Soup’s on!  With cooler weather and darker days, what could be better for warming your heart and soul than soup?

We’ve gathered a flavorful collection of fall soup recipes to help you serve this ultimate comfort food again and again without getting tired of it. Whatever cuisine you’re in the mood for — from Asian, to Latin, to Indian, to Italian, and more — you’ll find a full assortment of choices.

If you want to enjoy even more variety with little extra effort on your part, consider teaming up with a friend or two for a soup swap.  Soup recipes often produce large quantities, and it’s easy to fill mason jars to trade with friends.  This small step will make weekly meal planning so much easier!

Dive right in to our…

Fall Soup Recipes

VEGETARIAN SOUPS

 Light Chicken, Quinoa & Vegetable Soup by Cookin Canuk (pin it)

Cheeseburger Soup by Damn Delicious (pin it)  

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Check out these fall soup recipes and SO MANY MORE on our Soups to Warm Your Soul Pinterest Board:

Follow Bonbon Break’s board Soups to Warm Your Soul on Pinterest.

Here are some of our FAVORITE soup accessories from Amazon (Click to buy now using our affiliate links. No extra charge to you and a little perk for us.):

Read this next: 20 Ways to Wear Boots

Next post: 50 + Perfect Holiday Pie Recipes

Previous post: They Break, You Know

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 CONTINUE READING IN THE KITCHEN

The post 50+ Fall Soup Recipes to Warm Your Soul first appeared on BonBon Break.

Are you new to the Instant Pot world? I bought mine during a Black Friday sale or Digital Monday or – who knows. The point is I accidentally bought the 8 quart (I ALWAYS buy the wrong size of everything on Amazon) and it sat in my pantry for a year because it is HUGE. However, during this recent break I started using it and now I am hooked.

If you haven’t used yours yet, now is the time! If you need a little help getting start Pinch of Yum and Damn Delicious will point you in the right direction every single time. They have recipes that will check all of your boxes and their recipes never fail. I included a couple of my favorites at the top of the list.

If you happened upon this post because you are a holdout and you are trying to decide if this is worth your wild, let us help you differentiate (and help you turn the corner). 

Instant Pot Store

Links in this section are connected to Amazon for your ease of purchase and price comparison. We do receive a small commission for doing the research for you so thank you for shopping via BonBon Break. 

Instant Pot Size

I notoriously order the wrong size of everything via Amazon. That happened when I purchased my Instant Pot, but I am SO grateful I made the mistake. They come in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart sizes. I ordered the 8-quart. Most recipes are created for the 6-quart size and I have been having really good luck with doubling my favorite Instant Pot recipes and having leftovers. I am really big on leftovers and roll over meals, so buy the 8-quart was a pleasant surprise mistake. That being said, it is HUGE and as a result, I was intimidated to use it for the first year. Now it’s my favorite kitchen appliance. 

Instant Pot Model Breakdown

Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1

There are several other models and I am showing a close up of their control panels so you can see the main differences between the models.

Instant Pot 60 Max 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker 

Instant Pot Smart WiFi 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt 10-in-1

Click here to see the entire collection of Instant Pots on Amazon

Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

Spicy Sweet Potato Peanut Stew by Pinch of Yum – This is so so so good.

Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup by Pinch of Yum – another flavorful winner from POY. We just love her!

Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto by Damn Delicious ***This is a family favorite!!*** (Use veggie broth instead of chicken)

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup by Damn Delicious (use veggie broth instead of chicken) – Check out those chunky yummy veggies. I could eat this every day.

Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup by Piping Pot Curry

Instant Pot Lemon Veggie Risotto by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Instant Pot Whole Roasted Cauliflower In Indian Masala by The Belly Rules The Mind

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup by Where You Get Your Protein

Instant Pot Curry with Chickpeas, Tomatoes & Spinach by The Foodie Eats

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup by Whole Food Bellies

Instant Pot Veggie Side Dishes

Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts by Temecula Blogs

Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes by Eazy Peazy Mealz

Instant Pot Parsnips And Carrots by Salt And Lavender

Instant Pot Baked Potatoes by Simple Happy Foodie

How To Kale in 3 Minutes In The Instant Pot by Nora Cooks

Instant Pot Corn On The Cob by Salt And Lavender

Instant Pot Artichokes by Eazy Peazy Mealz

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes With Almonds by Recipes From A Pantry


Instant Pot Broccoli by Recipes From A Pantry

Instant Pot Green Beans With Mushrooms And Bacon by Zen And Spice

Pressure Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes by Simply Recipes

Instant Pot Wild Rice With Mushrooms, Spinach And Cherry Tomatoes by Zen And Spice

Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples by Simple Happy Foodie

Pressure Cooker Potato Salad by Simply Recipes

A few more of our favorite recipes that will help with quick dinners!

Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

Roll Over Recipes – Cook Once, Eat Twice (or more!)

Our Favorite Sheet Pan Dinners for Busy Weeknights

20 Delicious Skillet Meals in Under 35 Minutes

Meal Planning Help to the Rescue! Our Quick Guide to Easy Dinners

The post 20 Must Have Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes first appeared on BonBon Break.

Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie by Tastes Of Lizzy T

Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken by Averie Cooks

Healthy Crockpot Lasagne by The Bewitchin Kitchen

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff by Well Plated

Slow Cooker Spinach Feta Egg Casserole by Cook Nourish Bliss

Crockpot Sausage & Potatoes by Diary Of A Recipe Collector

French Dip Sandwich by Carlsbad Cravings

Slow Cooker Chicken And Dumplings by Love Bakes Good Cakes

Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana by The Chunky Chef

Slow Cooker Spanish Chicken Stew by Sweet Peas and Saffron

Slow Cooker Italian Red Wine Roast Beef by Barefeet In The Kitchen

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup With Bacon by The Lemon Bowl

Slow Cooker Meatloaf by Tastes Of Lizzy T

Honey Garlic Ginger Chicken by Running To The Kitchen

Slow Cooker Spicy Steak Rice Lentils Quinoa by House Of Nash Eats

Chicken Enchilada Crock Pot Soup by BonBon Break

Crockpot Cowboy Casserole by Kylee Cooks

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork With Apples And Onions by The Lemon Bowl

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ham by Five Heart Home

Slow Cooker Beef And Cheese Pasta by The Cooking Jar

Another favorite on BonBon Break:

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

The following are affiliate links to some of our favorite products.

…and of course, here are our favorite slow cookers.

The InstaPot – WHAT you don’t have one yet? We can help you with that.

We also love this slow cooker because you can serve straight from the crock itself.

A little more inspiration for Fall:

20 Best Fall-inspired Cupcakes

Easy Fall Recipes on Our Bucket List That We Can’t Wait to Make

The post Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes first appeared on BonBon Break.

When I received a new Dutch oven, I struggled to decide what to make first in this beauty. Quickly, the air turned cool and all I could think about was soup and casseroles.

We had one of those nights where there wasn’t much in the kitchen and I just started throwing ingredients together. It was actually pretty good and my kids both had seconds. Hmmmm. The next week, I tried it again, adding a little more garlic. Again, it was a hit. Then this week, I KNEW I had the magic finish. YES!

The game changer is three-fold: 1) rubbing the Dutch Oven down with garlic, 2) using a Dutch Oven to take advantage of those seared bits in the bottom of the pot, 3) the vegetable broth – SO much more flavor with Pacific’s Vegetable Broth.

As I am sitting here typing, I asked my better half, “What are we going to name this soup?” His response? “Satisfaction Soup.” That’s right. It is THAT good and when the winter blues or the season’s colds hit, you will want to have a pot of this ready to go.

