I'm not a vegetarian, but I need some ideas for non-salad vegetarian lunches that I can take to school (i.e. is fine not refridgerated for a few hours). I already take broccoli/cauliflower and a kiwi/orange, so I'm looking for something to serve as the main ingredient. I don't like tofu.

You could do all sorts of stuff that usually has meat in it minus the meat like stir fry noodles with veggies.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, veggie wraps, soups, etc.

For some fun ideas, you could check out Vegan Lunchbox. There is a website and 2 books (they might be in your local library)
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

Do you have a microwave at school? I just take an ice pack and a lunch bag to work and keep at my desk. I eat a variety of foods and will bring things to microwave as well. Sandwiches, fruit, veggies and hummus, yogurt with fruit, etc are just a few ideas.

Nope, no microwave.

Most pasta dishes are lovely eaten cold. Experiment with combining all your fave veggies with cooked pasta and the dressing or sauce of your choice. Same goes for rice dishes.

My favourite lunch when I was at school was avocado and tomato sandwiches on wholemeal bread with lots of salad in it. In colder weather I always had spicy pasta or rice.

Here are some of my favorite cold dishes to bring to work:

Spring rolls (rice paper with vegetables julienned sliced up + peanut sauce for dipping)

Pasta salad (sliced veggies with McCormick's Salad Supreme seasoning and italian dressing + pasta)

Pita sandwich (falafel + hummus + veggies + tzaziki/yogurt in flatbread)

Bean salad (various beans cooked, tossed with scallions and tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper, preferred seasonings, feta)

Egg salad sandwich

Tacos (ww tortilla with black beans, avacado, cheese, yogurt/sour cream, fine cold)

I personally don't mind my stuff being out of a refrigerator for a few hours. You could also bring an ice pack, as nelie mentioned.

For several of the dishes above they are lacking a protein. I don't know if you like tempeh or seitan, but those are options to throw into the dishes. You could also have a few slices of cheese or a yogurt in addition to your dish.

Check this out! Food PORN! lol

Japanese Bento Boxes! Not all are vegetarian friendly, but this can give you some ideas on what to bring if you like asian food.

http://www.flavoreddelights.com/2009...panese-bentos/

Thank you for the ideas! I have the same issue with bringing food to school, plus, during my lunch hour this year I travel between schools (dual enrollment), so I have to eat on the way there.

I pack school lunches for our two vegetarian children. I use the Laptop Lunches syste to make sure there is variety and eye appeal. http://www.laptoplunches.com. Our favorite by far is the dual compartment, since it keeps the cute designs intact. There are numerous flickr photos -- thousands of them. Just search flickr for laptop lunches or search for bento. Here is one flickr group to get you started: http://www.flickr.com/groups/laptop_lunches/

Really, you are inspiring me. I think there is a Laptop Lunch for dieters website or flickr thread, too.

I like these, but is there a way to buy them used? That's pretty expensive for a lunchbox lol

Not sure how available Quorn is the US, but meat alternative sandwich slices can always be good. I just had a lovely lunch of wholemeal bread, quorn roast fillet pieces and some sweet pickle. High in protein and low in fat too!

I also like to make wraps with kidney beans, a little tomato salsa and some low fat cheese. delicious

toasted cheese sandwiches or a quesadilla will keep for a while (I use tortillas and american cheese for my son's lunches). Tortillas don't make crumbs the way regular toasted bread does, so they are great if you have to eat in the car.

Just curious... why does it have to be vegetarian?