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I love dropping off a meal to new parents, someone who lost a loved one, or a dear friend who is a little down. They’ll be so happy to have a healthy and comforting meal that is made with love. And these recipes in this Dinner Drop-Off Recipe Round-Up are full of love and easy to heat!
texas-style mac and cheese
Make-ahead tip: Complete steps 1-7. Cover with saran wrap and press down onto the pasta so that it is completely suffocated and transfer to your friend. Remove the saran wrap and they can finish it off in the oven for a deliciously cheesy meal in 8-10 minutes!
crockpot mexican picadillo
Transfer your mexican picadillo in your crockpot or large pot and allow your friend to reheat and serve! Provide rice, cauliflower ‘rice’ or tortillas for serving!
sour cream chicken taquitos
These are perfect for freezing and reheating! Allow taquitos to cool to room temperature, then place in a single layer in a freezer bag and lay them flat in your freezer. To reheat, microwave for 2 to 4 minutes, or pop in the oven at 450°F for about 10 minutes.
enchiladas con carne
This is a great make-ahead dish to take to someone in need of a home-cooked meal. Don’t bake it off, but cover it with foil and pop a note on top with directions to bake at 325°F for 15 minutes!
sour cream and green chile chicken enchiladas
Just like my enchiladas con carne, don’t bake these off before dropping them to your friend. Simply cover in foil then leave a note to have them uncover and bake for 8-10 minutes at 375°F.
instant pot texas-style brisket tacos
Transfer the brisket, peppers and onions in a baking dish (keep sauce/juice on the side) and have your friend reheat at 15-20 minutes, uncovered at 350. Serve in tortillas, lettuce cups or with cauliflower ‘rice’ and lime!
whole roasted greek chicken and potatoes
Follow steps 1-6 then allow your friend to finish the recipe from there for perfectly roasted chicken + potatoes.
oven-baked creamy lemon-caper chicken
Transfer your Dutch oven to your friend’s home and tell them to bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes to reheat.
one-pot chicken pot pie pasta
Simply transfer the one-pot chicken pot pie pasta in your Dutch oven or pot and have them reheat on the stovetop! If the pasta has dried up some of the liquid, add a little extra milk as needed and stir to combine.
meatloaf meatballs with mashed potatoes and green beans
For the meatballs, follow all of the steps up until baking the meatballs off! Allow your friend to do that for the freshest meatballs. For the green beans and mashed potatoes, have your friend reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
lasagna-stuffed zucchini boats
Prepare the zucchini boats then cover and transfer to your friend to finish baking, uncovered, at 375°F for about 25 minutes.
crispy slow cooker carnitas
Follow all of the steps up until broiling the carnitas. Transfer in a baking dish then tell your friends to transfer to a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes when ready to eat!
whole30 classic meatloaf
Follow steps 1-7 then allow your friend to bake! Drop off mashed potatoes and your choice of greens for a full meal.
epic whole30 baked meatballs
Complete steps 1-5 then let your friend bake these meatballs for an EPIC meal! Serve with their choice of pasta.
slow cooker chicken tikka masala
Transfer to your friend warm in your Crockpot!
texas brisket chili
If using the Instant Pot, transfer in a large pot or Dutch oven and have your friend reheat on the stovetop. If using the slow cooker method, transfer in that! Don’t forget to bring all the serving toppings as well!
whole30 + paleo approved chili
Transfer in a large pot or Dutch oven and have your friend reheat on the stovetop!
slow-cooker bbq beef brisket with quick-and-easy coleslaw
Once your brisket is complete, keep warm in your crockpot and transfer to your friend. Allow your friend to remove and slice when ready to eat to serve alongside the coleslaw.
Love this round up! What of these can be frozen and then re-heated easily? I wanna really stock the freezer for my friends with newborns!
I can’t get any of the links to work to get to the enchiladas con carne recipe!
Takes me to the cook book page and when I search in recipes it brings me to this round up but I can’t get to the recipe.
Hi Louise,
It’s because that recipe is in my first cookbook- The Defined Dish.
So it’s not available online?
Are all of these able to be frozen and reheated later? I see it noted on the enchiladas, but was going to make a few freezer meals for my friends that just had a baby! Want to make sure they have great food 🙂
Thank you for putting these together! I’ve dropped a few of these off to friends who’ve just had babies–the meals are healthy and satisfying. It’s so helpful to be able to include instructions for them on how to reheat. Thanks again!
You’re most welcome!! so glad they are getting good use for the ones you love.
Hi Alex. Currently 39 weeks pregnant and trying to get some healthy meals prepped for us. Can I use tapioca flour/starch in place of arrowroot? Thanks in advance.
Oops. This is in regards to the enchiladas con carne.
yes you can!
Would you freeze these and then bake or bake first then Freeze?
I like to freeze them, then bake. But you can technically do either!
Hi! My sister just had a baby and I can’t wait to bring her the enchiladas con carne! Can these be frozen if they don’t want to eat it right away? Thank you!!
yes they can! 🙂
I love this list of great ideas to take to a friend! What a great way to help a friend!
food for the soul!
Hello! I’m curious which of these meals are able to be made ahead and frozen? I’m trying to stock up some meals in the freezer before my due date! 🙂
I have a great Story Highlight on my instagram titled “Freezer Foods” where I did this for my sister when she was expecting with some great recipes, tips and tricks!