Print

Hearty Rosemary Chicken Soup

Author Val Curtis

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground sausage
• 1 whole organic chicken cleaned and quartered
• 3 sprigs of rosemary
• 6 cloves of garlic 2 smashed, 3 chopped
• 1 large onion diced
• 3 boxes of vegetable broth
• 10 oz frozen cut spinach
• 4 carrots thinly sliced
• 4 white potatoes diced
• Grated parmesan optional

Instructions

• Take 2 cloves of garlic, smash them and rub them all over the bottom of your Dutch oven.
• Over medium heat, brown sausage and then remove from the Dutch Oven.
• Add rosemary sprigs, garlic and onion. Place chicken in Dutch Oven, skin side down. Flip after 7 minutes and stir onions and garlic around from the bottom. Place lid on top and let everything cook for 15 more minutes.
• Add 2 boxes of vegetable broth, sausage, spinach and carrots. Simmer for 45 minutes.
• Remove chicken from the pot. Remove the meat from the bones and add back to the Dutch Oven.
• Skim fat from the top of the soup.
• Add potatoes and simmer for 20 more minutes.
• Serve and top with grated parmesan. Enjoy!

Notes

The extra box of vegetable broth is to increase the volume of the broth as you work your way through the pot the next day

If you need a little more soup inspiration?

Follow Bonbon Break’s board Soups to Warm Your Soul on Pinterest.

More of our favorites:

Butternut Squash Risotto

Easy Chicken Enchilada Crockpot Soup

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Green Chili Enchilada Spaghetti Squash Casserole

The post Hearty Rosemary Chicken Soup first appeared on BonBon Break.

Getting Started

To get you started, you can download this meal planner and shopping list. I find that when I can sit down at some point over the weekend and map out what we are going to eat during the week, it takes a lot of the stress out of meal planning. Look at your crazy schedule for the week and identify those nights where you are going to be home REALLY late. Those are the nights that you want to designate as roll-over nights or slow cooker nights. You want dinner to be ready to serve when you walk in the door. When you meal plan, you can create a couple of nights where you double a recipe and have enough for a leftovers smorgasbord one night (or maybe even two!).

Most of these easy dinners can be paired with a simple salad of lettuce, 2 veggies, and a sprinkle of some nuts or seeds for a really healthy option for your family.

Having dinner at the table together can be so difficult with busy schedules, but carving out at least half an hour each night to sit together without devices and interruptions is so valuable and having a tasty, hot meal on the table is a pretty good lure. We use this time to play a game called “Thorns and Roses” each night to check in with each other and to hear how everyone’s day went. Now to work on those table manners, right?

Involve Your Kids

I know this can cause a little frustration initially, but once you can put your kiddos on salad making duties or veggie chopping, it really does get easier. It is a great time to chat with them, it makes dinner prep faster AND you want to teach them how to cook for themselves. Once your kids reach middle school, you can put them in charge of a night and you can support them in the kitchen by doing the chopping or salad making. Make challenges for veggie nights, one-pot dinners, or 30-minute dinners.  These are all great things to add to their repertoire so they can make healthy, easy dinners for their families in the future.

Collection of Easy Dinners for Meal Planning

Our Favorite Sheet Pan Dinners for Busy Weeknights

Roll Over Recipes – Cook Once, Eat Twice (or more!)

How to Make Roasted Veggies for the Week

Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

31 Days of Easy Dinners

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Adults Will Love

 

50+ Beautiful Casserole Recipes

Shopping with BonBon Break

These items are linked to Amazon.com and they are affiliate links. This means we receive a little change for making the recommendation to you.

These are our favorite tools for making quick dinners:

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The post Meal Planning Help to the Rescue! Our Quick Guide to Easy Dinners first appeared on BonBon Break.

This is perfect for those of you who meal plan. Add the ingredient to your shopping list and then just toss everything into the crockpot or your Instapot in the morning for a hearty and delicious soup that your family and friends will love.

I had this posted on an old site of mine and a friend mentioned that she used to make it all of the time and could no longer find it. Well, here you go!

Chicken Enchilada Crockpot Soup How To Video

Print

Easy Chicken Enchilada Crockpot Soup

This soup is a perfect fall weeknight dinner. It is a crowd pleaser!

