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We believe there is no better way to serve others and spread love than with food! We’ve rounded up our best meals to take to a family.
![We believe there is no better way to serve others and spread love than with food! We've rounded up our best meals to take to a family. A collage of best meals to take to a family.](https://lilluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Best-Meals-To-Take-To-A-Family-Horizontal-RU-Collage.png)
Food is Love
In our family, we show love with food! It’s the Lil’ Luna way. Comfort food can make anyone’s day better and is especially nice to share with those going through a hard time. Dinner is a great way to ease burdens and let others know you care.
It’s nice to have a list of easy dinner ideas, perfect for sharing to take the thinking out of serving! Look no further than our list of the best meals to take to a family.
- For tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of this post!
More Collections
Best Meals to Take to a Family
Help with a weeknight dinner and ease the burdens of those in need. From Shepherd’s Pie to Meatloaf and Best Mashed Potatoes there are plenty of delicious shareable dishes to choose from!
If you’re sharing Mexican flavors it’s easy to include a side of Homemade Tortilla Chips and Homemade Salsa!
1 Chicken Enchilada Recipe
2 Pasta Bake Recipe
3 Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
4 Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
5 Easy Lasagna Recipe
6 Cheese Enchiladas
7 Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
8 Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
9 Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
10 Taco Casserole Recipe
Recipe Video
More Meals to Take to Others
Need even more ideas? These dishes are always a hit with the kids and many can be made freezer meals.
11 Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
12 Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe13 Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
14 Beef Enchiladas
15 Creamy Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe16 White Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
17 Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
18 Ham and Potato Casserole
19 Baked Ravioli Recipe
20 Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe21 Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe22 Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe23 King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
24 Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole Recipe
25 Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
26 Chicken Green Bean Casserole
27 Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
28 Mexican Casserole
29 Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
30 French Onion Chicken Casserole Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe31 Chicken Alfredo Bake Recipe
Soups to Take to Those That Are Sick
Soup is always a perfect dinner for sharing. It’s easy to make big batches, great for freezing, and a welcome dinner to those who are sick.
32 Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe33 Chicken Dumpling Soup Recipe
34 Crockpot Tortellini Soup Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe35 Chicken Corn Soup Recipe
36 Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
37 Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe
38 Lasagna Soup Recipe
39 Ham and Potato Soup
40 Lentil Soup Recipe
FAQS
Top Tips When bringing a meal to a family in need?
- Homemade is not necessary. Grab pizzas, sub sandwiches, or a rotisserie chicken.
- It doesn’t have to be delivered hot. I’ve received a frozen meal with a card saying to pop it in the oven or slow cooker when I need it most.
- Include a simple side dish like Oven Roasted Vegetables, white rice, green salad recipes, Fruit Salad Recipe, or Yeast Dinner Rolls.
- Inquire about dietary restrictions. Gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut allergy, tree nut allergy, or vegetarian.
- Picky eaters. If the family has younger children, you may also ask about what they won’t eat and the food they tend to love.
- Don’t forget dessert. My go-to are easy cookie recipes and brownie recipes. I’ve also been known to include frozen Best Chocolate Chip Cookie dough.
- Easy clean-up. If you’re able, send paper goods that way they don’t have to worry about washing dirty dishes.
- Food containers and dishes. When delivering a meal, consider using disposable containers to avoid causing inconvenience to the recipient.
- Choose a disposable and oven-safe container for easy reheating, such as an aluminum foil tray.
- Plastic disposable containers and Ziplocs are good for cold or room-temperature items.
- Buy glass or ceramic baking dishes at the local thrift store to use. Be sure to tell the person you do not need them back.
- When sending food in a pan, use one you can live without. Label it with your name & pick it up yourself. Offer to return dishes to others.
- Meal train. When an individual or family has an ongoing difficulty, a meal train is often utilized to easily coordinate the efforts of several individuals who wish to help by providing dinner.
- Include information about the best times to drop off the dish.
- On the sign-up, provide an area for people to list what they plan to bring so the family doesn’t end up with 10 days of soup or lasagna.
- Include food allergy information, likes, and dislikes.
- Optionally, provide a gift card list of restaurants the family likes so those who don’t have the time or cooking confidence can contribute a meal.
What More Can I do beyond a meal?
- As wonderful as they can be, a meal may not be what is needed most. Or you may want to do something more. Consider a few of the following suggestions:
- Time out. Take your friend on a walk or hike, to a movie, or out to dinner. Be a good listener.
- Gift basket. Drop off a self-care basket with some magazines, tissues, favorite candies, lotions, or one geared toward kids that contains coloring books, puzzles, stuffed animals, and treats.
- Childcare. Depending on your relationship with the family you could offer to watch children to give the parents time for themselves.
- Cleaning. Sometimes a person in need would love help with household chores. If comfortable enough you could step in and do some, or you may wish to provide a gift card for a cleaning or yard service.