Warming Packed Lunches That Pack a Punch

It’s half-term and you’ve managed to plan some exciting days out that are sure to keep the kids entertained – and tire them out so they’ll allow you to have a peaceful evening. With attraction entrance fees and travel costs, taking your own lunch can help to keep the price of days out low. But the mention of a packed lunch can cause some kids to kick up a fuss – they want to go to the ‘cool’ burger van, not be stuck with soggy sandwiches and crudites.

Packed lunches don’t have to be boring though, and they certainly don’t have to contain bog-standard butties and crisps. You can make filling, portable lunches that feature lots of hidden goodness on a budget, and with a handy Tefal Travel Mug, you can keep your yummy food warm too, making it perfect for a chilly autumn day out.

Take a look at our ideas below, and you’ll have your kids turning their noses up at the burger van in favour of your creations in no time.

One of the easiest packed lunches to take out and about with you is leftovers from the night before. At this time of year, it’s likely that you’ll be cooking lots of hearty stews and hot curries to warm you up at the end of a long day. Simply fill your flask with any leftovers, or make extra to be on the safe side if you’re not sure you’ll be able to resist eating everything you’ve made in the evening!

For a traditional beef stew that’s easy and cheap to make, try out this recipe from Skint Dad. It also features instructions for making your own dumplings; if you want to take these out with you the next day, store them separately to your stew so you can dunk them in when you’re ready for your lunch without them going soggy.

A leftover curry, casserole, homemade pasta sauce or even pie filling will work equally as well in your Tefal Travel Mug, so take advantage of one-pot recipes and make a huge batch to serve you for the following day too. You could blend your leftovers and drink them like a soup, but if you’re leaving them chunky, remember to pack cutlery!

You really can’t go wrong with soup. It’s the perfect portable meal to drink out of a travel mug and it can be made out of pretty much anything in your fridge and kitchen cupboards.

Cook up vegetables that are nearing their use-by date with vegetable stock and blend for a healthy, warming vegetarian packed lunch. Take leftovers from your Sunday roast and add beef stock and gravy granules for a chunky, beefy broth. Blending everything together will stop the kids realising it’s full of veggie goodness, meaning no moaning and happy warm tummies – result!

Ramen is another dish that you could make for dinner the night before and take as a packed lunch, but if you’ve got the time, you could rustle it up especially for your day out.

Ramen is a type of Japanese broth that typically features noodles, different vegetables, spices and sometimes meat. Think of it like a cross between a stir fry and noodle soup. Some recipes top it with an egg too, but we’d advise against that for your day out to avoid any eggy smells following you around!

Of course, it’s cheaper to make any dish without meat, and The Cook Report has a lovely recipe for an easy vegetable ramen that’s packed with goodness. If you want to include meat, add it to the pan in plenty of time to make sure it’s cooked through.

A packed lunch doesn’t have to be physically hot to keep you warm. Getting heat from the flavours you use in your cooking is another way to keep the whole family warm during a half-term day out.

Snacks like spicy chicken bites fit easily into a portable container and are also really simple to make. Just fry diced chicken breast in chilli flakes, fajita seasoning or paprika and leave to cool.

For a vegetarian option, have a go at making your own falafel. Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen’s recipe is also vegan and gluten-free, meaning it’s perfect for anyone with food intolerances. These patties are great on their own or in a roll for a sandwich with a difference.

With so many soups, stews, tagines and spicy bites that you could make, the possibilities for your half-term packed lunches are endless. Remember, the more spice you add, the warmer you’ll be, so make sure your packed lunch packs a punch.