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  4. 32 Meal Train Recipes To Comfort Friends and Family in Need

32 Meal Train Recipes To Comfort Friends and Family in Need

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors March 12, 2020
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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Credit: Southern Living

There's no better way for Southerners to show our love than through a home-cooked meal. Just as the kitchen can be a space for us to relax and recharge (did you know that baking for others has real psychological benefits?), delivering a meal to someone in need can have an immeasurable impact on their day. When a loved one is going through a hard or busy time, the last thing they should have to worry about is getting a meal on the table—that's where a meal train comes in.

What exactly is a meal train, you ask? "When someone is going through a major life event, like the birth of a child, a death in the family, or recovery from an illness, injury, or medical procedure, a meal train is a smart and caring way to make sure that person is well-fed," our Editors write. Setting up a meal train for a friend or family member in need ensures that, even in times of great stress or worry, they'll have the comfort of a hot, home-cooked meal. These crowd-pleasing recipes are designed to be simple, satisfying, and sustaining—not only will they keep in the fridge for a few days, but they'll likely leave the recipient with another meal's worth of leftovers.

Pay it forward with 30 simple, wholesome, and utterly satisfying meal train recipes. We've also included 2 bonus dessert recipes that are sure to brighten spirits. After all, a home-cooked meal is the ultimate expression of love.

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Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta
Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

If you really want to set a friend up for a few meals, delivering a big container of homemade Bolognese sauce is an ideal solution.

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Meatloaf Casserole

Meatloaf Casserole
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Meatloaf Casserole

We've take your grandma's tried-and-true meatloaf and, in true Southern fashion, turned it into a casserole.

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Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Zucchini Lasagna

Meal train food doesn't have to be heavy! This low-carb Zucchini Lasagna is a great healthy dinner option.

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Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Italian Casserole

Filled with spaghetti, spinach, Italian sausage, and ricotta, this casserole delivers an entire Italian feast in one dish.

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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

This Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole just screams "cozy." Plus, we almost always have an extra package of ground beef in our fridge.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Transform the South's favorite sandwich into a family-friendly main with this simple Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole recipe.

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Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup

Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup
Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup

With hearty pockets of pasta and leafy greens, this Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup is here to ward off any sickness.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Stuffed with tortellini, vegetables, chicken, and pecans, this casserole is a complete meal all on its own.

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French Onion Soup Casserole

French Onion Soup Casserole
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: French Onion Soup Casserole

Soup is an ultra-comforting meal, but if you're worrying about transporting that pot of sloshing hot liquid across town, a mess-free French Onion Soup Casserole is your best bet.

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Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Credit: Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

The best part about this Shrimp and Grits Casserole? You can have it for dinner, then reheat it for breakfast the next morning.

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Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

Roasted Tomato-Cheddar Soup
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

We'll take our Roasted Tomato Soup with a nice dose of shredded Cheddar cheese, please!

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Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
Credit: Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

Bring a little elegance to the meal train routine with this sophisticated, French-inspired pasta bake.

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Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

This pretty casserole may look impressive, but it's actually quite easy to execute, making it an ideal meal train recipe.

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Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples

Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples

Pick up a pack of chicken sausage at the grocery store and this sheet pan recipe comes together in a snap.

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Ham and Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole
Credit: Jen Causey

Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole

Sometimes you just need a little dose of home-style comfort. This Ham and Noodle Casserole ticks all the boxes.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe Casserole
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy joes can be messy, but this casserole packs all that delicious flavor with a no-fuss clean-up.

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Breakfast Enchiladas

Breakfast Enchiladas
Credit: Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas

Shake up any weekend brunch routine with these tasty Breakfast Enchiladas (they can double as breakfast for dinner).

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Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Mama made this recipe on every sick day of our childhood, and we're paying it forward by making a big batch for the meal train.

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Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

It doesn't get much easier or more convenient than these pre-portioned Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bakes.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

When we imagine comfort in a dish, this creamy, cheesy pasta bake comes to mind. Plus, rotisserie chicken helps this meal come together in a flash.

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Reunion Pea Casserole

Reunion Pea Casserole
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Reunion Pea Casserole

Looking for a catch-all casserole filled with plenty of meat, beans, cheese, and veggies? Meat our Reunion Pea Casserole.

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Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Baked ziti gets a reputation for being heavy, but this lightened-up version features plenty of fresh summer produce.

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Beer-Braised Beef Tips with Root Vegetables and Horseradish

Beer-Braised Beef Tips with Root Vegetables and Horseradish
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Beer-Braised Beef Tips with Root Vegetables and Horseradish

Ramp up your old-school pot roast with a splash of stout and a kick of spicy horseradish.

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Southern Wedding Soup

Southern Wedding Soup
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Southern Wedding Soup

There's no wedding quite like a Southern wedding. With pork-and-beef meatballs, this soup is as filling as it is soul-warming.

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Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

chicken-sweet-potato-and-corn-slow-cooker-chowder
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

Not only is this slow-cooker chowder packed full of protein and nutrients, but it serves 10, which means there will be plenty of leftovers.

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Soulful Chicken Soup

Soulful Chicken Soup
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Soulful Chicken Soup

The meal train isn't complete without a weekly delivery of Soulful Chicken Soup. Adults and kids alike can't resist this family favorite.

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Chicken Bog

Simple Suppers Challenge: Chicken Bog
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Bog

The best part of this simple chicken dinner? It only takes one pot, and it comes together in just 30 minutes.

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Turkey Meatballs

Skillet Turkey Meatballs
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Turkey Meatballs

These versatile turkey meatballs can be enjoyed over pasta, sandwiched between a roll as sliders, or served all on their own.

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Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Sure, we never fail to keep our fridges stocked with a rotisserie chicken, but this homemade version is simply irresistible. While you're at it, save the bones to make your own chicken stock.

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Beef Stew with Buttery Garlic Bread

Beef Stew with Buttery Garlic Bread
Credit: Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Beef Stew with Buttery Garlic Bread

Making your own garlic bread adds an extra touch of love to this hearty, stick-to-your-bones meal.

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Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Recipe: Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

Want to deliver a really decadent treat? Bake up this Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake—it'll be the talk of the town.

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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe acts as definitive proof that a plate of chocolate chip cookies can cure all ailments. This upgraded sweet treat is the perfect accompaniment to any warming soup or casserole.

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    1 of 32 Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta
    2 of 32 Meatloaf Casserole
    3 of 32 Zucchini Lasagna
    4 of 32 Italian Casserole
    5 of 32 Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
    6 of 32 Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
    7 of 32 Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup
    8 of 32 Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
    9 of 32 French Onion Soup Casserole
    10 of 32 Shrimp and Grits Casserole
    11 of 32 Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese
    12 of 32 Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
    13 of 32 Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole
    14 of 32 Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples
    15 of 32 Ham and Noodle Casserole
    16 of 32 Sloppy Joe Casserole
    17 of 32 Breakfast Enchiladas
    18 of 32 Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
    19 of 32 Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake
    20 of 32 Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
    21 of 32 Reunion Pea Casserole
    22 of 32 Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables
    23 of 32 Beer-Braised Beef Tips with Root Vegetables and Horseradish
    24 of 32 Southern Wedding Soup
    25 of 32 Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder
    26 of 32 Soulful Chicken Soup
    27 of 32 Chicken Bog
    28 of 32 Turkey Meatballs
    29 of 32 Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
    30 of 32 Beef Stew with Buttery Garlic Bread
    31 of 32 Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake
    32 of 32 Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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