How To Keep Lunch Warm In Lunch Box

Tired of the aforementioned boring lunches? Packing for picky eaters? Check out these ah-mazing warm lunch hacks! Chicken nuggets or pizzas rolls that stay yummy, anyone?!

White plate of chicken nuggets, from Shelf Cooking

PB&J, DIY Lunchables, and fruit and veggie bento boxes all make for fun, tasty, and easy lunches. Merely eating a common cold lunch every day can get old pretty quickly!

At that place'due south nothing that warms the soul quite like a hearty, home-cooked meal. But soggy, room temp food? Not so much. Luckily we've got the hacks y'all need to pack chicken nuggets, spaghetti, and more than!

*Notation: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Then, whether you're looking for ways to utilize up leftovers or y'all just want to spice up lunchtime, these tried and true ideas will make you a hero! Here's everything you demand to know to pack the perfect warm luncheon.

PACK YOUR WARM LUNCH IN A THERMOS

We love ourselves a practiced thermos! They come in all different sizes and fun colors. They're perfect for packing a warm dejeuner to work, schoolhouse, or wherever your adventures take you! A few things to keep in mind:

Invest in a Good Thermos – You get what y'all pay for, and so don't skimp. Look for a thermos that'll withstand bumps and bruises only will nonetheless keep your nutrient at the correct temperature.
Keep Hot Foods Hot – Boil a small pot of h2o, and so cascade information technology into the thermos. Drain simply before you're set to pack the food. The oestrus from the water will warm upward the thermos and help information technology retain the heat!
Preclude Sogginess – Stuff the bottom of your thermos with a paper towel to absorb the liquid condensation. Boom! So uncomplicated. Then clever. Such a game-changer.

Pro Tip: When your thermos gets actress dirty, soak it in a sink filled with warm soapy water and baking soda for an hour or two. It will come up out sparkling clean and odor-free.

Now, what to pack in those thermoses? Y'all know nosotros've got some ideas!

10 WARM LUNCH IDEAS FOR THE THERMOS

Warm lunch of spaghetti with meatballs with fresh parsley on top, from Shelf Cooking

Now that you know how to pack a warm dejeuner, you might be wondering what to pack. There are So many options, but we've pulled together a few of our favorites. You tin whip up near of these using things you have leftover in the refrigerator. Hello, shelf cooking!

Hot dogs – Super affordable and easy to buy in majority, these travel so well in a warm thermos!
Soup – This broccoli cheddar soup is one of our all-fourth dimension faves!
Chicken nuggets – If you lot have kids, then you probably accept a handbag or two in your fridge already!
Pizza rolls – Make a big purse of frozen pizza rolls in the oven and y'all've got multiple lunches for the week!
Rice & beans – White rice and blackness beans, brown rice, and cherry beans. You decide! Cheap, filling, and super piece of cake.
Pasta – So many options hither! Build your own pasta repast with these ideas.
Eggs & bacon – Breakfast for luncheon? Why not?! Eggs and bacon go on really well in a warm thermos. You can use this play tricks for camping trips, likewise.
Meatballs – Use whatever meat you accept leftover to make a yummy batch of meatballs. Need some sauce? We dear this recipe.
Roasted veggies – Vegetarian? Looking to sneak veggies into your kids' tiffin? Roasted veggies are so delicious and easy.
Quesadilla – Everyone loves quesadillas! And you make a dang good one using whatever you have in your fridge. Toss in some beans or leftover meat to brand them even more hearty.

If you decide to pack a hot domestic dog, pack the bun separately. You can throw information technology in a ziplock bag or wrap it upwardly in cling wrap or foil.

INVEST IN A CROCKPOT Tiffin WARMER

Have yous seen the adorable mini crockpots that you tin have on the go? We're kind of obsessed them. Non only are they so dang beautiful, merely they're besides super useful! Especially when you desire to pack a nice warm lunch.

