• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
MOMables® Healthy Lunches for Kids
  • MEAL PLANS
    • Weekly Family Meal Plan
    • Teaching Your Kids to Cook
    • 7-Day Family Reset
    • Meatless Meal Plan
    • Pantry Staples Meal Plan
    • Free Picky Eaters eCourse
  • Cookbooks
    • 101 Packed Lunches
    • Chicken. It’s What’s for Dinner
    • Intermittent Fasting eBook
    • Meal Prep’d
    • More Cookbooks
  • Recipe Index
  • Healthy Lunches
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Lunch Ideas
  • 101 Lunches
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Lunch Boxes
  • Cookbooks
  • Dinner Meal Plan
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Lunch Ideas
  • 101 Lunches
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Lunch Boxes
  • Cookbooks
  • Dinner Meal Plan
  • Contact
×

Thermos Lunches for School

by Laura Fuentes

December 29, 2022
updated Sep 26, 2023

All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Hot school meals are possible with one of these thermos lunches! From Leftovers to quick assembly, this post has them all!

When the weather is chilly, a thermos makes it possible to pack a hearty, hot lunch without needing the microwave.

Thermos Lunch Ideas

Whether you are looking for a cozy soup, hearty pasta, or something you could make for dinner and pack as a thermos lunch the next day, below you’ll find lots of kid and adult-friendly recipes to fill your thermos. Simply pick one, click, and print!

Below the recipes, you’ll find tips on how to heat up the food in a thermos and top-tested containers, so keep reading; lots of info in this post.

Spaghetti Carbonara
5 from 10 votes
Pasta and bacon with a delicious sauce is the kind of meal your entire family will be eager to find every time they open their thermoses!
Make This Recipe
Teriyaki Chicken
5 from 24 votes
This flavorful teriyaki chicken with rice is a healthier version of the classic take-out. A quick and delicious hot lunch to make on repeat!
Make This Recipe
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
5 from 15 votes
Make this epic pasta for dinner and pack leftovers for a winning lunch. A restaurant-style meal you can cook in less than 30 minutes!
Make This Recipe
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
5 from 13 votes
Enjoy a tasty lunch full of veggies and protein with this easy Alfredo pasta that tastes even better packed in a thermos the next day!
Make This Recipe
Chicken and Rice Soup
5 from 13 votes
This cozy soup is the ultimate healthy comfort meal to pack on a cold day. It’s easy, delicious, and good for you!
Make This Recipe
Cauliflower Rice Jambalaya
Healthy Cajun Jambalaya
5 from 11 votes
Looking for a low-carb and paleo-friendly hot lunch? This epic cajun jambalaya is one both kids and adults will love!
Make This Recipe
Ramen Noodle Soup
5 from 19 votes
This budget-friendly ramen noodle soup is just as delicious as the classic and much better for you!
Make This Recipe
No-Fuss Lasagna
5 from 16 votes
Who can resist a delicious cheesy meal for lunch? This no-bake lasagna is super easy to make and to pack in a thermos to stay hot for hours!
Make This Recipe
Enchilada Soup
5 from 12 votes
You’ll be waiting for lunchtime after you try this tasty enchilada soup you can make in 30 minutes.
Make This Recipe
Chili Mac
5 from 13 votes
This cheesy, hearty pasta with smoky flavors is super filling and a hot lunch your kids are going to ask for every single week!
Make This Recipe
Tomato Tortellini Soup
5 from 11 votes
Just imagine taking the lid off your thermos and find hot tortellini in a savory tomato broth! It’s so simple and so yummy!
Make This Recipe
Chicken Noodle Soup
5 from 14 votes
It’s a fact: Chicken soup always tastes better the second day! That’s the reason why packing it in your lunchbox is a terrific idea!
Make This Recipe
Salsa Verde Chicken Pasta
5 from 13 votes
Pasta with smoky, vibrant flavors? Yes, please! This easy weeknight dinner is also a great lunch you can pack in a thermos.
Make This Recipe
Mac and Cheese
5 from 15 votes
Who wouldn’t want this mac and cheese for a cozy and delicious lunch? You don’t want it, you need it!
Make This Recipe
Blueberry Yogurt Parfait
5 from 19 votes
Thermoses can also keep foods cold! Pack a fresh fruit parfait for a tasty and healthy lunchbox side.
Make This Recipe
Strawberry Cheesecake Parfait
5 from 13 votes
Need another great cold lunchbox side? This strawberry cheesecake parfait is super nutritious and tastes like dessert!
Make This Recipe

Best Thermos to Use

I’ve tried and tested several thermoses over the years, and the two that perform best for younger kids are the Thermos Foogo and Funtainer. Both hold 10 ounces (a perfect portion for kids and teens) and keep food hot for up to 5 hours.

For larger portions (14 oz) or if you need to keep food warm for longer than 5 hours, the Stanley is the best performer.

That being said, to find a container that’s right for you and your family, check out my top thermos containers list. It provides kid-friendly options with a list of why I’ve enjoyed using each as well as larger sizes for bigger appetites.

How to Use a Thermos for Lunch

To keep food hot for hours, it’s important to make sure you are using a thermos correctly. To do this, you’ll preheat the thermos with boiling water and microwave the food until it is too hot to taste. Use oven mitts to drain the water, then add the food. Top with lid, seal, and ta-da!

by Laura Fuentes
onDecember 29, 2022

If you enjoyed the article, please share it with others. Thank you!

More Best Of

  • peanut butter and jelly roll ups in a lunchbox with berries
    Pinwheel Sandwich Recipes for the School Lunchbox
  • photo collage of high protein lunches
    High Protein School Lunch Ideas
  • a collage of lunch ideas with tortillas
    Lunch Ideas with Tortillas
  • Simple Chicken Wraps for the Lunchbox

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Jenna Marie

    August 08, 2023 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    The tortellini soup has been a winner a few times here. It’s one my kids request often.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Laura Fuentes, founder of MOMables wearing a yellow shirt and looking at the camera smiling

Hi, I'm Laura! I help you make healthy lunches and meals your kids will love, with simple and tasty recipes.

I need lunch ideas! →

Fresh Favorites

  • collage o f four bento boxes
    Bento Boxes for Kids’ Lunches 101
  • Protein & Fruit Bento Box For Kids
  • Guacamole and Protein Bento
  • a collage of healthy school lunch ideas for teens
    Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Teens

Popular Now

  • a collage of sandwiches in lunchboxes
    How to Pack a Sandwich for Lunch
  • Peanut Butter Sandwich Ideas
  • Healthy Alternatives to Lunchables
  • 8 Healthy Wraps for School Lunch

Footer

Lunchbox Builder

Download here!

Healthy Lunches

  • School Lunches
  • 101 Lunch Ideas eBook
  • Thermos Lunches
  • What's a Bento?

Resources

  • Contact
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • YouTube Channel

Privacy | Permissions | Membership Terms

COPYRIGHT © 2023 LAURA FUENTES