As a woman of Southern origin, I find few things as comforting as a good casserole, particularly around this time of year. (This one is my favorite.) Casseroles are almost a love language—if someone gives you a casserole, they are saying, “Here, friend—here is a complete meal that requires so little of you.” I think that is very nice.
We may not be able to gather together this year, but we can certainly swap (casseroles, that is) and thereby feel close without getting close. Now, depending on where your friends and family are, it may not be as simple as dropping a casserole on their doorstep, but modifications can be made for distance. No matter how far apart the participants are, the same rules apply: everyone is randomly assigned a casserole buddy (use a name-drawing generator online), and you either deliver a fully assembled casserole to your buddy, or provide them with the means to make said casserole.
If your loved ones are super close
This is the easiest. Just make a casserole, wrap it in foil, and drop it off on their doorstep (make sure they’re home first). Dropping off a hot casserole requires the recipient be ready to eat it, however, which is why I’m a big fan of freezing an assembled (but not baked) casserole in disposable aluminum dishes. That way, your friend or family member can enjoy a hot and comforting meal at their leisure. Just make sure that any meat is fully cooked before freezing. Basically, do everything you would normally do just before popping it in the oven to get it all browned and beautiful, then wrap it tightly in double layer of foil and freeze it. Write the cooking temperature and time on the foil and you’re good to go.
If you’re not that close
If you’re too far from your intended to drop a casserole on their stoop, consider putting together a casserole care package. You can assemble and ship non-perishable ingredients yourself, or use a grocery delivery service and have all of the components shipped directly to your casserole buddy’s home. Make sure you also send detailed instructions, and make them a l’il fancy. If you’re sending them by snail mail, print or hand write them on nice paper, and decorate with stickers or something (I’m not crafty). If you’re sending it online, use a pretty template, or use some photo editing software to make it feel special.
If you want to make your delivery extra special, include some cute but pertinent extras like potholders, serving utensils, or pretty kitchen towels. Everyone loves a pretty kitchen towel, almost as much as they love a casserole.