<p>I have 2 dear friends (no connection to each other) who are both dealing with major life issues. Both work full time; one is recently divorced and the other is recently widowed. Both have teen aged children. I told both that I was bringing dinner for them tomorrow night (have been wanting to do for both, so figured I’d kill 2 birds with one stone), but now I’m for some reason coming up blank with something to bring. It has to be something that can be reheated, as I have an appointment late afternoon and will have to prepare it earlier. No food issues/allergies, except one kid is a vegetarian (but I can just make her something separate, so don’t worry about that one!)
Any tried and true ideas?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Lasagna - it could be veggie lasagna. It tastes even better after it’s re-heated.</p>
<p>I was going to suggest lasagna, too. One interesting twist is to line a bundt pan with phyllo dough , then layer lasagna ingredients inside and fold dough over the top. It makes an unusual presentation.</p>
<p>A big pot of soup and loaf of fresh bread if it’s as cold where you are as we are. </p>
<p>I also love beef & noodles, although you’d need something else for the vegetarian.</p>
<p>mac and cheese and a salad.</p>
<p>Enchiladas, a fruit salad, and something chocolate for dessert?</p>
<p>How about beef stew? If you are in a cold place right now, it could really hit the spot.</p>
<p>The last time we made something to take to a family we made italian beef in a crockpot. They were really thrilled because they had gotten a lot of pasta meals. There are also a lot of really easy crockpot chicken recipes to make.</p>
<p>I also think a veggie lasagne! I use the following ingredients for simple prep:</p>
<p>No-boil lasagne noodles
Ragu or Prego, etc. sauce
Fontina Cheese (adds more flavor than mozzarella cheese, but mix some mozzarella into the Ricotta/Spinach mixture)
Frozen spinach thawed and wring out the extra water
Ricotta cheese
Eggs
Seasoned salt and seasoned pepper</p>
<p>You’ll find the details of this recipe at “Allrecipes.com”, my favorite resource for recipes. I’m the house-husband and nightly chef in our home…</p>
<p>Thank you for all the suggestions - my stomach has started growling just reading through them 
We are very cold here this week, so maybe a soup or stew would be good. I actually made beef stew for dinner here tonight; wish I hadn’t because that would have been perfect (ideally whatever I make will be our dinner too).</p>
<p>Please use containers that does not need to be returned to the cook.</p>
<p>Batllo - Good suggestion. I have learned to do that…not as pretty, but definitely easier for all involved. :)</p>
<p>Brisket is better the 2nd day or reheated. My family loves the sweet and sour brisket from one of the editions of Joy of Cooking. I cook it one day. The next day I slice it and reheat it in the sauce. It is a great winter meal.
Another idea is bake chicken breast on the bone drizzled in olive oil. Deliver the breasts with flour and corn tortillas, shredded cheese, lettuce, and a fresh salsa of simply tomatoes, green onion and cilantro. Add a ripe avocado if you have one.
Barefoot Contessa has a nice chicken chili that she makes using baked chicken breasts. It is pretty simple.</p>
<p>I made upgraded tuna noodle casserole for my best friend’s family when her son was having surgery, and it was well received. I used bow-tie pasta, albacore tuna, sour cream for the sauce, peas, broccoli, green onion, celery, capers, parm. cheese on top. I also took along some nice fruit salad makings and homemade garlic bread. Not a low-cal meal, but hot and soothing.</p>
<p>This recipe is easy and really yummy. I omit the dill and use the whole can of soup.
[Bacon</a>, Ranch, and Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe | MyRecipes.com](<a href=“http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001963977]Bacon”>http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001963977)</p>
<p>Such good ideas! I’m filing them all away I’ll let you know what I end up with! Thank you!</p>
<p>A pot of black beans is popular in my circles. That plus a salad and good bread. I also make spinach lasagne and quesedilla pie (layers of beans and veggies with mozarella cheese in between flour tortillas). </p>
<p>Another idea is a “sauce” of garbanzo beans, toasted walnuts, pesto, and sauteed veggies with whole wheat pasta. I have a lot of vegetarian friends.</p>
<p>A friend of mine lost her husband recently and many people brought her food – the one thing she craved and that no one thought to bring was a fresh salad.</p>
<p>I often make a breakfast casserole made with eggs and cheeses. The recipe calls for green chiles, but instead I like to include a jar of green salsa. I say it can be for “breakfast, lunch or dinner”. It reheats really well by the slice and freezes well too. Sometimes I add a bag of tortilla chips to go with the extra salsa. </p>
<p>When my sister visited recently, I made it with gluten free flour (just 1/2c) and it was fine.</p>