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Ugh, you're sick. Or someone in your family is sick. Or worse, you're all sick! And trying to figure out what to eat when your brain is feeling all sorts of fuzzy or throat is on fire is just plain ol' hard. But not to worry, because you've just stumbled upon 20 of the best recipes for when you're sick (which also double as "get well soon" gifts if you know someone who is under the weather).
Of course, it depends on what kind of sick you are. Maybe you're just feeling miserable in general and crave comfort food like easy casseroles and grandma-inspired meals. You'll certainly find plenty of those like the Drummond family favorite chicken spaghetti and a homemade Hamburger Helper. And if you don't want to put a ton of effort into cooking, try some 30-minute meals or one-pot meals so there are less dishes to clean.
You'll also find easy-to-swallow ideas if your throat hurts like applesauce, sorbet, and lots and lots of soup recipes full of nutrients. There are also ways to clear your sinuses with little kicks of heat like ginger. And if you're just not hungry at all because your tummy doesn't feel good, there are easily digestible options like poached chicken and rice that'll help you when you're on the mend. And if all else fails, just pick what sounds the best and go for it!
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Of course chicken noodle soup is on the top of the list! It's easy to digest, full of nutrients, and is just pure comfort. If you make it in an Instant Pot, it's only ten minutes of prep.
Hot Toddy
Not for the kids of course, but a hot toddy can be so soothing to sip. All you need is hot water, lemon, honey, and a splash of bourbon or whiskey.
Get the Hot Toddy recipe.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
If your throat is sore, go for something easy to swallow and digest. Plus, applesauce has that feel-good factor from childhood and lots of vitamins that'll make you so much better.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Applesauce recipe.
Vegetable Soup
You can make this feel-good meal in less than 30 minutes. All those veggies and vitamins will help you build your strength back, plus it's so easy to sip and savor.
Get the Vegetable Soup recipe.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
If you just want to dig into a hearty meal, beef stew is the answer! It's got your meat, veggies, and carbs in one bowl of comfort and the slow cooker does most of the work for you.
Get the Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe.
Mango Sorbet
Remember when you were a kid and ice pops made all the difference? Sorbet is homemade answer to that! In this recipe, you can use frozen fruit and skip the ice cream maker churning process entirely.
Get the Mango Sorbet recipe.
Poached Chicken
Protein is essential to getting your strength back. But if your stomach isn't feeling all that great, gently poaching chicken is the way to go. Then as you start to feel better, you can add it to so many meals just like rotisserie chicken.
Get the Poached Chicken recipe.
White Rice
Much like poached chicken, making a batch of white rice is a great idea. It is gentle on your stomach but will fill you up. Plus, there are dozens of uses for leftover rice to make when you're on the mend.
Get the White Rice recipe.
Tomato Soup with Parmesan Croutons
If you're up for the task, skip the canned kind and make tomato soup from scratch! Ree's recipe only takes ten minutes of prep and tastes a thousand times better.
Get Ree's Tomato Soup with Parmesan Croutons recipe.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Sorry not sorry, you can't have tomato soup without grilled cheese. It is so easy to make in the air fryer, too! Just grab your favorite cheese and bread combo and get (air) fryin'.
Get the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese recipe.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
There's something about nostalgia that can cure what ails you. This will bring back all the comforting memories, and it's made in one pot in just over a half hour.
Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
Watermelon Smoothie
Smoothies should probably be called "soothies" for their ease of consumption. Plus in this recipe, the watermelon is super hydrating and the yogurt mixed in will give you much needed protein.
Get the Watermelon Smoothie recipe.
Dumpling Soup
If you're looking for a kick to clear those sinuses, there's a little bit of ginger in the broth and you can add as much hot sauce or chili oil as you want. Bonus: This is a 15-minute meal!
Get the Dumpling Soup recipe.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
What if you want comfort food that's easy to swallow and easy to digest? Hello, mashed potatoes! You can make them in an instant pot, a slow cooker, or on the stove.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Chicken Spaghetti
If you want to know what the Drummond family considers comfort food, this casserole is it. As Ree says, "What's not to love? It's chicken, cheese, pasta, and few sneaky vegetables."
Get the Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash is good for you, and once you roast it and puree it, it's easy to swallow, too. Chicken broth adds protein, as does the bacon (but that's totally optional).
Get Ree's Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe.
Chicken Tortellini Soup
If you love the idea of chicken noodle soup but want to kick it up a notch, add tortellini instead. This soup comes together in just 30 minutes and only uses one pot, too.
Get the Chicken Tortellini Soup recipe.
Blender Apple Beet Ginger Juice
Skip the container of orange juice in the fridge and make your own juice if you can. The kick of ginger in this will help clear your sinus and settle your stomach.
Baked Ravioli
If you're craving lasagna but just don't feel like doing all that work, make this casserole instead! It's the same flavor profile but uses a package of frozen cheese and spinach ravioli.
Get the Baked Ravioli recipe.
Roasted Chicken Matzo Ball Soup
If you've never had matzo ball soup before, you are missing out! It's like chicken noodle soup but even more comforting. In fact, it's often jokingly labeled "penicillin" at some restaurants.
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