32 Meal Train Recipes To Comfort Friends And Family In Need

After all, a home-cooked meal is the ultimate expression of love.

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

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 challenging 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 these simple, wholesome, and utterly satisfying meal-train recipes. After all, a home-cooked meal is the ultimate expression of love.

01 of 32

Zucchini Lasagna

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

Meal train food doesn't have to be heavy! This low-carb Zucchini Lasagna is a great healthy dinner option. To cut the thinnest zucchini strips, use a mandoline slicer.

02 of 32

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Southern Living

This Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole screams "cozy." Plus, we almost always have an extra package of ground beef in our fridge. You can prepare this dish in under half an hour, which is our kind of casserole.

03 of 32

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

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

This simple Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole recipe transforms the South's favorite sandwich into a family-friendly meal. Start by cooking turkey in a slow cooker to help enrich its flavors. The combination of toasted bread, bacon, Parmesan cheese, and fresh tomatoes is irresistible.

04 of 32

Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup

Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup
Photo: Alison Miksch

With hearty pockets of pasta and leafy greens, this Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup is here to ward off any sickness. Substitute your favorite tortelloni flavor if chicken-and-prosciutto is not available. This recipe comes together in 20 minutes.

05 of 32

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
Iain Bagwell

This casserole, stuffed with tortellini, vegetables, chicken, and pecans, is a complete meal all on its own. It's a meal anyone would be happy to have on their dinner table. This meal might take a little longer to prepare, but it's still only 30 minutes of active, hands-on time.

06 of 32

Meatloaf Casserole

Meatloaf Casserole
Micah A. Leal

We've taken your grandma's tried-and-true meatloaf and, in true Southern fashion, turned it into a casserole. It's a Southern twist on classic Shepherd's Pie. Meatloaf is best when paired with creamy mashed potatoes.

07 of 32

French Onion Soup Casserole

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

Soup is an ultra-comforting meal. If you're worried about transporting that pot of sloshing hot liquid across town, a mess-free French Onion Soup Casserole is your best bet. Bread, onions, and cheese blend together for a delicious twist on this classic soup.

08 of 32

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

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

The best part about this Shrimp and Grits Casserole? You can have it for dinner, then reheat it for breakfast the following day. Prepare this family-sized dish in about an hour.

09 of 32

Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole
Hector Manuel Sanchez

This casserole delivers an entire Italian feast in one dish, filled with spaghetti, spinach, Italian sausage, and ricotta. A green salad completes this meal. Sprinkle with tomatoes and parsley for flavoring and to make a beautiful presentation.

10 of 32

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

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

If you want to set a friend up for a few meals, delivering a big container of homemade Bolognese sauce is ideal. This slow-cooker sauce makes it easy to prepare without worrying about being near your stove all day. Substitute fettuccine for the pappardelle if that's all you have.

11 of 32

Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

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

Take our Roasted Tomato Soup with a nice dose of shredded Cheddar cheese. It's a perfect meal for busy weekdays or weeknights when you want comfort food. Use an immersion blender to get that rich and creamy texture if you can.

12 of 32

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

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

This sophisticated, French-inspired pasta bake brings elegance to the meal train routine. You can prepare this dish two days in advance by storing the unbaked gratin in the refrigerator. Gruyère is the ideal cheese, but you can use substitutes if needed.

13 of 32

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole
Iain Bagwell

This pretty casserole may look impressive, but it's relatively easy to assemble, making it an ideal meal train recipe. The flavors of chicken, garlic, sage, rich, parsley, and Parmesan blend seamlessly. Allow enough time to cool so the liquid is absorbed, making this an irresistibly creamy dish.

14 of 32

Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples

Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Pick up a pack of chicken sausage at the grocery store, and this sheet pan recipe comes together in a snap. This dish is perfect when you are short on time. Honeycrisp apples work best in this meal.

15 of 32

Ham and Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole
Jen Causey

Sometimes you need a little dose of home-style comfort. This Ham and Noodle Casserole ticks all the boxes. The rich and creamy sauce covers egg noodles, chopped ham, and your choice of vegetables. Try carrots, broccoli, and asparagus.

