Packing Hot Lunches for The First Cool Fall Days

Here in Florida, the sweltering summer temperatures are miserable.  After a long, hot summer we’re looking forward to the first cool Fall days.

With Fall, we can look forward to a change in menu.  Switching out our cooling summer salads, we’re turning to warming stews, soups, and chilis.  Why not change up the lunch menu for the kids as well?  Swap out the summery salads, wraps, and cold sandwiches for cool weather alternatives.  As the temperatures begin to drop, packing hot lunches will be a welcomed change for the kids too!

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Recommended Supplies for Packing Hot Lunches

An insulated lunch box (we’re using this one from Baoni)
Thermos Food Jar (we’re using the Thermos Funtainer 10 ounce food jar)
Foil

Hot Lunch Ideas for Kids

Soup And A Hot Sandwich

Who doesn’t love soup and a hot sandwich for lunch on a crisp Fall day?  What are your favorite combinations?

If you thought packing a hot soup and sandwich combo for your children wasn’t possible, think again!  You just need a small thermos, some aluminum foil and ideally an insulated lunch box.

Start with making a soup the day before from scratch.  Or heat up a favorite canned soup in the morning before rushing out the door for school.

Get the soup nice and hot.  If you’ve got the time, run hot or boiling water in the thermos to make sure everything is as warm as possible.  Pour the hot soup in the heated thermos and set in your child’s insulated lunch box.  Don’t forget to pack a spoon!

Lastly, make a hot sandwich.  Some great options include grilled cheese, grilled ham and cheese, or grilled pepperoni and cheese.  My daughter even loves a bologna sandwich.  Fix the sandwich as usual, then wrap it in a couple layers of aluminum foil.

If you’re worried about soggy bread, wrap the sandwich in a paper towel before wrapping in the foil.

Keep the wrapped sandwich and thermos in the insulated lunch box to stay toasty and warm for several hours.

Mix and match soup and sandwich combinations for endless cool weather lunch ideas.

Chili and Stew

Don’t stop at soup!

Aside from being a warmer option, a hardy stew or bowl of chili will be a healthy, filling lunch option.  Pair it with corn chips or fresh cornbread.

Plus, we all make stew and chili in large enough batches that you probably have enough leftovers for several days.

If your kids aren’t keen on eating much of the same thing during the week, freeze any of the leftovers in individual portions.  Take them out and add them to lunch boxes when needed.  Plus, this makes for a great option to take to work or reheat at home for lunch.

You could prepare this packed lunch combo just like you would with the soup and sandwich option.

Pack warm leftovers

Don’t forget leftovers!

Leftovers make great lunchbox additions when packing hot lunches for school.

You can use any wide-mouthed thermos that will hold a variety of leftover foods.  Try leftover pasta dishes, fried rice, casseroles, etc.  Anything that would work well in a bowl makes a great option.

Of course, if your child has access to a microwave, you’ll be able to pack just about any leftover to be reheated at school.  You’d simply need microwave-safe containers (not glass) that will fit in your child’s lunchbox.

Want more ideas?

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