Course Main Course

Keyword gluten free, soups

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 4 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 1059kcal

Author Val Curtis

Ingredients

Into the CrockPot

• 4 cups of organic chicken stock
• 2 boneless skinless organic chicken breasts
• 28 oz. can of organic diced tomatoes*
• 3 tsp. cumin
• 3 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. cayenne
• 4 jalapeños seeded and minced
• 6 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 cups of frozen organic corn
• 1- 15 oz. can of organic black beans rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup tomato paste

Add after cooked

• 1/2 cup corn masa
• 8 oz. shredded pepper jack cheese

Garnish

• Cotija
• Sour Cream
• Cilantro

Instructions

• Place all ingredients, up to and including the tomato paste, into the crockpot. Gently mix together. 
• Turn on High setting and walk away...for at least 4 1/2 hours - or on low for 8. 
• At the end of cook time, use an immersion mixer 4-5 times quickly in the pot. 
• Add pepper jack cheese and stir until melted.
• Sprinkle in masa little by little while gently mixing with a wooden spoon. 
• Top with your garnishes of choice and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 1059kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 141g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 374mg | Sodium: 835mg | Potassium: 2902mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1480IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 332mg | Iron: 8.2mg

Here is another one of our favorites:

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

The post Easy Chicken Enchilada Crockpot Soup first appeared on BonBon Break.

20 Quick and Easy Fall Recipes

1. 1. Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting – Wine and Glue
   2. Caramel Apple Poke Cake – Wine and Glue
   3. Caramel Apple Dump Cake – Wine and Glue
   4. Apple Cider Margaritas – Wine and Glue
   5. Apple Cider Mimosas– The Cookie Rookie
   6. Apple Snickerdoodle Muffins – Cooking Classy
   7. Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower Gratin – An Edible Mosaic
   8. Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Bake – Noshing with the Nolands
   9. Bang Bang Cauliflower – That’s So Michelle!
   10. Browned Butter Apple Bread – BonBon Break
   11. Coconut Pumpkin Thai Soup – Droolworthy
   12. Warm Maple-Dijon Brussels Sprout Salad with Pecans – An Edible Mosaic
   13. Butternut Squash and Smokey Bean Salad – Betsy Life
   14. Maple Walnut Cheesecake Truffles – An Edible Mosaic
   15. Sweet Potato and Lentil Chili – Damn Delicious
   16. Sweet Potato Gnocchi – Pinch of Yum
   17. The Perfect Fall Cheese Board – The Pioneer Woman
   18. Brown Sugar Clafoutis with Pears – Orangette
   19. Apple Sharlotka – a family favorite from Smitten Kitchen
   20. Slow Cooker French Onion Soup – Damn Delicious

These are just to get your motor started! We have 3 other posts that will wet your whistle for fall:

• 50+ Fall Soup Recipes to Warm Your Soul
• 50+ Beautiful Casserole Recipes
• 31 Days of Easy Dinners

…and of course, we have collected everything fall for you from Halloween and Thanksgiving inspiration to more fall recipes. This is a REALLY fun area to peruse. We hope these quick and easy fall recipes, crafts and activities help to connect, simplify and inspire your life.

FIND MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS IN THE KITCHEN

The post Easy Fall Recipes on Our Bucket List That We Can’t Wait to Make first appeared on BonBon Break.

If meal planning is a chore for you, you’re going to love this great collection of 31 simple, delicious dinner recipes. We’ve gathered a whole month’s worth of recipes for you all in one place! There’s plenty of variety and lots of room for variation with these recipes. We know you’ll find meals here that will keep your family happy…ones they’re sure to ask for again and again.

Here’s to a month of dining inspiration — happy eating!

