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Taking a meal to a friend? We've got plenty of ideas for you in this post! These recipes can be made ahead and travel well.
Do you ever take meals to friends in need? After being on the receiving end of a meal train, I am always eager to sign up to take someone a meal. It is such a blessing to not have to worry about dinner!
Whether someone is ill or there's a new baby, food is a tangible way you can show that you care. These recipes are easy to make ahead and reheat well. We've included a range of options, so there's something for everyone. Brighten someone's day with one of these home-cooked meals!
These delicious Honey-Glazed Apple Bran Muffins are moist, tender, studded with sweet chunks of apple and laced with cinnamon. They rise up with high-domed tops and come together quickly with one bowl and no mixer!
Think you don't like kale salad? Think again! This delicious Tuscan Kale Salad with crisp, buttery bread crumbs, salty, savory Parmesan and a fabulous lemon basil dressing will have the most adamant kale hater requesting seconds!
Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Honey Cider Dressing - an insanely delicious and super healthy salad - perfect for any get-together with family and friends!
With less than 10-minutes of hands-on time and no-kneading, the name Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread says it all! Almost. It's also ridiculously delicious!
This Eggplant Italian Sausage Gratin is bursting with fabulous Italian flavor. A delicious, make-ahead, dinner party-worthy meal!
These Italian Chicken Meatballs are made from boneless, skinless chicken breasts, not ground chicken. They're lean, light, tender, juicy and full of flavor!
This fabulous Instant Pot (or oven) Pasta and Beef Soup is a throw-it-all in-the-pot soup that's loaded tender chunks of beef and lots of healthy veggies!
This delicious Homemade Chicken Pasta Soup tastes like you spent all day laboring over it but in reality, you can put it together, start to finish in less than an hour! It's also fabulous with leftover turkey!
This make-ahead Italian Chicken Sausage Ravioli Lasagna is bursting with fabulous Italian flavor and tastes as if you labored for hours. No one has to know the delicious little secret.
This hearty, healthy Black Bean Turkey Chili is loaded with veggies, black beans, lean ground turkey and lots of delicious South-of-the-Border flavor!
With cheese-stuffed ribbons of zucchini nestled in an easy Italian sausage-tomato sauce, this delicious Zucchini Involtini is a fabulous make-ahead meal that's perfect for family dinners and entertaining!
This fabulous Mexican Chicken and Rice comes together in one skillet in way less than an hour. It's loaded with fresh veggies, lean chicken and lots of south-of-border flavor!
These healthy, delicious Greek Chicken Meatballs come together quickly with lean chicken, lots of fresh veggies and a ton of fabulous flavor! Serve them as an appetizer, in sandwiches, in bowls with Greek salad, hummus and orzo (pictured), in wraps with pita bread and hummus...
Need a fun, delicious dessert for an upcoming fall event, or a sweet surprise for family and/or friends? This moist one-bowl pumpkin cake comes together in minutes, with no mixer needed. The fabulous salted caramel icing takes it to nirvana status!
This easy, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe really does produce the BEST chocolate chip cookies we've ever tasted. They're buttery and crinkly with crisp edges, a chewy interior and lots of delicious chocolate chips.
Thought for the day:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:13
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.

Peggy says
Chris,
Love the special feel of this post! Helping those that need some encouragement, those that deserve a thank you, those that are hurting, those that are celebrating, those that don’t like to cook, but are tired of getting in the car to get dinner!
I can help! Food connects people! I want my world to feel more connected! Thank you for the inspiration! Start your oven!
Peggy
Chris Scheuer says
Yes! I feel the same way, Peggy! 💕
Cheryl says
Hi Chris, I am a long time reader and what seems like a little while ago found a muffin recipe on your site. I thought to that it was pumpkin and it was easily identified by the really amazing photo that Scott took of powdered sugar billowing onto those lovely muffins. I cannot find it or the awesome recipebfor donuts based on a Joy of Cooking recipe for pannetone. Could you please help me to locate those awesome recipes. I can hardly wait. Thank you so much in advance for your help. Keep doing beautiful things. My best regards, Cheryl
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Cheryl, this is the muffin recipe- https://thecafesucrefarine.com/pumpkin-crumb-muffins/ and here are the donuts -https://thecafesucrefarine.com/blackberry-glazed-homemade-donuts/
Thank you for the encouragement!
Donna Dwulet says
These look great. Can’t wait to try them starting tomorrow
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Donna! Enjoy!
Michael King says
In my browser I have five websites saved to my “Favorites” list. I visit each of them routinely. My justification for not having you there was because your emails arrived in my Inbox regularly. I’ve decided you deserve more. You deserve that next step of recognition on your journey. In a sense, an Oscar. You’ve just been elevated to my “Favorites” list! Congratulations!
Chris Scheuer says
Ha! I am honored, Michael!