23 Simple Sick-Day Meals to Make When Your Family’s Under the Weather

Likely the first dish that comes to mind when you think about sick-day foods, chicken soup has a way of lifting spirits and soothing cold symptoms that’s pretty much unmatched. Don’t skip the egg noodles, which add a little oomph and make this soup meal-worthy.

I love microwaved baked potatoes for sick days. They cook in minutes with very little effort, and you can customize them depending on how you and the family you’re feeding are feeling. If bellies aren’t quite ready for a ton of flavor or heavier ingredients, keep it simple with a little butter and salt.

The aromatics (ginger, garlic, scallions) in this soup might just break through that head cold and deliver your first slurps of flavor in untold days. Plus, you can have a bowl on the table in about 25 minutes. (Use soy sauce rather than tamari for the totally alcohol-free version.)

If you crave vegetables when you’re feeling poorly, this frittata is the perfect vehicle for getting in your veggies. Easy to prepare and endlessly customizable, a frittata is a great hands-off meal for when you’d rather not be standing over the stove.

Silky, warm, and extremely comforting, a bowl of congee is the kind of meal that’s made for sick days. Plus, after just a few minutes of prep, it comes together with mostly hands-off cooking and can be topped with whatever meat or vegetables you have on hand. (As with the dumpling soup above, you can use soy sauce rather than tamari for the totally alcohol-free version.)

If your sick-day crew is all souped out, this one-pan chicken should be your next move. The comforting, homestyle dish cooks in about 20 minutes, and the lemon dill sauce is delicious yet not too heavy. Pair it with rice for an easy win.

Hearty and porridge-y, this soup draws on the classic feel-better ingredients of chicken, pasta, and broth fortified with celery, carrots, and onions, and gets a little umami boost with Parmesan cheese. Despite tasting like it was bubbling away all day, the soup comes together in about an hour and uses only one pot.

After feeling under the weather for a day or two, all my kids want is a mountain of noodles with a flurry of Parmesan cheese — and I will happily oblige every single time, especially because this recipe is so simple.

Whether it’s a sick day or just a low-energy day, this kid-approved pasta recipe is a great choice for feeding, shall we say, selective eaters. Affordable pantry ingredients come together in about 15 minutes to create a meal that far exceeds the sum of its humble parts.

I stay home with my kids when they’re sick, which gives me the perfect chance to let this recipe simmer low and slow. This homey, comforting navy bean soup hits the spot when all you really want is something warm and cozy.

With just three ingredients (seriously!), this recipe delivers a bowl of sweet, cozy goodness that’s designed to please a range of palates. Fresh chives make a fun fourth ingredient if you’re feeling peppy enough for a grocery run, but they’re totally optional.

Filling and hearty yet light on the palate, this is one of my all-time favorite meals when I need a quick win. The flavorful fried rice comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish, and it’s a clever way to use up any leftover cooked rice you might have in the fridge.

Who says sick-day food has to be bland? This soup is packed with flavor, and your family can add their favorite toppings to make each bowl their own. (A little heat can be helpful when you're sick, but adjust the chili powder based on your family's preferences.) Plus, using rotisserie chicken means it’s easy to prep quickly and without a ton of effort.

By using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, this pasta manages to be delightfully creamy without being too heavy. Plus the yogurt adds some good protein, making this a simple, filling vegetarian dinner that can be on the table in about 20 minutes.

The last thing I want to do if I’m not feeling my best is trudge through a grocery store, so I appreciate a pantry-friendly dinner that doesn’t require a trip outside of the radius of my living room. Garlic Parmesan chicken, a family favorite, fits the bill and only requires five ingredients that I tend to keep on hand.

Toward the end of a run of sick days, I like to serve something that’s still homey and comforting but also hearty enough to get energy levels back up. This picadillo is quick-cooking and super satisfying to help everyone get back on their feet.

The kids might be missing school for a sick day, but they can still practice their ABCs, thanks to this super-family-friendly soup that’s loaded with veggies and bright tomato flavor.

What do you get when you take three ingredients and add 25 minutes? This simple, easy-to-love dinner that manages to hit the spot when everyone’s in need of a pick-me-up. Add some shredded rotisserie chicken on top for a little extra protein.

Frozen tortellini and baby spinach are the quick-cooking ingredients that help this soup transform into a meal in a snap. Omit, amp up, or swap out the spinach and carrots for the veggies of your choice to put your own spin on this nearly effortless recipe.

Sometimes someone in the house feels so awful that nothing seems appealing. (As a food-lover, those days are the hardest.) A gentle rice pilaf, though, is a smart way to get some nutrients in without pushing too hard.

Snow days, sick days, or any cold day in between – there’s nothing cozier than a bowl of tomato soup with a toasty grilled cheese or a handful of crackers. And this homemade version? Way better than the canned kind, but still easy to pull together.

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making phở at home; this recipe simplifies the dish to make it approachable, with absolutely delicious results that will have your convalescing loved ones feeling better with every slurp. You can forgo the jalapeño if your family isn’t feeling up to such heat.

A handy, back-pocket recipe for when appetites are low but nutrients are important, this fluffy rice is mild and kid-friendly; plus it’s a good jumping-off point for a heartier meal for your non-sick family members.