31 Days of Easy Dinners

Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Bowls by Back to Her Roots

French Bread Vegetable Pizza by BetsyLife

Sesame & Shitake Soba Noodles by Love & Lemons

Berry Chicken & Feta Salad by Cooking Classy 

Blackened Chicken & Strawberry Salad by Cherry on my Sundae 

Almost Spring Salad by C it Nutritionally

7 Ramen Pack Hacks by The Food Jew

Spicy Peanut Chicken Soba Noodle Salad by Pinch of Yum 

Chicken Pad Thai by Cooking Classy 

Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti by Gimme Some Oven 

Broccolini and Sausage Pasta by Flour Arrangements 

Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella by Jo Cooks

Cheesy Meatball Skillet by The Cooking Jar 

Oven Fried Chicken and Pancakes by French Press

15-Minute Chicken Scallopine by Around My Family Table 

Quick Chicken-Asparagus Lettuce Wraps by Brittany’s Pantry 

Weeknight Chicken Teriyaki by Brittany’s
Pantry 

Rosemary Parmesan Chicken Nuggets by
Baker by Nature 

Baked Chicken Chimichangas by The Girl Who Ate Everything

Easy Indian Spiced Tomato Lime Soup by Droolworthy 

Smoky Coconut & Butternut Squash Soup by Amuse Your Bouche

Stuffed Pepper Soup by Cooking Classy 

Sweet Potato and Lentil Chili by Damn Delicious

White Bean & Chorizo Stew by The Beach House Kitchen

One Pot Spanish Chicken and Potatoes by Pinch of Yum

One Pan Tuscan Pork Chops by Sweet C’s Designs

Thai-Inspired Street Dogs by An Edible Mosaic

Crock Pot Ham by Dining with Alice

Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Beef by Noshing with the Nolands

Slow Cooker Asian Pork Tenderloin by The Food Charlatan

 

Honey Glazed Salmon by Damn
Delicious

 

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The post 31 Days of Easy Dinners first appeared on BonBon Break.

It’s a cold, snowy day, perfect for this soup! Cabbage, potatoes, bell pepper and aromatics simmered on the stove with corned beef create this wonderful one pot meal. This is a fun twist on a Classic Irish dish. I thought this was a great way to enjoy corned beef while incorporating lots of vegetables for St. Patrick’s Day and it was a serious winner with our family. (Don’t feel like St. Patrick’s Day is the only day for Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup. This is an easy weeknight dinner, as well.)

CONTINUE READING IN THE KITCHEN

or pin this image:

The post Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup first appeared on BonBon Break.

Just when you’ve taken your first deep breath after racing home from work, your daughter’s dance class, or picking the baby up from daycare, your other kid walks through the back door and shouts, “What’s for dinner?”

Maybe you find yourself standing in the kitchen, blankly staring at various cans and boxes. Your family is getting restless; you must act quickly. And then you see it, high up on top shelf behind the organic fire roasted tomatoes: the six-pack of ramen noodle soup that you bought for emergencies. Hey, it was only $1.89, after all.

Ramen can feel like a dirty little secret, but it doesn’t have to. With simple additions, like lean protein and vegetables, it can be an easy, quick, and healthy dinner.

So here is the solution. You are pretty much guaranteed to have the ingredients for a least one of these recipes in your kitchen right now. And they are fast! You can have dinner from the stovetop to the table  in 30 minutes or less.

These ramen pack hacks are so good, they are even worth planning ahead for.

Jewish Penicillin

2 packages chicken ramen
5 cups water
olive oil
1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
1 rib celery, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped onion
½ teaspoon dried dill or 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1 chicken breast, thinly sliced

Sauté carrot, celery, and onion in olive oil until onion is transparent. Add water, ramen seasoning packet, and chicken, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add dry noodles and dill and simmer for an additional 5 minutes until noodles are tender.

West African Peanut Soup

2 packages chicken ramen
5 cups water
olive oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
1 plum tomato, chopped
1 handful kale or spinach, julienned
¼ cup peanut butter
pinch cayenne pepper

Sauté ginger, garlic, and sweet potato in olive oil until garlic is transparent. Add water, peanut butter, and ramen seasoning pack and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add dry noodles, chopped tomato, spinach or kale, and cayenne pepper and cook for an additional 5 minutes until noodles are tender.

Greek Avgolemono (egg and lemon soup)

2 packages chicken ramen
5 cups water
3 eggs
3 tablespoons lemon juice

Bring water and seasoning packet to a boil. Add dry noodles, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes until noodles are tender.

While noodles are cooking, whisk eggs and lemon juice until combined. Ladle about 1 cup of the hot broth into the egg-lemon mixture, whisking to combine. Add the mixture back into the simmering pot. Stir until soup thickens and becomes opaque, 1-2 minutes

Thai Coconut Soup

2 packages chicken ramen
vegetable oil
2 teaspoons finely minced ginger
1 stalk fresh lemongrass, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon red chili paste
4 cups water
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
10-12 shrimp (optional)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Sauté ginger, lemon grass, mushrooms, and red chili paste in vegetable oil for one minute. Add water, coconut milk, seasoning packet, brown sugar, and fish sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add dry noodles and shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes or until noodles are tender and shrimp is cooked through. Stir in lime juice. Serve garnished with basil and cilantro.

