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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.

A collage of best meals to take to a family.
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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!

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 Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

Main Course Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 658 votes
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2 Pasta Bake Recipe

Main Course Pasta Bake Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 31 votes
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3 Spaghetti Casserole

Main Course Spaghetti Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 140 votes
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4 Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Main Course Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 38 votes
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5 Easy Lasagna Recipe

Main Course Easy Lasagna Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.88 from 88 votes
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6 Cheese Enchiladas

Main Course Cheese Enchiladas
Total Time: 47 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 758 votes
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7 Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Main Course Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 100 votes
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8 Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Main Course Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 85 votes
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9 Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Main Course Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 1075 votes
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10 Taco Casserole Recipe

Main Course Taco Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 110 votes

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

Main Course Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 172 votes
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12 Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Main Course Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 22 votes
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13 Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe

Main Course Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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14 Beef Enchiladas

Main Course Beef Enchiladas
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.93 from 78 votes
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15 Creamy Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Main Course Creamy Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 151 votes
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16 White Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Main Course White Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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17 Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Main Course Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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18 Ham and Potato Casserole

Side Dish Ham and Potato Casserole
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 17 votes
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19 Baked Ravioli Recipe

Main Course Baked Ravioli Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 44 votes
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20 Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe

Main Course Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 570 votes
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21 Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

Main Course Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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22 Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Main Course Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
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23 King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Main Course King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour
5 from 16 votes
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24 Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole Recipe

Main Course Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
4.98 from 46 votes
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25 Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Main Course Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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26 Chicken Green Bean Casserole

Main Course, Side Dish Chicken Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour
5 from 32 votes
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27 Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Main Course Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
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28 Mexican Casserole

Main Course Mexican Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour
5 from 38 votes
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29 Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Main Course Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 49 votes
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30 French Onion Chicken Casserole Recipe

Main Course French Onion Chicken Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 147 votes
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31 Chicken Alfredo Bake Recipe

Main Course Chicken Alfredo Bake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 104 votes
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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

Main Course, Soup Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 32 votes
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33 Chicken Dumpling Soup Recipe

Main Course, Soup Chicken Dumpling Soup Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 81 votes
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34 Crockpot Tortellini Soup

Main Course, Soup Crockpot Tortellini Soup
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 217 votes
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35 Chicken Corn Soup Recipe

Soup Chicken Corn Soup Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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36 Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

Soup Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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37 Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe

Soup Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 15 votes
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38 Lasagna Soup Recipe

Main Course, Soup Lasagna Soup Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 24 votes
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39 Ham and Potato Soup

Main Course, Soup Ham and Potato Soup
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 74 votes
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40 Lentil Soup Recipe

Soup Lentil Soup Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 33 votes
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FAQS

  • 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.
  • 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.

For more Family-Friendly Meals:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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