The Lunch Idea:

We had taco penne pasta for dinner last night.  This is a super easy dinner idea, if you're looking for something new.  Just cook pasta, and top it with whatever you would put on a taco: cheese, meat, sour cream, salsa, etc. The kids love it!

I always cook extra pasta. It keeps well in the fridge and it freezes great.  It makes for a very quick and easy lunch or dinner.  For this lunch I just dumped in some cold pasta, and added a little protein and fruit. And yes, they will eat it cold (or room temp).

What's in the Lunch: 

• Cooked, cold, penne pasta. This is the Barilla Plus brand - it has protein in it in the form of lentil and bean flours. So even if they just eat plain pasta, I feel a little better knowing they got a little protein.
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Two have ham
• Tomatoes
• Grapes & strawberries
• Banana bread

Questions and tips:

• Yes, my kids eat this cold.
• I always cook extra pasta and freeze it.  Just coat with a little butter or oil and spread out on a baking sheet.  When frozen, bag it up.  You can reheat it in a minute in the microwave, or just run under hot water.  A little pre-cooked pasta, a few chunks of ham, a few peas and a dash of parmesan cheese - and you have dinner on the table in less than 5 minutes.