15 Recipes to Take to Someone in Need (GF)

From welcoming new babies, to undergoing surgeries – it feels like I’ve been making and taking meals to friends and family in need more than ever lately!

Maybe it’s all in my head, but I rarely feel like I have the right words to comfort someone when they’re going through a difficult or sorrowful time. My heart aches, but my brain can’t quite form the right words to help ease the pain. It’s through food that I’m able to show how much I care, and I think (hope!) people see that.

That said, meal ideas for people who are stuck on the couch after surgery, going through a tough time, or whose family is growing, is one of my most requested post topics and I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to write on the subject because I definitely have a group of recipes I turn to time and time again when these types of situations pop up!

The 15 recipes to take to someone in need that I’m highlighting today all travel well, are easy to assemble by either you or the recipient, and are hearty and comforting yet healthy (for the most part!) I always try and deliver meals with a side dish or something to compliment the meal, so I’ve included a few ideas under each link, too.

Just a tip – be sure to ask the recipient about any food allergies or aversions before deciding what recipe to take over, and definitely don’t forget to print out the recipe so they can see exactly what’s in it and how to make/bake it if applicable.

Finally, if you want to organize a meal train for a friend or family member, I highly recommend this Meal Train service. I was introduced to it last year after a friend gave birth to twin boys who were in the NICU for several weeks, and it is sooo slick!

What are your favorite meals to deliver to friends and family members in need?

 

Cheesy Vegetable, Turkey Sausage and Rice Casserole

Since this Cheesy Vegetable, Turkey Sausage and Rice Casserole isn’t baked, I’d deliver it hot then if the recipient wants to eat it right way – great! If not, they can reheat individual servings in the microwave. Totally yummy either way.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: fresh fruit salad, mixed greens salad, sliced apples

 

5 Ingredient Pizza Pasta Bake

Pizza Pasta Bake combines the taste of pizza with the comfort of casserole – ie be prepared to achieve superhero status when you deliver this dish to someone’s front door. Have them bake per the recipe’s instructions, and they’ll be set.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: Spinach Salad, Marinated Vegetable Salad, sliced fruit, broccoli and cauliflower florets (for steaming)

 

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

There are very few dishes as comforting as cheesy enchiladas – especially when you’ve gone the extra mile to make the enchilada sauce from scratch (don’t worry – it takes less than 10 minutes to make with 100% fridge and pantry staples.) Cover and deliver unbaked, then have your friend bake and eat when hungry.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: tortilla chips + Homemade Salsa, mixed greens salad

 

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Place all the ingredients for Crock Pot White Chicken Chili in a Ziplock bag (mix the flour and milk together in either another small ziplock bag or small gladware container.) All the recipient will have to do is dump the entire thing into the crock pot and push on. Super easy and definitely not too spicy. Hearty and comforting too!

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: cornbread, mixed greens salad

 

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is my go-to recipe for taking to someone who is sick. I’m telling you, it does wonders for the body and soul. Deliver hot or cold – doesn’t matter, as it reheats perfectly.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: Creamy Parmesan Garlic Quinoa, spinach salad, bread + butter, roasted broccoli

 

Shortcut Vegetable Ragu

While Chicken Noodle Soup is a sick person’s salvation, Shortcut Vegetable Ragu is what I take to new parents or anyone who needs a super nourishing meal. What can I say, a big plate of noodles topped with hearty sauce is like receiving a big hug. I usually double the recipe and deliver half the batch in a Gladware container, then scoop the other half into a Ziplock bag for them to stick in the freezer for later.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: bread + butter, mixed greens salad, Roasted Butternut Squash, Cauliflower Gratin

 

Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Casserole

Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Casserole is another no-bake casserole – just top with cheese, broil, and eat – so either deliver hot or have them reheat in the microwave. This casserole has zest and zip, but isn’t spicy so it’s great for kids.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: mixed greens salad, tortilla chips + Homemade Salsa, green beans (for roasting or steaming)

 

Taco Chili (Crock Pot Friendly)

The recipe for Taco Chili makes a TON of food, so the recipient will get to enjoy it for a few days – it’s the meal that keeps on giving. This would be another great recipe to double so they have a freezer batch on hand. Don’t forget to include toppings like tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions with your delivery.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: Cornbread, Homemade Salsa

 

Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is hearty, healthy, and could NOT be easier. Deliver the soup already cooked or throw ALL the ingredients into a Ziplock bag and have the recipient cook in their crock pot. So good and easy!

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: bread + butter, crackers, spinach salad, chopped apples

 

15 Minute Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps

Since Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps only take 15 minutes to cook, you could deliver all the ingredients pre-measured then have your friend or family member cook when they’re ready to eat, or just deliver the beef already cooked with cold lettuce wraps. Either way, this meal totally hits the spot.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: Egg Drop Soup, frozen eggrolls or dumplings

 

Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

Take it from me, Sausage and Peppers is one of the BEST meals to receive. The recipe is based on my Aunt Mary’s famous sausage and peppers, which she’d send home with us every time we visited her in Ohio growing up. Since the peppers and sausages need to be seared before placing into the crock pot, I’d deliver this dish hot and ready.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: buns + provolone cheese, box of pasta (both gluten-free if they need it.)

 

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This is another dish that lends itself well to being delivered as a meal kit. Package sweet potatoes (either uncooked or already roasted,) alongside a container of shredded BBQ chicken, and all the fixin’s. Let the recipient assemble when and how they wish.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: Italian Chickpea Salad, Califlower Faux-Tato Salad

 

Senegalese Soup

I realize almost all of these recipe ideas so far contain meat, so if you want to help out a vegetarian or vegan friend, Senegalese Soup is JUST the ticket. Heck, I’d really consider making it for anyone who could use a fresh yet filling meal. This soup is one of my favorites.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: roasted broccoli or asparagus, mixed greens salad

 

Breakfast Taco Casserole

Let’s not forget about breakfast! Breakfast Taco Casserole reheats SUPER well. I’d take completely baked for someone to eat hot, or let them know it’s just fine (and actually tastes even better) reheated in the microwave.

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: Mojito Fruit Salad, fresh fruit, orange juice, Best Ever Green Smoothie

 

Gluten-Free Homestyle Chicken and Noodles

I saved the most comforting for last! Google “ultimate comfort food” and my Gluten-Free Homestyle Chicken and Noodles are definitely making the cut. Although this recipe calls for rolling homemade gluten-free egg noodles, the process isn’t hard nor does it take a long time. The recipient will feel every ounce of love you put into this dish when it’s delivered piping hot and ready to eat!

• Click here for the recipe >
• Side dish ideas: Roasted Butternut Squash, sliced apples, mixed greens salad, roasted broccoli