Road Trip Ready Lunch

Featured in: Everyday Family Meals

This vibrant lunch features sandwiches crafted into playful car shapes, decorated with veggie wheels and colorful sides. Using simple ingredients like whole wheat bread, cream cheese or hummus, cheddar, and deli turkey or vegetarian alternatives, it's prepared in just 20 minutes with no cooking needed. Paired with fresh cucumber, grape tomatoes or olives, baby carrots, grapes, and crunchy pretzels, this meal invites creativity and healthy snacking. Perfect for packing in insulated lunch bags for easy transport, it’s customizable to suit various diets and preferences. Ideal for both kids and adults craving a fun, fresh midday meal.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:58:00 GMT
Road Trip Ready Car-Shaped Lunch with colorful veggies, a fun and delicious kid-friendly meal. Save to Pinterest
Road Trip Ready Car-Shaped Lunch with colorful veggies, a fun and delicious kid-friendly meal. | recipesbies.com

A fun, creative lunchbox meal designed to delight kids and adults alike, featuring sandwiches and snacks arranged in the shape of a car—perfect for on-the-go adventures.

I first served this...

Ingredients

  • Sandwich Base: 4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread, 2 tbsp cream cheese or hummus, 2 slices cheddar cheese, 2 slices deli turkey or vegetarian alternative
  • Decoration & Wheels: 4 round cucumber slices, 4 grape tomatoes or black olives, 2 baby carrots, 1 sheet nori or spinach tortilla (for windshield/trim, optional)
  • Sides: 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup grapes, 1/2 cup pretzel sticks

Instructions

Step 1:
Lay out the bread slices. Spread cream cheese or hummus on each slice.
Step 2:
Layer cheddar cheese and turkey (or vegetarian alternative) onto two slices. Top with remaining bread to make sandwiches.
Step 3:
Using a large car shaped cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut each sandwich into a car shape.
Step 4:
For wheels, attach cucumber slices and grape tomatoes (or olives) to the sides of each sandwich using a dab of cream cheese as glue.
Step 5:
Slice baby carrots in half and use them as bumpers. Cut small shapes from nori or spinach tortilla for windows and details attach as desired.
Step 6:
Arrange the car shaped sandwiches in lunchboxes. Add baby carrots grapes and pretzel sticks as side snacks.
Step 7:
Serve immediately or pack in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack for freshness.
Vibrant Road Trip Ready Car-Shaped Lunch, featuring crispy pretzel wheels and carrot bumper details. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Road Trip Ready Car-Shaped Lunch, featuring crispy pretzel wheels and carrot bumper details. | recipesbies.com

I first served this to my family and watching their delight made it a treasured meal.

Required Tools

Car shaped cookie cutter or paring knife Small sharp knife Spreading knife Lunchbox or bento box

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (bread) Dairy (cream cheese cheese) Soy (possible in deli alternatives) May contain Egg (in bread or deli slices) Sesame (in hummus) Always check ingredient labels for allergen safety

Nutritional Information

Calories 320 Total Fat 10 g Carbohydrates 38 g Protein 14 g

Freshly assembled Road Trip Ready Car-Shaped Lunch, offering a delightful and creative sandwich experience. Save to Pinterest
Freshly assembled Road Trip Ready Car-Shaped Lunch, offering a delightful and creative sandwich experience. | recipesbies.com

This lunchbox creation blends creativity with nutrition making mealtime fun and satisfying.

Answers to Recipe Questions

How do I shape the sandwiches like a car?

Use a large car-shaped cookie cutter or carefully cut with a sharp knife to create the car outline. Arrange slices with toppings inside, then use veggie slices as wheels for decoration.

Can the sandwich fillings be customized?

Absolutely. Swap deli turkey for vegetarian or vegan alternatives, and try different spreads like hummus or cream cheese to suit preferences.

What are good options for the car 'wheels'?

Round cucumber slices and grape tomatoes or black olives work well as wheels, attached with a small amount of spread to keep them in place.

Is this suitable for vegan diets?

Yes, by using plant-based cheese and deli substitutes along with hummus or vegan spreads, this lunch can be adapted for vegan needs.

How should I pack this lunch to maintain freshness?

Place the car-shaped sandwiches and sides in a lunchbox or bento box, then keep them fresh with an ice pack inside an insulated bag.

What are some ideas for additional sides?

Try sliced bell peppers, apple wedges, cherry tomatoes, or small containers of dips like hummus or ranch to complement the meal.

Road Trip Ready Lunch

A fun, car-shaped lunchbox meal featuring sandwiches and fresh snacks, ideal for easy packing and eating.

Prep duration
20 mins
0
Overall time
20 mins
Published by Sophie Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Serves 2 Serving size

Dietary Details No meat included

What you need

Sandwich Base

01 4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
02 2 tablespoons cream cheese or hummus
03 2 slices cheddar cheese
04 2 slices deli turkey or vegetarian alternative

Decoration & Wheels

01 4 round cucumber slices
02 4 grape tomatoes or black olives
03 2 baby carrots
04 1 sheet nori or spinach tortilla (optional)

Sides

01 1 cup baby carrots
02 1 cup grapes
03 1/2 cup pretzel sticks

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare Bread: Lay out all bread slices and spread cream cheese or hummus evenly on each slice.

Step 02

Assemble Sandwiches: Place cheddar cheese and turkey or vegetarian alternative atop two slices, then cover with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.

Step 03

Shape Sandwiches: Use a large car-shaped cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut each sandwich into a car silhouette.

Step 04

Add Wheels: Attach cucumber slices and grape tomatoes or olives to sandwich sides with small dabs of cream cheese to represent wheels.

Step 05

Decorate Details: Slice baby carrots in half to create bumpers and cut shapes from nori or spinach tortilla for windshields or trim; affix as desired.

Step 06

Arrange Sides: Place car-shaped sandwiches in lunch containers and add baby carrots, grapes, and pretzel sticks as accompanying snacks.

Step 07

Serve or Pack: Serve immediately or store in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack to maintain freshness.

Equipment You'll Need

  • Car-shaped cookie cutter or paring knife
  • Small sharp knife
  • Spreading knife
  • Lunchbox or bento box

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens, and reach out to a healthcare pro if unsure.
  • Contains wheat, dairy, and possibly soy; may contain egg and sesame. Verify ingredient labels for allergen information.

Nutrition info (by portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance. Please consult a medical expert if you need advice.
  • Total Calories: 320
  • Fat content: 10 g
  • Carbohydrate: 38 g
  • Protein content: 14 g