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Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Relive the good old days with some of our favorite school cafeteria recipes. We’ve got nostalgic ideas that will make you feel like you’re sitting in your grade school lunchroom. Remember those buttered rolls that you paired with every entrée? How about the square pizza slices that either made or ruined your entire day? Plus, we didn’t forget about kid-friendly desserts (like peanut butter bars and chocolate chip cookies) to complete your meal. Take a trip down memory lane with these childhood favorites.
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18 Ridiculously Easy School Lunch Recipes
01
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Cafeteria Macaroni and Cheese
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Mammie
A crispy breadcrumb topping is the perfect complement to classic, creamy macaroni and cheese. This old-fashioned recipe works well as an entrée or a side dish.
02
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School Lunchroom Cafeteria Rolls
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Cindy in Pensacola
The Allrecipes community can’t get enough of this top-rated recipe. “My 8-year-old daughter loves the cafeteria rolls and said my recipe was even better,” says recipe creator MOMMY2THREEANGELS. “You can’t mess these up!”
03
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Detroit-Style Pizza
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Chef John
Few lunchroom foods are as divisive as the infamous rectangular pizza. Whether you loved it or hated it, Chef John’s take on Detroit-style pizza will definitely win you over.
04
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Retro School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars
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Rebekah Rose Hills
These chewy cookie bars are impossible to resist. “There are many versions of ‘the peanut butter bar’ but, I believe this recipe comes the closest to what I remember eating in the 1960s,” says recipe creator Deborah Olson.
05
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Easy Chicken Taquitos
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footballgrl16
Remember how excited you were when you realized it was Crispito day in the cafeteria? Try these simple chicken taquitos for a dose of deliciousness and nostalgia.
06
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Homemade Tater Tots
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Soup Loving Nicole
Skip the freezer aisle and serve this homemade version of the kid-friendly side dish. Serve with ketchup or, as recipe creator Shaysfoodjourney recommends, a remoulade sauce.
07
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Real Nacho Cheese Sauce
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bd.weld
Make this Cheddar cheese sauce in just 15 minutes with kitchen staples like cream cheese, butter, and cornstarch. If you want to go the extra mile, make homemade tortilla chips.
08
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Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
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Buckwheat Queen
When “breakfast for lunch” was on the menu, you knew it would be a good day at school. Recipe creator bd.weld suggests starting with dry bread so it doesn’t fall apart during the soaking process.
- Amazing Breakfast Foods You Make in the Air Fryer
09
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Sloppy Joes
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Allrecipes Magazine
Nearly 8,000 Allrecipes users have given this meaty comfort food recipe rave reviews. “This is the perfect basic sloppy joes recipe,” says reviewer ARNOLDIRR. “I won’t be buying the canned stuff anymore.”
10
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Easy Baked Chicken Tenders
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lutzflcat
Try this healthier, lower-oil take on fried chicken tenders. If you don’t have any Panko breadcrumbs in the pantry, reviewer Lynn suggests using crushed crackers or pretzels.
11
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Pizza Rolls
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Christina
These tasty pizza rolls are deceptively easy to make, thanks to a convenient secret ingredient: egg roll wraps—which are used instead of dough!
12
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Air Fryer Fish Sticks
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Soup Loving Nicole
Your air fryer is the key to these crowd-pleasing homemade fish sticks. Cod strips are dredged in a Panko-Parmesan mixture, then air-fried to crispy perfection.
13
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Basic Mashed Potatoes
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lutzflcat
It couldn’t be easier to make these simply seasoned mashed potatoes with just milk and butter. Recipe creator Esmee Williams calls them “simple and delicious.”
14
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Scrumptious Frosted Fudgy Brownies
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Celeste
These fudgy brownies are topped with a simple five-ingredient frosting. This recipe calls for walnuts, but you can easily leave them out for an allergy-friendly dessert.
15
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Best Hamburger Ever
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Heather888
These 30-minute burgers make an excellent addition to any kid-friendly menu. “The name is absolutely perfect,” raves reviewer Cindy Rae. “This was the tastiest juiciest moist burger I’ve ever had!”
16
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Grilled Hot Turkey Sandwiches
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lutzflcat
Here's a basic lunch that everyone at your table will love. A seasoned mayonnaise-salsa mixture adds a flavorful, unexpected touch to these elevated grilled cheese sandwiches.
- 50+ Kids’ Healthy Snack Recipes
17
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Ignacio's Super Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
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Christina
Picky eaters will love this triple-layered take on the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A toasted slice of white bread in the middle adds wonderful texture.
18
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Ants on a Log
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Melissa Goff
Kids will love this healthy snack made with celery, peanut butter, and raisins. “Wow does this ever bring back memories,” says reviewer Jillian. “Sometimes the simplest things are the best.”
19
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Perfect Summer Fruit Salad
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RainbowJewels
If you liked those packaged fruit cups during your school days, you'll love this colorful side dish topped with a vanilla-infused citrus sauce.
20
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Award-Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Photo by bd.weld.
With more than 11,000 glowing reviews, you know these soft chocolate chip cookies will become a staple in your recipe box. What's the secret ingredient? Instant vanilla pudding mix!
21
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Greenwich Country Day School Apple Crisp
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This simple yet crave-worthy apple crisp was a specialty at Greenwich County Day School, where Allrecipes contributor Alice Levitt’s father was the upper school art teacher.
22
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Peanut Butter Bars
These five-ingredient treats, dubbed “Lunch Lady Bars,” taste like homemade peanut butter cups. ”Soooooo yummy,” says SneakyTart5889. ”Easy to make. Family loves it!!!!”
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
23
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School Cafeteria Spaghetti
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ALLRECIPES /QI AI
This hearty pasta bake is inspired by “spaghetti day” at the school cafeteria. ”This was exactly like the spaghetti I was served in elementary school in the 'dark ages,'” says reviewer minaayindra. “The only difference is it is not as dry and overcooked! Great, easy recipe, not gourmet but certainly delicious, easily fills you up with a small piece.“
24
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Copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies
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If you were one of those lucky grade schoolers with a snack stand stocked with Little Debbie treats in your lunchroom, these Copycat Oatmeal Creme Pies will hit the spot. Allrecipes editor Annie Campbell says they’re even better than the original.
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More Inspiration
Allrecipes
Try one of Our 16 Favorite Vintage Diner Dinner Ideas. Plus, explore our entire collection of Retro Recipes.
- Best Tuna Casserole
- Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze
- Retro Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuits
Explore more:
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