With my go-to list, it’s easier to make and serve (or pack!) hot lunches for school, daycare, or preschool. Included you’ll find hot lunch ideas that require minimal prep time and hold up well when made ahead.
Hot Lunch Ideas
I love using a thermos to increase the options I have when it’s time to pack lunch for daycare and school, and these ideas are all super easy and super kid-friendly.
Though the very best part just might be that none of them are very hard or time-consuming!
I hope these hot lunch ideas—which can be packed and sent to daycare, preschool, or elementary school, or even adjusted for your own lunch or packed at home—give you some much-needed inspiration whenever you find yourself in a lunch rut.
Egg Muffins with Crackers
Make a batch of egg cups whenever you have time, stash them in the fridge, then warm them up for lunch. Pair with crackers (like Triscuits or Triscuits Thin Crisps) and fruit.
(Shown on a Bumkins suction plate.)
Pizza Bites with Fruit
Pizza Bites (either my homemade recipe or store-bought) hold well in a thermos. Warm them, pack them, and add simple sides like milk and fruit.
(Shown in the Omie Bento Box.)
Alphabet Soup and Crackers
This simple soup—or any soup you like, whether canned or homemade—can be packed in a thermos or warmed to serve at home. Add some crackers and you’re good to go!
Leftover Pancakes with Veggies and Applesauce
Whenever you have pancakes left from a weekend breakfast, freeze them to use for easy future meals. You can warm, then sandwich with nut or seed butter and dice up. Pack with simple sides like applesauce and veggies.
(Shown in the Omie Bento Box.)
Breakfast Burrito and Fruit
Combine scrambled eggs, cheese, and beans into a simple burrito—or warm up a frozen one like the bean and cheese ones from Annie’s—for a simple, yet satisfying hot lunch option.
Pesto Pasta and Fruit
If we have leftovers or I’m looking for an easy pasta recipe to make for lunch, this pesto pasta is a great option. I usually add a simple side of fruit and milk for the kids.
(Shown in a Lunchbots Thermos.)
Pizza Lunchable
Warm up some naan bread and pair with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni for a DIY take on a pizza Lunchable. Add some fruit and/or milk, too.
(Shown in the Omie Bento Box.)
Mac and Cheese with Peas, Muffin, and Fruit
Make your favorite boxed mac and cheese (or try a homemade option), stir in some peas, and add simple sides. This is a favorite kids lunch for sure!
(Shown in the Omie Bento Box.)
Pizza Muffin, Yogurt Tube, Fruit
Pizza Muffins store really well in the fridge and just need a quick reheat before serving or packing. Plus, they have veggies in them! Pair with simple sides like a yogurt tube and fruit.
(Shown in the Omie Bento Box.)
Scrambled Eggs, Salad, and Fruit
Scrambled eggs are quick and easy— you can even make them in the microwave in about a minute. You can stir in some shredded cheese or spinach and easily pack in a thermos.
See bottom of this post for an easy method for making veggie scrambled eggs.
Favorite Kids Thermos
Having the option to pack warm lunches for your child when they’re at daycare, preschool, school, or out on the town can go a long way toward making the whole process a little easier.
Here are the best kids thermos options—chosen for durability, affordability, and ease of use. You can find all of my go-to trusted thermoses for kids to help you find the best one for your family.
Best Tips for Success
- Warm the food right before adding it to the thermos, following the manufacturer’s directions for best results.
- If packing cold and warm foods in the same lunch, pack the warm food in the thermos and add it and the rest to an insulated bag with an ice pack.
- Do your best with portions based on what the kids eat at home and adjust when you see what food comes home—or if the kids tell you they need more food.
- Let the kids practice opening the thermos or lunch box at home if they’ll need to do it on their own for the first time at school.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment below to share!
10 Easy Hot Lunch Ideas
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or other preferred cheese)
- ¼ cup loosely packed chopped spinach
Instructions
- Warm a nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. When warm, add the butter and swirl with a spatula to melt.
- Add the egg and let set for about 30 seconds, or until parts of it start to turn opaque. Move gently with a spatula to allow the uncooked parts to run underneath.
- When the egg is almost cooked, add the spinach and cheese. Stir to wilt and melt.
- Serve or pack in a thermos with salad, fruit, and crackers as desired.
Notes
- Egg Muffins with Crackers
- Alphabet Soup
- Leftover Pancakes with Veggies and Applesauce
- Breakfast Burrito and Fruit
- Pesto Pasta and Fruit
- Pizza Lunchable
- Mac and Cheese with Peas, Muffin, and Fruit
- Pizza Muffin, Yogurt Tube, Fruit
Nutrition
This post was first published July 2021.
