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Many parents find lunchtime challenging, particularly when it comes to school lunches. If your child, like mine, refuses to eat sandwiches or salads, it can be a daunting task. However, I discovered the thermos and experimented with different options, and now I have 11 hot lunch ideas for school that can be a lifesaver for any parent.
Being a parent is a never-ending journey that is both tiring and fulfilling. It’s perfectly reasonable to seek out tips and strategies to simplify our lives. With that said, the recommendations provided can be either homemade or purchased as a single frozen meal that can be prepared in the morning and added to a thermos.
This is our go-to thermos, which has been a daily companion since August 2021. Despite a bit of color chipping from being washed in the dishwasher, it still functions perfectly and keeps our food piping hot.
Pro Tip: Add really hot water to the thermos while you are heating up the food. Once the food is heated up, remove the hot water and add the food. This will help keep the food hot for a longer period of time.
How to create healthy school lunch
Healthy school lunches are important.
But more importantly, is a lunch that your child will actually eat.
Additionally, you want a lunch that will be filling and provide them with sustainable energy for the rest of the day. A combination of healthy carbs, protein, and good fat is an excellent formula.
To ensure your child gets a good dose of vitamins, consider adding in some of their favorite fruits and vegetables. If your child is not fond of veggies, you can try sneaking them in with the 11 hot lunch ideas listed below.
Lastly, it’s important to limit the number of sugary drinks or snacks that are offered in the lunch box. We all know, kids don’t necessarily keep dessert for last when there is no supervision. You want to make sure they fill their stomach with food that will provide them with the best energy for the rest of the school day.
11 Hot lunches for school
1) Pasta
This can really be any kind of pasta. However, long pasta varieties such as spaghetti might be difficult to cut when they are in the thermos. To make it easier, consider cutting them into smaller pieces before putting them in the thermos.
The beauty of pasta for lunch is how easy they are. By cooking a bit more for dinner, you can have a quick and easy lunch prepared for the following day.
Pro tip: Make sure to heat the food until it’s steaming hot to ensure it is still hot at lunchtime.
2) Mashed potatoes with protein and a vegetables
This may sound weird at first but hear me out.
Most kids like mashed potatoes. It’s comforting, filling, and pairs well with so many things. In fact, adding an additional veggie into the mash such as carrots, spinach, parsnip, or cauliflower can make them even more nutritious and delicious.
One of my son’s favorite lunches used to be mashed potatoes, with left-over meatloaf and steamed broccoli. You can mix it all up or layer it in the thermos with the mashed at the bottom, topped with the meatloaf and lastly the veggies.
Check this link for other clever ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into your child‘s meals.
3) Soup/Stew/Chili
Looking for a quick and easy lunch option for your child? Consider using leftover or canned soup, stew, or chili in their thermos for a healthy and delicious meal.
You can send some shredded cheese in a separate container to sprinkle on top when it’s time to eat. I personally like to pair it with bread and butter to add a little more texture to the meal.
4) Meatballs and marinara
Why not try preparing a lunch option where your child can have fun assembling it? Load a thermos with some delicious meatballs and marinara, and let your child create their very own meatball sub.
Just pack a sub bread and some shredded cheese to complete this sandwich. I bet your child’s friends will be jealous of this one-of-a-kind lunch.
5) Fried rice
Fried rice is one of the easiest dinners to prepare. Now imagine making extra and sending it with your child for lunch the next day!
It’s a fantastic lunch option filled with healthy carbs, protein, and a variety of veggies that you can tailor to your child’s preferences. It will keep them full throughout the afternoon allowing them to focus and remain energized until the end of the day.
6) Oatmeal
My son has always loved oatmeal.
By itself, it’s not exactly the most filling meal. However, with the appropriate toppings, they make fantastic hot lunch ideas for school.
To increase the protein content, you can add nuts or seeds butter, chopped nuts or seeds, or a scoop of Greek yogurt As a final touch, incorporate some fresh fruits like bananas, berries, peaches, or mangos into the dish.
7) Taco bowls
This is another easy option that is popular with kids. It can be made with beef, chicken, or beans for a vegetarian alternative.
Send some fresh toping like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese to enhance the meal and make it more satisfying and tasty.
Pro tip: If the thermos is too full with rice and meat, you can send a reusable bowl that they can mix the food in. I love this collapsible bowl that can fit more easily in a lunchbox.
8) Fajitas mix
Who doesn’t enjoy delicious fajitas? And they make super easy hot lunch ideas for school.
In the morning, reheat all the remaining meat and vegetables and place them in the thermos. Provide your child with a few tortilla wraps and some shredded cheese to take along.
You can even go fancy and add tortilla chips and a small container of guacamole.
9) Shephard’s pie
I’m French Canadian and I grew up on Shephard’s pie. The Canadian recipe is quite simple.
Ground beef, corn, and mashed potatoes on top.
Over the years, I made modifications to boost the nutritional value of the dish. I include diced onions and green bell peppers in the beef mixture when browning it. Additionally. I mix shredded zucchini with the corn, and occasionally, I modify the mashed potatoes to add extra veggies.
This is an easy weeknight casserole that makes the perfect leftover for hot school lunches.
10) Pulled pork or chicken
This is pretty self-explanatory. Just add hot leftover pulled pork or chicken to the thermos. Send one or two buns for your child to assemble their sandwich at lunch.
If they like it, you can send them some cole slaw for a side or just some baby carrots and cucumber slices. It’s a filling meal that is not your usual school lunch.
11) Quinoa and egg scrambled
Last but not least is this protein-packed hot lunch idea.
Create a delicious dish by mixing scrambled eggs with cooked quinoa, and then adding diced tomatoes, chopped spinach, and shredded cheese.
This lunch is super filling and sure to sustain your child for the rest of the day.
Pro tip: If your child isn’t a fan of quinoa, you could replace it with some cooked rice.
In conclusion
I hope this article has provided you with some new hot lunch ideas for school. With the help of a thermos, there are endless possibilities. Assess what your child likes and use your imagination.
Bon Appetit!
Cat xx