The heat is getting to me, y’all! So last week I sat down and brainstormed some no-cook lunch boxes, or meal preps that I can keep in the fridge for quick meals over the next couple of months. I’ll be posting these lunch box ideas over the next few weeks, the first being this Pizza Roll Up Lunch Box. These easy no-cook lunch boxes make great “brown bag” lunches for the work week, especially for those of you who don’t have access to a refrigerator or microwave during your work day. Just pop one of these in an insulated lunch pack and you’re good to go!
This one goes out to everyone who grew up eating those pizza lunchables. ;)
There is no “one size fits all” lunch box
We all need different amounts of food, so make sure you flex your lunch box up or down to fit your appetite. Here are some other things you can add to this pizza roll up lunch box to beef it up, if you need more!
- Add an apple, orange, or yogurt cup on the side for dessert
- Add an extra layer of turkey, ham, or salami sliced deli meat to the roll up
- Add a layer of caramelized onions to the wrap
- Spread ricotta cheese on the tortilla in place of pesto (option drizzle pesto on the ricotta and have both!)
- Add a few banana pepper rings inside the roll up
- Pack a simple green salad on the side
There are an endless number of toppings you could add to your roll up, but just be careful with “chunky” ingredients that may make it hard to keep the roll up closed.
How long do the lunch boxes last?
You can keep these lunch boxes in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Longevity may vary depending on the conditions inside your refrigerator and freshness of your ingredients.
What containers do you use?
These are Pyrex glass containers, and small metal dipping cups (both are linked in the bottom of the recipe card below). I have the dipping cups in the glass containers in the photos, but they are actually taller than the container and would need to be packed outside the glass container for it to be closed properly.
The Pizza Roll Up Lunch Box
Servings 4Ingredients
- 4 large tortillas (burrito size) ($0.65)
- 1/4 cup basil pesto ($0.55)
- 8 slices provolone cheese ($1.19)
- 36 slices pepperoni ($0.97)
- 4 cups fresh spinach ($0.32)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce ($0.43)
- 2 green bell peppers ($1.53)
Instructions
- Spread 1 Tbsp pesto over the surface of each tortilla (it does not need to cover the entire surface. Lay two slices of provolone over one half of each tortilla, followed by about 9 pepperoni. Lastly, add one handful of fresh spinach to each tortilla.
- Roll each tortilla up, trying to keep the roll as tight as possible. With the seams facing down, slice the rolls into one-inch sections. Place the sliced roll-ups in your meal prep container. Pack them closely together to keep them from coming unrolled.
- Slice the green bell peppers into strips. Divide the bell pepper strips between the four containers.
- Fill four small containers with 2 Tbsp pizza sauce each. Refrigerate your roll ups, bell peppers, and pizza sauce for up to five days.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Equipment
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!Check Out These Other No-Cook Lunch Ideas:
How to Make Pizza Roll Up Lunch Boxes – Step by Step Photos
Spread 1 Tbsp of pesto over each tortilla. Lay two pieces of provolone and about 9 pepperoni on one half of the tortilla.
Sprinkle one handful of spinach over each tortilla.
Roll up the tortilla, making sure to roll as tightly as possible. Slice the roll into one-inch sections. The two end pieces might not stay rolled, but as long as the roll is seam-side down, the rest should stay rolled.
Place the sliced roll-ups in your containers. Cut two green bell peppers into strips and divide them among the four containers. Place 2 Tbsp pizza sauce into four small containers. Pack up your boxes and refrigerate up to 5 days!
Alrighty then !!!!
This is my new company is coming food for my charcuterie board.
I love this simple recipe.
I have a huge bag of pepperoni
( needs to be used before sell by date) and opened jar of pesto plus I think I will grate the rest of my mozzarella cheese block.
I may make totally veg as well.
Pesto, artichokes, jarred peppers and plant based cheese and corn wraps for those gluten sensitive friends.
I give this a top rating and will follow up with comments from friends.
Next time I find myself with extra pizza produce – I shall assemble right away and freeze in long rolls.
Awesome Beth. Thank you so much for all the work you do creating budget bytes – your blog is AWESOME — you go girl.
XO W
Simple and delicious!
These are so easy and yummy! My husband was skeptical when I told him they were meant to be eaten cold, but even he thought they were really good once he tried one. I love how simple it is, and I make lots of no-reheat lunches for work/school. Would love to see more of these lunch box type recipes!!
This is sooo easy to make and tasty. I recommend microwaving a bit so the pizza rolls are warm and cheese is melted!
Excited to try out this recipe! Do you think the rolls would be good with sautéed spinach instead of fresh? I usually prefer cooked spinach over fresh, but idk if it would be weird cold.
Do you, Maddie! I think sauteed spinach would taste wonderful. Especially with a little garlic thrown in. XOXO -Monti
Super yummy! I used the carb balance tortillas and turkey pepperoni because I need lower fat content. But me and the kids enjoyed these!
Thank you so much for these lunch box ideas! I love them – please keep them coming!!!
Yum! Super easy and quick to make. I scored tomato basil wraps at the store, and I warmed up everything except the spinach and peppers in the microwave, then tossed them in cold and rolled it up. I’m sure it would be good cold too, but I had the option, and it was great!
Very easy and good, I added a pepperoncini on the side for a little spice. I love the cold lunch ideas! I usually don’t have time to cook a meal for lunch so these are perfect, especially in the summer.
These RULE. I’ve been making them for lunch since last week. I just love the combo of flavors (I even like the pepperoni and that’s not my favorite pizza topping by any means). So delicious. Great for the hot days of summer since it’s a cold lunch.
Tried this recipe for lunch today to test it out to see if I would like it for work week lunches, it was delicious and very filling! Â Definitely will add this in to rotation for work lunches. Â I was getting tired of the same old things, so this will add some variety!
Yes please more no heat lunch ideas! My children’s school is not having cafeteria this year because of Covid so everyone has to pack a lunch 😬
I have those same glass Pyrex containers, and I use silicone muffin cups to hold sauces/wet foods in inside them. They will obviously spill if tipped too much, but the Pyrex will close over them and I don’t have any issues with spillage if they’re just coming in and out of the fridge or carefully transported to work in a lunchbox that lets the Pyrex stay flat.
Love this! Please post more no heat meal prep lunches. Much needed before the new school year starts. 😀