Packing a kid's school lunchbox can be a real challenge. But learning how to properly use a thermos is a total game-changer. Once you know how to keep food warm in a thermos, the hot lunch ideas are endless. I've pulled together this kid-approved collection of thermos lunch recipes everyone in your family is sure to love.
Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.
Before you throw everything into the thermos, you have to learn how to prepare the thermos. I've written an entire article all about how to properly use a thermos; check that out before you get started. Once you've learned the easy warming technique, you can fill a kids' thermos with all kinds of soups, stews, pasta dishes, and more.
40+ Hot Lunch Recipes for Kids
40+ Thermos Lunch Ideas
A collection of delicious, family-friendly thermos lunch recipes that are great for the kid's (or adult's) lunchbox.
A simple potato soup recipe using only 4 ingredients. This soup is healthy, gluten-free, inexpensive to make and perfect for hot lunch.
A hearty Greek lentil soup is packed with flavour. Humble ingredients bring this delicious soup to life.
If you and your family like a little spice then this chorizo soup will be a family favourite. Spice up your thermos with a flavour-packed soup.
Yep, lasagna rolls are a fun addition to the lunchbox. The little rolls pack nice and neatly into a thermos and are a deliciously filling lunchtime meal.
Another amazing chicken soup recipe for the kids’ thermos. This turmeric chicken soup is filled with plenty of healthy vegetables, herbs and spices.
I love adding leftovers to the thermos for lunch and this instant pot butter chicken is quick and easy to make for dinner and lunch.
Everyone loves chicken noodle soup. Big egg noodles bring extra comfort to this thermos lunch staple.
If your kids are not fans of eating tomatoes (so many kids aren’t) then this turkey stew is perfect for their hot lunch. This recipe comes together quickly, in one pot and it will soon be a family fave.
Mac and cheese is the ultimate hot lunch recipe. This mac and cheese is packed with smokey cheddar and bacon and warms up beautifully for a thermos lunch.
Kids do love their pasta. This chicken alfredo with bacon is a thermos favourite. This recipe is so quick to pull together that you can make it in the morning or make it the night before and reheat it before adding it to the thermos.
An easy, all-in-one soup with pasta, chicken and spinach. Just pop it all in the crock pot and in a few hours you have a big batch to add to the lunch box all week long.
This crockpot goulash is an American-style goulash, packed with ground beef, macaroni noodles, onions, and tomatoes. Make a big batch on Sunday and you’ll have a great hot lunch option for the week ahead.
You can’t go wrong with a classic chili recipe. Packed with beans, tomato sauce, chili and cumin - everything you love about chili. A great addition to the kid’s fall and winter thermos
I grew up eating minestrone soup (from a can) for lunch and this easy minestrone soup recipe kicks canned soup to the curb. The kids are going to love diving into this hearty soup.
Here’s a fun one for the family. Take their favourite pasta and combine it with their favourite taco! You’ve got a taco pasta bake and a fun thermos lunch dish for the entire family to enjoy.
Here’s something a little different for the more adventurous eaters out there. This caprese pasta dish combines all the flavours of a classic caprese salad - tomato, creamy mozzarella and fresh basil - into a pasta dish.
We love an instant pot, Sunday recipe. Make a big batch of this navy bean soup to add to the thermos all week long. Everyone loves a classic navy bean soup.
Another delicious vegetarian soup recipe. This time around all the classic flavours of chicken noodle soup comes together with the addition of jackfruit. Your kids won’t miss the chicken in their thermos.
Skip the meat with this vegetarian instant pot navy bean soup. This soup is a fabulous hot lunch recipe for families who are looking for meatless recipe options.
I’ve got a kid who LOVES pineapple…do you? I love this flavour twist on a traditional chili recipe. Add pineapple and cinnamon for a whole new flavour profile. Yum!
All the fall goodness is cooked into this amazing pumpkin and sweet potato soup. What a lovely, hearty hot lunch recipe.
Yes, you can totally add a stir fry to the kid’s thermos. The secret is to make this chicken and cashew stir fry the night before and then quickly heat it up in a skillet in the morning. Pop it straight into a warm thermos and it’s ready to be enjoyed at lunchtime.
