35 Meal Train Ideas to Help Loved Ones in Need

Sheet-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

Everyone needs an easy meal. Try this sheet-pan chicken with roasted potatoes for a simple and tasty meal guaranteed to please the whole family. If you use fresh lemon juice, garnish each serving with a little lemon zest for bright flavor. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California

Go to Recipe

Once you know what you’re going to cook, check out our meal train tips for help organizing the logistics.

Favorite Baked Spaghetti

This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland

Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Editor’s tip: Fresh salads (especially ones with protein) are a great meal to bring new parents—they’ll provide some nutrition to help them endure those first few weeks of sleepless nights!

Pepperoni Pan Pizza

I've spent years trying to come up with the perfect pizza crust and sauce, and they're paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida

Spinach Burritos

I made up this recipe a couple of years ago after trying a similar dish in a restaurant. Our oldest son tells me these burritos are awesome! It's an added bonus that they're inexpensive and easy to make. —Dolores Zornow, Poynette, Wisconsin

Sheet-Pan Chicken and Vegetables

This sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Saucy Mac & Cheese

I love the curly noodles in this creamy recipe. Cavatappi, also sold under the name cellentani, is a corkscrew pasta, but any type of spiral pasta will work. This dish is fun to make and looks so pretty topped with extra cheese and crunchy, golden crumbs. I like to add ground pepper to my serving. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Editor’s tip: Cozy meals like this one are the perfect comforting funeral food and a thoughtful way to express your condolences. Drop it off with a fresh salad to get some greens in the mix, too.

Lime-Chipotle Carnitas Tostadas

Here's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Ham & Veggie Casserole

I’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around some dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl

You can also transform this tasty bowl into an Italian version with mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes, spinach and basil. —Renata Smith, Brookline, Massachusetts

Sausage Manicotti

This classic Italian entree comes together in a snap but tastes as if it took hours. It's so tasty and easy to fix. My family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota

Bratwurst Supper

After trying a few bratwurst recipes, I've found this meal-in-one is ideal for camping since it grills to perfection in a heavy-duty foil bag. Loaded with chunks of bratwurst, red potatoes, mushrooms and carrots, it's easy to season with onion soup mix and a little soy sauce. —Janice Meyer, Medford, Wisconsin

Yummy Corn Chip Salad

Corn chips give a special crunch and an unexpected flavor to this potluck favorite. Bacon adds a hint of smokiness, while the cranberries bring a touch of sweetness. It's the perfect picnic companion! —Nora Friesen, Aberdeen, Mississippi

Editor’s tip: When you drop off this meal, send the dressing in a separate container to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy. Consider making one of these quick and easy soup recipes to go with it, too.

Crescent Turkey Casserole

How do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic but doesn’t take any time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota

Roasted Curried Chickpeas and Cauliflower

When there’s not much time to cook, try roasting potatoes and cauliflower with chickpeas for a warm-you-up dinner. It's a filling meal on its own, but you can add chicken or tofu to the sheet pan if you'd like. —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania

Tuscan Fish Packets

My husband does a lot of fishing, so I'm always looking for different ways to serve his catches. A professional chef was kind enough to share this recipe with me, and I played around with some different veggie combinations until I found the one my family liked best. —Kathy Morrow, Hubbard, Ohio

Chicken Thighs with Shallots & Spinach

What could be better than an entree that comes with its own creamy vegetable side? This healthy supper goes together in no time flat and makes an eye-catching presentation. —Genna Johannes, Wrightstown, Wisconsin

Editor’s tip: Provide some rice to round out this meal. Simple white or brown rice will do just fine, or you can make one of these healthy rice recipes.

Creamy Skillet Noodles with Peas

I’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania

Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches

I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska

Bonnie's Chili

This chili is incredibly easy to make, and has a surprising depth of flavor for something that comes together in no time before the slow cooker takes over the work. I can make this for people who like it hot or mild just by changing the salsa. You can make it really spicy if you add hot peppers and hot salsa. —Bonnie Altig, North Pole, Alaska

Editor’s tip: A batch of this Buttery Cornbread is the perfect side dish to pair with this comforting chili.

Arrabbiata Sauce with Zucchini Noodles

This popular Italian dish is flavorful and spicy. We decided to re-create one of our favorite jarred sauces and serve over zucchini pasta for a lighter, healthier meal that's naturally gluten-free. The results were amazing! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Southwest Vegetarian Bake

This veggie-packed casserole hits the spot on chilly nights. It's a healthy canned vegetable recipe that's perfect any time I have a taste for Mexican food with all the fixings. —Patricia Gale, Monticello, Illinois

Saucy Beef with Broccoli

When I’m looking for a fast entree, I turn to this beef and broccoli stir-fry. It features a tantalizing sauce made with garlic and ginger. —Rosa Evans, Odessa, Missouri

Editor’s tip: If you want to send over something sweet as well, try one of these easy desserts that have five ingredients or less.

Vegetable Strata

We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington

Burrito Bake

This burrito casserole recipe is bound to make everyone happy. Satisfy your weeknight dinner cravings with our delectable Burrito Casserole, a dish that's not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with mouthwatering flavors.

Stovetop Beef and Shells

I fix this supper when I'm pressed for time. It's as tasty as it is fast. Team it with salad, bread and fruit for a comforting meal. —Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas

Editor’s tip: These make-ahead salad recipes are the perfect sides for a meal train—they taste even better as they marinate, so you won’t have to worry about soggy salad!

Bacon Salad

This bacon salad combines crispy romaine, smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado, all tied together with a tangy homemade dressing. It's perfect for a light lunch or as a fresh, flavorful side dish.

Shrimp Fried Rice

This delectable shrimp fried rice is filled with color and taste that makes it vanish fast. Our family of four can't get enough of it. Bacon adds crispness and a hint of heartiness. Consider it when you need a different main dish or brunch item. —Sandra Thompson, White Hall, Arkansas

Peasant Skillet

I prepare this supper frequently throughout the year, substituting whatever vegetables are in season. No matter how often I make it, I'm always asked for the recipe. —Lisbeth Whitehead, Watertown, South Dakota

Baja Pork Tacos

This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had, when we were visiting Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas

Spicy Rice Casserole

Stirring up pork sausage, wild rice and jalapeno to taste makes this a terrific side. Or serve it with cornbread to turn it into a main dish. It’s easy to make ahead and reheat for a potluck meal. —Debbie Jones, California, Maryland

Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

My son doesn't eat meat, so I created this recipe as a way for me to cook one meal for the family instead of two. It's so easy, my toddler grandson helps me make it! —Tina McMullen, Salina, Kansas

Salmon Sliders

The fresh flavors of the salmon and herbs are just unbeatable. I serve these as full-size burgers on kaiser rolls, too. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington

Black Bean & Corn Quinoa

Some vegan quinoa recipes are boring, but this one definitely isn't. My daughter’s college asked parents for the best quinoa recipes to use in the dining halls. This healthy quinoa recipe fits the bill. —Lindsay McSweeney, Winchester, Massachusetts