Italian Wedding Soup

2 packages chicken ramen
5 cups water
olive oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped onion
1 carrot peeled and thinly sliced
1 rib celery, thinly sliced
8 frozen meatballs
1 cup packed baby spinach, roughly chopped

Sauté garlic, onion, carrot, celery, and hot pepper flakes in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add water, seasoning packet, and meatballs, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add dry noodles and spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes until noodles are tender and spinach is wilted.

Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (Pho)

2 packages oriental-flavor ramen
5 cups water
3 slices fresh ginger root
1 star anise pod
1 tablespoon fish sauce
½ lb top beef sirloin very thinly sliced
basil leaves, sliced scallions, lime wedges, and bean sprouts for garnish
hoisin sauce and/or sriracha sauce for serving

Bring water, seasoning packet, ginger, and star anise to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add dry noodles, sliced beef, and fish sauce. Cook for 5 minutes or until the noodles are tender and the beef is cooked through. Remove ginger and star anise. Garnish each serving with basil, scallion, bean sprouts, and lime. Serve hoisin and sriracha on the side.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 packages chicken ramen
5 cups of water
olive oil
¼ cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin powder
½ teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with green chili
1 chicken breast, boneless and skinless
1 tablespoon lime juice
tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and sour cream for garnish

Sauté garlic, onion, cumin, and chili powder in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add water, seasoning packet, canned tomatoes, corn, and chicken breast and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. Add dry noodles and cook for an additional 3 minutes until noodles are tender. Stir in lime juice. Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocado, cilantro, and sour cream as desired.

Photo Credit: Morgan Loosli

This post was written by Lauren Cooper exclusively for BonBon Break Media LLC.

The post 7 Ramen Pack Hacks for Easy Dinners first appeared on BonBon Break.

When I first heard the news that my friend’s father had died, I didn’t know what I could possibly say to ease her grief. Instead of trying, I offered to bring her family dinner. I hoped that in feeding her family, she would feel my love and support. I hoped that in saving her the time to shop for groceries and prepare food, she would have more energy to take care of herself when so many others were leaning on her. I hoped that by offering a comforting meal, food might help her when — really — nothing else could. I am not alone in feeling this instinct to reach out with food; countless others set up and join meal trains — collective efforts to feed and nurture those in need — every day.

When people we love go through transformative moments — the death of a loved one, serious illness, or bringing a new child into the world — we reach out to help them settle into new life patterns. Sometimes we can connect with sage and comforting advice, but when we can’t, food is usually a welcome offering.

In recent months, more than a few friends have found themselves in life-changing situations. Along with so many others, I’ve reached out to feed them. As I work to prepare meals, questions keep coming up about what and how and when to deliver. It has been awhile since I’ve been on the receiving end of meal sharing, and somehow my memories of what worked best are fuzzy. I know I’m not the only one with questions, so I’ve been asking for advice from friends who’ve recently benefited from shared meals. Their helpful, honest feedback offers plenty of food for thought. Following are some considerations to help deliver comfort and ease rather than any additional burden:

Decide Between Home Made or Prepared Options.  A homemade meal prepared with love that can be easily heated and served is usually the favorite option, but if you don’t like to cook or don’t have the time, don’t kill yourself trying to make something yourself. If you have a hard time pulling off dinner for your own family, preparing a meal for someone else can feel like a burden rather than gift. Picking up or having take-out delivered — especially from a friend’s favorite spot — is a lovely alternative.

One working mom mentioned that she appreciated meals from Munchery and Blue Apron after she had her baby, so she now uses these services to share meals with friends. She especially likes Munchery because “the food is already prepared; you just have to heat it up.” With Blue Apron, “the recipients still have to put all the ingredients together to make the meal,” so she only uses this service “once their babies have outgrown the newborn stage.”

