I don’t know about you, but when it comes time to make food for someone in need, I always end up making the same thing: baked ziti. I just made a batch for my neighbors who were moving (so they could focus on the packing rather than cooking). I decided the next time I make someone a meal, I am going to try something new. I went straight to Pinterest and Allrecipes.com (my favorite recipe site), to find some new recipes to try. I figured I should test them on my victims husband and Carl before I make someone sick.
Top Reasons to Make a Meal for Someone
- Loss of a loved one
- Sick or injured family member (this may also pertain to a family that is busy caring for a family member outside of their home such as a sick parent)
- New child (birth or adoption – the stresses are the same)
- Bed Rest (I was so lucky to receive meals from so many wonderful people. It made our lives SO much easier)
- Military Deployment
- Moving
- New neighbors
Tips for Meal-Making & Delivering
- Find out what the family likes to eat
- Find out the family’s allergies and restrictions
- Give everything in disposable containers
- Provide napkins
- Provide paper plates and silverware to alleviate dishes
- Provide side items to make a full meal
- Provide condiments such as dressing (packets work great for this)
- Make sure your items feed the correct number of people
- Find out the date/time that works best to drop off my meal and where to leave it
- Stay only 10-15 minutes when dropping off (unless you’re invited to stay longer)
Extra Special Additions:
- Start a Meal Train (see below. I am not affiliated with them, just love to use them)
- Provide a dessert (I don’t always do this if I am running low on time but it can be a nice addition)
- Want to stand out from the crowd? Try providing a breakfast dish instead of dinner. The receipts would appreciate the change. (I included a couple of breakfast options below).
- Provide an adult beverage (this is totally based on the situation and how well you know the family. If you know the parents would love relaxing with their favorite bottle of wine after a long day of caring for a family member, then include one).
- Offer to help with a task when dropping off a meal. This could include but is not limited to: dropping the kids off somewhere, running an errand, picking up some extra groceries, collecting and putting out trash and/or recycling, walking the dog, cleaning some dishes, throwing in a load of laundry (only for those that are close of course), etc. Your level of help will depend on how close you are to the family. I know that I would only feel comfortable with certain people completing certain tasks.
What is Meal Train?
My favorite method for providing families with meals is Meal Train. The website provides friends and family with important information about what the family likes to eat, a calendar of availability, and directions on how to drop off the food. The site makes sure the family’s meals are spread out instead of all showing up Day 1. (I am writing based on my own experience with using the site and have not been paid or asked to write about them).
Now let’s get onto some great recipes for families in need!
20 Recipes for Families in Need
Beef Stew from Jenny Can Cook (has been pinned over 44k times!)
This would go perfect with a crusty fresh loaf of bread.
Baked Ravioli – Lasagna Alternative – from Thriving Home
A nice salad and bread/breadstickswould complete this meal.
Chili from Julie’s Eat and Treats
Pick up some cornbread to go along with the chili. It would also be nice to provide some toppings (a small thing of cheese, sour cream, chopped onion, etc).
Broccoli Chicken Divan from Allrecipes.com
Make sure your friends like broccoli first – I know my husband wouldn’t even take a bite of this. This meal could use some salad, bread, or some egg noodles. A family friend’s recipe of Chicken Divan is my all-time favorite comfort food.
Spinach Quiche from Allrecipes.com
A salad completes this meal that is perfect for both meat-eating and vegetarian families. If your frienddoesn’tlike spinach, switch it up!
Sweet Potato Burritos from Allrecipes.com
I know, sweet potato burritos? I had never heard of them either. But they have amazing reviews. This is a great dish for your vegetarian friends (or meat-eating sweet potato lovers). Add some rice (those frozen steamable bags work perfectly) or a salad.
Chicken Enchiladas from Allrecipes.com
Chicken, cheese, or beef enchiladas are a great option. Send with a side of rice (the steamable bags work well) or black beans.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup from Pinch of Yum
Soup is the perfect dinner for a fall or winter night. Salad and bread will help make this the perfect hearty meal. Make it in your crockpot and deliver in a bowl or container ready to be heated back up.
Parmesan Meatloaf (Gluten Free) from Mommy I’m Hungry
This is a great dish to make for a friend who is gluten-free. This one of our all-time favorite fall/winter dinner recipes. It tastes like a giant meatball. We serve it with salad or veggie and sometimes bread or breadsticks (it’s so filling that salad is enough).
Marsala Chicken and Mushroom Casserole from Lui in Cucina
Want to send over a unique dish? This is it. All of the flavors of chicken marsala in a casserole. Sending over a bottle of wine to match wouldn’t hurt either.
Teriyaki Chicken Casserole from Oh, Sweet Basil
This is an all-in-one meal. You will need to cook the chicken first, shred it, and then make the casserole. It will definitely stand out among the lasagnas.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole from Taste of Home
Just send over the casserole or add some salad or bread to make it more filling.
Baked Pierogi Casserole from Table for Seven
Once again, a salad or side veggie will complete this meal. I had to add a recipe from my Polish roots.
Southwest Chicken Casserole from Fit Foodie Finds
This is another wonderful complete meal. No need to add anything!
Corndog Casserole from The View from 510 Looking In
Have a family with small kids? This is a great option. You can make it healthier by using turkey dogs or vegetarian-friendly by using veggie dogs. Send it over with a kid-friendly vegetable side dish.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole from The Thriving Home
Just add a salad or veggie and this meal is ready to share. We have made this one a lot. I make it extra special by adding fresh mozzarella. If someone doesn’t like spinach, you could add another veggie like broccoli.
Baked Ziti from Allrecipes.com
There is a reason families receive so many lasagnas and baked ziti’s – most people love them. Add some bread and a side salad to one of our favorite ziti recipes (I know it sounds weird to add sour cream. Trust me, this is a yummy ziti recipe).
Grilled Chicken (marinade from No Biggie) Cesar Salad
Don’t want to send one more casserole? Grill some chicken (shrimp, steak, or arotisseriechickentoo!) and provide all of the necessary ingredients to create a chicken Cesar salad.
French Toast Casserole from Allrecipes.com
There is only so much pasta one family can eat – why not change it up by giving them a French Toast casserole? They can use it for breakfast, brunch, of breakfast for dinner (one of my favorites!) This would be great with a fruit salad on the side.
Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole from Doughmesstic
Again, why not provide a breakfast meal instead of dinner? Add a fruit salad to complete this meal.