Another fantastic option for those vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free families. A thermos of homemade vegetable soup is always a winner and this one has all the good stuff inside.
A delicious cheesy crockpot potato soup recipe for the thermos. Packed full of potatoes, ham and vegetables all mixed into a creamy base. The perfect cold weather lunch idea for kids.
Simple ingredients and the addition of store-bought rotisserie chicken mean this chicken noodle soup comes together quickly and is great for busy families to make. All the chicken noodle soup flavours your kids' love.
We love a slow cooker recipe - makes life so much easier. This chicken tortellini soup is filled with Italian flavours your kids already love and pasta! Sure to be a favourite hot lunch recipe for your kids.
Another great instant pot soup recipe - this time a delicious hearty minestrone soup. Quick to make and perfect for a cold day. Packed with veggies, and beans in a tomato broth.
Kids love alphabet soup. Simple veggies and fun letters make for a great thermos lunch option for kids of all ages to enjoy.
This creamy basil marinara soup takes humble, high-quality marinara sauce and turns it into a perfectly comforting, cold day cure with the right amount of spice, and freshness from basil pesto.
This sheet pan pineapple fried rice is a fuss-free way to use up leftover jasmine rice, with no fuss or supervision. Throw all the ingredients onto a sheet pan, and you've got easy, and classic fried rice that is a fun addition to your thermos.
All the Mexican flavours your family loves come together in this instant pot of fajita rice. A delicious hot lunch option for the kids.
Make this hearty slow cooker chicken and corn soup recipe with fresh corn in the late summer or with frozen corn in the off-season. A creamy soup packed with sweet corn, tender chicken, and vegetables.
Scotch broth is one of those soups that brings me straight back to my childhood. And this recipe brings together all of the traditional scotch broth flavours. A delicious soup for the kids’ and adults’ thermos.
I love how this cream of broccoli soup gets its creaminess from coconut milk. A delightful vegetarian twist of cream of broccoli soup that is a great vegan alternative.
Risotto and rice dishes are perfect in a thermos. Yep, simply make this sweet pepper risotto the night before and enjoy the leftovers, warmed up inside the thermos for lunch the following day.
Looking for a hearty soup for the thermos? This Italian sausage soup comes together in 30-minutes in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. A simple soup recipe that everyone in the family will love.
This chicken tortilla soup is a great way to enjoy healthy soup made with fresh ingredients! It’s made in the Instant Pot, is gluten-free, and can easily be made dairy free as well.
This white bean kale soup with vegan sausage is hearty, comforting and so perfect for those chilly days. It's easy to make and it'll be on your table in just 30 minutes and makes the perfect soup to enjoy in your thermos for lunch the next day.
A delightful Indian-style pasta recipe that makes a quick dinner option and is a great go-to option for the kids’ lunchbox too!
A quick and simple recipe for hot and sour soup makes a warming addition to the thermos at lunchtime. A deliciously spicy, tangy, and comforting soup everyone will love.
Skip the chicken stock when making this vegan veggie-packed minestrone soup. Sure to be a favourite lunchbox recipe for your kids.
Another quick and simple pasta dish for the thermos. Make a batch for dinner and warm up the leftover pasta with pancetta and peas for the lunchbox.
Is it a soup or is it a stew? That’s up to you to decide. No matter what you call this instant pot vegetable stew is filled with veggies and lots of flavours.
This Scottish Lentil Soup is a family favourite recipe. It's perfect for the winter season and fills you up without feeling heavy. Great for school day lunches.
I grew up eating alphabet soup from a can and it doesn't come anywhere near this homemade alphabet vegetable soup. Surprisingly simple to make and a big pot will fill the kid's thermos all week long.
This collection of hot lunch recipes should keep your kids happy and fed with hearty and healthy lunches all school year long. The only question is, which recipe will you start with?!
More Lunch Ideas for Kids
Learn tips and tricks for using a thermos
Have fun with a Christmas themed lunch for the kids
Make sure you are following along...
FOLLOW KITCHEN COUNTER CHRONICLES ON
SUBSCRIBE TO KITCHEN COUNTER CHRONICLES TO HAVE OUR DELICIOUS RECIPES, FUN CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX.
