The $1.88 Walmart Find I’m Stocking Up On

It makes busy days feel a little less hectic.

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Right or wrong, I feel a little bit of guilt every time I pack my kids a sandwich for lunch. It's not that they mind—it just feels better to send them off with something warm.

With my youngest starting school this fall, those already-hectic mornings are about to get even busier. They both eat a lot during the day, so packing two variety-filled, nutritious lunches with morning time constraints feels like an accomplishment.

So, when I learned that Royal has heat-and-eat basmati rice packs at Walmart for just $1.88 each, I immediately added them to my grocery list.

I was already a fan of ready-to-heat pouches, and after sampling several varieties of Royal's basmati, it felt like a no-brainer. One pack is the perfect amount for both kids to share, which means I can send them off with something warm and filling.

Walmart Royal Basmati Heat & Eat Rice Packs

• Price: $1.88 for an 8.5-ounce package
• Why I Love It: These microwavable packages are convenient to use, and the rice always comes out fluffy and aromatic. I love how they come in a variety of different flavors.

Simply Recipes / Authentic Royal

Why I Love Royal Basmati Heat & Eat Rice Packs From Walmart

My husband is South Asian, so we eat a lot of rice at home, and these little pouches make my approach to school lunches a lot simpler. Royal's long-grain basmati stays light, fluffy, and aromatic even after microwaving. 

There is a packet of traditional white basmati, but the brand also offers a range of globally-inspired rice flavors. Many have built-in flavor and just enough personality to keep lunch interesting. I've already tried the Yellow Rice, which is seasoned with earthy turmeric and floral saffron, and the White Queso & Jalapeño, which isn't super spicy, but is delicious. Walmart also carries Garlic & Ghee, Mexican Street Corn, and Brown Basmati Quinoa & Garlic varieties.

Since they don't need refrigeration, they're easy to stock in the pantry. And the fact that I can have a warm, filling lunch ready in under two minutes with no prep or cleanup is a significant motivating factor for me to keep them on hand.

Simply Recipes / Authentic Royal

How I Plan To Win at School Lunches

This year, I'm aiming to meal prep and lean on a mix of strategic packing, sandwiches, and the occasional freezer burrito when necessary. On the days I pull out a rice pack, all I have to do is warm it up, transfer it to preheated insulated containers, and layer in rotisserie chicken, frozen peas, shredded cheese, or leftover taco meat.

Several of the packet flavors are perfect for creating deconstructed burrito bowls with black beans, tomatoes, and a side of tortilla chips. I'm also planning to use these as a base for leftover makeovers.

Last night's grilled chicken can become an exciting lunch when served with guacamole over cilantro-lime rice, and leftover dahl gets an upgrade when paired with garlic- and ghee-flavored rice.

I'm excited to have found another easy and hot lunch option to help make busy mornings run a little more smoothly. A solid lunch makes me feel (a little more) like I'm doing this whole mom thing right. For less than two dollars, and with no therapy required, that is a solid win.

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