This past year I have had a lot of friends that were in need of a home cooked meal while they recuperated from surgery. When my friends are down and out, I like to take them a Get Well Dinner Basket. I do the same for grieving friends when they could use a home cooked meal.
Get Well Dinner Basket
My Go To One-Pot Meal for Friends In Need
I like to turn to comfort food for my friends to enjoy and my sister’s recipe for Pasta Fagioli Soup fits the bill. I’m all for the convenience of preparing a meal in one pot. A bonus for this recipe is that the soup freezes well, and if they don’t eat it all at once they can freeze the extra for later.
Pasta Fagioli Soup • Grated Parmesan Cheese • Crusty Bread
I always add some crusty bread and a tub of grated parmesan cheese to my Pasta Fagioli get well dinner. The parmesan cheese really adds great flavor sprinkled on top of the soup.
Pasta Fagioli Recipe
Ingredients
1 lb. Bulk Italian Sausage
1 32 oz. Box of Beef Stock
2 Cans Diced Tomatoes
1 Can Kidney Beans
1 Can Garbanzo Beans
1 Large Onion, Chopped
4 Stalks Celery, Chopped
3 Carrots, Sliced
3 Cups Water
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt & Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic, Chopped
1 Cup Ditalini Pasta
Brown Italian sausage and garlic. Drain sausage. Add remainder ingredients except Ditalini pasta. Cook for about an hour or more.
Once vegetables are done, add pasta. Cook for 15 minutes longer.
Serve with grated Parmesan Cheese sprinkled on top.
NOTES : This recipe is my sisters and she really doesn’t measure anything. Use your own judgment on what measurements you would like.
I have substituted Turkey Italian Sausage and it’s just as good.
How to Easily Transport Food
When taking food to friends, I love my big baskets with handles. I line them with cloth napkins for a pretty presentation and the handles make it easy for carrying.
On top of the napkins, I place a silicone baking mat to prevent the soup terrine from moving around.
I also lay silicone baking mats on my trunk floor. The silicone mat prevents the basket from sliding around. I bought some extra mats that I keep in my trunk. You don’t have to buy the expensive Silpat mat. There are so many inexpensive ones that work just as good.
What is your go to meal for your friends in need?
About how much Italian Seasioning, onion powder, and garlic powder?
Meg – I would be more generous with the Italian Seasoning and less on the onion and garlic powder. Start with a teaspoon of the Italian Seasoning and then add more as you taste. For the onion and garlic powder, start with a sprinkling of each and again, add to taste.