If you’re helping a friend who lives far from you, the delivery option is often the only way to go. A word of caution about using services out of your area: make sure you read reviews or ask for recommendations. One friend received a number of gift-certificates from a frozen entree service, and, while she appreciated the thought, she sheepishly admitted that “those dishes were not great, sadly. Frozen dishes only go so far on taste; it’s better if possible to get a gift certificate from a restaurant delivery service for fresh food.”

Find Out About Food Allergies, Preferences, or Other Dietary Restrictions. Even if you feel sure you know what a friend’s family can eat, food needs change, especially if you are bringing food to a nursing mother or someone with a serious illness in the family. Always double check. If you’ve signed up to bring meals through a site like Meal Train or Food Tidings, this information is usually listed prominently. If not, just ask.

If a friend is undergoing chemotherapy, being mindful of what you bring can be especially important. A cancer-survivor shared that “tastes can change – some people’s palates becomes metallic, or they have dry-mouth, or feel nauseous much of the time.” Consider checking your library for cookbooks specific to cancer patients. Both The Cancer Fighting Cookbook or One Bite at a Time by Rebecca Katz come highly recommended.

If you know a family has food restrictions, including a list of ingredients for each item that you bring will circumvent concerns or problems.

Plan Your Menu. There’s only so much lasagna a person can eat in one week, right? Since certain dishes are easier to transport than others, these meals get repeated frequently. If you rule out the first few recipes that come to mind, you’re probably on the right track. If delivering, remember that pizza is often the first idea that comes to mind for many people. One new mom mentioned receiving pizza for three meals in a row!

Most meal delivery planning websites allow you to check what others have delivered or plan to deliver around your selected date. If not, it’s easy enough to send a quick text or email, but don’t feel disheartened if you don’t get a response.

Many friends mentioned that the best deliveries they received were “complete” meals. In addition to main dishes, people appreciated receiving items like a simple salad, a side vegetable, or a loaf of French bread. And while it’s certainly not expected, almost everyone I talked with said that something sweet for dessert or a bottle of wine made them feel extra pampered.

As you plan, be sure to consider foods that will hold well in the refrigerator or that can be frozen in case they can’t be eaten right away. When delivering home-prepared meals, be sure to include clear and detailed instructions for re-heating or other necessary prep, for example, “toss goat cheese and dressing before serving.” When possible, keep items on the side that diners can add themselves, especially when delivering food to a family with kids. Homemade or purchased build-your-own-dinner options work well for families with food allergies, sensitivities, or picky eaters.

Know Who You’re Feeding. Make sure you know how many people your meal should serve. Keep in mind that what people feel is enough to eat varies, so erring on the side of excess is generally a good idea. One friend mentioned that a meal she received included only “one take-out size container of soup with nothing else.” She’d had a particularly challenging day, and figuring out how feed her family with that small carton of soup didn’t improve anything. “I felt bad for feeling ungrateful but couldn’t help thinking ‘How would we possibly fill up on this for dinner?’ But then again, we were thankful just to have someone take time out of their busy day to help out in any way.”

While planning to leave a family with leftovers is certainly not expected, many people expressed their gratitude about having extra for lunch or dinner the following day. One new mom recounted how she felt hungry all the time. She loved how “it was so convenient to pull a slice of whatever was leftover from the fridge, microwave it, and eat quickly after putting the baby down to sleep,” especially in the middle of the night.

Plan to Part with Your Containers.  Don’t deliver work or worry with your meal; if at all possible, drop off food in containers that are disposable or that you don’t need returned. A seriously ill friend mentioned that she felt too overwhelmed to even wash dishes sometimes, let alone keep track of coordinating their return. “I still have a canvas bag that I have no clue who brought,” she recounted. “In those early days of diagnosis, I really liked the disposable containers that had no strings attached.”

Another friend dealing with a long-term illness decided to place a cooler on her porch where people can leave meals if no one is home. She leaves clean containers in the cooler for people to pick up after a few days if they want them back. Additionally, other meal preparers can swing by and pick up containers for their own meal deliveries instead of adding the expense and waste of using disposable items.

