If you're tired of the same old song and dance that comes with making your child a PB&J sandwich every morning — and your child is equally as bored — it's time to switch things up. Put your slow cooker to use this school year for more than dinners and freezer meals, and whip up a batch of something your kid loves on the weekend to provide them with a hot food meal option all week long. All you need to do in the morning is reheat the food and pack it in an insulated lunch container that'll keep it warm until their lunch hour.
Check out some of our favorite slow cooker meals that'll fill your kiddo up just enough so they're ready for an afternoon of learning.
This ground turkey fried rice makes for a great lunchbox meal.
Take a break from the boxed version your kids love and give this creamy slow cooker macaroni and cheese a try.
Whether you add chicken or beef or keep it veggie, this lo mein is bound to be a hit in your kids' lunchtime lineups.
Keep them full until they hop off the bus in the afternoon with this turkey chili.
You can make huge batches of this vegetable beef soup for lunches, dinners, and freezer meals.
Mmm! This chicken and dumplings soup recipe looks divine.
Your kids are going to ask for this cheesy pasta dish for their lunch day after day!
This slow cooker chicken carnitas recipe is perfect for a build-your-own-taco lunch — just include a couple of tortillas and small containers with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever else they like on their tacos.
Whip up this honey sesame chicken with a side of your kid's favorite rice for dinner, then pack the leftovers in their lunch bag.
Your kid will come home with a licked-clean lunch container if you're packing up this slow cooker orange chicken.
If chicken parm is a family favorite, try mixing things up a bit with Foxes Love Lemons's recipe for chicken parmesan soup.
Who doesn't like breakfast for lunch? This slow cooker breakfast casserole can be made on Sunday night to reheat on hectic mornings for lunch boxes (or breakfast, of course!).
This hearty chicken parmesan pasta will ensure your kids leave lunch full ahead of an afternoon of learning.
This hearty chicken corn chowder is the perfect remedy for a freezing fall day spent learning.
Honey, garlic, and soy sauce are the dynamic trio that make Just a Taste's honey garlic chicken your kids' new favorite lunch.
This Southwestern quinoa is a bright recipe for a lunch that'll leave your kiddos full and satisfied.
This tomato tortellini soup is packed with parmesan and basil flavor.
This slow cooker beef with broccoli is best served with a side of rice, so a two-piece insulated lunch container is a must!
Pulled pork becomes a much more manageable meal when the meal is slow-cooked right in the slow cooker. Your kids can eat it as is or build a sandwich if you pack them a bun.
This sweet barbecue recipe is as easy as it gets. Pair it with tortillas, and your kids can pick their favorite taco toppings to pack into their lunch bag.
You'll forget your favorite takeout's phone number after trying this slow cooker chicken teriyaki from Cooking Classy, which makes for a perfect lunch box meal.
Make this slow cooker barbecue chicken pasta in a big batch over the weekend, and you'll likely have enough for a family dinner and a few lunch box meals.
These tender turkey meatballs make for a tasty spaghetti lunch.
You could throw in some ground turkey, beef, or shredded chicken to this meatless taco soup recipe to add some protein to your child's lunch.
Soup is a yummy way for your kids to enjoy their veggies, and minestrone is a classic! Try this chicken version for a surefire hit.