As summer vacation draws to a close, the start of school season can make for a hectic schedule. Between shopping for school supplies and signing up for extracurricular activities, you may not have much time to focus on cooking. That’s why these back-to-school meal prep essentials from Walmart are here to save you time.
Instead of desperately trying to make everyone’s lunch before school starts, I like to prepare healthy meals ahead of time. Many of my wheat-free recipes are great for weekday lunches and can even be packaged ahead of time if needed! If you’re looking for ways to make the transition to the new school year easier, here are a few wheat-free essentials you’ll need before school starts. All available at Walmart.
My favorite things:
- Best Meal Prep Containers: Ello Glass Food Storage Meal Prep Container Set – $34.76 at Walmart
- Best bento boxes: Bentgo Leak-Proof Lunch Box – $19.98 at Walmart.
- Best Soup Containers: Thermos 16oz Insulated Food Container – $16.97 at Walmart
- Best Mason Jars: Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jar – $15.44 at Walmart
- Best storage bags: Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag – $12.99 at Walmart
Review of the essential meal prep items for starting school at Walmart
1. Best Meal Prep Containers: Ello Glass Food Storage Meal Prep Container Set
These reusable glass containers from Ello are the best meal prep containers I’ve tried, and are great for older kids and adults. They come in a set of four, and the thick glass has a colorful silicone sleeve that protects against impacts and makes them easy to hold. The lidded containers are the perfect size for single servings, and they’re made of glass, not plastic, so they won’t stain or smell.
It's dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and you can even put it in the microwave with the lid open.
2. Best Bento Box: Bentgo Leak-Proof Lunch Box
For young children or adults who like to snack, this lunch box is perfect for small meals and has five compartments to keep snacks separate. Recommended for ages 3-7, the lunch box is made of BPA-free plastic and has a rubber seal on the lid to prevent spills. There is also a rubber lining on the edges of the box to protect against drops. It comes in a variety of kid-friendly colors and patterns and the removable food tray is dishwasher safe.
3. Best Soup Container: Thermos 16-oz Insulated Food Container
If you’re preparing a meal like Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, this thermos is a great choice to keep it warm and mess-free. The leak-proof, insulated container holds 16 ounces, enough for older kids, and will keep contents hot for up to 7 hours or cold for up to 9 hours. It’s small enough to fit in a lunchbox, and it even comes with a foldable spoon that you can store inside the lid.
4. Best Mason Jar: Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jar
Ball jars are traditionally used for canning, but they’re also a versatile tool for meal prep! They’re great for storing make-ahead recipes like Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oatmeal for a quick and filling meal during school days, and if you opt for a larger jar, you can even use them for meals like this Cobb Salad in a Jar. Not to mention, they’re ideal for storing chopped fruits and veggies that you can throw in your lunchbox for a healthy school snack.
5. Best Storage Bag: Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag
Do you use dozens of plastic bags every week when packing lunches? If so, you may want to invest in a pair of convenient, reusable Stasher Bags. They are made of high-quality silicone and come in a variety of sizes, from sandwich and snack bags to larger half-gallon sizes. They are easy to seal and the best part is that they can be washed in the dishwasher and used over and over again. I love them for everything from sandwiches to fruit slices to pretzels for school.
6. Best Mandoline Slicer: OXO Softworks V-Blade Mandoline Slicer
A good mandoline slicer can help you prepare fruits and vegetables for lunch quickly and easily.h. My favorite is this one from OXO, which comes with blades for straight and wavy cuts, as well as thin and thick julienne cuts. There are four thickness options to choose from, and this slicer includes a food holder to protect your fingers from the sharp blades.
7. Best Ice Pack: Your Zone Reusable Ice Pack
Ice packs are a lunchbox essential, and these reusable ice packs are inexpensive, so you can keep a few in your freezer to last you a week. Each ice pack weighs just a few ounces and contains a non-toxic gel that will keep your food cold until lunchtime. They’re only a dollar a pop, so it’s worth stocking up on a few.
8. Best Dressing Container: Ello Duraglass Condiment Container
These condiment bottles are made by the same brand as my favorite meal prep containers and hold 4 ounces each. They are great for when you want to pack salad dressings, hummus, or other dipping sauces, and they are easy to fill ahead of time and store in the fridge. This 3-pack is made of glass, has a colorful silicone sleeve for protection, and is dishwasher safe at the end of the day.
9. Best Vegetable Chopper: Cuisinart Core Custom 4-Cup Mini Chopper
For meal prep recipes that require a lot of chopping, like Greek orzo salad, this Cuisinart Mini Chopper will speed up the process. It’s basically a mini food processor that you can use to quickly chop ingredients without needing a chef’s knife! It holds up to 4 cups at a time and has separate chopping and blending buttons, depending on what you’re cooking. I also use it to make dips and hummus for school snacks!
10. Best Freezer Tray: Souper Cubes 1-Cup Silicone Freezer Tray
One of my favorite meal prep methods is to make a large batch of pasta sauce, rice, or soup ahead of time and freeze them in Souper Cubes. These handy silicone trays hold 1-cup portions of the ingredients and each has a sturdy plastic lid that makes them perfect for stacking in the freezer. When you need to make a meal, just pop one of the cubes out and thaw it in the microwave. It’s great to have a few frozen meals on hand for busy school nights.
11. Best Muffin Tin: Wilton Bake It Better No-Stick Muffin Pan
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins are a delicious, quick breakfast for school, but that’s not all you can make with a muffin tin like these muffins from Wilton. For even more protein, you can make Loaded Egg Muffins for your family’s morning meal. The great thing about this recipe is that you can customize it based on what you have on hand. Or, my High Protein Egg White Muffins are another easy option to make when you’re rushing out of the house on a busy day.
12. Best Sandwich Cutter: Ihvewuo Sandwich Cutter and Sealer
For the little one who loves sandwiches but not the crust, this cool gadget creates a cute crustless pocket that fits perfectly in the lunch box. It comes with two cutters (one square, one round), and all you have to do is place the sandwich inside the gadget and press it shut. It cuts off the crust and seals the edges, keeping the delicious filling intact until lunchtime.
13. Best Egg Cooker: MyMini Premium 7-Egg Cooker
Boiled eggs are a protein-packed snack that’s perfect for lunch, and this handy egg cooker makes up to 7 at a time without the hassle. You can cook soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs in minutes, and it even comes with a bowl for making hard-boiled or scrambled eggs.
why can you trust me
I'm Gina, the author and recipe developer at Skinnytaste. Skinnytaste offers hundreds of healthy recipes for the whole family. I have two daughters and over the years I've found ways to make the start of school a little less stressful, including preparing lunch for the whole family.
I have personally used many of the products featured in this article, and others I have not personally tried are highly recommended by other food publishers and Walmart shoppers.
Prices were correct at the time of publication.