Honor Your Commitment.  When a family knows dinner is taken care of, the weight on their shoulders feels a little bit lighter. If that dinner doesn’t show up — when they’re hungry and without a plan — that weight feels suddenly heavier than it should. One evening, some friends waited and waited after the scheduled drop-off time, but food never arrived. They felt too embarrassed to contact the person who signed up and scrambled to get dinner together for themselves.

If you’ve signed up to bring dinner but find yourself unable to so, make alternate plans as quickly as you can. Switch days with someone else if you have time or simply have take-out delivered. One day when I was supposed to prepare dinner for a friend, I woke up with a high fever, so I had pizza and a salad dropped off from their favorite restaurant. I felt guilty sending a pizza (see “Plan Your Menu,” above), but since I couldn’t get out of bed myself, it was the best I could do. If nothing else, let your friends know that something has come up so they won’t be counting on dinner.

Deliver with Class. Meal delivery planning websites usually list a drop off window for delivering meals, but sending a text or email to let a friend know when you are coming can be helpful. While you shouldn’t expect a reply, your communication will reassure your friend that dinner is on its way. If your friends are home when you drop off the meal, apart from a few brief words, don’t plan to stay unless specifically invited. Families with new babies are often exhausted, and families dealing with serious illness or loss may not feel like putting on a happy face to chat. While you may want to catch up, remember to be as respectful as possible about the families’ needs. A friend shared a story about receiving a food delivery on a day when, in addition to her compromised immune system, she had a terrible cold. She had casually mentioned how crummy she was feeling to the person who was scheduled to deliver that day, and “A few hours later, the doorbell rang, and there was a paper bag of orange juice, chicken soup, and crackers at my door — this doorbell ditch was the perfect response!”

***

Without exception, all the families I talked with, no matter what their circumstances, expressed how the simple act of being fed made them feel supported and connected during a challenging, hectic, or exhausting time. One friend recounted a story about a friend who felt extremely isolated while undergoing cancer treatments: “The homemade meals she got were like receiving cards in the mail – they were thoughtful and so much fun to ‘open.'”  So remember, whenever you deliver food to a friend in need, be it homemade or prepared food, an elaborate spread or simple fare, your efforts to nourish the body will feed the soul as well.

Meal Train Recipe Ideas

Here are some tempting, delicious recipes to help you get you started thinking about how to keep the meal train rotation new and interesting for families. Make it a complete meal by adding a simple salad or side vegetable. For a special treat, throw in a bottle of wine or something sweet. For additional inspiration, check out our 50+ Beautiful Casseroles round up or our collection of 50+ Fall Soup Recipes to Soothe Your Soul.

Creative Casseroles

Healthy Mexican Casserole by Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Reuben Casserole by The Girl Who Ate Everything

Pork Chop Casserole by Bev Cooks

Stuffed Entrees

Baked Mozzarella Chicken Rolls by Pinch of Yum

Savory Pies

Tomato & Onion Tart by Flour Arrangements

Chicken Pot Pie by Flour Arrangements

Easy Taco Pie by Damn Delicious

Steak & Mushroom Pie by One Sweet Mess

Risotto

Butternut Squash & Leek Risotto by Love & Lemons

Spinach Risotto by Living Lou

Stir Fries

Ginger Beef Stir-Fry by Noshing with the Nolands

Rapini Noodle Bowl by A House in the Hills

Quick Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry by Damn Delicious

Lasagna with a Twist

Chicken Enchilada Lasagna by My Life as a Strawberry

Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna by The Girl Who Ate Everything

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This post was written by Suzanne Cowden exclusively for BonBon Break Media, LLC.

The post Food to Share: Meal Train Recipes & Ideas first appeared on BonBon Break.

To make this Butternut squash chili, Betsy starts with onion and garlic and then sneaks in some heat with jalapenos. The squash is slow cooked with seasoning, a perfect dish to have sitting on your stove over the weekend. We love that Betsy tops her chili with crispy chicken, not only is it a tasty chili topping we love this creative idea for using leftovers.

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The post Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili first appeared on BonBon Break.