48 Make-and-Take Meals for New Parents (Or Anyone) in Need

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48 Make-and-Take Meals for New Parents (Or Anyone) in Need1/47 Asparagus Ham Dinner 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Asparagus Ham Dinner Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it’s a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 204 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 561mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars,

3g fiber), 12g protein

3g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 2/47 Banana Bread 502 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Best Ever Banana Bread Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 1 loaf (16 pieces) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of this banana bread. It really is amazingly good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 257 calories, 13g fat (1g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 171mg sodium,

34g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein

34g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 3/47 Farmer’s Casserole 96 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Between family and friends, we average 375 visitors a year! This casserole is handy—you can put it together the night before, let the flavors blend, then bake it in the morning. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado Editor’s tip: Consider setting up a meal train to help support the grieving family. You could bring this recipe or one of these other meal train ideas. Nutrition

Facts: 1 piece: 239 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 170mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. 4/47 Pulled Pork Sandwiches 70 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tangy Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The slow cooker not only makes this an easy meal, it keeps the pork tender, saucy and loaded with flavor. —Beki Kosydar-Krantz, Mayfield, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 402 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1181mg sodium, 56g

carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein

carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein. 5/47 Buttermilk Pancakes 67 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You just can’t beat a basic buttermilk pancake for a down-home country breakfast. Paired with sausage and fresh fruit, these pancakes are just like the ones you get at Cracker Barrel. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 3 pancakes: 270 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein. 6/47 Honey Chicken Stir-Fry 76 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Honey

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat,

Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m a new mom, and my schedule is very dependent upon our young son, so I like meals that can be ready in as little time as possible. This all-in-one chicken stir fry recipe with a hint of sweetness from honey is a big time-saver. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup stir-fry: 249 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat,

2 vegetable, 1/2 starch

2 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 7/47 Fruit Cup with Citrus Sauce Test Kitchen Approved Fruit Cup with Citrus Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This medley of fresh fruits is so elegant that I serve it in my prettiest crystal bowls. With its dressed-up flavor, it’s perfect for a special event. —Edna Lee, Greeley, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 75 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit. 8/47 Rice Pudding 94

My sisters and I always loved the recipe for rice pudding our grandma made

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grandma’s Rice Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My sisters and I always loved the recipe for rice pudding our grandma made. After she passed away, I took it upon myself to try and find the secret to her rice pudding. It took quite a bit of experimentation, but I finally got it right! And I’m glad to share this easy recipe here. —Margaret DeChant, Newberry, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 197 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 52mg

sodium, 36g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein

sodium, 36g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 9/47 Cheeseburger Pasta 127 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Family-Favorite Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe photo by Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this cheeseburger pasta recipe to satisfy a craving. What a delicious, healthy classic! —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 391 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 759mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 10/47 11/47 French Dip

This slow-cooked version will soon be a favorite at your house too

53 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved French Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a sandwich with more pizazz than the traditional French dip, give this recipe a try. The seasonings give the broth a wonderful flavor, and the meat cooks up tender and juicy. This slow-cooked version will soon be a favorite at your house too. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 467 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 1300mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber),

41g protein

41g protein. 12/47 Mini Barbecue Meat Loaves 46 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 2 mini meat loaves: 330 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein. 13/47 Chicken Tortilla Soup 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE

I get so many compliments when I serve it: you will, too

OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken tortilla soup is as good as (if not better than) any I’ve had in a restaurant. I get so many compliments when I serve it: you will, too. —Laura Black Johnson, Largo, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 200 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 941mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. 14/47 Blueberry French Toast 86 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Blueberry French Toast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour

25 min Servings 8 servings (1-3/4 cups sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A local blueberry grower shared this recipe with me, and it’s the best breakfast dish I’ve ever tasted. With the cream cheese and berry combination, this French toast casserole reminds me of dessert. —Patricia Axelsen, Aurora, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 621 calories, 31g fat (15g saturated fat), 350mg cholesterol, 569mg sodium, 68g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. 15/47 Cheese Tortellini with Tomatoes and Corn 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe

From the Recipe Creator: Fresh corn and basil make this dish taste like summer

From the Recipe Creator: Fresh corn and basil make this dish taste like summer. I think it’s a good one for bringing to picnics or gatherings, but it’s great along with any side dish for a weeknight dinner! —Sally Maloney, Dallas, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-3/4 cups: 366 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 286mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein. 16/47 Chili Mac Casserole 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jim Wieland For Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cheesy casserole uses several of

Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal

my family’s favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 313 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 758mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 17/47 Scalloped Corn 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Scalloped Corn Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This comforting casserole features sunny corn kernels tucked into a creamy

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• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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