Start a Dinner Train! Here’s how it works and a recipe to get you started

The Dinner Train is a way to give a little extra help to someone who needs it.

When a friend or family member is in need, sometimes the greatest gift we can give them is a homemade meal. It’s one of the oldest and purest acts of love. Dinner delivered directly to their front door by someone who cares.

Leigh Anne Wilkes shares more on this concept which she calls The Dinner Train.

Find more ideas and recipes from Leigh Anne at yourhomebasedmom.com.

The Dinner Train

THE IDEA

The Dinner Train is a system where a network of family members or friends band together to schedule, prepare, and deliver meals for somebody who needs a little extra help.

THE  MENU

• When deciding what to bring over, choose recipes your family knows and loves—something you are familiar with and comfortable making.
• Leigh Anne likes to choose a meal that can be prepped ahead of time and doesn’t require a lot of last minute prep or cooking. She recommends to do majority of the work the night before, or morning of, and deliver during the day.
• Double the recipe so that you have enough to feed your family, too!
• Choose a main dish, salad, and some homemade bread. Leigh Anne likes homemade bread because it’s a comfort food, guaranteed to make them feel better. She also likes to add in something sweet, for dessert!
• Bring everything they will need. If you’re taking a salad, make sure to bring the dressing as well. Include all necessary condiments.
• Always ask if there are any dietary restrictions, or any food that kids won’t eat. Don’t take a pasta dish if the kids don’t like pasta!

Leigh Anne shares a few more dinner-train recipe ideas on her website. Find them here.

THE PACKAGING

• Take everything in disposable containers or containers that don’t need to be returned.
• Keep a stash of aluminum pans, zip lock bags, and deli containers on hand, so you’re always prepared.
• If you need to use your own dish, and want it returned, make sure you label it with your name and let them know you’ll come back to pick it up. Don’t create any work for them!

THE DROP OFF

• Always ask what time they’d like the food delivered.
• Include baking instructions written on the container when you drop off. That way, if the recipient won’t be eating the meal that night, they can stash it in the freezer and save it for later—and have the exact baking instructions.

Enchilada Casserole

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes

Enchilada casserole is all the delicious flavors of enchiladas, in an easy casserole.

8 Servings

Prep: 40 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 clove garlic chopped
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 2 14. oz cans enchilada sauce
• 2 14.5 oz. Cans diced tomatoes I used the petit diced tomatoes
• 1 3.8 oz can sliced olives
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 lbs grated cheddar cheese

METHOD

1. Fry meat, onion and garlic
2. Drain off fat
3. Season with salt and pepper
4. Add everything but the olives, cheese and tortillas
5. Cook for 20 minutes and add olives
6. Put in a 9 x 3 baking dish in layers
7. First layer half the tortillas, cover with sauce, layer of cheese
8. Repeat ending with cheese on top
9. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes