• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Kidgredients logo

  • recipes
  • shop
  • about
  • collaborate
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • recipes
  • about
  • collaborate
  • subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    home » Lunchbox Recipes

    15+ hot lunches for thermal containers

    Published: May 20, 2018. Modified: May 29, 2018By:Kylie·This post may contain affiliate links·

    So...you've bought a thermos, or a thermal container...and you want to send the kids to school with an awesome hot lunch. But where to start? I'll show you how to prep your thermal container, how to prep your food and 15+ hot lunches for thermal containers to get you started.

    thermal container lunches

    If you need help choosing a thermal container, check out our thermal container review here.  If you're looking for an all in one solution for packing hot lunches, check out our review of the Omie Box, which allows you to send hot an cold food to school in the one container.

    Food safety

    So...for food to stay bacteria free for the time it is being sent to school and the time it is sitting in the school bag before lunch, there are some important considerations. We want food to not be above 4 degrees celsius or below 60 degrees celsius if it is being stored for any extended period. By extended I mean 2-4 hours. Which is pretty much how long it is sitting around in school bags.

    So hot food needs to be kept above 60 degrees celsius. Cold food below 5 degrees celsius. Simple right? So how can we do that? Simple: cold food straight from the fridge goes in a cooler bag with good quality icebricks. How food goes in a thermal container when absolutely too hot to eat. If you want more information, check out these helpful food safety hints.

    How to prep your thermal container

    The first step to sending a hot lunch to school is making sure it has the best chance of keeping your hot lunch hot. To do so we need to prep the container. And this is how we do it.

    1. First, fill the thermal container with boiling water.
    2. Close it and leave it to sit for 5 minutes.
    3. Empty and refill with boiled water.
    4. Meanwhile, prep the food by heating beyond hot.
    5. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until near boiling.
    6. Pour the boiling water from the thermos and fill immediately with the hot food.

    What not to pack in a thermal container?

    As always, some things do better in a thermal container than others. We don't pack anything that will go soggy, no pastries, or nuggets etc.

    What works well in a thermal container?

    Fill your thermal container as high as you can! It will help it to retain heat as there is no airspace that will chill quickly. Leftovers are awesome in a thermal container and these recipes will all make enough to make lunch packing the next day quick and simple.

    Pasta

    When it comes to hot lunches, leftover pasta is our go to!

    cheesy chicken meatballs with cherry tomato pasta sauce

    Cheesy chicken meatballs in cherry tomato pasta sauce is an easy pasta for the thermos the next day.

    Superhero pasta sauce, the best way to cram your weeknight pasta with a stack of veggies! Easy to make recipe that is super kid friendly and sweet due to the capsicums! #recipe #pastasauce #kidsfood #veggies

    Superhero pasta sauce is a winner in the thermos too!

    Basil chicken pasta sauce (with spinach they won't notice)

    This basil chicken pasta sauce is perfect for packing for lunch in a thermal container!

    sweet potato macaroni and cheese

    Sweet potato macaroni and cheese is a great healthier winter warmer for the thermos!

    Noodles

    Noodles are also a great option for the lunchbox and when you DIY, they are much better for you than 2 minute noodles!

    beef mince and veggie rice noodles

    Beef mince and vermicelli noodle stirfry is perfect for fussy kids!

    honey soy salmon and veggie stirfry

    Try these salmon noodles for a burst of Omega 3 in the lunchbox!

    bulgogi style beef with noodles and veggies

    Beef and veggie bulgogi is super kid friendly and delicious the next day!

    Thai turkey curry meatballs with sweet potato noodles, gluten and dairy free!

    Want even healthier noodles? These ones are made with sweet potato!

    Rice

    The options for putting rice in a thermos are almost endless! So many great ideas, risottos and fried rice are perfect for a hot lunch.

     

    Baked tomato and mini meatball risotto, a kid friendly mid week meal! Risotto with no stirring! Yummy and filled with veggies #kidsfood #familyfood #risotto #baked #meatballs

    This baked risotto with meatballs and tomato is great for lunches.

    yummy, easy fried rice

    Fried rice is a great for the thermos and you can include whatever veggies you want!

    chicken taco rice

    Chicken taco rice is another great way to spice up the thermos!

     

    Or try chorizo and chicken spanish rice for a yummy twist!

    Soups

    Soups are great in thermal containers as you can fill it up to the top and then it will stay super warm. Just make sure you pack a spoon!

    carrot and parsnip soup

    Carrot and parsnip soup is perfect for packing in the veggies at lunchtime and it is super sweet!

    warming chicken noodle soup perfect easy recipe for weeknights

    Chicken noodle soup is delicious the next day and therefore fantastic in a thermal container!

    Stews/ casseroles

    Pack and fork and fill them up with some leftover casseroles and stews! Great for warming them up on a winter's day.

    slow cooker apricot chicken

    Not your mum's apricot chicken- super warm and made in the slow cooker- so easy to do!

    The flavours in mango chicken curry are even better the next day!

    slow cooker moroccan lamb

    Slow cooker moroccan lamb stew is great in a thermal container!

     

    More Our Favourite Lunchbox Recipes

    • Honey Oat Bars
    • lunchbox ready for school with prpped ingredients
      Lunchbox Meal Prep: How to Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free School Week
    • Cornflake Slice
    • Passionfruit Muffins

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kylie! What you see on this blog we eat. No smoke and mirrors, just yummy food your whole family will love.
    Read more about me!

    Easy Weeknight Dinners

    • Chicken Taco Rice
    • Curried sausages, the best way to make them
    • The best ever veggie packed chilli con carne- kid friendly!
    • Mango Chicken Curry

    Popular recipes

    • Hidden Veggie Chicken Nuggets
    • beef spinach and ricotta lasagne
      Beef, Spinach and Ricotta Lasagne
    • Sweet Potato and Apple Fritters
    • scrolls on a plate
      Easiest Ever Ham and Cheese Pizza Scrolls

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Policies

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Intellectual Property

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About me
    • Contact
    • Services
    • FAQ

    featured in, kidspot, bounty parents, daily mail, mouths of mums, mumtastic, foodgawker, families magazine, haven, the organised housewife, she does this

    Copyright © 2021 Kidgredients

    459 shares
    • 320