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Need new ideas for thermos lunches for kids? This roundup has everything from mac and cheese to fried rice and soups. They’re all easy to prep and kid-approved.
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Not all meals are meant to be packed in a thermos. Some just don’t hold up well after sitting warm for hours.
Crispy foods can turn soggy, and certain sauces might separate or lose their texture.
These thermos lunches are easy to make, pack well, and rest assured they’ll stay tasty until lunchtime.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
This Instant Pot comfort food is made with ground beef, spaghetti sauce, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and other simple ingredients.
It’s great for busy school mornings when you need a reliable, satisfying lunch.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
This recipe results in a deconstructed version of the classic egg roll.
Even adults will enjoy this for lunch on the go! It’s a great way to add extra veggies to your kids’ lunch in a fun, flavorful way.
Get The Recipe: One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Slow Cooker Hoppin John
The slow cooker is your BFF when it comes to making amazing lunches for the kids.
This recipe is made with smoked sausages, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, beef broth, and bell peppers.
Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoppin John
Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
Is there anything more comforting than a chicken noodle soup?
This version delivers warmth and nourishment, with fusilli pasta, chicken breasts, herbs, and spices.
Get The Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
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Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie
Try this shepherd’s pie for a hearty lunch! The highlight?
Its mashed potato topping made with half-and-half, Parmesan cheese, butter, and garlic powder.
Get The Recipe: Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
This creamy mac and cheese brings a beloved restaurant flavor right into your child’s lunchbox.
Pack it in a thermos to keep it warm and gooey, and if you want, you can include baby carrots and fruits.
Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice
Explore this recipe and introduce your child to new flavors.
This Nigerian classic is a colorful and delicious choice. It’s packed with wholesome ingredients like green beans, carrots, and onions.
Get The Recipe: Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice
Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
This bowl is an awesome lunch idea, whether on the go or for weekends at home.
Remember to pack the warm components (like the rice and cooked shrimp!) in a pre-warmed thermos.
Get The Recipe: Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Instant Pot Chicken Bites
These chicken bites are seasoned and cooked in the Instant Pot, resulting in tender and flavorful pieces with a slight crispness.
This recipe uses chicken breasts, but you can also use boneless and skinless thighs!
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
If your kids love bold and savory flavors, this recipe is a great choice.
It features tender pieces of steak with a buttery, garlicky punch that’s not too overpowering. So good and easy to make.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
This chicken lunch is made with chicken fillet, soy sauce, pineapple chunks, cucumbers, and carrots.
You can prep everything in one pan! Then, in the thermos, layer rice at the bottom and add the chicken, dressing, and other toppings.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
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One Pot French Onion Pasta
This is your chance to try a TikTok-famous recipe. This pasta is a creamy, cheesy lunch kids will love.
It’s rich and slightly sweet from the caramelized onions and has a gooey texture from the cheese.
Get The Recipe: One Pot French Onion Pasta
Vegetarian Porcupine Meatballs
Here’s a fun, meatless spin on a comfort food classic that kids will actually get excited about.
These meatballs are made with lentils, onions, brown rice, dairy-free cheddar cheese, and tomato sauce.
Get The Recipe: Vegetarian Porcupine Meatballs
Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
This casserole is loaded with layers of cheesy, saucy goodness.
Main ingredients include corn tortillas, red enchilada sauce, black beans, and vegan cheese. It’s ready in less than an hour.
Get The Recipe: Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
Vegan Meatloaf
Some plant-based meals are just as hearty as their meat-filled counterparts, and this vegan meatloaf is the perfect example.
Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to five days.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Meatloaf
Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
Busy parents will love how fast this homemade hamburger helper comes together!
It’s your future go-to recipe for busy weekdays. Make it, freeze it, and just reheat it for later.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
Leftover Lamb Fried Rice
This lamb fried rice is full of flavor and texture. It combines white rice with roast lamb, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and green onions.
Go ahead and adjust the spice level to match your kids’ preferences.
Get The Recipe: Leftover Lamb Fried Rice
Tomato, Beef and Macaroni Soup
Nothing says cozy quite like a bowl of tomato, beef, and macaroni soup. The flavors are mild and comforting, with just enough seasoning to impress the kids.
Fill a pre-warmed thermos and top it with a sprinkle of shredded cheese.
Get The Recipe: Tomato, Beef and Macaroni Soup
Amish Buttered Egg Noodles
Even the most budget-friendly recipes can be kiddie favorites.
This one delivers comforting flavor with minimal ingredients and effort. It has egg noodles, Parmesan, and chicken broth.
Get The Recipe: Amish Buttered Egg Noodles
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
This soup takes the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger and transforms them into a creamy meal that kids will ask for again and again.
It’s packed with ground beef, carrots, potatoes, and Velveeta cheese.
Get The Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Hearty Vegetable Stew
Let’s encourage the little ones to eat more vegetables.
This hearty stew is made with nourishing ingredients like enoki mushrooms, green peas, broccoli, green beans, and carrots.
Get The Recipe: Hearty Vegetable Stew
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Lemony Orzo Chickpea Soup
This soup is bright, cozy, and full of plant-based goodness.
You can even turn it into a gluten-free meal by swapping the orzo with basmati rice or quinoa.
Get The Recipe: Lemony Orzo Chickpea Soup
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
This lunchbox favorite is homemade, crispy, and far healthier than fast food versions.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make it, including Greek yogurt, almond flour, and paprika.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Creamy Taco Pasta Skillet
Want to add more variety to your kid’s lunchbox? Try this recipe.
It’s also customizable! Instead of coconut milk, you can use plain Greek yogurt to make it creamier and more flavorful.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Taco Pasta Skillet
Italian Sausage Pasta Bake
This dish features pasta, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil.
It’s a fun make-ahead lunch that tastes like a mini Italian dinner during a school day. It’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Italian Sausage Pasta Bake
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These thermos lunches can give your children a little boost of comfort in the middle of the day.
No need to make anything fancy. Mac and cheese, chicken noodle soup, and fried rice are a great start for you.
These are all one-pot dishes that don’t take much effort and usually use ingredients you probably already have.
25 Sunday School Snacks Kids Will Look Forward To
These Sunday school snacks are ones that kids will look forward to. No matter what age group your teaching, snacks can be hard to plan due to dietary restrictions, budgets, and picky eaters.
Read it here: 25 Sunday School Snacks Kids Will Look Forward To
25 Thermos Lunch Ideas So Good, You’ll Look Forward to Leftovers
These thermos lunch ideas prove you don’t need a microwave to enjoy something amazing at work. They include tasty casseroles, stews, pastas, and more.
Read it here: 25 Thermos Lunch Ideas So Good, You’ll Look Forward to Leftovers
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Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Looking for more recipes? These meals are easy enough for beginners and always a hit: