26 Meal Train Recipe Ideas - Lintukoto Homestead

Meal trains are the ultimate way to show love. Whether someone you know and love has just brought home a new baby, lost a loved one, is going through a medical crisis, or experiencing a hardship, nothing shows love, thoughtfulness, and community quite like a home cooked meal. When going through a dramatic life transition, like adjusting to a new baby or experiencing a trauma, it can be so difficult to remember to take care of yourself. Taking your time through a meal train to provide someone with nourishment and meet their most basic needs when they are struggling is such a blessing and a gift to the receiver.

I will forever have the memory of the call that no first responder wife ever wants to receive seared into my brain. The months that followed have been the hardest of my entire life. I will never forget the amazing and thoughtful people who organized a meal train for our family using MealTrain.com.

MealTrain.com

I am not affiliated with MealTrain.com and do not receive any sort of commission or compensation for referrals. There is a version that is free to use to organize a meal train so that volunteers can sign up for dates and let others know what they’re bringing and when. This prevents the recipient from being overwhelmed with too many donations at one time. I was able to go in as a recipient and let others know about my son’s food allergies and any dietary restrictions. Being able to go back and look at the calendar at a later date to remind myself who brought which meal was a life saver for my exhausted and overwhelmed brain when I was ready to write thank you notes to our amazing community. There’s also an option to donate money for groceries for folks who want to help but may be challenged in the cooking department.

What To Bring To A Family In Need

I’ve compiled a list of comforting meal ideas to cook for a family in need. Whether the recipient has a new baby, has lost a loved one, been hospitalized, or is going through a hard time, let them know they are supported with one of these amazing meals.

Casseroles and Large Servings

Casseroles and meals that will last for at least a couple of days are exactly what you want when sending something for a meal train. The goal is to stock the family’s fridge so that they can eat on leftovers without worrying about cooking or grocery shopping for awhile.

Lasagna by Life on Broomsage Hill

lasagna in a casserole dish — A bubbly pan of delicious from scratch lasagna is the perfect meal train go-to. Bring this meal to a family in need alongside garlic bread and a fresh salad.

Tater Tot Hot Dish by A Hint of Homestead

a bowl of tater tot hot dish sits beside a casserole dish filled with tater tot hot dish — There are few meals more comforting than a tater tot hot dish during a big life transition.

Easy Homemade Meatloaf by Home By Haley

a slice meatloaf on a cutting board sits beside a plate with a slice of meatloaf, green beans, and potatoes — This moist and easy homemade meatloaf is delicious and nutrient-dense. Flavored with basil, garlic, onion, and just a touch of thyme, it is an easy meal to bring to someone in need.

Simple Chorizo Shepherds Pie by A Hint of Homestead

a scoop of chorizo shepherds pie in a bowl with a crescent roll — This chorizo shepherds pie is simple to make and will provide plenty of leftovers to feed the recipient of your meal train.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice by Lintukoto Homestead

a bowl of chicken and rice sits on a countertop — This comforting chicken and rice is an entire meal made in your Instant Pot for when you want to contribute to a family in need but are short on time.

Ground Beef Korean Bowls by Naturally Chaotic

a close up image of ground beef korean bowls — Simple ingredients make up these ground beef Korean bowls, like ground beef, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and honey. These are served on a fluffy bed of jasmine rice and topped with your favorite veggies. This is a dish you can feel good about making for a family in need.

Peanut Butter Curry by Contentment with Simplicity

peanut butter curry on a plate with cabbage — This peanut butter curry is family friendly and freezes well if your recipient needs a break from their meal train meals.

Chicken and Cilantro Enchiladas by Right at Home

chicken cilantro enchilada on a plate — Smothered in a pungent tomato sauce with bursts of fresh cilantro flavor, chicken and cilantro enchiladas are an excellent meal train meal.

Carne Asada Bowls by Nourished Life and Home

a carne asada bowl sits on a counter surrounded by bowls of ingredients — The carne asada bowls come in lots of different options and varieties for families with food allergies.

Smothered Potatoes and Sausage by Growing Dawn

smothered potatoes and sausage on a white plate — This smothered potatoes and sausage recipe uses real ingredients, is quick to make, and packed with flavor.

Sweet Potato Cottage Pie by Right At Home

sweet potato cottage pie in a cast iron skillet — Hearty and delicious, sweet potato cottage pie is the perfect healthy comfort food! This skillet meal is easy to whip up for your meal train.

Ham and Cheese Sourdough Breakfast Casserole by Homemaker Made Simple

a serving of ham and cheese breakfast casserole sits on a plate beside a casserole dish filled with ham and cheese breakfast casserole — Most people focus on homemade dinners when conducting a meal train, but if you have a sourdough starter and want to help a family with the most important meal of the day, consider this Ham and Cheese Sourdough Breakfast Casserole.

Soups and Stews

Soups and stews are warm and comforting options when a family is struggling or a mom is postpartum. Send them a meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Dal Khichdi by Kitchen Savouries

a bowl of dal khichdi sits in front of a green checkered placemat — Dal Khichdi is an Indian dish made with rice and lentils. It’s a warm and healthy soupy meal that many people in India enjoy, especially when sick or recovering, because it is light and easy to digest, yet full of nutrition. This makes Dal Khichdi the perfect meal train meal.

Hearty Mushroom Chowder by Food For Life Garden

a bowl of mushroom chowder sits on a table beside a canister of pepper — Mushroom chowder is an incredibly delicious comfort food. Make this creamy soup, which is rich, earthy and full of home-grown flavor, for someone in your community.

Beef and Barley Soup by Home By Haley

beef and barley soup in a bowl sits in front of a cutting board filled with fresh sliced bread — So delicious and packed with nutritional benefits, this healthy beef and barley soup can be brought to a family in need with a loaf of crusty sourdough bread or a fresh lettuce salad.

Postpartum Lentil Soup by Contentment with Simplicity

a bowl of lentil soup with a spoon — This soup includes nutritious, wholesome ingredients with a specific focus on healing properties. It also incorporates warming spices, like ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper, which are traditionally incorporated into postpartum food to aid healing and recovery. Make this soup for the new mom in your life.

Goulash by Lintukoto Homestead

a bowl of American goulash sits on a lace tablecloth — This American Goulash is packed with veggies and will provide leftovers for your family in need for several days.

Postpartum Bone Broth by Green Homemaking

chicken, onions, celery, carrots, and other ingredients sit on a counter in front of a crockpot — This warming bone broth recipe is perfect to drink if you are newly postpartum, or during any time of your life when you could use some extra nourishment.

Side Dishes

Side dishes don’t have to be complicated when it comes to meal trains. You can easily pick up a prepared salad and some bakery bread from the grocery store. But check out these homemade side dishes to add a little extra love to your delivery and something for the family to snack on throughout the day.