Ever wake up to make school lunches to find no bread left?  This happens to us at least once a week! The kids have to get creative and find something other than a sandwich to take to school.  So, I decided to ask Wade's brother, who spent two years in Italy, what Italians ate for lunch.  His reply was:

Amy,

In Italy lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Typically lunch is made up of some red sauce pasta, and some bread (hard on outside and soft on the inside) that was purchased from a bakery that day. Sometimes they will add some salad with oil and vinegar dressing. After lunch everyone takes a short 15 to 30 minute nap.

We could do that! We love pasta, bread, and salad- Plus, it's letter I for Italy week!  So, on the days there is no bread for sandwiches, the kids can be Italian for a day.  Here is what they prepared.

Our Quick Red Sauce Recipe is:

• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 TBL olive oil
• 1 can diced tomatoes (with juices, 28 ounces)
• 3 TBL Fresh Parsley
• 2 TBL minced onions
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper
• 1 TBL basil

In pot, cook garlic in oil until golden.  Add remaining ingredients into the garlic and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Then add basil.

Don't forget to send a fork to school!  It is OK to eat the pasta cold when they take it to school.  My kids have no means of heating up food at school, but it isn't a big deal.  Doesn't this look like a healthy lunch?  I think it looks delicious!  Of course the kids LOVE grapes too!

Lunch containers are the Easy Lunch Boxes. Great way to send salads to school!