Lunchbox Love: Hot Pasta

Most parents can agree: packing school lunches is a pain. Obviously, you want your kids to eat, but putting together a midday meal that is nut-free, nutritious and won't come back warm and squished hours later is a challenge.

That's why we turned to registered dietitian Noelle Martin. She's put together three easy-to-make, balanced lunches your kid might just enjoy. No promises, but it's worth a try, right? This lunch not a hit? Try one of these.

How do you keep food warm until lunchtime?

If your child doesn't have access to a microwave at school (few do), invest in a thermos. The key is starting hot and sealing tight.

Before packing your child's lunch, pour boiling water into the thermos for a few minutes to heat it up, then dump the water and immediately add piping-hot food. Close the lid tightly, and it should stay warm for four to six hours—long enough to last until lunch.

Lasagna or pasta

What's inside?

• Last night's lasagna or pasta
• Carrot and Cucumber slices with hummus to dip
• Watermelon strips
• Kashi Fruit Bar

What makes this a balanced lunch?

"This lunch offers a filling main dish that is packed with energy, protein, iron, and calcium," says Martin. The side dishes are nourishing and refreshing. "Carrots offer beta carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant, and can also be turned into vitamin A in the body, which is important for the health of eyes, cells and bones."

Cucumber and watermelon are as hydrating as they are nutritious. And doesn't watermelon—which is also rich in an antioxidant called lycopene—always feel like a treat? Even more so in the fall and winter.

Why is it appealing to kids?

A hearty lunch is often needed after a long morning of learning. And, as Martin says, "Sometimes a warm lunch is like a hug from parents in the middle of the day, especially if it is left over from supper—it reminds kids of home."