidentally get thrown away – it’s not a big deal.
CRAVING MORE? CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES!
KIDS SUPER HERO LUNCH
GRILLED CHEESE DIPPERS
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz box vegetable rotini
- 1 1/2 cups Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning optional
- 3 oz sliced pepperoni cut in half
- 2 cups Borden® Cheddar and Monterey Jack Shreds
- 1/2 cup Borden® Finely Shredded Aged Parmesan Shreds
Instructions
- Cook rotini according to package directions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water until cool. Place pasta into a large bowl.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together Italian dressing with pizza sauce and Italian seasoning.
- Pour dressing mixture over cooled pasta. Stir well.
- Then stir in pepperoni and Borden cheeses (and any other additional veggies you are using).
- Cover with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator to cool for 2 hours before serving.
Notes
diced green pepper, sliced mushrooms, diced tomato, broccoli florets
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 8 sandwich thins slims
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 2 cups Borden®Triple Cheddar Shreds
- 12 pepperoni slices
- compartment lunch containers
- spoon
- freezer pack
Instructions
- Place Borden® Triple Cheddar Shreds in one of the compartments and pizza sauce in another.
- Then open up the sandwich slims and place them in the third compartment. I cut out some of the pepperoni slices to make a face. Use some of the Borden® cheese shreds to make the eyes for the smiley face.
- Don't forget to include a spoon and a freezer pack to keep it chilled until lunch.
I love anything that is good and leftover and can keep in my lunch box
Lookin’ Good!
Wherer is the rafflecopter box?
You have the most wonderful ideas. Love your videos and recipes! Thank you!!!
I love using leftovers for an easy lunch to pack for the next day!
I like the pizza pasta for kids and they like it to
My favorite is ham and cheese with mayo. I take the mayo in a separate container so it won’t ruin the bread.
What a great idea, the recipies look easy and delicious.
Favorite is ham and cheese
I usually take leftovers for lunch but I really love bringing tuna sandwiches lately….
I love peanut butter sandwiches!
I love packing turkey and cheese sandwiches.
Peanut butter and jelly. Lately my son wants me to make him subs.
I love ham or mesquite turkey sandwich, with midget pickles! Yummy!
Leftovers !!! ????
Anything on a fresh hard roll.
I like to pack a salami and cheese sandwich on whole grain bread!
I love cold fried foods like shrimp or chicken for lunch.
Anything quick and easy.
I can’t wait to try this! This is one I k os my kids will love!
Always looking for great ideas for the my son’s lunches! Great ideas!
Looks yummy! Is there a place to enter giveaway?
Hi Daisha! If you are on mobile, there is a rectangular box that will say “Enter Giveaway” and then you just click on that. If you are on desktop, then you should see a large box that has a photo and says “Rafflecopter” If I could share a photo on the comments here, I would screenshot it for you. Don’t worry though, anyone who comments here (and leaves and email address) will automatically be entered to win! 🙂
Love the recipes
I love pizza and this is right up my alley!
I Love eating the good leftovers like a good spaghetti pasta sauce with cheese and a piece of Italian bread with a bit of butter for using up all the sauce.
Leftover pizza always makes a good lunch
Does the sauce from your container spill into the others compartments?
Beth, if you have young kiddos, I would recommend a “Bento Box”. They are perfect for smaller kids because every spot has a separate lid that are easy to open. It also keeps everything contained for less mess! 🙂
We are all about leftovers for lunch in our family. I tend to make too much so this is a good way to make sure food doesn’t go to waste.
These recipes look so good!
A veggie sandwich and fruit 🙂
We take leftovers for lunch.
Cheddar cheese and cucumber sandwiches..may sound not I g but delicious
I love fixing back to school lunches with chili
Chicken salad sandwiches
It all looks great!
Homemade pizza faces
This is awesome and I would love to win this for my 1st grader. My Dad’ and his family delivered Bordens Milk befor I was born and stayed in the milk delivery business up until about 10 years ago.
My favorite lunch to pack is lunch money ???????? definitely making the pizza pasta though-looks delish
These look like an idea my son would love!
I really enjoy reading your blog, but I would love to be able to turn off the automatic video that pops up Is there any way I can do that?
Thanks Kim! I’m working on that – thanks!
I love good ole cheese sandwiches, made with Borden’s of course.
I love all of your recipes! I will definitely be trying the pasta salad! It looks delicious!!
I love packing fruit 🙂
Leftovers are great! I like to make a big pot of chili or chicken soup in my slow cooker and have the extra for lunches.
The recipes look good!
I love packing wraps or salads.
I think the pizza pasta salad would make a great side dish for dinner or pot luck dinner or even tailgating!
Always looking for new ideas, especially for two picky boys!
My favorite is turkey, cheese and lettuce wrapped in a taco shell
Love love the pasta recipe! I will definitely be adding that to our lunch rotation.
Thanks so much Crystal!
Great ideas I’d love to win
I love packing my 4 year old homemade lunchables and fruit!
The classic pb &j. Or leftovers. Quick and easy are key!
my sons favorite is homemade burritos with fruit on side
My favorite lunch to take is tuna fish on toast with baked sour cream and onion chips and a piece of fruit.
I’m on my phone and don’t see anywhere to enter, so I’m entering by comment. Thanks for the opportunity! I love your recipes!
Any kind of sammie or salad with lots of fresh fruit!!
Love the country cook!!! And this would be an awesome win!
Cheesy chicken enchiladas
Love all of your recipes.