Easy Lunchbox Meatballs and Rice
The crockpot does the work overnight, and four lunchboxes come together in five minutes flat.Easy Lunchbox Meatballs and Rice is a make-ahead packed lunch box idea built from my Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs, cooked white rice, steamed edamame, and a chocolate chip cookie for dessert.
You can find my fan favorite recipe here: https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/honey-garlic-crockpot-meatballs/
Sugar snap peas, steamed green beans, broccoli florets, or baby carrots all work. Pick something that tastes fine at room temperature, since it will sit in the lunchbox for a few hours.
The meatballs, rice, and edamame are all nut free. Check the label on your chocolate chip cookies, since many store-bought brands are made in facilities that also process nuts.
Each box gets about 1/2 cup of rice, one quarter of the meatballs, 1 cup of edamame, and 3 chocolate chip cookies. Scale the portions up or down depending on the age of who is eating it.
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What You Need
- Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs: The sauce thickens as it cools, so it clings instead of pooling. Beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based all work.
- Cooked White Rice: The best sponge for the extra sauce. Swap in brown rice, quinoa, or a microwave rice pouch.
- Steamable Edamame: Grab the microwave steam bags in the freezer aisle. Sugar snap peas, green beans, or broccoli sub in nicely.
- Cookies: Three per box, homemade or store-bought. Mini cookies or a granola bar work for a smaller treat.
How to Make Easy Lunchbox Meatballs and Rice
- Fill the boxes. Divide the rice among 4 lunchboxes, about 1/2 cup each. Top each portion of rice with meatballs and a little extra sauce.
- Add the sides. Add 1 cup of steamed edamame to a second compartment in each box, then tuck 3 chocolate chip cookies into the last section.
- Chill and go. Close the lids and refrigerate until you head out the door. Add an ice pack if the box will sit for more than 2 hours.
Easy Lunchbox Meatballs and Rice
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked white rice
- 4 cups of steamable Edamame
- 12 Chocolate Chip Cookies
Instructions
- Fill the boxes. Divide the rice among 4 lunchboxes, about 1/2 cup each. Top each portion of rice with meatballs and a little extra sauce.
- Add the sides. Add 1 cup of steamed edamame to a second compartment in each box, then tuck 3 chocolate chip cookies into the last section.
- Chill and go. Close the lids and refrigerate until you head out the door. Add an ice pack if the box will sit for more than 2 hours.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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