Packing lunch is a breeze with these easy weeknight dinner recipes that turn into delicious leftovers for school the next day; all you have to do is pack the thermoses and you’re good to go!
These recipes are kind of like a two-for-one: cook once and get two meals. Win! What’s best is that all these meals are just delicious the next day as they were for dinner.
Enjoy these easy school lunch ideas from the leftovers you’ll have after making these delicious dinners!
Veggie Mac & Cheese Soup | Easy Thermos Lunch
This soup is a great way to pack all the veggies your kids need in one meal without all the unnecessary ingredients you'll find in canned soup! This recipe is so easy to make for dinner and even easier to pack for lunch. Just put some in a thermos and you're good to go!
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Spaghetti Carbonara
Don't be intimidated by this spaghetti carbonara; it's actually really simple! Kids won't be able to resist the cheesy spaghetti or bacon, so this is a great dish to add to your dinner rotation. It's great for the next day's lunch packed in a thermos (unless your family gobbles it all up for dinner!)
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Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Thermos
This creamy chicken and broccoli alfredo is made in one skillet and is an awesome way to get your kids to eat their green veggies! A perfect blend of noodles, chicken, cheese, and broccoli, this recipe is one you'll definitely want to have on hand for quick weeknight meals and easy school lunch leftovers.
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Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Thermos
Another easy skillet meal that makes fantastic thermos lunches for school the next day! Your family will think you spent hours cooking this delicious sun dried tomato chicken dish, but it all comes together in under an hour. Kids will love to open their thermos at lunch and find this creamy pasta!
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Potato Soup Thermos Lunch
A creamy, hearty baked potato soup that requires almost no effort? It's a winner in my book–and yours too, I'm sure! Simply throw all your ingredients in the slow cooker and let the magic happen. A dinner that cooks itself and makes great thermos lunches for school is a dinner I can love!
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Lasagna Thermos Lunch
This easy dinner requires just one skillet (less dirty dishes!) and makes delicious leftovers for you and your kids. You get the same savory, cheesy flavors of lasagna without the hours of preparation and baking. Simply place the leftovers in a thermos for the next day and you won't even have to think about what to pack for lunch!
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Chicken Noodle Soup in a Thermos
Crockpot meals are ideal for busy families who may not always have time to cook dinner every night. All you have to do is throw everything in and let it cook; it's as simple as that. Pair the easiness of a slow cooker meal with a classic like chicken noodle soup and you have a dinner the whole family will have seconds (or thirds) of. Your kids will love to open their lunchbox the next day and find a thermos full of this yummy soup!
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Healthy Cajun Jambalaya Thermos Recipe
Put some spice into your lunch-packing routine with this Creole Jambalaya! It's filling, packed with veggies, and has just a kick of Cajun spice, but feel free to adjust it to your family's preferences. Enjoy this New Orleans-inspired dish for dinner and pack cold leftovers for lunch the next day.
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Leftover Chicken Lunchbox
This high-protein leftover chicken lunchbox for teens offers a variety of fresh ingredients in a colorful bento!
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How to pack leftover Spaghetti for school lunch
Try this easy way to pack leftover spaghetti so that it stays fresh and yummy in a lunchbox!
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Leftover Quiche Lunchbox
Whether it's a slice from brunch or a mini quiche you baked ahead, it packs up beautifully for a simple, satisfying school lunch.
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Come back for more back-to-school tips and school lunch ideas for kids of all ages.
AMB says
Love your recipes! I would sign up for weekly emails again if there were more diary free options. My son has a milk allergy so it’s difficult to use most of these.
I admire what you’re doing to transform our “processed” world!