I would just make some sandwiches

Pasta salad, which DCUM considers tacky, is the best answer. Unlimited options for ingredients, easy to package in individual portions, good cold or room temp, filling. Complete meal in a Tupperware.

I like Greek inspired pasta salad -- feta, chicken, olives, red pepper, cucumber.

You can also do rice instead of pasta. I did a really good Southwest rice salad with black beans, chicken, veggies and cumin/lime vinaigrette.

Tortellini pasta salad with lots of veg and cheese and salami

Texas caviar to serve with crushed tortilla chips

Arayes and chopped salad

I would lean into things that dont have to be hot to be good. Much easier to transport and pack up.

Burrito bowls (or burritos, which will stay reasonably warm wrapped in foil)
L

We do this a fair amount. I’ll do pesto tortellini or minestrone soup divided up in individual containers. Turkey or Caprese subs toasted and stored in foil. Hummus pitas with a grain salad of couscous tomato and cucumber. Quiche is also easy and can be eaten at room temp.

Pick up meals from Costco. Wegmans also has a good selection but more expensive.

Biryani in casserole.

Ive put hot dinners (crockpot, rigatoni bc its easy to poke with fork, etc) into a casserole dish and put it into my insulated bag. Then siblings and I eat said meal on the sidelines during other kid's sports practice, scouts, whatever.

This week we are all being pulled in different directions, and I want to NOT spend a small fortune on take-out, nor do I want to waste money on cuts of meat or ingredients that won’t reheat/travel well. I plan to cook these things mid-day while I work, and package them up for everyone to either eat later or take in a cooler.

Any ideas other than Basic Casserole?