If you're new to the world of mini crockpots, here's what you need to know:

They're super versatile – The only deviation betwixt the mini version and the full-size? They're SO portable. Otherwise, you tin cook just about annihilation you would in your larger crockpot at domicile!
Perfect for shelf cooking – These petty tedious cookers are super affordable and arrive so easy to use up leftovers. Such a good investment for any shelf cooker! And a slap-up gift idea, likewise.
Cooker and carrier all-in-i – Prep your food before you head off to work, school, or wherever your mean solar day may have you. Grab it, and hit the road! It comes with a convenient handle, so information technology's a cooker and a carrier all in one.

Pro Tip: For easier cleanup, buy a box of small crockpot liners. Toss the liner after you swallow and boom! You lot're washed. No scrubbing or soaking required.

10 EASY CROCKPOT LUNCH WARMER IDEAS

A big white bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese, from Shelf Cooking

Are you lot getting hungry just reading this post? Yeah. Us, besides! Wait 'til you attempt these mouthwatering mini crockpot dishes:

Broiled potatoes – Set upward a baked potato bar (like we did), but correct at your desk. But rub a little oil on your potato, toss some salt on information technology, and wrap information technology upward in foil. Cook on high for iv hours. Bring along your favorite toppings, and you're proficient to get!
Taco meat – Toss in some meat, a small jar of salsa, and a packet of taco seasoning. Bring the shells and toppings, and you've got a quick, easy Taco Tuesday party right at your desk!
Craven and rice – Make-alee 1 of these rice dishes and so warm it in your niggling crockpot.
Sesame Chicken– This tasty, hearty meal is so much better than takeout! Try this sesame chicken recipe from One Dish Kitchen.
Chicken nachos – Toss a couple of boneless chicken tenders, a loving cup of salsa, and a packet of taco seasoning into your crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours. Shred with a fork and identify on a bed of tortilla fries with the toppings of your choice. YUM!
Chili – We beloved this chili recipe. Just scale it dorsum, so it will fit in your smaller dull cooker!
Meatloaf – Meatloaf for ane?! Yep. This meatloaf recipe from 1 Dish Kitchen is worth a endeavor.
Vegetable and meat stew – Utilise what yous've got! Toss in some veggie broth, leftover veggies, and beefiness, and let the irksome cooker do the rest.
Mac and cheese – Is there ever a wrong time for mac and cheese? No! Amanda'south Cooking has an awesome recipe that yous can re-calculate for a smaller pot.
Apple tree crisp – Who says you can't have dessert at lunch?! Give our slow cooker apple crisp recipe a get.

Want to save some serious dough? Utilise cheaper cuts of meat for your crockpot meals! The slow cooking keeps the meat dainty and tender, and then y'all won't even know the departure.

More QUICK TIPS & TRICKS TO KEEP WARM FOOD WARM

If you don't take a mini crockpot handy and all your thermoses are dirty (hey, we've all had those days), we take a few other clever hacks you can try so your warm lunches travel well!

Insulated Lunchboxes – These are a cracking option, likewise! Just exist sure to toss in a warm pack. Double wrap your food in plastic, and then foil to keep everything from getting too soggy.
Steel Bento Boxes – If you demand to keep foods separate, you'll dearest this choice. Y'all can use the same fox that you did with the thermos. Boil a fleck of water to keep the box warm, then line the bottom with paper towels.

And at that place yous have it. No more than run-of-the-mill lunches for you lot. No more than soggy surprises! With these tips, tricks, and recipes, y'all'll exist a lunchroom hero.

Tell us what y'all think! Drib a annotate below to let u.s. know what you'll be packing in your side by side lunch.

Various warm lunch ideas from Shelf Cooking

Looking for fifty-fifty more clever ideas? We've got y'all covered!

These creative lunch meal prep ideas for kids are anything but boring. Give them a try and let us know what you think!
Take your sandwiches up a notch with this rustic breadstuff recipe! It's a favorite effectually here.
It doesn't get much easier, healthier, or more colorful than these stonemason jar salads! Use up what yous've got to prepare a fun lunch on the go.

Bon appétit!