Back to School Meals with Chef Jamie Gwen
The secret to a great lunchbox is packing food your child will actually eat.
Pearls Olives
Pearls full line of all-natural ingredient ripe California olives, premium imports, and convenient olive snacks are known for their fresh taste, firm texture, and the sunny yellow label that’s a sure sign of superior quality.
I always keep Pearls Olives on hand because my kiddo loves them—and I do too. Pearls is America’s favorite olive, with California-grown black ripe olives and Mediterranean specialties like Kalamata, plus stuffed varieties, including my favorite blue cheese-stuffed olives. Pearls Olives is family-owned, so when you share them with family and friends, you’re sharing the best.
I used them in this Pasta Salad Lunch Box. It’s perfect for school lunches and great for working moms and dads, too.
Caesar Pasta Salad Lunch Box
Ingredients
| Qty | Unit | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cup | Bowtie Pasta, Cooked and Tossed with Olive Oil |
| 1/4 | Cup | Parmesan Cheese |
| 1 | Cup | Romaine Lettuce, Washed and Chopped |
| 4 | oz | Rotisserie Chicken Breast, Shredded |
| 1/3 | Cup | Pearls Sliced Ripe Black Olives |
| 1/4 | Cup | Caesar Dressing |
Pizza Pasta Salad Lunch Box
Ingredients
| Qty | Unit | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cup | Rotini Pasta, Cooked and Tossed with Olive Oil |
| 1/3 | Cup | Pearls Sliced Ripe Black Olives |
| 2 | oz | Cheddar Cheese, Cubed |
| 2 | oz | Mini Pepperoni |
| 1/4 | Cup | Cherry Tomatoes, Halved |
| 1/4 | Cup | Italian Dressing |
BLT Pasta Salad Lumch Box
Ingredients
| Qty | Unit | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cup | Bowtie Pasta, Cooked and Tossed with Olive Oil |
| 2 | Strips | Crispy Cooked Bacon, Crumbled |
| 1 | Cup | Romaine Lettuce Leaves, Torn Into Small Pieces |
| 1/2 | Cup | Pearls Ripe Black Olives |
| 1/4 | Cup | Cherry Tomatoes, Halved |
| 1/4 | Cup | Ranch Dressing |
Silicone Reusable Storage Bags
Made with platinum food-grade silicone and a leak-free Pinch-Loc seal, these reusable food containers are free from lead, latex, phthalates, BPA, and BPS. Plus, one bag replaces 260 single-use plastic bags per year.
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I’m a huge fan of reusable products that cut down on morning chaos. Reusable silicone bags are great for sandwiches, fruit and snacks, and a sectioned lunch container lets you create a homemade snack box without all the individual packaging.
Enameled Cast Iron Cookware
Lodge cookware is versatile and as easy to clean as it is to cook with; taste a difference in your cooking with cast iron
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I also love a one-pot dinner that becomes tomorrow’s lunch. Enameled cast iron cookware is foolproof, conducts heat beautifully and goes from stovetop to oven with ease. Repurposing leftovers saves time, reduces food waste and makes busy mornings so much easier.
Sheet Pan Pizza is another great option because it feeds a crowd and everyone loves the crispy edges.
Chef Jamie Gwen
For dinner, my family asks for Protein-Packed Mac n’ Cheese. I puree cottage cheese into the creamy, cheesy sauce for an easy protein boost.
Chef Jamie Gwen
Protein Packed Mac n' Cheese
Yes, it has cottage cheese in it. No, you won’t be able to tell. P.S.: Please don’t tell my kiddo.
Ingredients
| Qty | Unit | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | Cup | Cottage Cheese |
| 1 | Cup | Hand Shredded Cheese of Your Choice |
| 6 | oz | Evaporated Milk |
| 1 | Cup | Elbow Macaroni |
| Salt & white pepper, garlic powder, mustard powder, hot sauce, or anything else you like in it |
Instructions
-
Using your blender or food processor combine the cottage cheese, shredded cheese and evaporated milk. Blend until smooth.
-
Put the macaroni in a small shallow pot and fill with water just to cover the pasta. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, or until almost all of the water has evaporated.
-
Add the puréed cheese mixture and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes.
-
Season and dig in.
And for dessert, my 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse is silky, rich and light. I put it right in the center of the table—it draws everyone in when it’s time to gather.
Chef Jamie Gwen
For all my recipes, visit chefjamie.com
