32 Meal Train Recipes To Comfort Friends and Family in Need

There’s no better way for Southerners to show our love than through a home-cooked meal. Just as the kitchen can be a space for us to relax and recharge (did you know that baking for others has real psychological benefits?), delivering a meal to someone in need can have an immeasurable impact on their day. When a loved one is going through a hard or busy time, the last thing they should have to worry about is getting a meal on the table—that’s where a meal train comes in. What exactly is a meal train, you ask? “When someone is going through a major life event, like the birth of a child, a death in the family, or recovery from an illness, injury, or medical procedure, a meal train is a smart and caring way to make sure that person is well-fed,” our Editors write. Setting up a meal train for a friend or family member in need ensures that, even in times of great stress or worry, they’ll have the comfort of a hot, home-cooked meal. These crowd-pleasing recipes are designed to be simple, satisfying, and sustaining—not only will they keep in the fridge for a few days, but they’ll likely leave the recipient with another meal’s worth of leftovers. Pay it forward with 30 simple, wholesome, and utterly satisfying meal train recipes. We’ve also included 2 bonus dessert recipes that are sure to brighten spirits. After all, a home-cooked meal is the ultimate expression of love.