32 Meal Train Recipes To Comfort Friends and Family in Need
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.
Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
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
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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â 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
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
Recipe:Â 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
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
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
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.