The Quality Index for School Meal Menus (Índice de Qualidade para Cardápios da Alimentação Escolar – IQCAE) is a tool that considers the nutritional and cultural dimensions of the menu. The IQCAE validation process showed the need to update it according to current resolutions and the planetary health emergency. To review and validate the new version of the IQCAE. This methodological study used a convenience sample of 425 municipalities proportionally distributed across the regions of Brazil, with 2,125 school menus offered from Monday to Friday. The tool was reviewed in two stages: the creation of a group of expert researchers and the analysis of the theoretical framework to define the components of the reviewed index. Criterion validity, structural validity, reliability, and reproducibility were assessed for validation. The IQCAE-R has 14 components, and its criterion validity is supported by moderate agreement between the experts’ evaluation and its application to the menus. Regarding reproducibility, the mean scores of the evaluators showed no difference, showing that the tool provides the same result when applied repeatedly. Internal consistency was verified using the Spearman correlation, which ranged from weak to very strong. Finally, exploratory factor analysis was satisfactory for most items. The IQCAE-R met the validity and reliability criteria for evaluating school menus and incorporates sustainability components, current recommendations, and current PNAE guidelines.