These summer food ideas for kids make meal planning less boring and more fun. If your kids are like mine, they are constantly on-the-go and ready to play. However, trying to sneak in meals as a parent can be challenging because they never seem to settle down. They are too excited and worry about missing out on Summer fun!
That’s where these portable summer meal recipes and snacks come in to rescue the day. Just grab and go, with plenty of leftovers too! The best part is I have already created the grocery list for you! Thank you, Tom Thumb, for sponsoring this Summer grocery haul! This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Tom Thumb.
Summer Food Ideas Anyone Can Make
When it’s too hot to cook and you want something quick, consider this Tom Thumb Summer grocery haul that features their delicious and affordable Signature brand products. With a budget of $100, I was able to save money and time (thanks to Tom Thumb grocery delivery) to make a variety of portable recipes my kids love to eat during our summer adventures. Or, if you’re in a pinch, shop the Signature line for pre-prepared dishes. I buy my Signature® products at my local Tom Thumb, and you can also find them exclusively at the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets and Carrs/Safeway. Visit tomthumb.com to find a store near you and discover meal prep tips and recipe ideas.
{Download the Summer Grocery Haul List}
9 Summer Food Ideas from One Grocery Haul
1. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Cups
Delicious cool pasta coated in ranch and bacon makes the best Summer salad. Place in cups with forks for kids on the go. Make bigger cups for the adults.
Ingredients for Pasta Salad
- 1 package of Rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup Signature SELECT™ Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 package dry ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon Signature SELECT™ Garlic Powder
- Signature Farms® Grape Tomatoes
- 9 slices Signature Farms® Premium Sliced Bacon, cooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
How to make pasta salad
- Bring a large pot of water with salt to a boil. Add pasta and cook as package indicates. Drain water, set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch mix, garlic powder, and milk together.
- Add pasta, cooked pasta, grape tomatoes, and cheese.
- Stir to combine.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours until serving.
- Place in plastic cups with forks and serve! Enjoy!
(Note: I used rigatoni noodles but I love the Signature SELECT™ Pasta Rainbow Rotini for more color and texture in the dish)
2. Pizza Pinwheels
Pizza pinwheels are a great alternative for sandwiches. I love this for a fun Summer finger food option for the kids.
Ingredients for Pizza Pinwheels
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 6 Tbsp of Signature SELECT™ Pizza Sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp Signature SELECT™ Oregano
- 1/2 cup sliced Signature SELECT™ Sliced Original Pepperoni, Chopped
- 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
How to make Pizza Pinwheels
- Combine cream cheese, pizza sauce, mozzarella, oregano, and pepperoni. Mix smooth until the chunks of cream cheese disappear.
- Spread about 2-3 tbsp of the mixture on each tortilla.
- Start rolling the tortilla and roll it tightly towards the top. Place seam side down on the pan. Roll with saran wrap. Repeat with other tortillas. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or 2-3 hours for more chill. This allows them to become firm to cut easily.
- Use a knife to slice each roll into 1-inch pinwheels. Garnish with oregano (optional). Serve and enjoy!
3. Mixed Berry Banana Smoothies
Packed with fruit, these kid-friendly smoothies are sure to please even the pickiest eaters!
Ingredients
- 1 cup, Signature SELECT™ 100% Juice Apple
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups Frozen Signature SELECT™ Berry Blend Triple
- 1 cup vanilla Greek honey yogurt
- 1/2 cup ice
How to make smoothies
- Place the bananas in the blender first.
- Then, add berries, apple juice, yogurt, and ice.
- Blend until smooth.
- If the smoothie seems too thick, add more apple juice.
4. Fruit and Veggie Bowls
Fill the SELECT™ Plastic Party Clear Cups with various fruits and vegetables. My kids love having their own cups to munch on.
5. Signature SELECT™ Cracker Bite White Cheddar Rosemary
These bite-size white cheddar and rosemary crackers have no artificial flavors and no high fructose corn syrup.
More portable Summer treats for kids
6. Signature Farms® Café Bowl Chef Salad – prepared!
7. Signature SELECT™ Rising Crust Pizza, Five Cheese – just bake and serve!
8. Signature SELECT™ Vanilla Ice Cream – place in a bowl, cup or waffle cone.
9. Signature SELECT™ Fudge Striped Shortbread Cookies – because everyone deserves a sweet treat once in a while. They are so good! Serve with ice cream too!
Summer meal planning doesn’t have to be boring
What are your summer picks for easy meals? Find the best Summer meal planning ingredients at your neighborhood Tom Thumb store and online.
Don’t forget to pin summer lunch ideas for kids
If you love these meal planning ideas, you will love all the ones I am pinning right now. Follow me on Pinterest for more easy and tasty recipes.