16 of 32

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe Casserole
Southern Living

Sloppy joes can be messy, but this casserole packs all that delicious flavor with a no-fuss clean-up. This casserole is family-friendly, full of ground beef, cheese, and the perfect blend of seasonings. Grab a fork and dig in.

17 of 32

Breakfast Enchiladas

Breakfast Enchiladas
Hector M Sanchez

Shake up any weekend brunch routine with these tasty breakfast enchiladas (they double as breakfast for dinner). This casserole is a crowd-pleaser and ideal when you are hosting overnight guests. You can roll the ingredients in the tortillas the night before and bake them in the morning.

18 of 32

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

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

This recipe will remind you of every sick day of your childhood. We're paying it forward by making a big batch for the meal train. Chicken and dumplings are the ultimate comfort food.

19 of 32

Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake
Jennifer Davick

It doesn't get much easier or more convenient than these pre-portioned Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bakes. You can assemble this dish in under 15 minutes with only five ingredients. Use pre-packaged frozen country-style shredded hash browns to make this straightforward dish.

20 of 32

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Greg DuPree

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. This recipe will be a family favorite.

21 of 32

Reunion Pea Casserole

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

Looking for a catch-all casserole filled with plenty of meat, beans, cheese, and veggies? This recipe is for you. It's an over-the-top casserole designed to feed a crowd.

22 of 32

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables
Alison Miksch

Baked ziti is known for being heavy, but this lightened-up version features plenty of fresh summer produce. Use the freshest ingredients for the best results. Ingredients include cheese, sausage, and vegetables.

23 of 32

Beer-Braised Beef Tips with Root Vegetables and Horseradish

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

Ramp up your old-school pot roast with a stout splash and spicy horseradish kick. This dish offers comfort and savoriness in one pot roast. It's the ideal slow cooker meal for a busy night.

24 of 32

Southern Wedding Soup

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

There's no wedding quite like a Southern wedding. With pork-and-beef meatballs, this soup is as filling as it is soul-warming. Make and freeze the meatballs in advance to help speed up this recipe's cook time.

25 of 32

Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

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

Not only is this slow-cooker chowder packed full of protein and nutrients, but it serves ten, which means there will be plenty of leftovers. This chowder is ideal for those cold winter evenings. Bone-in chicken breasts tend to yield more tender and juicy results.

26 of 32

Soulful Chicken Soup

Soulful Chicken Soup
Iain Bagwell

The meal train is only complete with a weekly delivery of Soulful Chicken Soup. Adults and kids alike can't resist this family favorite. Add a few root vegetables, fresh herbs, and spices for a perfect soup.

27 of 32

Chicken Bog

Simple Suppers Challenge: Chicken Bog
Greg DuPree

The best part of this simple chicken dinner? It only takes one pot and comes together in 30 minutes. It shares the best qualities of chicken and rice.

28 of 32

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
Hector Sanchez

Mac-and-cheese is one of those irresistible dishes. Adding Pimiento cheese helps make this comfort meal even more Southern. Try slightly undercooking the pasta because it continues to cook under the broiler.

29 of 32

Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
Alison Miksch

We never fail to keep our fridges stocked with rotisserie chicken, but this homemade version is irresistible. While you're at it, save the bones to make chicken stock. This recipe will deliver crispy, flavorful chicken.

30 of 32

Beef Stew with Buttery Garlic Bread

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

Making garlic bread adds extra love to this hearty, stick-to-your-bones meal. Include plenty of vegetables, including mushrooms, carrots, and onions. It only requires 40 minutes of hands-on time and will serve six people.

31 of 32

Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

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

Want to deliver a really decadent treat? Bake up this Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake—it'll be the talk of the town. It tastes like a glazed donut but in a sliceable form.

32 of 32

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Jennifer Causey

This recipe proves that a plate of chocolate chip cookies can cure all ailments. This sweet treat perfectly accompanies any warming soup or casserole. Plus, this recipe is unlike any chocolate chip cookie you've tasted before.

Looking for more freezer-friendly meals? Check out 53 Easy Freezer Recipes That Reheat Beautifully.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles