Meals to help out a family

[Anonymous]

Looking for ideas for meals we can drop off that they can freeze as an option if they want and cook later as needed? No food restrictions, and recipes/links would be super helpful if anyone has any go-to suggestions? We've got baked goods covered and things like fruit/veggie trays, so mainly looking for lunches/dinners. Thank you all.

[Anonymous]

My go-to for this is lasagna. The no-cook noodles have a recipe on the box. I often make one with italian sausage and one with spinach instead.

I also recommend the Skinnytaste Chicken Enchiladas. They freeze well. You can either completely make them and take them to someone, and they can freeze them if they like. Or you can make them up until the point where you bake them and include the baking instructions for the folks you are giving them to, and they can bake them, or decide to freeze them and then thaw them and bake them. Be careful with the chipotle chilis in adobo in the sauce -- if you aren't looking for spicy, less is more. If you are looking for something easier, you can buy canned enchilada sauce, but it doesn't even come close to the sauce in the recipe. Rotisserie chicken makes this easier as well, the pre-pulled if you can get it (but look closely at it, it seems like there are always bones or cartilage when I buy it).
https://www.skinnytaste.com/chicken-enchiladas/

[Anonymous]

Lasagne and baked ziti are easy and therefore overdone.
Do some kind of baked chicken or salmon, rice and a veggie

[Anonymous]

I’d do pre cooked slow cooker meals, if they don’t have a slow cooker they can put on stove or in oven. These can be bagged in ziplocks making for very easy storage.

Chicken pot pies pre cooked

Chicken or pork bbq cooked

Soup quarts

Meatloaf precooked

Soft pretzels cooked

Remember to wrap well and write cooking instructions on the package.

[Anonymous]

I make mini meatloaves. I get 3 lbs of meat and make meatloaf. I get a stack of 6 individual loaf pans and separate them into 6 loaf pans. Get Containers of whole potato mashed potatoes from Sam's Club (I'm sure Costco will have something similar). Two pack of mashed potatoes, a loaf of garlic bread from the freezer section. Premade salads in containers (2 packs, get as many as you need for the family). A jar of brown gravy.

Any meatloaves that aren't eaten right away can be frozen and pulled out in individual containers to reheat in the oven/toaster oven.

[Anonymous]

More than one of y'all are posting about "meatloaf." Do people still eat this? I think of it as almost on par with chicken ala king and chipped beef on toast.

[Anonymous]

Usually roast a chicken.
If I know a family has received lots of chicken and lasagna, and soup, I ask if they’ll eat fish.

Pan simmered fish with a tasty - not spicy during cancer treatments- glaze.

Salad or veg. Lots of rice or noodles if there are finicky kids. It times, I’ve just put these in a zip lock for ease. A little short on presentation, but oh well.

[Anonymous]

I make about a meal a month or more for my church. Top meals…

Meatball sliders with Parmesan on top
Fajitas
Stuffed shells
Homemade mac and cheese and breaded tenderloins, raw veggies if for kids
Homemade chicken soup and fresh bread for people going through chemo
Whole chicken and homemade mashed potatoes
Bbq chicken, rolls, mac and cheese
Taco salad fixing (elderly single lady loved this on a warm summer night)
Chicken and rice “bowls” yellow or jasmine rice, beans, avocado- not cut but ripe, …)
If another adult is healthy, I’ll make homemade sauce and meatballs and a box of uncooked spaghetti

I always add a veg or salad and cut up fruit. Sometimes cookies, but rarely. For a new mom, I’ll add healthy snacks. I’ve done over 100 meals and I love bringing a little bit of joy!

[Anonymous]

Please skip the lasagna. Between everyone making pasta dishes, and so many doing li- or no-carb, it's not a good option.

Make a Greek lemon chicken dish*, steam some green beans and send with toasted almonds (separately in case of allergies), and include toasted potatoes. Adelicious, nutricious meal. For dessert, fresh berries with homemade whipped cream

Lemon Greek chicken recipe: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/greek-lemon-chicken/#wprm-recipe-container-67692

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More than one of y'all are posting about "meatloaf." Do people still eat this? I think of it as almost on par with chicken ala king and chipped beef on toast.

Meatloaf done right is delicious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please skip the lasagna. Between everyone making pasta dishes, and so many doing li- or no-carb, it's not a good option.

Make a Greek lemon chicken dish*, steam some green beans and send with toasted almonds (separately in case of allergies), and include toasted potatoes. Adelicious, nutricious meal. For dessert, fresh berries with homemade whipped cream

Lemon Greek chicken recipe: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/greek-lemon-chicken/#wprm-recipe-container-67692

You are concerned about carbs and your menu relies on "toasted potatoes"? What?

[Anonymous]

I like the cooking light all American chili and the skinny taste white chicken chili because it’s easy to to refreeze in individual portions.

Chicken dishes are good but often not great reheated, so I tend not to make for this purpose.

Also like the skinny taste Turkey meatballs, with a box of pasta and a salad and southern living soulful chicken soup along with a loaf of French bread. Both reheat well.

Although I agree lasagna is overdone I think the skinny taste spinach lasagna rolls are good because they freeze well and can be frozen in individual portions and aren’t too heavy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More than one of y'all are posting about "meatloaf." Do people still eat this? I think of it as almost on par with chicken ala king and chipped beef on toast.

Meatloaf done right is delicious.

I always give a choice of 4 or 5 things, and every single time the family chooses meatloaf.

[Anonymous]

I also don’t know anyone who eats meatloaf! Is it still the 80’s?!

[Anonymous]

Chicken marbella